New iPod Nano 4G from Apple - launched today

Just gathering my thoughts and the details of the new iPod Nano, just launched today, Tuesday 9th September 2008. Available today in an 8GB capacity or 16GB by the end of the week.

Size and Weight
Height: 3.6 inches (90.7 mm)
Width: 1.5 inches (38.7 mm)
Depth: 0.24 inch (6.2 mm)
Weight: 1.3 ounces (36.8 grams)
Display 2-inch (diagonal) color LCD with LED backlight
320 by 240 pixels at 204 ppi
Up to 24 hours music playback
Up to 4 hours video playback

This looks like a worthwhile upgrade, with the 8GB costing £109 and the 16GB costing just £149.
The accelerometer is pretty neat too, so when you flip the Nano onto its side, the screen display rotates too. Shame that they didn't push the technology one step further by doing something with the click wheel. As you can see, the controls are not orientated correctly when you are viewing something in widescreen.

The colour line-up is very nice. Silver, black, purple, blue, green, yellow, orange, red and pink. This is a nice selection and nice to see no special edition with a premium price. What really amazes me is the size of this thing. When you take into account that it is just over 6mm thin, with those sexy tapered edges. The device practically disappears when viewed from the side. Also, pictured here, I really like the silver colour, with contrasting click wheel... this one might just get my money. The difficult decision is on the pricing, £149 for a 16GB Nano or add £20 for the entry level 8GB iPod touch? What would you do?

New iPod Nano 4G - LED lit Click Wheel

I was just looking at these mockups by Miguel Suárez and came to the conclusion/prediction that this could well be a possibility. However, take a look at the click wheel. What happens when the user turns this new Nano on its side to watch a video. My prediction is that the click wheel will be a smoked black (in this case) or a semi-translcent finish. The menu, play/pause, and skip symbols will be tiny OLED screens being the fascia and light up according to which way you are holding the device.

If this is how Apple design the new Nano, they certainly win my vote.

Geekanoids News Video #003 - 8th Sept 2008

It gives me great pleasure to bring you the third installment of Geekanoids News. This weekly roundup shares the news that has really excited me over the past week. Kevin does it again, "Let's Rock" with Apple tomorrow my prediction, nice picture from San Francisco, Zune (what!), and some exciting Adobe news. Remember to join me again tomorrow (Tuesday) evening for some extra special news coverage.

Coming soon to Geekanoids

A quick update for you all... there is a busy week ahead. Check the website tomorrow for the next installment of Geekanoids News. It certainly is going to bring you some food for thought. Tuesday will bring you the newest of our Video Reviews in the morning, followed by a special news update in the late evening.

Over the next couple of weeks you will see some really great reviews. Including a series of Quark Xpress 8 New Features, the Elgato EyeTV DTT Deluxe, and the Slingbox Solo. Until then, happy computing :-)

Geekanoids News Video #002

The second installment of Geekanoids News. This weekly roundup brings you details of what has caught my attention over the last week. New software for iPhone, something special at the Regent Street Apple Store, an iPhone contender and a brilliant product for MacBook Pro owners... enjoy.

Geekanoids News Video #001

I am so sorry, apologies to all my readers. Having done the short video for my 'news' last Monday, I was certain that I had shared it with you all. Just this morning I finished editing episode 2 and found that I had not published last weeks to the website. Without further ado, here it is.

M-Audio Announces Sponsorship of International Songwriting Competition

M-Audio, a part of Avid Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: AVID), and a leading provider of creative tools for musicians, is proud to sponsor the 2008 International Songwriting Competition (ISC). Judged by a host of A-list artists and producers, the ISC is the premiere contest for aspiring songwriters across the world.

ISC contestants compete in 20 different categories to win a variety of gear, scholarship and cash prizes. M-Audio is pleased to provide a host of professional solutions designed to make it easier for aspiring songwriters to compose and record their own music. Featured products include the Studiophile® BX5a Deluxe studio reference monitors, Studiophile® Q40 reference headphones, ProKeys™ Sono 88 portable digital piano with USB audio interface, and KeyRig 49 USB keyboard controller.

