Having to use your hands when browsing through music in your iPod can get really annoying (such a pain, really), so the tech savvy Japanese decided to develop a nifty gadget that allows control of your iPod by clenching your teeth. That's right, no need to squeeze your arms through people in packed trains to play the song you want.

The folks from Osaka University came up with the ingenious idea. Through a head gear equipped with infrared sensors, the actions of your teeth can now be enough to command your iPod. Clenching your teeth for around a second will issue orders, removing worries of the gadget activating when you talk or eat.

Laboratory head Fumio Miyazaki explained the idea, saying, "You are able to operate the devices without using your hands. You would be able to listen to music hands-free or operate your cellphone in a crowded train. Handicapped people would also be able to move wheelchairs."

Or at least, that's what they're planning. This little gizmo is yet to see a commercial release, and some money and man hours are still getting invested into research that will allow hand-free controls of mobile phones, wheelchairs, and other electronic devices in the near future.

This week, the Apple legal team has caused a bit of a stir by trying to claim the word "pod". Even if your product is nothing like the iPod in the way it looks, feels or even smells, it appears that you can still face a lawsuit from Apple if your trademark contains the word Pod in it. This is exactly what happened to a small family business when they invented a digital device to aid in their business of making arcade game machines.

The Ellison family, owners of Mach 5 products, came up with a digital version of the mechanical readout of prizes on arcade machines The readout transmits the accounting information via infrared technology to a notebook or a PDA in a way that the data can be loaded directly into a spreadsheet. They named this device the 'Profit Pod'. As soon as computer giant Apple caught wind of the Profit Pod, the Ellisons received a letter. The letter goes:

Apple recently learned that Mach 5 Products filed an ITU trademark application for PROFIT POD (Serial No. 76/589,480), on April 30, 2004, for "infrared data transmission and collection system, namely an infrared data transmission and collection system for amusement games comprised of a meter for counting input signals from switches, a processor for processing the signals so that they may be transmitted by an infrared signal, an infrared signal generator and software for programming hand held computers that can detect and process infrared signals"

...We believe there is confusing similarity between Apple's IPOD mark and the PROFIT POD mark. PROFIT POD is a POD-formative mark and incorporates a substantial portion of Apple's IPOD mark. The products are likewise related. Accordingly, we must ask that Mach 5 Products immediately abandon the pending application for PROFIT POD, agree to cease all use of the PROFIT POD mark and not to use or file any other applications for similar marks in the U.S. or elsewhere.

The profit pod is in no way similar to an iPod except for having 'Pod' in the name, so why Apple decided to send this letter, I do not know. My message to the Ellison family: Carry on calling your invention the Profit Pod, because I am pretty sure that no court of law would allow Apple to win this one in a million years. But then again, that's just my opinion. How about you, what's your take on this subject? Let us know via the comments.

In the age of thumb-sized storage drives, tiny mobile phones, and even tinier MP3 players, one would think that the grand, old boombox has met its end. However, thanks to iLive's IBCD3816DT you'll never again have to argue with your elders as to what was the better music player; this grand dame has managed to make everyone happy.

Armed with a 2.1 Channel Speaker System which allows everyone to join in the music, your playlists are then loaded from your iPod, which is docked into the IBCD3816DT. This modern boombox accommodates the iPod Video, iPod Photo, iPod, the iPod nano, as well as the iPod mini. A port is also provided for iPod Shuffles, though this isn't quite as snug as the main dock in the middle of the body.

Other features of the IBCD3816DT are:

- Built-in audio CD drive
- An AM and FM radio tuner which can be controlled via the LCD screen which defaults as a clock when not in use
- An infrared remote control
- An arm carrying strap for those days when you feel taking your beat to the streets.

All in all, old school meets new school, and the result is music for everyone - and most probably one great party as well.

By this time you pro'lly know the MacBook has earned a reputation for being too hot too handle - literally. It has been reported to cause leg burn and some guy even used his MacBook to cook an egg just to make a point. A Dell laptop, on the other hand, turned into a spectacular fire ball in an office in Japan during a  board meeting. 

Sounds like a battle brewing? Krische thought so and set up an experiment to see which of the two gets to wear the Jalapeno crown. The test was simple. He played a full-length DVD movie on both machines while running on batteries. All other conditions were kept the same. From the room temperature to the space between the laptops and the table on which they were placed. Temperature was measured using an infrared thermometer from the top-side and bottom-side of the laptops after an hour of playtime, and at the end of the 1 hour and 45 minute movie.

The results: The MacBook runs significantly hotter than the Dell in certain spots but the average temperature is about the same as Dell's. Krische thinks the MacBook is a great alternative to the PC anyways despite running a little bit hotter. After all the MacBook lacks the built-in cooling fans of the Dell, he says. By the way, he already owns a MacBook which makes him an Apple Person. Any PC Person for the rebuttal?

The new iPod AV connection kit allows you to bring your music, photos, and video library into your living room. The kit includes everything you need to connect your iPod to your home stereo or television so you can share your favorite tunes, snapshots and movies with family and friends. Compatible with all iPod models with Dock connector.

Here is what you get for $99.00

iPod AV Cable

On one end, the iPod AV Cable connects to the headphone port of the iPod or the line-out port on the iPod Universal Dock. On the other end, it connects to the left/right stereo input jacks on a stereo, powered speakers or TV and the composite video input on a TV or monitor.

Universal Dock

The iPod Universal Dock serves as a convenient and elegant home base. It features an infrared port for the Apple Remote. And it works with all iPod models that have a dock connector through the use of interchangeable inserts called Dock Adapters.

Dock Adapters

These adapters snap into the Universal Dock to provide a snug fit for any iPod with a Dock connector. This package includes adapters for five iPods: iPod mini; iPod with click wheel (20GB, 40GB/U2 Special Edition); iPod with color display (20GB/30GB/U2 Special Edition, 40GB/60GB). New iPods already include adapters for that model, and other adapters are available separately.

Apple Remote

The Apple Remote combines with the Universal Dock to let you experience your iPod from across the room. When used with the iPod, the Apple Remote offers play/pause, volume control and forward/back buttons. (Note: Menu button is inactive when used to control iPod.)

USB Power Adapter

Use this convenient USB based adapter to charge your iPod. Simply plug the adapter into a wall outlet and connect to your iPod for recharging.

Dock connector to USB cable

This cable connects to the iPod USB Power Adapter to deliver a continuous charge.

[Via, ilounge]