Apple iPod Essentials   Tracking the Pulse of iPod

David Lynch listens to his iPod over his car radio during the morning commutes to his corporate consulting job in New Canaan, Conn., and you can listen along with him just by tuning your FM stereo to 89.1. But you have to be within a few car links of him!

Lynch, 31, is one of a handful of iPod owners using the device to transmit FM radio stations from their car. He uses a bumper sticker on the back of his fender that reads "iPod @ 89.1 FM" to let passers-by know how to tune in.

"I go on this road trip with a friend of mine," he said. "I'm driving along, listening to my iPod and for a goof I was thinking, 'I wonder, if it's so strong, I wonder if it's leaking outside my car.' "

In order to test the theory, Lynch did what any good scientist would do.

"I put on some profanity. Comedy, R-rated comedy, Chris Rock's early stuff. Then I called [his friend] up on his cell phone and he was two cars behind me. I said, 'You're not going to believe this, but somebody up here is broadcasting swear words! Tune to 89.1FM.' He turns to the station and he's like, 'I can't believe I'm hearing this!' It was a big joke for a few minutes."

Once a friend suggested using a bumper sticker to advertise the frequency on which he was transmitting, Lynch was off and running. He became his own mini-pirate radio station.

With Car and Bumper Sticker, iPod Radio Pirates Hijack Airwaves

iPodlounge posted some exhuberant reviews of the new iPod Shuffle They always review new iPod models twice, once for new users and another time for experienced users. The photos are awesome.

www.ipodlounge.com

iPod Shuffle Photo Gallery

Apple's web site is showing the iPod Shuffle as back ordered two- to three-weeks, and the larger, more colorful iPod Mini as requiring as much as three to four weeks. This is reminiscent of the delays last year for the iPod mini. A friend of mine ended up ordering one off of eBay during that shipping delay.

It's a shame they can't keep up with the demand since it frustrates those of us wanting an iPod NOW, and it delays revenues for Apple.

You can see what's available for iPods on eBay though...

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If you already have an iPod and now you're jonesin' for a shuffle, no need to spend money buying one. Complete instructions available at Flickr

I just watched the New iPod Shuffle TV spot... there's three different versions of it in QuickTime format there.

A Bloomberg news article today reports that "shipments of iPods soared more than sevenfold last quarter to 4.58 million", and claims that as they snatch the little iPods, they're also purchasing other Apple equipment.

I'm very interested in seeing how the Macintosh Mini -- unveiled yesterday at MacWorld -- will sell. It seems that everytime Steve Jobs comes out with some compact, closed-up CPU (think: Cube, original Mac) it hasn't quite met with wide acceptance. My one complaint with the Mini in the short time I've checked it out is that it uses laptop drives. Not that this is very surprising given the dimensions of the computer. But at least it includes firewire.

source: http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000006&sid=aLfSFc3fX8ww&refer=home#

Apple announced today it has teamed up with Mercedes-Benz USA, Volvo, Nissan, Alfa Romeo and Ferrari to deliver iPod integration with their car stereo systems in 2005.

The iPod Integration Kit for Mercedes-Benz will debut this April in the US with the newly redesigned 2006 Mercedes-Benz M-Class, and Volvo will offer two iPod connectivity options for their entire 2005 US model line. Nissan, Alfa Romeo and Ferrari will announce details of their iPod integration solutions later this year, allowing customers to enjoy high-quality sound through their car’s stereo system, easily access their entire music library and control their iPod using their car’s standard controls. These companies join BMW and MINI Cooper who began providing integrated iPod solutions in 2004.

SOURCE: http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2005/jan/11cars.html

Did you notice how small those Shuffle's are? Apple's web site shows the new iPod next to a couple packs of chewing gum. It's tiny! Be careful it doesn't get lost in your sofa cushions!