Analysis of the first month of March quarter iPod NPD data points to iPod sales of between 9.5-10.3 million, according to research firm Piper Jaffray, which would signal a 6 percent year-over-year decline. “While it is way too early to make a definitive call on March quarter iPod units, we have analyzed the first month of NPD data (Jan.) for the quarter and found that it suggests iPod units of 9.5m-10.3m,” said Piper Jaffray senior analyst Gene Munster. Wall Street consensus on iPod sales for Apple’s March quarter currently stand at 10.8 million units, representing a 2 percent year-over-year increase.

     “We see this data point as a slight positive, given recent Street chatter of a very weak iPod number for the quarter, and we note that the monthly contribution we have factored in for February and March may be prove to conservative given the iPod shuffle price cut on 2/19, leading to a more back-end-loaded quarter for iPod units,” the analyst said.

Piper Jaffray’s 9.5m-10.3m unit approximation is based on various assumptions and is an extrapolation of one month of data; when the second month of data is released, the company’s analysis will likely lead to a slightly different iPod unit figure than current analysis suggests based on the first month of data. The firm suggests investors supplement the new data with other information.

 via  http://www.ipodnn.com/articles/08/02/25/survey.6.ipod.decline/

We’re not sure how long this deal will last, but if you want to get your hands on a free iPod shuffle from a reputable online store, you might want to act fast. As it turns out, Amazon is going to throw in a free 1GB shuffle if you purchase the 32GB iPod Touch for $494. It’s not exactly a “free” iPod, but that’s probably as close as you’re going to get without going through some shady “take a survey” kind of website.

The note on the Amazon site is pretty small, but you can see it just below the part that tells you about buying an iPod touch used or new from the Amazon Marketplace. The note reads:

                     You qualify for a free 1 GB iPod shuffle with the purchase of this 32 GB iPod touch from Amazon.com. Eligible 1 GB shuffles include the blue, green, silver, and purple. Just add both items to your cart and you will not be charged for the shuffle.

  Sounds like a pretty straightforward process. Go ahead and keep the iTouch for yourself and give the display-less iPod to, I dunno, your less tech-savvy grandma or something.

via  http://www.mobilemag.com/content/100/337/C14672/

 SAN FRANCISCO - Analysts questioned weather Apple could reach its stated goal of 10 million iPhones for the year, and mounted evidence that growth was slowing in the firm’s mainstay product lines on Monday, sending shares slightly down.

Keith Bachman of BMO Capital Markets analyst cut his price target on Apple’s stock to $140 a share from $160, saying that the consumer electronics firm’s three growth drivers -the iPods, iPhone and Macs - has now turned to one,” that being the company’s line of Macintosh PCs.”

Shares slipped 32 cents to end Monday trading at $119.74.

Bachman said moves against the PC marketshare were continuing to rise, “with strength in desktops in particular,” and raised his Mac sales estimates to 9.4 million units from 8.2 million for Apple’s current fiscal year. He also raised his forecast for Mac sales for Apple’s current quarter to 2.06 million units from 1.87 million.

Computer sales will play an increasingly important role for the Cupertino-Calif.-based company as evidence points towards slowed growth sales of the iPhone and its staple iPod music players.

“While we believe the iPhone has the potential to drive material earnings growth for Apple, recent data points suggest the business is facing two significant challenges: (1) overall demand for the handset appears to be falling short of expectations; and (2) the incidence of ‘unlocking’ has been much higher than expected,” according to Bernstein analysts Toni Sacconaghi.

Sacconaghi called Apple’s self-imposed 10 million iPhone sales target “optimistic,” especially if the company insists on maintaining carrier revenue share agreements without a price cuts or newer models. Apple currently prices the iPhone at $399 and $499, and has an exclusive carrier agreement with AT&T Inc

The analyst also noted that iPhone sales averaged 180,000 units a week in the fourth calendar quarter of 2007, which stands as Apple’s busiest period of the year.

Echoing similar recent comments from other analysts, Bachman said that demand for both iPods and iPhones “is weaker than we previously anticipated.”

He now sees Apple selling 9.5 million iPods and 1.4 million iPhones in the March quarter, down from his previous estimates of 10.5 million and 2.1 million respectively. For the year he expects 51.1 million iPods, down from 54.6 million, with 7.7 million iPhones, down from 9.3 million - shy of Apple’s 10 million goal.

Mac sales may make up for the slack, with Apple estimated to sell 2.06 million untis in the quarter, up from 1.87 million.

via http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20080225/apple-ipod-iphone-mac-sales.htm

                                                                                        Here to   DVD to iPod 

Apple has locked the video out functionality of its latest generation iPods, claim third party iPod dock manufacturers, which are now waiting to pay for an unlock chip to add to their products to allow the docks to transmit video from the iPod to a TV or large display.

Owners of an iPod introduced in September 2007 will find that if they use it with a docking system purchased before the launch of the new iPod range, they will not be able to use the video out feature.

Video out essentially allows you to play video stored on an iPod onto a connected TV or large display.

Now Apple requires manufacturers…

via http://www.smarthousenews.com.au/iPods_And_Devices/Portable_Device_Issues?Article=/iPods%20And%20Devices/Portable%20Device%20Issues/V8X4L5X6

AMY WINEHOUSE, VICTORIA BECKHAM and KATE MOSS have snapped up the latest must-have showbiz gadget – a gold-plated iPod.

