The New York Times is reporting that Apple is secretly working in a prototype device that can be worn as a wrist-strap watch. According to sources within the company, the “… new curved-glass iPod that would wrap around the wrist,” will have the built-in functionality of Siri, allowing users to control the device with their voice. The inspiration seems to come from third-party accessories that make wrist watches of the iPod nano.

The New York Times article reveals that Apple may have some of these wearable prototypes already built and going through the experimental stages. These devices will become the “first network-enabled wearable computers,” capable of sharing information to all of our devices via wireless technology. New York Times writer Nick Bilton wasn’t clear in the article on what wireless technology Apple might want use on these devices, but we can presume technology such as Bluetooth.

Google seems to be competing Apple, building their own future wearable devices. Sources claim that Google may be teaming up with Nokia engineers, among others, to create their own wearable watch technology to counteract Apple’s attempt to dominate the market. Such devices from Google will have technology built into them that will enable communication with their line of Android smartphones.

The report from the New York Times envisions a future in which all of our mobile devices are connected, and wearable devices—including spectacles and contact lenses with built-in displays—will have the capability of sharing information with other users.

Via [The New York Times]

We’ve seen a few leaks this week on Apple’s annual one-day-only Black Friday sales event. The savings on Apple products were accurately slight, but as in years past, Apple is offering significant savings on compatible third-party products. Save over $100 on Bowers & Wilkins speaker docks and various laptop bags, and you can get fun accessories like the Parrot AR.Drone for under $250.00.

The biggest savings from Apple come from their biggest products: Saving $101 on the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro and iMac. The iPad 2 starts at $458 on Black Friday only, with the lower end iPod touch coming in at $178 and iPad nano at $118. In addition, the Magic Trackpad, Apple Magic Mouse, AirPort Express Base Station with 802.11n and Apple Wireless Keyboard are all $11.00 off the regular price.

The savings get better on third-party products, which Apple has split the sale into various categories. Some of the highlights follow:

Surround them in sound:

• Bowers & Wilkins C5 In-Ear Headphones – $128.00 (save $51.95)
• M-Audio KeyStudio 49 USB MIDI Controller – $68.00 (save $31.95)
• Palo Alto Audio Design Cubik Digital Hi-Fi Multimedia Speakers – $148.00 (save $51.95)
• Philips DC390 Dual Dock Clock Radio with Remote – $98.00 (save $51.95)

Keep their stuff safe, secure, and stylish:

• kate spade new york Janine Notebook Carrying Case – $398.00 (save $101.95)
• Cole Haan 15″ Leather Messenger Bag for MacBook Pro – $298.00 (save $101.95)
• Michael Kors Wallet Clutch for iPhone 4S – $58.00 (save $21.95)
• Incase Terra Campus Backpack for MacBook Pro – $78.00 (save $21.95)

Show them new ways to play:

• Scosche myTREK Wireless Pulse Monitor – $98.00 (save $31.95)
• Silverlit Interactive Bluetooth Remote Control Enzo Ferrari Car – $58.00 (save $21.95)

Help them work wonders:

• G-Technology 750GB G-DRIVE mobile Portable Hard Drive – $98.00 (save $71.95)
• Mobee Magic Charger for Apple Magic Mouse – $38.00 (save $11.95)

Read [One-Day Apple Shopping Event 2011]

With over 300 million units sold to date, it is no secret the iPod has become a major success in the portable music player industry. The term “iPod” is almost universally recognized today, and for good reason; it has changed the way the world listens to music.

In honor of 10 years that the iPod has been around in its many forms—from the iPod Mini to the iPod Nano and iPod touch—Most Wanted has put together an iPod infographic to show just how far the iPod has come.

Read [Most Wanted]

Also see Apple removes click wheel iPod games from the iTunes Store.

Command your sleep/wake environment with this evolutionary alarm clock music system for iPod, iPhone, and iPad. Charge and play your Apple devices—even connect and control your bedside lamp. Expand your mastery of TimeCommand with the free Stem:Connect™ App from iTunes.

