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Industry News/Reviews
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Previous Industry News and Product Reviews
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This page is to showcase industry news and reviews, as well as handy tips for products that complement our covers and accessories - mobile phones, digital music players, digital cameras etc. If you would like us to keep you informed, join our email list.
Click links to go to:
New Apple iPods - 2009 (Sep09)
Apple iPhone update - 3GS (Jul09)
Apple iPod family products - 2008 (Sep08)
Apple iPhone in Australia (Jul08)
Apples new iPod products - 2007 (Oct07)
Apple iTunes - Complete My Album (Apr07)
Apples new iPod products - 2006 (Oct06)
Apple + Nike Sports Kit (Dec06)
Downloading Digital Music (Jul07)
Guide to Buying a Digital Camera (Mar07)
Guide to Mobile Phones & Phone Plans (Apr07)
Mobile phone security, lost & stolen (Jan07)
September 2009
New 2009 Apple iPod products and reviews
Apple released this year's iPods at their special media event held in San Fran. You can check out all the details on our Apple iPod specific pages:
iPod classic - one size, slimline 160Gb
iPod touch - Bigger, more fun
iPod nano - now shoots video
iPod shuffle - colours and cuteness
You can also shop for speakers, earphones, covers, batteries and accessories for the iPods: Products for all iPods
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July 2009
2009 iPhone update
Apple announced the line up of new Apple iPhones. The iPhone 3G got an update plus there's also now a bigger, faster iPhone. Check it out -> iPhone 3G S (S for speed...)
Also, check out our iPhone cases, covers & accessories:
4Mac - 4Mac CoolSkin silicone skins (iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS)
DLO - DLO PowerPack (iPhone & iPod AC charger, auto-charger, USB dock cable)
KlearScreen - iKlear cleaning kit (iPhone, iPod)
Marware - MicroShell, CEO Premiere, EcoVue protective covers (iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS)
Mophie - Mophie Juice Pack & Juice Pack Air battery extenders (iPhone 3GS, 3G & 1G)
Silicone Skins - different colours, brands (iPhone 3GS)
XSKN - XRAP crystal & eXo Mask silicone skin (iPhone, iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS cases)
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September 2008
2008 update - iPod family products and reviews
Apple released this year's iPod family products, with much fun-fair at an event in San Francisco. You can read all the Apple Live updates at our blog, Funk-eBlog.
Basically to recap:
The new iPod classic now comes in only one size - 120Gb
The 4G iPod nano had yet another size makeover (similar size as the 2G iPod nano) but curvier, sexier and more colours
The 2G iPod touch have some great software update inclusions
iTunes store got a makeover as well, with thousands of more apps for iPhone and iPod touch, as well as more exciting features.
Looking to buy the latest iPods? Find out where to:
Buy iPod classic
Buy iPod touch
Buy iPod nano
Buy iPod shuffle
Or, if you're looking for protective cases and covers - we may be able to help out:
iPod covers & accessories
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July 2008
Apple iPhone finally in Australia
APPLE IPHONE: The phone, the iPod and fast 3G internet browser all rolled into the one device!
July marked a very exciting time for Apple fans in Australia. Not only the similtaneous release of the Apple iPhone 3G into the US and numerous other countries, including Australia. BUT also the first Australian Apple store was opened in Sydney.
What does this mean for fans?! Being able to buy an iPhone on contract, legally! And for those in Sydney, being able to spend hours drooling, playing, dreaming instore.
More about the iPhone though - with Optus, Telstra, Vodafone and Virgin able to supply the device, it meant it also opens up a healthy competition for consumers.
But of course, once you've signed up for 2 years of high monthly repayments, you know it's time to make sure you look after your investment wisely:
Buy iPhone covers and accessories to help you out!
DLO: iPhone leather cases and power supplies
4Mac: iPhone silicone skins & screen protectors
XSKN: iPhone silicone skins and hard cases; and
Also be sure to check out our dedicated iPhone site funkyiphone.com.au. Then, join the iPhone revolution!
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October 2007
2007 update - iPod family products and reviews
My, haven't they come a long way since October 2001?!
The current day Apple "family of iPods" are:
iPod touch: New style, coming in 8Gb & 16Gb, with multi-touch interface (like the iPhone) for you music, photos, video & podcasts. Built in with Wi-Fi - with safari web browser, Google & Yahoo search and YouTube. It sounds like it can do anything - probably even do a load of washing?! Unlike the iPhone, this is the first "touch" product to be shipped worldwide.
Buy iPod touch covers
iPod shuffle: (1Gb) wearable, in five new colours, holds up to 240 songs
Buy iPod shuffle covers
3G iPod nano: A little video for everyone - Most popular, new size, coming in 4Gb (silver) & 8Gb (five colours), with enhanced user interface and a larger, brighter display, from which you can now watch videos and play games
Buy iPod nano covers
iPod classic: Ultimate in storage; now coming in 80Gb & 160Gb (up to 40,000 songs & up to 200 hours of video), either silver or classic black, with enhanced user interface
Buy iPod classic covers
iTunes: Available in 22 countries, catalogue of over 6 million songs; 125,000 podcasts; and now with customisable ringtones (iPhone).
RED iPods: Don't forget to check out the iPod ranges in (PRODUCT)Red - iPod nano and now in iPod shuffle, which helps raise money for AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis in Africa.
iPod Covers and Accessories:
Apple no longer include the slimline protective pouch with your new iPod purchases. Don't waste your investment by not protecting it.
Check out our full range of:
iPod covers, case and pouches
iPod accessories
Join our contact list for more info and/or if you want to be advised of upcoming product news.
