The MP3 Players

Apple moved the Mini to the same Seagate ST1 drive in its 6GB form in February, introducing new colors and an improved battery life of 18 hours. Apple is expected to upgrade the iPod mini to a color screen later this year, according to BetaNews. In the first quarter of 2005, Apple reported shipping 5.3 million iPods. “Manufacturers such as Seagate have endeavored to boost capacity of shrinking hard drives to take advantage of the growing popularity of digital media players,” the report said.

{ via ipodnn }

Will these upcoming models of Apple iPod boost sales which slowdown recently? Who knows!
Anyway, the iPod Mini Photo seem more promising. Looking forward on it!

The settlement potentially covers an estimated 2 million consumers who bought a first, second, or third generation iPod on or before May 31, 2004. For consumers who experienced battery failure with previous-generation iPods, Apple will offer the $50 store credit or $25 in cash. Customers who have paid Apple to repair their iPod battery within two years of purchasing the device are eligible for a $50 cash refund. Apple charges $99 for such repairs.

The consumers began lodging complaints after word of the allegedly faulty batteries spread.

{ via Reuters; CNET News }

The HP-branded iPod mini will be available in a silver color only. The retail price for 4GB version and 6GB version will be US$199 and US$249 respectively. Together with this debut, HP also unveil new HP Printable Tattoos for the iPod mini. All these will be available to consumers in the U.S. and Canada online at hpshopping.com starting June 5, and shortly thereafter at major retailers.

HP is the only OEM partner with Apple that is allowed to sell the iPod product line and is only allowed to sell it in the U.S.

{ via The Mac Observer } { where to buy? }

A new version of system software for Apple’s iPod Photo line of digital music players will add a slew of new image transitions in addition to a popular arcade game.

The rumors said that Apple will deliver a new system software of its iPod Photo, named “iPod Photo Software 1.2“, to be available for download sometime this month.

The update will pack a color version of the classic arcade game: Tetris. Users will be able to use the iPod photo’s click-wheel to move the tetris blocks horizontally while the iPod click-button performs block rotation.

{ via Apple Insider }

DigiTimes reports Samsung and Toshiba to be, “aggressively planning to ramp up their output of 8Gb NAND flash chips”.

Informatively, the report reveals that this is because of Apple’s plans to introduce 2GB and 4GB versions of its iPod shuffle “this June and August, respectively”.

Apple, Toshiba and Samsung declined to comment on this news.

{ via Macworld UK }

For me, i rather prefer a iPod Shuffle with a LCD display. At least I could know what song I’m playing now!