OtterBox, one of our favorite case makers, is donating 10% of proceeds from the sales of two special edition pink cases. Don’t let the pretty pink outer design fool you. Both cases are designed to provide maximum protection for your gadgets. The iPhone Defender Series Strength case (check out Kerry’s review here) and iPod Nano 3rd Gen Defender Series Strength case provide 3 layers of protection. The first layer is a clear Polycarbonate shell, the second layer is a reinforced hi-impact Polycarbonate skeleton while the third outer layer is silicon to absorb bumps and shocks. Cost on these cases is $49 for the iPhone Defender Series Strength and $ 29 for the iPod Nano 3G Defender Series Strength.

Link: OtterBox - Avon Breast Canceer Crusade - Special Edition Cases

Here’s a heads up that the Apple Store has refurbished 4GB ($99) and 8GB ($149) iPod Nanos in stock. These are reconditioned models, thus the $50 discount from retail prices. In the past the Apple store has sold out of these quickly - so if you’ve been contemplating an iPod Nano (Mother’s Day gift anyone?) - head on over to Apple before they sell out once again.

Link: Apple Store: 4GB and 8GB iPod Nano Refurbs
Via: Fatwallet.com

I have been watching WildCharge with much interest since I first learned about their concept several years back. The idea is simple - you lay your electronic gear on a inductive pad and the items charge without the need for any cables. I love the idea, but waiting for the product to become available for devices I actually use has been a long time coming.

Vincent visited with WildCharge in their office yesterday, and he had an intensive bit of one-on-one time with top execs as well as the product. They set him up with a slim case for his iPhone, a charging pad, and allowed him the chance to really explore the concept.

Technically speaking, the WildCharge adapter for the iPhone and iPod touch is actually integrated into a high-quality gel case called “Skins”, a gel covered product made of Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPE) material. WildCharge wire-free charging technology is located on the back of the case and all you have to do is slip your iPhone or iPod touch into the case and then drop it anywhere on the WildCharger charging pad. It’s that easy. A blue light on the left hand side of the pad lights up notifying you that the juice is pumping through your device.

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Hannah popped a new goodie into my inbox this morning: Proporta is introducing a new accessory for the 3G nano, the Echo - Mirror Case.

It’s pretty! But I can already tell I’d have to dedicate minutes of my day to compulsively wiping it down; the Echo - Mirror Case looks like a gorgeous fingerprint magnet.

The Echo - Mirror Case utilizes the same concept as the Echo - Mirror Screen Protector, but protects your entire 3G nano in the process.

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In an interesting move, iTunes has a shot fired across its distribution-bow…

I’ve been into digital music since 1998. I bought a Diamond MP3 player and a 32MB storage card back in the day, and was listening to MP3’s I had ripped from MY CD collection at all times of the day and night. It was a wonderful thing.  Then, I bought an iPod, and the entire world changed for me.

I found out earlier that Atlanta-based ZapMedia is suing Apple over 2 different music distribution patents it says it owns. These patents outline the distribution of music from a server to multiple players.  While the patents were applied for back in 2000, the first wasn’t approved until March of 2006.  The other, within the last couple of weeks… One details distributing digital media assets to “a plurality of users;” and the other expands upon it.

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I’m guilty of not making the most of playlists and smart playlists on iTunes. I haven’t even gotten around to filling my iPhone with music. As it is, I’ve only got one full album and a few stray songs that don’t even have their album art added and all the ID3 tags filled. Tsk tsk. It’s all stuff that I’ll get around to eventually, but I could totally relate to Lore Sjoberg’s column on Wired entitled “Perils of joining an iPod nation“.

Most guides to Smart Playlists suggest you start by rating your own music. This makes me uncomfortable. Telling myself how much I like the music I chose and bought seems a little narcissistic. Normally I’m so self-absorbed that if you hug me hard you’re likely to get ego all over your sweater, but this is a bit much even for me. I feel as self-obsessed as a teenage ouroboros on Twitter.

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Part of the lure of a being on holiday is the ability to get away from all of your tech distractions. But if you’re reading this site, then you’re probably like me and derive an inordinate amount of enjoyment from having all of your toys and gadgets with you wherever you go. There’s a lot to be said for putting your smartphone, MP3 player, digital camera or laptop away in order to be able to fully soak in your surroundings, but when used in moderation, I think gadgets can actually enhance your travel experience.

There are all sorts of considerations to take into account when travelling with your tech toys. Will it have enough storage for all my photos and music? Is it durable enough to handle the rigours of the road? Will the battery last me until the next time I get to a power outlet? And what happens if my bag gets stolen?

Gadget insurance is something I’ll cover in another post, but the rest of the concerns are easily take care of with the right tech and accessories.

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Back in January, I wrote:

Of course Mike has has own take on everything: he opines that the MacBook Air is the first in a line of possible thin and light Air-branded devices. Could he be right?

“Nevertheless, I believe that the Air designation will not be limited to the new MacBook. I firmly believe that an iPod Air is coming and that it will be the rumored tablet computer from Apple.”

And now today, he writes that Apple now owns the iPod Air domain:

Click on this: http://www.ipodair.com and watch where it goes!

Oddly, this Whois record doesn’t state Apple ownership.

My questions: can anyone point a website that they own anywhere they want, and pay for the redirection? If so, why would anyone bother?

Or could Mike really be on to something…

The following review written by Jennifer Serra - When my DLO ipod nano case with “kickstand” arrived I was very excited. I could not wait to open it and place my precious Nano in to its new home, a hard shell. I was hoping that the case would protect my Nano and keep the screen free from scratches and dirty fingers. Was the case up to the task? Keep reading to find out.

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One of the first things that I appreciated about my iPhone - beyond the gorgeous touchscreen and all the other obvious convergent benefits, was that it was the first iPod  available with an external speaker. Granted, it wasn’t a rockin’ sound system by any means, but it was certainly loud enough to enjoy without earphones in a quiet environment. I don’t always want to wear earphones, and having the option of listening to my music without putting the iPhone in a dock has been pretty sweet.

Because of the ifrogz Audiowrapz, I can now have a similar experience when using my nano…no extra batteries needed.

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