Year: 2008

FastMac has announced the iV, an extended battery pack and portable
charger for Apple’s iPhone that purportedly triples battery life and
adds a built-in flash and Bluetooth headset charger. Armed with an
iV, the iPhone is capable of up to 24 hours of talk time, 31 days of
standby, 20-plus hours of video and almost 72 hours of audio playback
time, the company says.

FastMac’s iV for iPhone is shipping now and can be ordered from the
company (http://www.fastmac.com) for a special introductory price of
US$79.95.

Virtual Programming has announced release, in box product format, of
the FlatOut 2 racing game for the Mac
(http://www.vpltd.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=226).
It requires Mac OS X 10.4.11 on an Intel-Mac (PowerPC Macs aren’t
supported) and costs US$39.95.

Here’s how the game is described: “Experience the drive of your life
as you throw yourself around on and off the track causing fences to
shatter, tyre walls explode, water tanks and barrels fly across the
track into other cars.

Microsoft’s Macintosh Business Unit (the MacBU) has announced that
Eric Wilfrid has been named the new general manager of the MacBU.
This change in leadership comes as Craig Eisler has been promoted to
a new role within E&D.

Wilfrid is a 14-year Microsoft veteran who has been with the MacBU
since its inception in 1997 where he most recently was a product unit
Manager. You can find a note from him on the Mac Mojo blog
(http://www.officeformac.com/blog/) later today.

Other World Computing (OWC) has announced Modservice, a new service
that converts an existing Intel Core 2 Duo based MacBook into an
Axiotron Modbook, a Mac-based tablet computer that lets users draw
and write directly on the screen.

Modservice pre-ordering is available immediately from OWC, with
prices starting at US$1,299.99 for the turnkey service, which
includes a protective shipping box and FedEx air shipping to and from
OWC. For complete details on converting a MacBook into a customized
Modbook and to pre-order the Modservice, visit:
www.macsales.com/modbook

TuneWear (http://www.tunewear.com) has announced two new case colors,
Sienna and Snow, for the Prie Ambassador for iPhone 3G series of
high-quality nappa leather cases. Additionally, the new color Snow
has been added to the LeatherShell for iPhone 3G series of leather
shell cases.

Prie Ambassador for iPhone 3G Snow and LeatherShell for iPhone 3G
Snow are available now at the TuneWear online shop. Prie Ambassador
for iPhone 3G Sienna will be available in November.

Prie Ambassador is an US$59.95 nappa leather open-face carrying case
with a hook.