How to get songs off your iPod w/ iTunes

This is a great tip and trick instead of going to third party software. Read More.

Next generation of iPods could be delayed

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- The next generation of iPods, which investors are eagerly awaiting to boost Apple's sales, could face major delays, according to an analyst who follows the company.

Apple (Charts) stock sank about 3 percent in active Nasdaq trading, hitting its lowest since late last October.

The new iPod nano may need to incorporate a chip from a new supplier, and the developers of the video iPod may need to find a way to beef up the player's battery life, according to Shaw Wu of American Technology Research.

The new nano was expected in the third quarter, but will likely be pushed back to December, he said. And the new video iPod could be delayed until the first quarter of 2007 instead of the end of 2006, Wu wrote in a note to clients.

Wu believes the nano delay is because Apple is switching from chips made by supplier PortalPlayer (Charts) to those from another chipmaker.

He expects the capacity of the nano to double to 4 gigabyte and 8 GB, from 2 GB and 4 GB.

The challenge for Apple engineers on the new video iPod is to increase screen size and improve the battery life - goals which are hard to achieve simultaneously. Apple is considering software and hardware methods of improving battery life, the analyst wrote. He said the company will also introduce a new high-end iPod. Despite these concerns, Wu maintains a "buy" rating on Apple because he believes it offers a unique mix of hardware, software and services.

Apple spokeswoman Natalie Kerris declined to comment.

What Kind of iPod Am I? A Secure One

It's an iPod world, and that makes Apple's popular music player a target for thieves. Police departments around the country have reported a surge in thefts of iPods and other portable music players, and the New York Police Department says iPod robberies have helped push up crime statistics in the subway. Read More

Software Pick of the Week: HandBrake

HandBrake is a GPL'd multiplatform, multithreaded DVD to MPEG-4 ripper/converter. HandBrake was originally available on the BeOS, but now has been ported over to MacOS X and to GNU/Linux.

This great little program allows one to rip DVDs to ipod format or in the original size for your home media player. I've been using HandBrake since the beginning and it's one of those pieces of software you can't live without. Check it out today.

Mac OS X Update 10.4.7 Released

Apple has released the 6th maintenence update for Mac OS X. This update resolves a number of issues with syncing and audio problems among other things. For more information check the details at Apple's website. Click the Headline above for direct link.

Nano To Reach 12 GB By Fall?

A recent Gartner report points out that Apple's buying power may be able to press NAND flash prices low enough for greatly increased capacity Nano's when their rumored refresh appears in the fall.

Gartner forecasts that a 16Gb (2GB) device will be available in the third quarter for about $30, down from its current price of about $35. Due to Apple's procurement power and investment, it is conceivable that it could get pricing for a device at $25 or even $20. This pricing would enable capacities of 12GB, leaving enough room for the remaining component and manufacturing costs as well as Apple's margin, while still reaching a $250 price point.

A recent rumor stated that Apple has been stocking up on NAND flash memory, presumably for iPods. The current highest-capacity iPod Nano is 4 GB.

Welcome to the Ipod Addict Blog and Information Site.