In an interview with CNET News.com, Microsoft chairman Bill Gates commented on the success of Apple’s iPod. “They had a hit with the Apple II, they had a hit with the Macintosh, and they have a hit with the iPod, so this is a company that’s had three hits, and that’s very impressive,” said Gates. “There are a lot of companies that don’t have three hits.
Read MoreCompact Power Systems has expanded its Cellboost line of disposable battery/chargers for cell phones with a new device for the iPod. The compact Cellboost is capable of bringing powerless or near-powerless iPods back to life without any external electricity, battery changes or significant charging time. It can also be used in one charging session or several, and can be thrown away when its power is exhausted. The company said the iPod unit “delivers several hours of additional playback time” and did not provide pricing.
Read MoreThe publisher of Think Secret, who uses the pseudonym Nick dePlume, has made his first comment on Apple’s lawsuit against his rumor site. dePlume told Reuters that Think Secret was confident it was within its rights to publish the material. “We’re confident that Think Secret’s reporting is consistent with the right and privileges granted by the First Amendment,” dePlume said.
Read MoreAltec Lansing today introduced a new universal inMotion model called the iM4 that works with any brand of MP3 or CD player. The inMotion iM4, which will ship in February for US$129.95, is a one-piece portable system with two speakers on either side of a 4.5″ x 5″ no-skid rubberized platform that holds a player of any size in place. The iM4 features a 4-watt Class D digital amplifier that powers four 1″ neodymium micro drivers and Altec’s MaxxBass technology. The iM4 can run on 4AA batteries or AC power.
Read MoreMicrosoft said it may pursue an alliance with Sony in an attempt to compete with Apple’s iPod and iTunes. “In an interview earlier this week, Bill Gates suggested that both Microsoft and Sony could benefit from a broad partnership in digital entertainment,” reports the WSJ (paid sub. req.). “Specifically, Gates said that both companies ‘have a lot of incentive to work together’ in digital-music ‘infrastructure,’ including online-music services and protection against improper music copying…
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