Forget singers (Ashley Simpson) faking their singing in concerts by lip-synching their tunes, this release just emailed to me talks about a band using the video features of the iPod to fake the entire performance (voice & video) of a particular band-member that can't make it to the concert. If I read this release correctly, they display the video of the drummer, guitarist, keyboardist or bass player on the Jumbotron. Only thing I don't get is that the iPod has a 320x240 resolution. I would think that'd look pretty crappy on the Jumbotron. Actually, on Apple's website, they say that the iPod Video can support MPEG4 file formats up to 480x480 at 30 frames per second, so maybe it would look OK.
Still, you'd probably only get away with faking a band member's performance with a bunch of stoned Deadheads, but I'm thinking most concert goers would notice a missing band member, especially if its the lead singer. As if rockers don't already have the impression of being "slackers" now they're going to start using an iPod to transmit one of their past performances?
In any event, check out the release below. It's pretty amusing, in particular this line: Will the iPod ultimately replace Midstates' errant members? "Probably not," says Heintz. "But, it's much easier to stretch out in the van with the iPod on board." I'm sure this is mostly a marketing plot to build some awareness for the band, and I certainly bit hook-line-and-sinker by blogging this.
Apple's Video iPod Joins Chicago Band, Midstates
New Device Becomes Band's Stand-in Drummer, Keyboard Player and Guitarist
Chicago rock band Midstates recently welcomed Apple's new iPod as the group's sixth member while on tour this last November. The hot new device played drums, keyboards and guitars and even made sure audiences could visually experience the unique skills of the group's drummer. This is probably the first instance of an iPod being used to recreate not only an audio performance, but also a visual performance.
Midstates, touring in support of their upcoming release Boxing Twilight, recently found themselves in a bind - how to tour with popular combo, Wheatus, for three weeks without three-fifths of their members?
With the tour falling around the holidays and three members unable to carve out enough time from other obligations, Midstates' Paul Heintz and Steve Munoz needed a solution and needed it fast. To further the dilemma, drummer Angel Ledezma's highly-charged live performances are always a crowd pleaser and the group felt his absence would detract from the shows. Enter the new Apple iPod with video capability, which had just hit the shelves just before the band was scheduled to hit the road.
"I bought the new iPod right when it came out to keep me entertained on the road. Then I found out that Angel, Sasha and Dahlman couldn't make it," explains Heintz. "We spent a lot of time working up to this record and live show. Touring with Wheatus was a great opportunity. I hated to see it lost."
Then one day, while considering various solutions, the light bulb popped on.
"Why not record Sasha and Dahlman's parts and then videotape Angel playing his drums." Heintz says. "We can mix it all down and project Angel behind us."
Using a digital video camera and their studio, Spectra Kakarot, the band put together a video of Angel playing drums in time with the rest of the band. Using Videora, a free converter application, the band converted the video and music to iPod compatible backing tracks. They ran the iPod through the board and a video projector and played along with the tracks and Angel's video all while controlling the order and volume of the tracks from the stage.
Will the iPod ultimately replace Midstates' errant members? "Probably not," says Heintz. "But, it's much easier to stretch out in the van with the iPod on board."
Recently in MP3 Players & Digital Audio Category
According to Yahoo/Reuters, Apple is developing the oft-rumored iPod mobile phone with a recent trademark of the phrase "Mobile Me". Hey, if they are going to marry an MP3 player with a mobile phone, they may as well marry VoIP too, right? I wonder if Apple's Mobile Me will run Skype? That'd be cool.
And speaking of marrying, just came across a CNet article saying two people got married using VoIP and two webcams. CNet article states: "They met through the Internet. Sutrisno proposed that way, and they finally exchanged wedding vows in a ceremony using voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology"
Anyway, check out the Apple Mobile Me news from Yahoo/Reuters:
Apple Computer Inc. has filed to trademark the phrase "Mobile Me" for use in a wide range of businesses, furthering speculation it could introduce an iPod phone.
"We believe this is further indication of (Apple's) strategic direction to extend its iPod + iTunes and Mac franchises into new business areas including smart phones, value-added mobile content services, and the broader consumer electronics space," American Technology Research analyst Shaw Wu wrote in a note on Thursday.
Apple made the filing with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on January 5.
There has long been speculation that Apple would ultimately introduce an iPod that also works as a smart phone, extending its brand and functions as more content becomes digital and mobile. In addition to music, one model of the iPod also now plays videos and purchased content such as TV shows.
The areas that the trademark covers include computing devices, mobile devices, and mobile services including digital music, video, games, e-mail, and messaging across Internet, intranets, extranets, television, cellular, and satellite networks, the filing shows.
