There is a rumor on the market saying that Apple is preparing a $100 price drop for the iPhone and the iPod Touch line in the next few months. The same rumor says that Apple may lose the 8GB versions of the iPod or the iPhone.

With analysts craving for a new Apple event, late February, this sounds almost real and if I try to go deeper and deeper I can think of the following:

1. The 3G iPhone is on the way so I guess Apple needs some price spacing by the end of the year when it goes live. Even Forbes announced that a better iPhone is on the way.
2. Memory prices are going vertically down so it’s only fair for Apple to sell the iPod Touch or the iPhone, cheaper.

So the new prices could be $299 for the 16GB iPod Touch and $399 for the 32GB version, while the 16GB iPhone is going to cost $399.

9to5 Mac

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, Apple has added a new pink iPod nano to its line-up. That’s perfect for young lovers and not only. The pink model features 8GB memory and retails at $199. The two-inch display allows you to view album artwork, photos, videos or playing games. Furthermore, Apple offers free engraving for iPods bought from their online store. It’s perfect for your sweetie! What do you think?

Holidays rush! Everybody is looking for something cool in order to offer a nice and fashionable gift. What could be more wanted than a high tech device? iPhone? Oh, yeah! iPod Touch? No problem. Apple’s latest iPod, looks alike the iPhone, but it doesn’t have so many features. However the Touch has a 3.5-inch touch-sensitive glass screen and is able to connect to Internet via built-in Wi-Fi.

I wouldn’t mind to receive one as a present. The Touch features a web browser for surfing the Internet and comes with 8 or 16 GB of storage. iPhone’s applications work perfectly with iPod Touch. So there is a lot of entertainment provided. It plays photos, videos and music, and you also have YouTube. The gadget retails for $299(8GB) and $399 (16GB).

I would certainly opt for the Touch against a Zune or Sony mp3 player, even the price is higher. I have heard about many people who put the Touch on their wish list for Santa. The player can substitute the iPhone in those countries where it wasn’t launched yet.

via Apple news

I have just bumped into an article about iPhone and iPod skins. Digi Camo, a vinyl design company presented a list of skins for the second-generation iPod shuffle, second- and third-generation iPod nano, iPod classic, iPod touch, and iPhone. They skins are made of a thicker mil vinyl which make them a little stronger and easier to put on.

If you get bored, there is no problem. The Digi Camo skins are easy to remove and don’t leave any residue on your iPhone or iPod. You can choose between 20 different models. Each skin retails for $10, so you could purchase more in case you want something cool for every weekend. Also you have the option to add your name on the skin for an extra fee.

via iLounge

Griffin Technology has launched recently a new wireless sound system. The product was released on BestBuy.com, an online shop. The Evolve Wireless Sound System features a base unit dock, two wireless speakers and a RF remote control.

The dock station is compatible with iPod video, iPod photo and 1st- and 2nd-generation iPod nano. The unit recharges your iPod too, as it streams digital stereo sounds. The wireless speakers are powered by built-in lithium-ion batteries, which deliver up to 10 hours of functioning. Evolve Wireless Sound System has auxiliary audio in RCA jacks for alternate audio sources like other MP3 player for example.

You can buy it for $299 at BestBuy.com. (via iLounge)

Bowers & Wilkins has 40-plus years of experience and know-how in speaker design in a single package. A new creation was announced on their website:

Bowers & Wilkins prepares to launch a new speaker especially designed for iPod. Called Zeppelin, the speaker will provide a level of sound quality usually available only through dedicated hi-fi separates. Zeppelin is certified “Made For iPod” and is designed for use with the current model range. The name was chosen due to its design line. The concept was created by Native Design, London.

Zeppelin will be available from September 2007 in Apple Stores or online (http://store.apple.com). The manufacturer recommends a retail price of $599.00.

Press release here.

A week after the iPhone met the US consumers analysts already started to hint at new products Apple laboratories are preparing. Even if sources in Apple’s supply chain are cited, I find it hard to believe an iPhone Nano with a circular scroll wheel will soon make its debut.

Seen as a competitor for the yet undisclosed Motorola RAZR 2, the product is supposed to reach the shelves sometimes before Christmas at a price of about $300. This will make Apple compete on the traditional mobile phones market (not just on the smartphones one) which could bring the company a bigger percentage than the initial Steve Jobs estimate of 1% (10 million handsets).

The second product rumored to be in preparation is a new iPod with borrowed features from the first generation iPhone. Yes, replacing the NAND memory with a magnetic hard drive for cheaper and greater storage seems a good idea. However, an iPod with a touchscreen and most of the features existing in the iPhone might turn out to be a competition for the very Apple handset that inspired it as it will most likely cost less.

This reasoning makes such an iPod very unlikely but an upgrade to the current Apple line of MP3 players is almost necessary as the competition already offers larger screen areas, greater storage capacities and other valuable features which often come at lower prices. However, nobody knows what Steve Jobs is planning but an announcement is near and we will then see what new devices and features Apple’s boss prepared to impress us.

Orbino, a leader in leather accessories, announced a new leather case for 2G Shuffle iPods. The Genio Leather Case offers a built in cord winder that allows you to wear the cord at the perfect length. Being a luxury product, the Genio case is handcrafted. It comes in many leather styles: classic calfskin, stamped crocodile or exotic skins.

Orbino complements the extraordinary design with a leather knotted lariat and little straps that hold the earbuds. The Orbino Genio Leather Case retails for $39.

[Product page via TechFresh]

Philips released a new clock radio called AJ300D. Why it is special? You guessed, it features a dock for iPods. It is compatible with the Philips GoGear MP3 player. It will charge the docked devices when in use. Besides the docking station, Philips AJ300D has many other utilities.

The Philips AJ300D offers FM digital tuning with 20 presets. The device sports a LED readout and DBB speaker system. Its users have many possibilities to wake up in the morning using the regular alarm, the radio or the wake to CD function. The Philips “wOOx” loudspeaker technology will give you the best music bits. Just in case, you receive a remote control if you don’t plan to put the clock radio near your bed. Philips AJ300D retails for $83 at Amazon.

[via NewLaunches]

Pioneer is going to launch a new series of Elite A/V receivers that feature iPod connectivity. The new range of Elite receivers is composed from four devices: VSX-90TXV, VSX-91TXH, VSX-92TXH and VSX-94TXH. Those receivers can be connected to your iPod using the IDK-80 docking station.

You could manage your files from iPod and you can play the movies right on the big screen. To make that easier, the system features a remote control, HDMI and component connectivity, THX Select II certification, and Dolby Digital EX decoding.

The VSX-90TXV and VSX-91TXH receivers will be available in June for $650 and $1000 respectively. The other two will be out in August at the prices - $1300 and $1600. The IDK-80 docking station for iPod is retailing for $100. - MIHNEA BOIANGIU