By Sherri L. Smith, BlackWeb20.com

Just when I thought Apple had done everything it could possibly do with an iPod, they go and cook up the 5G Nano. Looking at specs for the latest Nano, Steve Jobs apparently has quite a few tricks up his sleeve. And when I saw the first screenshots of the techie goodness,  I had never been so happy to be wrong. Read the rest of this entry »

By Sherri L. Smith, BlackWeb20.com

For every great invention, there’s at least one person out there attempting to piggyback off that great idea and create something better. And if that isn’t successful they want something that can be used in tandem with the original creation that either enhances or compliments the invention, much to the inventor’s chagrin. Apple’s iconic iPod has launched an entire industry bent on getting a piece of Apple’s pie. Over the years, we’ve seen iPod cases, alarm clocks, portable speakers. Hell, there’s even a line of iPod-assisted adult toys…crickets. But nothing has been as so simple, genius, and wickedly subversive (in a good way!) as the new miShare.

Courtesy of Gadgety News

The miShare allows users to swap files between two iPods, totally bypassing Apple’s wack one library at a time rule, well almost. If any of the files transferred are DRM-protected, you have to go the extra hoop of hooking up your iPod to your computer and typing in your friend’s username and password to unlock your new music. It’s a little bit of a hassle, but with the recent price changes in the iStore ($1.29 per song? WTH?) it doesn’t seem so bad. It also shields miShare creators Josh Hochman and Nathaniel Wise, from the combined fury of Steve Jobs’ and the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in the form of nasty, expensive litigation…at least for now. Read the rest of this entry »

 Apple’s chief executive, Steve Jobs, is taking a medical leave of absence from the company until the end of June to deal with personal health issues.  Jobs, 53, reported last week that doctors had recently diagnosed a “hormone imbalance” that was depleting proteins in his body and causing extreme weight loss over the last few months, The New York Times reports. Tim Cook, Apple’s longtime chief operating officer, will take on the responsibility for Apple’s day-to-day operations. “As C.E.O., I plan to remain involved in major strategic decisions while I am out,” Mr. Jobs added in a letter to employees. “Our board of directors fully supports this plan.”