The iPod Nation

The iPod Touch 2nd Gen was a huge hit over Christmas 2008. Basically an iPhone without the phone, the iPod Touch is priced much more reasonably than the iPhone and is the perfect choice for those who are happy just talking on their phones and have no need to pay an exorbitant amount to AT&T for the data plan. The App store reported an influx of downloads over Christmas with most of those coming from iPod Touch users. Amazon has reported the iPod Touch as their number one selling MP3 player and many companies have already started to order more iPod Touch 2G accessories in preparation for the large demand following receipt of the iPod Touch 2G as Christmas presents.
-Derek
[Source: macrumors]

We have known for some time that the second generation iPod Touch is the fastest iPod that is perfect for gaming. Well Konami wants to take advantage of that gaming platform. Konami announced their next project to be Metal Gear Solid Touch for the Apple iPhone or iPod Touch. The game is scheduled for release in March 2009 and it will continue where it left off from Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. The original release will include eight levels with additional levels to be released at a later time. Gamers can unlock wallpapers and images when they gather enough points. In addition to MGST, Konami also plans to release Dance Dance Revolution, Silent Hill The Escape, and Frogger later this month. With this announcement, it shows that video game developers are considering making games for the iPod Touch and iPhone. It shows the power that the iPod Touch and the iPhone has in regards to the video game market. I am pretty sure gamers are happy to hear this news.

- Geoff

[Source: EdgeOnline]

Best Buy is currently offering customers who purchase an 8GB iPod Touch from them with a $50 gift card. And if you were to use the $50 gift card with the purchase of that 8GB Apple iPod Touch, you would pay around $179 for that iPod Touch. Now the deal is only for the 8GB iPod Touch models. There is no word on whether Best Buy would extend the offer to the 16GB and the 32GB iPod Touch models. This is probably the best deal out there for a iPod Touch. So get yours today while iPod supplies last.

- Geoff

[Source: Gizmodo]

A new internet advertisement for the Apple iPod Touch has been discovered by our good friends at Macenstein. We think the whole point of the commercial is that you have to tilt the iPod Touch to do stuff. A pretty cool ad if you ask me. Check it out and let us know what you think.

- Geoff

[Source: Macenstein]

There are plenty of chess applications out there for the Apple iPod Touch/iPhone. But nothing is as intriguing as this version of the chess game. It is called Samurai Chess. Instead of using the English style of chess, Conit Co. Ltd., who developed the application, created their own version of the chess game by bringing it back to Japan’s civil war era. Now many of you may think this is just another chess application, but this app has new features not found in other chess game applications. The first obvious difference is the reference to Samurais. The application also has a network match mode in which you could play with other users from around the world. Additionally, the application features fierce Samurai battle scenes to showcase the action. The game is available at the Apple App Store for $1 (limited time).

- Geoff

[Source: MarketWatch]

The latest trend in the digital world are digital books and comics. One platform that is notoriously known for this is the Apple iPod Touch/iPhone. Well Star Trek is hoping to take advantage of this trend. Comics publisher and Star Trek licensee IDW has announced that they are starting a digital publishing cycle at the Apple iTunes store. The first digital issue of the Star Trek comics is “Star Trek Archives: The Best of Peter David No. 1″. This is just a digital DC comics reprint. More issues will follow at the Apple iTunes store. There are also other comics that are ready for download at the iTunes store. Although most of the comics at the online store are available for free for the first issue, they will charge you 99 cents for following issues. So go check them out and let us know what you think.

- Geoff

[Source: Wired]

When Apple introduced the second generation iPod Touch, they dubbed it the “funnest iPod ever”. Well not a new application just might make it the most useful iPod ever. Truphone has released their new application for the iPod Touch that will turn it into a “mobile phone”. Basically its an iPhone without the 3G network. The best thing about it is the application is free, there is no need for a SIM card, no contract, and even the calls are free (well most calls at least). With the application, and a microphone adapter (which is available at the Apple store), it will allow iPod Touch users to make free calls anywhere in the world to other iPod Touch users, as well as Truphone’s Internet telephone users and Google Talk instant messaging users. The Truphone application uses the Wi-Fi connection and includes the following features:

Types of FREE call that can be made:
– iPod touch to iPod touch
– iPod touch to Truphone (some Nokia handsets)
– Truphone (same Nokia handsets plus iPhone) to iPod touch
– iPod touch to Google Talk PC user

Features coming soon:
– Making and receiving calls to and from landlines (PSTN) at low cost (simply set yourself up with a Truphone account)
– Instant messaging to Skype and MSN (free)
– Calling to Skype users (free)
– Calling to MSN users (free)
– Check and set facilities for Twitter (free)
– Check and set facilities for Facebook (free)

Requirements:
– A second generation iPod touch (i.e. current model)
– A free download of Truphone for iPod touch
– A headset and microphone like those for the iPhone. These may be bought at high street electronics retailers or from an Apple Store
– Friends also using Truphone!

Again this isn’t a replacement for a mobile phone. Just gives you the option of making phone calls using your iPod Touch.

- Geoff

[Source: MarketWatch]

The great thing about Apple products is how attractive they are and their versatility. MacLife has just introduced four great Apple prototypes that will sure grab the attention of consumers. Although many of these prototypes are too far fetched, some of them may actually sell well on the market. The first to mention is the Mac desktop computer made from Legos. I am pretty sure we won’t see a Lego Mac, or LMac as they call it. Another prototype that MacLife introduced was a Macbook with three screens. A little outrageous, but cool nonetheless. The last two prototypes seem more reasonable and we could possible see these in the near future. The first is a Apple dock for the iPhone or the iPod Touch. With the dock, you could use two wireless gaming controllers to play games on your iPhone or iPod Touch. The last prototype is the iCom, which is just a mix between a music player, a digital picture frame, and a holophone. The iCom is something I would surely look into if they were to develop it.  All these prototypes sound great, but no official word on whether they would continue the development of these prototypes.

- Geoff

[Source: Gizmodo]

Remember those Tech Decks? Those miniture skateboards that you use to skate with your fingers. Well there is a new application at the Apple App store that transforms your iPhone or iPod Touch into a Tech Deck. The name of the application is Touchgrind. The application has a skateboard in the middle of the screen and you use your fingers as legs and try to grind rails and do kickflips. It contains tutorial videos, competitions, and jam sessions. In addition, when you rack up enough points, you would  be able to unlock different boards and bonuses. According to Gizmodo, the application is very responsive and the graphics and sound effects are great. The only flaw is that it is difficult to see where you are going because the skateboard takes over the entire screen. The application is available at the Apple App Store for $4.99.

- Geoff

[Source: Gizmodo]

Here in the United States, it is all about Facebook and Myspace. But apparently in Europe, it is all about Netlog. Netlog is a social networking site that has over 35 million registered users. Well the Netlog social networking site is getting its own application for the Apple iPhone and the Apple iPod Touch. Similar to the Facebook application, the Netlog application will allow users to connect with new people, send messages, upload photos, check and sign guestbooks (similar to Wall), and update their shouts (similar to status). Netlog’s CEO Lorenz Bogaert released the following statement:

“Our aim was to combine the strength and popularity of the Netlog platform with the flexibility of the iPhone and iPod Touch. This takes us fully into the mobile age, and opens up the network to a wider range of on-the-go opportunities.”

The application comes in a variety of foreign languages, which include German, English, Spanish, Finnish, French, Italian, Dutch, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Swedish and (Simplified) Chinese. This free application is ready for download at the Apple App store.

- Geoff

[Source: IntoMobile]