Wireless carrier AT&T allegedly released an internal memo to its staff regarding critical information on iPhone and its launch this coming June. Basically, the company reiterated that employees will be given the proper training to help prepare for the release next month.

Quite interestingly, the document also mentioned that there is still no concrete date and employees shouldn't allow wait listings and/or pre-selling. The exact statements were:

• iPhone release date will be  sometime in June. The exact date has not been announced, specific dates should not be provided to customers.
• Sales for the iPhone will be on a first come, first served basis. No wait lists of names will be taken and NO pre-selling is allowed.
• Two models of the iPhone will be available, a 4GB will retail at US$ 499 and an 8GB will retail at $599. If asked what the price will be, answer that the prices have been announced as $499 for the 4G and $599 for the 8G, respectively.
• There should NOT be any additional speculation/discussion about pricing.
• AT&T will be the only wireless carrier in the U.S. launching the iPhone and will have exclusivity for the foreseeable future.

iPhone is obviously one of the most anticipated products by consumers because it really is a good innovation in the part of Apple. Aside from being your regular phone, iPhone is also a widescreen iPod with touch screen controls as well as an Internet communication device.

It's happened all too often. You save up for the current hot Apple product, wait it out until about several months later into its launch for that price dip, and then pounce on your goodie. You feel happy that at long last, you purchased that darned gadget, and it was a good one at that. And then you brag about it to your friend, only to be told, "That's nice. But it would have been better if you just waited a couple more months. They're releasing the updated version soon, you know."

Well, apparently, you did not know. And even if you did know and wait out for it, there's a slightly big probability that that scenario will still happen anyway. So, when is it exactly a good time to buy that Apple product? iLounge's editors seem to have gone through this all too much, that they thought of coming up with a "ten-step guide to happy purchases of new Apple products".

The list basically tells you to expect a whole lot of constant improvements and upgrades on their products. Particularly, for the iPod, the changes would most likely be on the storage and enclosure. Also, not all changes come with a bang. Sometimes, you'd just find yourself holding an Apple product that's got newer stuff (brighter LCD screens in Cinema Displays, iMacs or iPods, probably), or exhibit fewer failures/problems, "which Apple will almost never publicize (MacBook/MacBook Pro logic boards), or will play down (replacement of iPod 3G/4G screens or nano 1GB screens with less bright versions).

Other than that, the list also warns you against staggered launches. According to them, it happens most often that the company will stagger new product launches at different times throughout the year, making it possible that a new model could arrive at any time, and on short notice. The witty thing about this tactic is that it does not necessarily aim to confuse consumers-it's done to keep competitors on their toes-but it does both.

And the list goes on. But basically, at the end of the day, as to the question of whether or not you buy now or wait, the answer is simple. If the existing product already has the features that you need, go ahead. Buy it and enjoy it. If not, then obviously, you'd want to wait it out. Then again, if you buy something that Apple replaces soon thereafter, you can probably return the item to the store where you purchased it for a complete or partial refund. Just make sure that you do it within the allowable time to do so.

Scosche products have begun selling their Bluetooth iPod Car Transmitter and Receiver Kit. This transmitter enables streaming audio from your iPod or mp3 player to your car or home receiver. Connecting to the headphone output connector, it transmits to a Bluetooth receiver connected to the supplementary input of your car?s head unit or home audio system.

The car kits differ based on the cradle (#IPBCK for the iPod and #UBCK for MP3 players). The iPod interface works with all 3G and 4G iPods and iPod minis, while the MP3 player interface works with any MP3 players with headphone jacks (all of them). Both function with aftermarket head units and RCA inputs. The iPod and MP3 player car kits sell for $249.99 each.

Wcars05 from iPod linux have ported iD?s classic Doom to the iPod. Currently this is playable on the iPod Photo and will ?work? on the 1?4G?s and the Mini 1G/2G. You must also have the shareware Doom I or Doom II .wad files in the folder with Doom. (only one .wad at a time because there is currently no selector.)

To play, mount your iPod and make a folder like ?doom.? Copy over the doom bin file and the .wad file to the same folder. Unmount the iPod from your computer, start up iPodLinux and open the ?File Browser,? then the ?hp? folder and lastly the ?doom? folder (or whatever you named it.) Finally open Doom and shoot away =)

Keys:
-Rewind : Left
-Fastforward : Right
-Menu : Up
-Play/Pause : Fire
-Hold : Exit
-Action : Use
-Right on the wheel: Y
-Left on the wheel : Enter

Things to fix/add:
-Overhead map
-Weapon switching.
-Launcher.
-Better inputs.
-Scaled video
-Wad selector?

You can get it in our iPod Download section with source.

Brando has released a new 3-in-1 charger kit for iPod. The kit costs $18 USD and includes: Travel Charger + Car Charger + USB Charging Cable. Suitable for Apple iPods with Dock Connector.

Specifications:
? Travel Charger : AC 100~240V 50-60Hz
? Car Charger : DC 12~24V
? USB Cable : DC 5.0V

Support:
? iPod mini
? iPod Photo
? iPod 4G
? iPod (Dock Connector)

iDiddy is now offering a hot new case for the iPod, Mini, Shuffle, 3G, and 4G / Photo. This case features earbud wires integrated into the iLanyard that attaches to the case, to keep them tangle free!

The iLanyard will also detach from the case, allowing you to use it with any standard audio device. The iDiddy case come in your choice of 3 colors, black, white, and brown, and range from $44.95 to $59.95, depending on your iPod model.

Not all hacks have to be about good looks, really. Such is the case with the hack that Dave Derwin recently undertook in gutting an old Walkman-style portable AM/FM radio / casette player and turning it into a hardshell carrying case for his 4G iPod. Seeing the two units merged is almost an artistic expression of aesthetic opposites, really. (The Walkman is pretty ugly.)

Have a look at Dave's colorful account of the project, complete with step-by-step photos. You might not want to try this at home....

For those of you who don?t already know, Belkin will start selling TuneTalk for the iPod. This nifty little device allows you to record audio into your iPod 3G, 4G and photo iPod. It will begin shipping later this month. Features include:

• High-Quality Omnidirectional Microphone
• iPod Remote/Headphone Connector: attaches securely to your iPod
• Recording Indicator LED: shows recording status
• Foam Microphone Cover: helps to reduce wind noise
• Innovative Flexible Design: features flexible neck for directional recording
• No software to install?support is already built into the iPod