Apple has decided to stop selling protective screens for its iPods, iPhones and other products at apple.com and in its retail stores. iLounge reports that the ban will "impact all forms of screen film, including completely clear film, anti-glare film, and mirrored film, regardless of whether the purpose of the film is protective, decorative, or both." The ban also includes cases containing screens.
Apple has not explained why it has decided to stop carrying screens.
Apple Admits Child Labor Was Used at iPod, Mac Factories
The Telegraphreports that Apple has admitted that child workers were used at factories in China where iPods and other Apple products are made. Apple says workers at these factories are no longer underage.
Apple said the child workers are now no longer being used, or are no longer underage. "In each of the three facilities, we required a review of all employment records for the year as well as a complete analysis of the hiring process to clarify how underage people had been able to gain employment," Apple said, in an annual report on its suppliers.
Apple has been repeatedly criticised for using factories that abuse workers and where conditions are poor. Last week, it emerged that 62 workers at a factory that manufactures products for Apple and Nokia had been poisoned by n-hexane, a toxic chemical that can cause muscular degeneration and blur eyesight. Apple has not commented on the problems at the plant, which is run by Wintek, in the Chinese city of Suzhou.
Bloombergreports that Apple discovered 11 children were working at factories that make iPhone, iPod and Macintosh computers during an onsite audit. Bloomberg also reports that Apple stopped doing business with at least one supplier.
Joby has launched a Gorillamobile case and stand specifically designed for the iPod Touch. Joby describes its product as the "only iPod touch case that comes with its own set of flexible, bendable legs." The Gorillamobile for iPod touch can be purchased here of Joby's website for $39.95.
Joby also makes other useful stand such as the Gorillatorch and Gorillapod line. We suspect at some point in time they will launch a "Gorillapad" stand for the iPad.
The White House has launched a free iPhone/iPod Touch app. The app will contain live video streaming of the President's public events, key speeches and press briefings. The President's upcoming State of the Union speech will be streamed live and people with the app will be able to watch it on their iPhone or iPod Touch. The app also includes news from White House Blog and the Briefing Room as well as the latest photos.
The White House app can be downloaded here from the iTunes App Store.
Best Buy Offering $30 Gift Card With iPod Touch Purchase
BestBuy.com is currently offering a $30 Best Buy gift card with the purchase of an iPod Touch. The deal is available with 8GB, 32GB and 64GB iPod Touch models. The offer ends December 19th. You can find the deal here on BestBuy.com.
This is one of many sales and deals going on for the 2009 holidays. You can find a list of more sales and deals here on ShoppersShop.com.
i360 has designed music infused beanies that let you embed your iPod Nano. The beanies were designed for 1st, 2nd, 4th, & 5th generation Apple iPod Nanos. They are also compatible with Nike + iPod system. The beanies are sold for $49.95. Everyone will be able to see your music selection, so if you are wearing one of these beanies you should be type of person that doesn't mind.
Well, it's finally here: Black Friday is in full swing today. Across the nation people got up early, camped and hit the stores. Retailers are hoping that the multitude of deals offered today and this weekend will help jump start the holiday shopping season.
Be sure to follow us on Twitter to keep up with all the latest deals, discounts and news. We're at Twitter.com/blackfriday. Our sister site, Shoppers Shop has a handy chart showing today's hot Black Friday deals.
If you don't feel like braving the crowds, you can do your shopping online.
One thing we've noted this morning is that Amazon.com seems to be matching deals as fast as they can find them. For example, at the Apple store today you get free shipping for purchases over $50 and a 32 gigabite iPod touch is now $268.
Amazon.com is now also offering the Touch for $268, which is $31 off the regular price.
The Stila Makeup Player is a portable vanity that is part makeup case and part media player. The Stila makeup player includes a dock where you can insert your iPod Touch or iPhone and play Stilla's tutorial videos or other makeup tutorials available on YouTube and elsewhere. The Player also comes with other Stila products including One Step Makeup Foundation, Eye Shadow Trio and #7 Eye Shadow Brush, Convertible Color
for lips and cheeks and lip glaze. The Player can currently be purchased for $69.90 here.
