Gearfuse

Apple has some of the best and apparently the worst of gadgets around. The 2009 iPod Shuffle model was rated a dismal 51 out of 100 points, the worst among 9 similarly specced MP3 players.

Navigation of the device was apparently one of many key problems, the voice controls ranked as one of the most common complaints. T3 points out the terrible quality of the stock headphones and how Apple limits you to using only their models. This year’s Shuffle is clearly not Apple’s best, though it continues to rake in the profit, so somebody’s gotta be loving it.

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Big news already, and there are still hours until Apple’s big “It’s Only Rock and Roll” iPod event. Apple has slashed the prices of all of their iPod models, the current iPod Touch models getting the biggest price cut; the 8GB model slashed from $229 down to $189, the 16 GB down to $249 (from $299) and the 32 GB model is now $279, down from the high price of $399.

Classics and Nanos also took a moderate price break. The 120 GB Classic is now down to $229, down from $249, and the Nano models being slashed down from $149 and $199 for the 8 GB and 16 GB models respectively, down to $129 and $149. Apple is definitely making room for something new in the iPod department.

And is it me, or did the 80 GB Classic get the boot? Or is that old news? Help me out here people.

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I’ve hid my iPod in worse places trying to smuggle it into my office building.

The Thomas Pink Commuter Tie has a special compartment built into its backside that holds the iPod. Not only is this great for listening to tunes during your commute, but helps smuggle the device into your office without looking like a slacker hippie. Oh, and don’t worry, it’s also available in straight man colors.

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Back in 2007 we had the opportunity to review the iMainGo Portable iPod Speaker System, which at the time, sent ripples of excitement though the MacWorld crowd. No more did we have to lug around a clunky pair of speakers just so we could hear some tunes somewhere other than inside our own homes.

iMainGo was nice enough to ship us their new iMainGo 2 which now offers compatibility with the iPhone, iPod Touch and Zune devices. The design remains similar to the original. albiet a little room added to compensate for the iPhone’s size, as does the overall great sound quality for such a compact device (I’m authentically blown away by the powerful sound supplied from such a compact device, literally transportable by hand) and no worries, it still offers the massive 30 hours of battery life.

Hit the jump for pics from our unboxing.

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Just how iconic is the Apple iPod? Iconic enough to be featured in the hands of Greek gods. California Artist Adam Reeder created this fantastical Greek-inspired sculptures. Sculptures which prove that the iPhone is so great that even Zeus uses one.

Where would Pan be without Dream Theater to back up his serenade? And where would we be if we didn’t have Atlas to hold the stresses of the iPod on his shoulders? Why, we’d be musicless! Much more after the jump!

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An ingenious DIYer noticed that the second generation iPod Shuffle and the Apple Remote have a similar shape. So similar that the two devices could be merged together with some crafty electronic finagling.

When headphones are connected to the Shuffle / Remote mash-up device, the gadget works as the music player. Without headphones, the device carries the features of an Apple Remote. You won’t be saving too much room by eliminating one or the other, but you will have one less toy to worry about losing. That damn Apple Remote has a way of disappearing.

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The classic iPod design has been standard for so long that even Apple calls the original iPod the iPod Classic. The iPod Slide concept updates the iPod Classic design while keeping all of the device’s classic elements intact.

It just makes the classic design a little more… compact. Allowing the iPod to slide sort of like those slide phones that were popular for about six months a year or so ago.

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Let me be straight up now, so I don’t drag you along for the ride. This iPod dock is a limited-edition gadget so it costs around $340. If you’ve got the dough, great, but I just thought you’d like to know before you read further and soil yourself in excitement.

With only 100 made, the Music Label – Exile “Perfect Year” Convoy iPod Docking Bay includes a set of built-in speakers and is compatible with every iPod size except for the Shuffle. The coolest part is that Optimus transforms from a iPod dock / trailer thingy into his robot form. Not too bad of a disguise if you ask me.

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If your lucky enough to pal around with people like Senior VP of Industrial Design for Apple, Jonathan Ive, than you might be fortunate enough to receive really unique gifts for your birthday. Designer friend of Ive, Paul Smith, received his gigantic iPod Nano from Ive and Ive’s Apple co-worker Jody.

In reaction to the gift, Smith said “as the real thing gets smaller, he sends me a giant version.” Hey, Ive, you wanna go grab a bite sometime?

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UPDATE: Contest is over. Thanks to all who entered!

Hey! Do you like music? Not good enough. We’re looking for readers who LOVE music and tunes. Know why? Because, simply put, we have two JBL On Stage Micros to give away. It’s a small iPod dock that looks fantastic and packs a lot of power. Have you been looking for a smaller dock for your apartment? Perhaps for the bathroom so you can blast Van Halen whilst you shower? This is exactly what you’re looking for and we’ve got two of them to give away. To learn more about the device, head on over to the official JBL website.

Now: hit the jump to find out how to enter our lovely contest.
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