Imation Corp., which develops, manufactures, and sells various electronic iPod and iPhone accessories under the Memorex brand, today announced its acquisition of Xtreme Accessories (XtremeMac) for a purchase price of $9 million.
XtremeMac was one of the earliest developers of iPod accessories, but appeared to have struggled in recent months with iPhone compatibility, substantial release delays, and uncertainty as to whether prior products would come back into stock.
Commenting on the transaction, Frank Russomanno, Imation’s President and Chief Executive Officer said: “With the acquisition of XtremeMac, Imation has added a brand recognized and respected by Apple enthusiasts and one that enhances our portfolio of products serving the growing market for consumer electronics related accessories.”
Gary Bart, founder and President of XtremeMac, will join Imation as Executive Director, guiding the company’s Apple accessory design efforts. It is unclear how the acquisition will impact currently delayed XtremeMac products, such as the Luna X2 clock radio, and whether the company’s name will continue to appear on future products.
Read the announcement
Written by santhosh on June 30th, 2008 with no comments.
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In an interview with Rolling Stone to be published later this week, presumptive Democratic Presidential nominee Barack Obama has revealed some of the contents of his personal iPod. “I have pretty eclectic tastes,” said Obama, who said he had music from a wide range of artists on his iPod, from Miles Davis and John Coltrane to Jay-Z and Ludacris.
Obama, who grew up in the 1970’s, said he listened to the Rolling Stones (his favorite Stones track is the seminal “Gimme Shelter"), Elton John, and Earth Wind and Fire, adding that Stevie Wonder was his “musical hero” of the period.
Interestingly, Obama also had a wide selection of tracks from Apple CEO Steve Jobs’ favorite Bob Dylan, including the entire Blood on the Tracks album. “Actually, one of my favorites during the political season is ‘Maggie’s Farm,’ “ Obama said. “It speaks to me as I listen to some of the political rhetoric.”
In the song, Dylan sings about trying be himself, “but everybody wants you to be just like them.” Many musicians appearing on Obama’s iPod have lent him their support during his campaign, including Dylan and Bruce Springsteen. “I’ve got to say, having both Dylan and Bruce Springsteen say kind words about you is pretty remarkable,” Obama said. “Those guys are icons.”
Obama also admits to having concerns over the the content of some rap music to which his daughters might be exposed. “I am troubled sometimes by the misogyny and materialism of a lot of rap lyrics,” he said, “but I think the genius of the art form has shifted the culture and helped to desegregate music.”
He went on to call hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons and rappers Jay-Z and Ludacris “great talents and great businessmen,” adding that “it would be nice if I could have my daughters listen to their music without me worrying that they were getting bad images of themselves.”
Written by santhosh on June 25th, 2008 with no comments.
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In preparation for the rollout of the App Store and further expansion of its movie rental services, Apple has made a series of subtle changes to its iTunes Store listings for both iPod Games and movie rentals.
Today, Apple officially changed the heading on its iPod Games pages from “iPod Games” to “iPod classic and nano Games,” differentiating the current listings from possible future listings for iPod touch- and iPhone-compatible games.
In addition, the company has begun listing the date that films will be available for rent on the purchase pages.
The second change may be to aid users who had hoped to rent a title and were confused as to why it was available for purchase but not for rent, or as a prelude to pre-orders for automatic film rental downloads to a computer.
Written by santhosh on June 24th, 2008 with no comments.
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According to the latest data from market research firm NPD, iPod sales grew 11.6 percent year-over-year in May, following growth of 14.6 percent year-over-year in April.
In a note, Lehman analyst Tim Luke pointed out that this was well ahead of the 2 percent decline the firm had been expecting, and said that average iPod pricing in the quarter was down 4 percent.
“While not exactly strong, iPod demand seems to be holding up and benefiting from the lack of iPhone availability (lack of cannibalization near-term),” Luke said.
“We expect iPod demand to weaken as iPhone demand picks up, but view the current trends as positive for AAPL’s fiscal 3Q08.”
Written by santhosh on June 18th, 2008 with no comments.
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United Airlines has announced the launch of iPod and iPhone connectivity for its in-flight entertainment system, becoming the first U.S. carrier to offer such features.
This enables you as United customers to enjoy your individual content on a 15.4-inch personal television, all while the iPod or iPhone charges.
The first aircraft with iPod and iPhone connectivity is scheduled to depart at 5:40 p.m. from Washington, D.C. to Zurich as United #936, and it will fly primarily on trans-Atlantic routes.
United's entire fleet of international, widebody aircraft are being reconfigured over the next two years with lie-flat seats, on-demand entertainment, and iPod and iPhone connectivity in first and business class.
"Our guests may now watch or listen to what they want, when they want with programming they choose," says Graham Atkinson, United Airlines - executive vice president and Chief Customer Officer. "United will continue to provide services and technology that makes our customers' travel experiences more relaxed and enjoyable."
Through a cable that supports iPod and iPhone via the 30-pin connector, customers may watch and enjoy their personal content on United's in-flight entertainment system. Technology for the connectivity was developed by Panasonic Avionics Corporation.
The customized video and audio options complements the more than 150 hours of movies and television shows available on-demand on United's newly-configured international aircraft, as well as games and XM radio.
Written by santhosh on June 16th, 2008 with no comments.
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