Now you can buy one too. A limited edition of the Nano is available in my online shop.

Just 500 of the iPods, branded with the Bizarre logo, have been made.

They normally cost £259, but are £229 from Bizarre.

The iPods are 24-carat gold plated by Goldgenie.

The firm appeared on TV’s Dragons’ Den and is backed by the show’s JAMES CAAN.

CHERYL COLE, LILY ALLEN and Chelsea star DIDIER DROGBA also have the swanky accessory.

Visit thesun.co.uk/bizarreshop.

 via http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/article840296.ece

Yes, Apple iPods are cool. The same cannot be said for these accessories, including a music headband and hymn book case.

We love our iPods. We coddle them. We boast about them. We can’t imagine life without them. If we don’t have one, we covet those of our friends (and even if we do have one, we still covet the newer, cooler-looking ones). With so many choices available—colors, capacities, video, touch screen, etc.—there’s never been a better time to pick one up. Thing is, it’s easy for music lovers to become overwhelmed by the variety. (Hint: Read PCMag’s reviews for some helpful advice.) And the confusion doesn’t end once you’ve finally decided which model you’d like to make your own. What case should you buy? What other accessories do you need?Apple’s iPods are consistently the most popular MP3 players on the market. And given their extreme popularity, entire accessory markets have developed around the platform—some good, some bad, some kooky, some kinky. In other words, there are thousands of iPod accessories out there, and we’ve combed the planet to bring you the weirdest. So clear off your desk, or make room in your media center, because these accessories—from a music headband to a hymn book case—will certainly blow you away.

Here are a few products we feature in today’s
Thanko Vonia Sports Headband
Leave it to Japanese gadget maker Thanko to come up with this crazy athletic apparel. The Vonia is a sports headband that lets you plug in your iPod and listen to music while exercising through its bone-conducting transmitter. That’s right: it’s capable of providing sound through vibrations rather than sound waves through your ears. It’s already sold out on Japanese importer AudioCubes.com, but expect more shipments soon for $99.

Hymn Book Case
Feel like you’ve committed an awful sin by dropping $350 on the 80GB iPod with video? Then you better hide it from your wife with this weird leather Hymn Book Case. The case is designed for the 30- and 80-GB iPods with video. You can protect your iPod and also have full cable access to charge your player directly through the case. Say a little prayer and donate $19.99 to PerpetualKid.com.

Now check out the rest of our 10 Weirdest iPod Accessories story, including Gator Cases’ Pop-N-Play Slinger Bag, Whoomp! Earbud Enhancers, Sony’s CDX-H905iP Marine Stereo, retro block iPod speaker, Griffin’s Disko for iPod, DreamGear’s i.Sound Plasma, E-light Indoor/Outdoor Entertainment Light, and Roth Audio’s MC4 Music Cocoon.

via http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2268313,00.asp

We’d originally published a story suggesting that MacBook Pros would see updates this Tuesday. Since that time, we’ve received conflicting reports as to what exactly is being delivered to Apple stores this coming week. Based on product cycles, the safe bet is the MacBook Pro, with 264 days since the last update. That, however, has not stopped Apple from introducing a slew of other products over the past few weeks (iPod Shuffle updates, Aperture 2.0, 16GB iPhone, 32GB iPod Touch)

Sources reveal that shipments of new Apple products (not just Time Capsule) are planned for midweek. Historically, such information tends to reliably predict new product releases. But we can’t be confident these necessarily represent new MacBook Pros, or another unexpected announcement (such as premature MacBook or iMac updates).

Previous tidbits of information surrounding the new MacBook Pros have indicated that they will incorporate Penryn processors, an LED screen in the 17″ model, and the new-and-improved multi-touch trackpad found in the MacBook Air.

via http://www.macrumors.com/2008/02/24/macbook-pro-updates-this-tuesday/

Mac users who are into Photography may be pleased to find out that Apple is giving out a free trial of the latest version of its post-production photography software, Aperture 2. Surprisingly enough, the free trial is fully functional with all features available for the user, although it will be (sadly) limited to only 30 days.Interested Mac users need to fill out a form and agree to Apple’s terms and conditions, and Apple will email a serial number to activate the Aperture 2 trial. Also, while the trial version lets the users gain full access, it cannot be updated. Still, its not a bad deal for a good, lengthy 30-day trial period.

Take note, however, that if you currently have Aperture (the previous version) installed in your Mac, you need to rename the folder or move it to another location before you install Aperture 2 to avoid any installation problems. Got it so far? If so, then you may want to head over to the Via link and download the application!

Apple has released a new iPod game, Block Breaker Deluxe, by Gameloft S.A.

Block Breaker Deluxe is a classic, arcade brick-breaker game reinvented with hot graphics. Play the game and interact with cool characters in their jet-set nightlife settings: bar, dance club, beach, restaurant, casino, and more!The game is available for all iPods that are compatible with iPod games, including the 5th generation iPod, 3rd generation iPod Nano, and iPod Classic.

via  http://www.pqdvd.com/blog/ipod/wp-admin/post-new.php