Apple Grrl

News Blurb: This is actually a toy that is currently only available for the Windoze version of the iPod / iTunes family, but a Mac version is in development. This little toy allows you to remove the FairPlay DRM coding from the songs you purchase through iTunes for your iPod. A much needed utility in a time where the music industry is changing to meet the new century (whether it wants change or not). Also a completely apropos utility in a time when even Steve Jobs himself has come out against DRM, and sites like Gizmodo all over the blogosphere are leading the anti-RIAA movement by starting Boycott the RIAA month this March.

Get the utility here.

Author: Leslie Poston, © 2007, All Rights Reserved

ipod, itunes, drm

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One airplane manufacturer is hustling in the new electronics age by making iPods into the Black Box for their light aircraft. LoPresti Speed Merchants is planning to integrate the wildly popular, multi-functional mp3 player into its design for the new Fury Piston improved model. Having the iPod on board means 500 hours of recording time is possible. There is some debate about the logistics of the iPod’s use as the Black Box device. The current Black Boxes are built to survive a fiery crash and being crushed, pulverized, wet, burnt and other crash-related damage. The iPod is known more for its pocket mp3 and educational capabilities than for its crash-readiness.

Regardless, LoPresti is definitely moving forward on a fury design that incorporates and integrates the iPod as the Black Box, and plans to expand the idea to the rest of its aircraft designs once the Fury trial is successful. LoPresti’s innovation is not the only way iPods are getting to fly. Volaris, a Mexican airline, has begun renting iPods to its passengers for in-flight entertainment, a novel idea that is ahead of its time. Airline companies in the United States had planned a similar launch, but weren’t fast enough in implementing it. This gives Volaris a jump in the highly competitive Mexican travel market.

Once the American airline market has their ducks in a row, their iPod offering will be somewhat different than that of Volaris. It is an integrated plug and charge seat side system that will let passengers plug their iP{ods in and charge them, listen to the in-flight music selections on their iPods and more. Renting someone else’s 30GB iPod like you can on the Mexican airline is nice, but having your own with you is great.

Tags: iPod, Apple, Lopresi, iPod Airplane

Author: Leslie Poston, © 2007, All Rights Reserved

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2007 is the year of the iPod as far as vehicles are concerned. With iPods snagging 75% of the portable mp3 player market and 100% of the in-car audio functionality market for 2007, Microsoft’s poorly received “Zune” player doesn’t stand a chance. Honda, GM, Acura, Mazda, and many others are making iPod auxiliary plug and play functionality standard in their 2007 vehicle line up.

Mazda is by far the most comprehensive, with 100% of their new 2007 line up incorporating an mp3 auxiliary hook up for your iPod. With options to suit any budget and styles for every taste, this was a smart move on their part. Zoom Zoom, indeed.

If you don’t want to drive a Mazda, you can find a built in auxiliary jack for your iPod as a standard feature in the Toyota RAV4, Subaru Forester, Honda CR-V, Honda Civic, several Chevy models and the Dodge Caliber and Nitro, among others. It’s an option on a variety of other cars by nearly every manufacturer except Ford (Ford is trying to take market share by installing a hard drive in your car to use instead of your iPod).

This means that Apple products are taking another step toward being mainstream. I’m in the market for a new car this year and I can hardly wait to start shoping for my first Apple-integrated vehicle – how about you?

See a list of auto makers who integrate the iPod in 2007 here.

Tags: Apple, iPod, Volkswagon, iGolf, iCar

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