An Apple spokesman declined to comment.
This week, at Apple's annual Macworld show in San Francisco, Chief Executive Steve Jobs announced the MacBook Pro, which will replace the PowerBook line of its high-end notebook PCs, and a new iMac all-in-one computer.
The two machines are the first that use Intel Corp.'s (Nasdaq:INTC - news) Core Duo microprocessors. Apple said in June it would move to Intel chips from the PowerPC chips it had used for years, made by International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:IBM - news) and Freescale Semiconductor Inc. (NYSE:FSL - news)
There has also been speculation that Apple would, along with an iPod phone, resell cellular phone service provided by a cell service provider, becoming what's known as a mobile virtual network operator, or MVNO.
"We believe this would be a successful strategy, given the type of content and markets Apple has had success in," Wu wrote, referring to mobile music, video and the youth market.
Wanted to get this in before CES opens today … At truly only 1 inch in size (and 1 ounce in weight), mobiBLU’s Cube DAH-1500i is the world's smallest, full-featured digital audio player. Smaller than a ping-pong ball, the Cube combines storage for hundreds of songs (250 in MP3 format or 500 in WMA) with a voice recorder, clock, calendar and sleep timer. Max storage capacity is 1 GB!
The Cube offers a single multi-function mini jack that allows USB 2.0 connectivity for faster music downloads along with stereo audio output, battery charging and headphone/ear bud/antenna connection. Playing time is an amazing 8-10 hours on a single charge. No extra battery or external charger is required; it can be easily recharged by connecting into the USB port of your computer.
Both PC and Mac-compatible, it supports MP3, WMA, WMA and DRM digital audio formats. Audio includes five preset EQ modes -- Normal/Rock/Jazz/Pop/Classic; you can also create customize equalization to suit your taste, while the SRS WOW 3D Surround Sound and Bass enhances your listening experience. A necklace headphone is included if you like to wear your MP3 player around your neck as jewelry (and why not?).
Available in red, silver, black, blue, orange and pink, the blue OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display provides superior sharpness in a bright, easy-to-read display. The FM Radio Receiver and Recorder lets you listen to and record FM programming, and the USB 2.0 Flash Drive can be used as storage for other types of files if needed. A built-in, high-quality microphone allows you to record notes on the go.
Available at Wal-mart or Target for just under $130.00
While many may think of Bose when it comes to high-quality iPod or MP3 player speakers, I think they’d be making a big mistake if they didn’t take more notice of Altec Lansing’s inMotion products, particularly the iM7 portable audio system.
The roll-shaped unit is the perfect companion for any MP3 player, not only iPod and iPod mini’s with its built-in cradle. Even better, it will also work with CD players and other audio devices, including older iPods and even laptop computers, and also offers a video output for the iPod photo so images can be viewed on most TVs.
Noted for the long history of professional sound systems, Altec Lansing has applied their well-earned reputation to consumer sound. The iM7's impressive sound comes from two pairs of highly advanced neodymium 3-inch drivers and 1-inch tweeters, plus a powerful, built-in XdB™-enhanced side-firing subwoofer for enhanced bass.
A wireless remote provides across-the-room command of both the iM7 and iPod, allowing perfect adjustment of your music. The iM7 also charges your iPod while it plays when connected to the AC adapter. With batteries, you can take the whole system with you wherever you need high-powered, high-quality sound.
Let the good times roll!
MSRP: $249.95, with street prices running just under $200.
Judging by the long lines at the Apple store last night, plenty of folks still expect to give and/or receive an iPod Nano or Video this holiday season. If you've already got one (or the other), there are oodles of devices to enhance the iPod experience.
Just checked out another one from Nyko Technologies; it's called the iTop. The company calls this clever little device is a "button relocator" and that's exactly what it does. It relocates the iPod controls from the famous wheel to the top of the device for easy access -- particularly when jogging or exercising (or even if you have to make a fast "tune up"); the controls can be accessed without exposing the screen or removing the iPod from a pocket or carrying case.
Compactly designed, it makes "iPod white" and is powered by the iPod -- no batteries are required.
List price: $29.99; street price closer to $20.
Want to pimp your iPod? Want some Faux Crocodile or Metallic Snakeskin to protect your precious iPod? Well check this out. 
Digital Lifestyle Outfitters (DLO), inventors of the DLO HomeDock for iPod and other exciting MP3 accessories, today announced that they are shipping over 20 new styles of their popular Relaxed Leather Cases for iPod and iPod nano and their fling Fashion Cases for iPod nano. The Relaxed Leather designer cases come in suede and distressed leather styles and feature touches like designer stitching and rivets, while the nano fling Fashion Cases for nano offer styles such as “Faux Crocodile” and “Metallic Snakeskin”. All cases are shipping now and are reasonably priced from $29.99 to $34.99.