IaPeel Kits Lets You Design and Print iPhone Skins
IaPeel sells a kit that lets you design your own iPod and iPhone skins and then print them from an inkjet printer. The skin is a glossy synthetic skin material that sticks to your player. Iapeel says it stickers leave no residue, making it easy to change designs. They also say it helps protect your iPod or iPhone from scratches. The $21 kit contains design software and five skins. You can get a 5-pack skin refill package for $18.
Revo Heritage iPod Radio Has a Retro European Radio Look
Those looking for an iPod dock with a retro feel can't go wrong with the
Revo Heritage radio, which is a contemporary reinterpretation of
the classic European 1960's radio design. The Revo Heritage is made with aluminium and real walnut veneer. It contains the latest in multi-platform
digital radio technology including DAB, DAB+, FM and Wi-Fi internet radio. The Revo Heritage also provides wireless audio streaming and docking for your iPod. The price is 229.95 pounds, which is about $380 U.S. The iPod radio can be pre-ordered here.
Design Boom reports that Spanish Designer Rodrigo Canedo has come up with a concept called Project Moki. Mokis are soft rubber characters with ears and arms that fit around an iPod Shuffle. It's a clever idea. He should make them to cover all the different iPod models.
Reports have indicated consumers are going to spend less on costumes this Halloween - see here and here. This was not unexpected with the economic crisis and growing amount of job losses from the recession. Many people plan to make their own costumes this year to save money. Scholastic magazine's Sara Sinek showed Maggie Rodriguez some creative ideas for homemade Halloween costumes. Some products from Arts and Crafts stores were used to make them. You can find more information about the costumes and the materials used here. The Max costume, Princess Tiana costume and the father and son iPhone and iPod costume are very cute. Take a look:
Apple reported that it has had its best quarter ever. Profits are up a whopping 47%. Sales of MacBooks for the back to school crowd and iPhones have been brisk.
Its earnings of $1.67 billion far exceeded analysts' expectations and were another sign that the technology sector might be a bellwether for a larger recovery. Apple's results followed others in recent weeks that have beaten Wall Street's forecasts, including Google Inc. reporting Friday that its quarterly profit jumped 27%.
"We are thrilled with these results," Apple Chief Financial Officer Peter Oppenheimer said during a conference call with analysts, "particularly given the economic environment around us."
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Not everything Apple touches has turned to gold, however. Sales of its iPod music players fell 8% to 10.2 million units during the quarter. Apple tried to add sizzle to iPod sales Sept. 9, introducing video recording capability to its Nano model and lowering the price of its high-end iPod Touch to $199 for the 8-gigabyte model.
Sales of the iPod Touch, which has many of the same functionalities as the iPhone, grew 100% compared with the year-earlier quarter, Oppenheimer said.
Some analysts are hoping that the tech sector will help lead the country out of the recession, but economists generally agree that until substantial numbers of new jobs are created, American consumers will continue to cut back on non-essential spending.
Sanyo Launches New Audio Systems With iPod Docking Stations
Sanyo has launched two new audio systems. The DMP-P1 is a Cube Alarm Clock Radio with an iPod docking station. The DMP-692 Dual Dock Music System, has two docking stations allowing two iPods or an iPod and iPhone to be played and recharged at the same time, saving time and outlet space. The system allows for playback while recharging.
Both models will be available at SanyoStore.com and at select retailers beginning late October 2009. Suggested retail price start at $39.99 for the Cube Alarm Clock Radio and $89.99 for the Dual Dock Music System.
Belkin has launched two iPod case and holder products for October, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Pictured above is the Grip for the Cure, an iPod touch case with the pink-ribbon logo. Belkin is also selling the DualFit for the Cure. For each DualFit and Grip case for iPod touch sold, Belkin will donate $2.50 to support Susan G. Komen for the Cure. They are guaranteeing a minimum donation of $100,000.
Apple has decided to stop selling protective screens for its iPods, iPhones and other products at apple.com and in its retail stores. iLounge 
