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I bet you thought the iPhone 2.0 firmware was all about whizbang new features, or the App Store. Well, it pretty much is, but it also includes some security updates. Apple has posted a KB article that details all the security improvements that are baked into the 2.0 firmware. It is well worth a read if you’re paranoid like me (most of the improvements deal with websites that are crafted to cause mischief on your iPhone).

While it’s not a replacement for the Amazon Kindle, ZappTek today announced Legends, an ebook service for iPhone and iPod touch. The Legends service will be available in the App Store on July 11th, with pricing of $1.99 for short stories and $4.99 for novels.

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Google has released a new web-based version of Google Talk designed specifically for the iPhone and iPod touch. Google Talk for iPhone requires the application to be open in the Safari browser in order to receive instant messages. When a user navigates away to another browser window or application, his/her status is automatically changed to “unavailable,” and the session will be restarted when the page is reopened. To access Google Talk for iPhone and iPod touch, simply navigate to google.com/talk from the device.

I like my iPod as much as the next guy (as long as I’m not standing next to Chris Breen, that is. He REALLY likes his iPod, a little too much if you ask me) but I’ve often found the device not to be ‘Olde Timey’ enough for me. Thank goodness the thoughtful people at Hammacher Schlemmer are selling The iPod Gramophone for a little less than $500.

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Wadia Digital has announced that it is now shipping its 170iTransport Advanced iPod Docking Station. First announced in January, Wadia claims the iTransport is the “first digital player dock to retrieve a direct digital signal from an iPod.” The dock bypasses the iPod’s internal D/A conversion and output stage, allowing for a bit-perfect S/PDIF digital audio output from full-resolution file formats (such as .WAV and Apple Lossless) stored on iPod nano (video), iPod classic, or iPod touch models. The iTransport also offers a high-resolution component video output, analog audio and s-video outputs, and limited compatibility with older docking iPod models. It comes with a coaxial digital cable, iPod dock inserts for all compatible models, and an IR remote control. The Wadia Digital iTransport Advanced iPod Docking Station is available now and sells for $379.

Alesis has introduced its new ProTrack handheld digital stereo recorder for iPod. The ProTrack provides direct-to-iPod 16-Bit, 44.1kHz or 22kHz stereo recording in a portable, handheld device that integrates two condenser microphones with an iPod dock. Designed to securely hold the iPod during use, ProTrack includes mounting sleds for all supported iPods including the fifth-generation iPod, the iPod classic, and second- and third-generation iPod nanos. The device’s two built-in microphones are fixed in a XY stereo configuration, and users may choose to use ProTrack’s XLR - 1/4 inch inputs to connect other external microphones or audio sources. In addition, the device offers 48V phantom power when operating off the included AC adapter; it can also run for up to five hours on four AAA batteries. The Alesis ProTrack handheld digital stereo recorder for iPod will be available in Q3 2008; pricing has yet to be announced.

Google has quietly released a beta of its improved iPhone reader. I’ve only been using it an less than an hour but can already attest it is an improvement over the prior version. I do all of my newsreading through Google Reader. This arises partly from the way I read news.
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Apple today announced MobileMe, a new internet service that delivers push email, contacts, and calendars to native applications on the iPhone and iPod touch, as well as Macs and PCs. The service, which replace’s Apple’s .Mac service, also provides desktop-like web applications including Mail, Contacts, and Calendar, as well as Gallery for viewing and sharing photos and iDisk for storing and exchanging documents online. MobileMe will be available on July 11, and includes 20GB of storage for $99 per year for individuals and $149 for a Family Pack, which includes one master account with 20GB of storage and four Family Member accounts with 5GB of storage each. A free, 60-day MobileMe trial will be offered as well, and current .Mac members will be automatically upgraded to MobileMe accounts.

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Altec Lansing has quietly begun shipping its new inMotion iM310 portable sound system for iPod. Currently listed as “coming soon” on the company’s website, the iM310 features an integrated iPod dock, a compact, folding design, an auxiliary input jack, and the ability to run off AC or battery power, with the latter offering 48 hours of continuous play from three AA batteries. As the most aggressively priced inMotion speaker yet released with an integrated iPod dock, the Altec Lansing inMotion iM310 is now available at select retailers and sells for $80.

Do you likes music, do you likes the web? Songbird comes with many useful features to you now. Songbird is a highly customizable alternative to traditional desktop media players. Point 6 is our public alpha release.

Integrating Hype Machine into Songbird makes it even easier for our users to discover, play and buy music they love.

You can choose from hundreds of useful add-ons that enhance Songbird. For example, MediaFlow is a community contributed add-on that allows you to visually take a spin through your music collection. Try it out, or build one of your own, and make Songbird your media player! Also You can subscribe to music blogs, get notified of new tracks, and experience rich integration with sites like The Hype Machine. Stream or download directly to your library. Never miss a beat, start playing the web. You also can manually transfer or sync media to your device. Songbird support a variety of iPods and MTP Devices.

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