The ISC has assembled a panel of 46 high-profile judges from across the music industry. The panel includes artists Rob Thomas, Tom Waits, Chaka Khan, KT Tunstall, Ray Davies and Paul Van Dyk; music industry executives Monte Lipman (president, Universal Records), Nick Burgess (Head of A&R, Virgin Records UK) and Amy Doyle (Senior VP, MTV Artist and Talent); acclaimed producer Steve Lillywhite, and many more.

“The ISC provides a great opportunity for up-and-coming songwriters to get feedback from renowned industry veterans who know what it takes to succeed in this business,” says Adam Castillo, director of marketing for M-Audio. “M-Audio is proud to contribute to the success of those who will be writing the hits of tomorrow and helping shape the future of the music industry.”

Category prizes include a $3,000 equipment package for first place, $2,000 package for second place, and a full scholarship to the Berklee College of Music's five-week Summer Performance Program for the winner of the Teen category. The Overall Grand Prize Winner will receive a generous package of $20,000 in prizes and $25,000 in cash. Each entrant’s submission is judged on a variety of criteria (partially dependant on category), including creativity, originality, lyrics, melody and arrangement.

Entries must be postmarked on or before October 15, 2008. ISC 2008 finalists will be announced in February, 2009 and winners in April, 2009. For more information on the International Songwriting Competition, visit www.songwritingcompetition.com, or call (615) 251.4441.

Belkin Desktop Internet Phone for Skype

I love Skype and have been a dedicated user for about two years now. With Skype's new subscription plans you can make unlimited calls for a fixed price, or free Skype-to-Skype calls for absolutely nowt. The only real way to take advantage of the Skype service is to have a phone or handset that negates the need to have your Mac or PC switched on. With such a device you can just pick up the phone and use it just like a normal landline.

The new Belkin Desktop Internet Phone for Skype is such a device and it is available now for £79.99. The main features include a contact list for over 500 sets of Skype and SkypeOut contacts. You also get automatic login to your Skype account. This little baby plugs into an ethernet port on your wired or wireless router, using your broadband or ADSL connection for ultra cheap or free calls. The fact that it is wired enables the promise of plug'n'play, so really easy for joe public to set up and use. It sounds really good and certainly looks the part... expect to see a full review here soon.

More discounts from Proporta for Nokia N95 users

A double whammy of offers from Proporta today, with a massive 50% off two of their Nokia N95 cases. The two choices on offer are the Alu-Crystal Case for the Nokia N95 or N95 8GB. Use the codes below at checkout to claim your discount.

50% discount off Proporta Alu-Crystal Case (Nokia N95) with promotion code N95USERS
50% discount off Proporta Alu-Crystal Case (Nokia N95 8GB) with promotion code N958GB

Proporta acknowledge new iPod Nano Rumour with discounts

We all now know that a new iPod Nano could well be just around the corner. Well, case manufacturer Proporta have sent me details of discounts on their existing range of Nano cases, acknowledging the rumours too. Head on over to their website where you can pick up 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation Nano cases at a massive 50% discount.

Logitech MX1100 Cordless Laser Mouse - WOW!

I love Logitech gear, their keyboards and mice (amongst other things) rock. Up until I recently changed to a Microsoft Natural Laser Mouse 6000, I had always used Logitech gear, including their S530 keyboard and mouse combo for the Mac.

Their latest offering looks very nice. The MX1100 cordless laser mouse has a total of ten programmable buttons, that include their Stealth Thumb Button. This one is strategically placed where your thumb would naturally fall, making it easy to switch between applications. Improved battery life is also claimed. Costing just under $80 in the USA with official UK pricing TBC, although I have found it for £50 on pre-order at some UK websites. Expect to see a video review on Geekanoids in due course.