iPod Shuffle going Red

Apples mini media player the iPod Shuffle could receive the Red treatment as early as next week. The Shuffle will join or replace the existing (Product) Red offerings, the iPod Nano and iTunes gift cards.

The (Red) charity co-founded by Bono of U2 helps the fight against AIDS in Africa by persuading big business to donate a portion of their profits to the cause.

Sharp falls in the Shuffles component prices over the year, particularly the NAND flash memory used for the iPods storage puts the Shuffle is in a strong position to receive the Red treatment. Larger profit margins due to lower build costs should make it easier for Apple to donate a percentage of the Shuffles profits without feeling the pinch.

New iPods expected soon as supplies dry up

Supplies of fifth generation iPods and iPod Nanos have been sparse or even non existent at some high profile dealers adding yet more evidence to the rumoured launch of a new iPod range.

The long awaited new iPods are expected to make an appearance on September the 5th at a special event held by Apple.

As for the new iPods themselves little is really known, many are expecting up to 4 new iPod models, most based on NAND flash memory rather than the hard disks employed by the current 5th generation iPods. The iPod and iPod Nano are also expected to run on a newly created version of Mac OS X.

Images of more compressed looking iPod Nanos with wider screens and in softer pastel shades have been circulating over the internet for a couple of weeks, most of which where pulled at Apples request the authenticity of these images are still however in dispute.

OS X based iPods update

According to Apple insider Apple will use a media event next month to launch its new OS X based iPods.

Three of Apple’s four product ranges already centre on variations of the Mac Operating System in launching OS X based iPods Apple will have successfully scaled Mac OS across its entire product range.

Those familiar with this year’s plans say Apple’s iPod roadmap for the autumn may call for as many as four new models including major changes to both the iPod video and iPod nano. It’s these two iPod families which are expected to receive the OS X platform, though to varying degrees.

Sources in the Far East where the iPod is manufactured vouched for sightings for of a full screen iPod, which they believe will make an appearance ahead of the Christmas shopping season. The iPods are also said to run a variation of the Mac OS based software similar to that introduced with the iPhone back in June.

All of the above coupled with Apple recently forcing MacRumors, Youtube and a series of other websites to pull videos of a new concept iPod certainly makes the story plausible.

Scotland’s first official Apple store

The Apple Store Glasgow is set to open on Saturday the 25th at 9am the Buchanan Street store will be Scotland’s first official Apple Retail Store.

Plans show the removal of an existing mezzanine floor, which is to be replaced with a new one. A new lift and floor will be installed, and the rear wall will be clad in stainless steel panels, as will the ceiling. There will also be a glass spiral staircase to the left of the main entrance will connecting the ground and mezzanine levels.

A Genius bar will be on the upper level and the cellar will be used for storage.

Four new games for the Mac

EA announces it will be shipping four of its promised 6 new games for the Macintosh, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Need for Speed Carbon, Battlefield 2142 and Command & Conquer Tiberium Wars. The games are available at the Apple Online store and will reach Apple Retail stores later this week.

Apple are thrilled a company of EA’s standing has chosen to make a commitment of this kind to the Mac. Those looking for the games have to go to Apple’s retail or online stores the titles aren’t available anywhere else.

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