Source: iPodnn
 

One analyst says that Apple will introduce its much anticipated iTunes music phone and iTunes mobile software at the upcoming Apple special music event in San Francisco on September 7, while The Wall Street Journal reports that Apple has reached an agreement with Cingular Wireless to offer a Motorola cellphone that will play songs from Apple's iTunes Music Store. "Apple Computer and Motorola plan to unveil a long-awaited mobile phone and music player next week that will incorporate Apple's iTunes software, a telecommunications industry analyst who has been briefed on the announcement....

Roger Entner, a telecommunications analyst with Ovum, a market research firm, said he had been told by an industry executive that the new phone, to be made by Motorola, would be marketed by Cingular Wireless. Mr. Entner said it would include iTunes software, which helps power the iPod." The WSJ report said that Cingular is expected to make the phone available in time for the holidays and that the event may also bring a new line of iPods to replace the iPod mini line.

Source: Tomshardware

Apple appears to be in the midst of revamping key players of its iPod family with last week's news indicating a switch from harddrive to Flash memory for the iPod mini and new developments that hint to the introduction of a video-capable iPod in the second week of September.

A video-enabled iPod was believed to be in development for quite some time, but a secretive invitation to a "special event" hosted by the company as well as news bits arriving from Taiwan spark new fire to rumors that Apple will introduce such a device next month.

Read the full article [here].

Source: iPodnn

Creative today announced the Zen Vision digital music player with a 3.7-inch SharpPix high-resolution 640x480 262,144-color screen for photo viewing and digital video playback. The 30GB Zen Vision stores up to 15,000 songs, tens of thousands of photos, or up to 120 hours of video. Available in either pearl white or black, the Zen Vision measures 4.9 by 2.9 by .8 inches and weighs only 8.4 ounces. It carries a retail price of $400. Speculation continues about a similar video-capable iPod from Apple.

Does this look familiar?  Apparently Shenzen CrownFast Technology is going all out with this obvious iPod clone. Here are the stats on the MP270:

• File support: MPEG1 / 2 / 2.5 Audio Layer 1, 2, 3 Decoder,bit-rate:8~320Kbps;8~48KHz, CBR/VBR
  Support WMA Decoder ,bit -rate: 32~320Kbps; 8~48KHz
• 64MB/128MB/256MB/512MB/1G Memory Storage for Audio Tracks or Data File
• Lyric Synchronization (LRC 2.0)
• Rechargeable Li ¨Cion Battery,
• Internal FM stereo radio (87MHz~108MHz), FM recording
• 128x32 Graphic LCD with 7 colors backlight
• USB2.0 (FS)
• Support firmware upgradeable
• Playing modes supported: Normal/repeat one/folder/repeat folder/repeat all/random/intro
• A-B Segment Repeat
• ID3 tag display( English /Simplified Chinese /Traditional Chinese/ French/ German/ Italian/ Portuguese/ Spanish/ Holland/ Japanese/ Korean/ Sweden / Denmark )
• Digital voice recording Tele-book FunctionTempo rate playing protection for data function
• No driver installation required (except Windows 98)
• Battery life: More than 12 hours with battery
• Accessories: USB cable, stereo headphone, installation CD, manual and adapter
   

source: engadget


Engadget has recently acquired (by an anonymous tipster) images claiming to be iTunes running on a new Motorola E790. The new phone is said to synchronize with iTunes v4.9 and will be shipped with a 128mb TransFlash and supposedly sounds every bit as good as an iPod with â??excellent bass response.â??