DLO has designed a blend of what they call “distinctively unique” Relaxed Leather Cases and “designer chic” nano fling Fashion Cases that protect and add a signature style to the video iPod and iPod nano. The new Relaxed Leather Cases come in 10 different styles and are made from high-quality genuine leather. Each case has a specific design on its flip-up cover that sets it apart. Styles range from Suede to Antique Leather and Distressed Leather. Design features include contrast stitching, brass rivets and supple, worn leather textures. The Relaxed Leather Cases also have a handy inside pocket to store ID, credit card or cash and a leather covered belt clip for an easy fit on the hip.
The fling Fashion Cases for iPod nano come in 11 new signature designs. The DLO nano flings were designed for fashion-conscious nano owners who want to add style and personality to their black or white iPod nano. The nano flings offer unique touches like a cosmetic mirror inside the padded cover, an elastic loop on back for storage, and a stylish wristlet strap. DLO nano flings range in stlye from the “Crocodile Leather” to “Metallic Pink”.
“We wanted to make unrivaled, unique feeling cases for any iPod or iPod nano owner, no matter their style,” said Brian Baucom, Director of Marketing for DLO. “Whether you are a hipster or a debutante, there’s a new designer case from DLO for you and your iPod.”
Pricing and Availability
The DLO nano flings and Relaxed Leather designer cases are available at iPod retailers nationwide and online at www.dlo.com. Metallic Silver and Pink fling cases for iPod nano are available exclusively at Apple Stores nationwide for $29.99. Metallic Snakeskin Dangerous Pink, Metallic Copper Distressed Foil and Synthetic Snake Faux Python are available December 26 exclusively at Target Stores nationwide for $29.99.
According to a Park Associates report, U.S. consumers lead the world in consumption of television-related products; Asian consumers lead in computer products. Some other interesting insights as well, including the fact that Taiwan and South Korea lead the world in the adoption of consumer technologies, according to Global Digital Living (GDL), a new international study from Parks Associates.
GDL surveyed over 10,000 households in 13 countries and ranked nations according to their proclivity to adopt and use MP3 players, video-on-demand (VOD), home networks, computers, online services, and similar advanced technologies. The United States proved the most receptive to TV-related technologies (such as DVRs and digital cable) but fell behind Taiwan and Korea in the adoption of computer-related technologies. Europe countries generally placed behind North America and developed Asian countries like Japan in the adoption of all categories surveyed.
"Each nation has particular strengths and weaknesses in terms of technology adoption," said John Barrett, director of research at Parks Associates. "Canada, for instance, is a very impressive market for home networking while Japan is the undisputed champion for mobile phones, with over one-half of all Japanese households using mobile phone features like e-mail or photo messaging every month. Of course long commute times in Japan encourage the use of mobile phone entertainment features."
The results of the Global Digital Living(TM) survey were released to coincide with the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas where Parks Associates will be on-hand to discuss the results (South Hall, booth 25539).
Don’t let the music stop with the Nyko’s iBoost for iPod. An attachable rechargeable battery pack for all full size, dock connector iPods, the iBoost boosts its overall battery time up to 16 hours.
Its sleek design blends with the iPod, attaching to its back and wrapping up to the bottom. It’s actually light enough, stylish enough and small enough to never have to take it off.
The iBoost even features a dock connector pass through port, allowing song transfer, charging and docking of the iPod while the iBoost is attached.
List price: $89.99, but generally available discounted at retailers like Target and Wal-Mart.
Your notebook computer gets banged up, your cell phone gets banged up, your iPod gets banged up – when will we ever learn that we need cases for these things! When I first stumbled across Case Closed Bags at DigitalLife 2004 (and saw them again at DigitalLife 2005), I was immediately impressed how the innovative New York-based company was taking the banal bag and making it into something interesting (and dare I say it, fashionable, too).
They offer a strong line of bags for laptop computers (so much different than what we have come to expect from Targus and the big bag companies) and have also created really interesting lines of iPod and cell phone cases. In fact, when I saw Case Closed’s April Lockhart this fall, they were busy designing and testing cases for the iPod Nano.
With more than 30 styles of women's cases, iPod cases and cell phone cases, Case Closed carries a design for every taste -- from casual to elegant, sporty to serious with something for every style, personality, occupation, occasion and outfit.
The iPod cases range from $24.99 to $29.99 direct at www.caseclosedbags.com.