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August 2007
5 Reasons Why you Should Download Music Online
Are you still out there buying CD's at your local record store? Disgruntled that you must endure heavy traffic and ever growing mall crowds only to find out the store is out of stock for the CD or album you wanted to purchase? Then you must read the article :
"5 Reasons Why you Should Download Music Online".
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February 2007
MOBILE PHONE SECURITY
Fact: more than 200,000 mobile phones are reported lost or stolen each year, meaning 4,000 each week, or one mobile phone handset every three minutes.
Lost and stolen phones (and tips for the prevention of)
The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Authority (AMTA) website provides information on mobile phone security, theft prevention, recording your IMEI code and much more.
Their advice?
- Treat your phone as you would any valuable item (keep it close, don�t leave it unattended)
- Use your phone�s security features (set a PIN)
- Engrave / personalise it
- Record your IMEI number (check your IMEI number by dialling *#06)
- Insure it (more on this in a future newsletter)
Steps to Take if you have Lost or Stolen your Mobile Phone
- Immediately notify your network carrier (and the police)
- Advise them of your IMEI number and ask for a block to be placed on it. This prevents your phone from being able to be used on all Australian networks, with or without a new SIM card. (If your handset is found or returned, you can have the IMEI block removed.)
- Advise them of any identifying features, like if you�ve engraved it etc.
Advising your network carrier also ensures you will not be charged for any subsequent calls made.
For more information regarding lost and stolen phones, visit Mind Your Mobile.
Buying a second-hand phone?
Always insist on proof of ownership prior to purchasing a second-hand mobile phone. Go to the AMTA website: Lost & Stolen section and input the IMEI code, check to make sure the mobile phone has not been reported lost or stolen.
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January 2007
MOBILE PHONE RECYCLING
If you were lucky enough to receive a new mobile phone for Christmas, don�t throw out your old phone. Get thrifty and sell it to the highest bidder on eBay? Or failing that, it should be recycled - along with any old batteries and accessories.
MobileMuster is an initiative of the Aust Mobile Telecommunications Authority (AMTA), funded by members of industry manufacturers, carriers and service providers.
Check out the MobileMuster website for information on the nearest location where you can recycle your used phones. Their goal by 2008 is to treble the annual collection (from 50 to 150 tonnes pa) and half the amount going to landfill.
So make sure you do your bit to help - you will not only be saving our natural resources but also helping protect our precious environment!
Of course, you should also check out Planet Ark website for general recycling information.
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April 2007
APPLE iTUNES Complete My Album
In March, Apple announced Complete My Album, a groundbreaking new iTunes service that allows customers to turn their individual tracks into a complete album at a reduced price by giving them a full A$1.69 inc GST credit for every track they have previously purchased from that album.
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December 2006
APPLE IPOD GADGETS
As promised, this month we let you know about the Nike+iPod nano Sport Kit
For those of you who loved the "10,000 steps" program, you�ll love this gadget more�!? Apple research found that 50% of their iPod nano users did so whilst exercising, so they teamed up with Nike to produce an "add-on", similar to a digital pedometer for use with the iPod nano only (1st and 2nd generation), whilst exercising. So now you just need to purchase the Nike+Sports kit ($48 from Apple), and they suggest a new set of Nike+ trainers (they�re producing quite a few compatible pairs), place the small wireless device in your new shoes and away you go. You�re able to keep track of your exercise program on Nike.com.
Of course, most iPod nano owning exercise gurus probably want the buy the new Nike+Sports Kit gadget, but for those not wanting to shell out for new runners as well, check out this idea for a cheap work-around. Cheeky, huh?!
Read the product review by CNet.com.au
What's New? If you're looking for more economical gadgets for your iPod or MP3, you can't go past our new Funky Earpads and Smartwraps from Sumajin. At $5.95/pair and $10.95 respectively, they're too good to go without.
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October 2006
NEW APPLE IPOD PRODUCTS
Last month Apple rolled out new releases of their iPods.
New iPod - 30Gb and 80Gb: Apple estimated shipping within 24 hours
Apple introduced the newest iPod, the updated 5th generation iPods. The updated iPods feature a brighter and more vibrant colour display, better battery life, gapless playback and enhanced software. Coming in 30Gb (7,500 songs) and now 80 Gb (up to 20,000 songs - replacing the previous version 60 Gb).
Read review by CNet.com.au
**Check out our funky new iPod covers from STM**
New iPod nano: Apple estimated shipping within 24 hours
Apple also introduced the 2nd generation iPod nano in 2Gb, 4Gb or 8Gb, which has a scratch-resistant aluminium body and 24 hr battery life. Competitively priced, the new iPod nano features the Apple click wheel, a lighter design and is available in silver, pink, green, blue and black (though not all colour options available for all memory sizes).
Read review by PCMag.com. PCMag Editor gives the Nano 4.5 stars out of 5.
Read review by CNet.com.au
**See our new range of iPod nano pouches from STM**
nb: Apple and Nokia have gotten their heads together on a new nano gadget to help with your exercising. More on this next month...
iPod shuffle: Available by pre-order from Apple
The 2nd generation iPod shuffle was also released. Apple is quoted as saying "it's the world's smallest digital music player". It's nearly half the size of the original and weighing just 15.5 gms, with a built-in wearable clip.
Upgraded iTunes 7: (free download)
Alongside the player updates, Apple announced iTunes 7. Better navigation and general interface, game downloads and more. Anyone purchasing the new iPods will need to upgrade to iTunes 7.
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