Features include:

• App-enhanced, customizable dual alarm clock
• Nap/Snooze/Sleep controls
• Bedside lamp control with dimming*
• Precisely tuned Stem:Sonic iQ acoustic system
• Unique curved LED display offers expansive viewing angles
• Display is fully dimmable and brightens to the touch of a button
• Pivoting dock connector accommodates devices in or out of protective cases
• Stem:SafeWake battery-backup feature wakes you when power is out

To enter:

1. Read the Stem TimeCommand giveaway contest rules.
2. Make sure you’re registered with Appletell and logged in (if you’re not registered and logged in, your entry will be void).
3. Leave us a comment below on this page, not on the contest rules page, by midnight, May 8th, 2011. If you had more command of your time, tell us what you’d do with it.

That’s all there is to it. Good luck, and remember; time may not give you time, and time may make lovers feel like they’ve got something real. But you and me? We know they’ve got nothing but time.

Product [TimeCommand]

The reason is that—a far cry from when it dived as low as 62 cents American in 2002—Canada’s “loonie” dollar has been trading at a higher value than the U.S. greenback all this year so far. And unlike with its brief upward spike in 2007-’08—during which time it briefly hit US$1.10—this time the Canuck-buck is forecast to remain above-par through 2012 as well, and perhaps beyond. So, why should Canadians be paying higher nominal dollar prices for Apple hardware (and most everything else) than Americans?

Here’s the current disparity in Canadian vs. U.S Apple Store pricing:

iPods and the Mac mini are the worst deals proportionate to price. The $500 nominal discrepancy in iPhone prices relates to an AT&T service plan subsidy in the U.S. that is not available from Canadian service providers.

So is Apple gouging Canucks? After all, while retail pricing can’t be expected to track floating exchange rates precisely, the Canadian loonie (so-named in reference to the Common Loon that appears on Canada’s $1.00 coin) has been at par or above for about four months now, and as noted, this time it’s not expected to be a temporary blip.

However, in defense of Apple and other retailers operating in Canada, it isn’t quite that simple. Wholesale unit cost is just one element of the pricing dynamic. Canadian businesses have to pay their staff, their rent, and in most instances all of their other overhead costs in Canadian dollars, the overall tax burden is substantially higher in Canada, and there are the negative economies of scale in serving a market roughly a tenth the size of the U.S.’s. Another factor is a less-competitive market environment north of 49. Some Canadian market watchers say Canadians are just simply unwilling to spend as much time comparison-shopping and rooting through bargain bins as Americans.

Nevertheless, if the loonie soars to U.S.$1.10 again or higher, as some are predicting, for any length of time, demanding at least nominal price parity wouldn’t seem too unreasonable an expectation.

1. In iTunes, click on “Edit” in the menu bar and choose “Select All” (command A) to highlight all of the songs in your playlist. Or, if you only want to equalize some songs then do so manually by clicking on them while holding the command key. Then, right click and choose “Get Info” (command I). If your Mac asks you if you are sure you want to change multiple files, select “Yes.”

2. Click on the tab labeled “Options,” as this will take you to the volume controls. For most songs, the default “Equalizer Preset” and “Volume Adjustment” should be none.
3. If you want to change the default volume on songs that are too soft or too loud, you can do that with the Volume Adjustment slider. iTunes will remember your choice for all selected songs.
4. There are numerous equalizer presets from which you can choose. There is no best setting for each song, you are going to have to try them out and see what works best for you.

[Editor's Note: Something to consider when you force an EQ and volume setting for your songs on your iPod or Phone in this manner is that it won't play nicely with settings speaker docks. For instance, if you jack up the bass in the song's EQ options and then dock the iPod with your car stereo system, your EQ there is going to jack up your already jacked up settings. It's therefore wise to leave at least one EQ flat, whether it be the song settings in your iDevice or on your speaker system.]

But what you may not know is that you’ll often receive pretty sweet deals on iDevice trades. iPods, iPhones and, yes, iPads may surprise you with their trade-in value. It helps that they’re likely to be only a couple years old when you’re seeking a new one, but at Macworld Expo this past January, I was quite surprised when Sell Your Mac offered me $60 for my iPhone 2G.

The iPhone was in fantastic shape, having spent most of its life inside an iSkin revo, but the battery could hold a charge for about an hour, tops, making it largely unusable. Still, even after explaining this to the fellow manning the Sell Your Mac booth, he took it in with no questions asked…other than whether I had the dock, of course. That accounted for 1/3 of the $60, I should point out.

Still, that’s $60 for a phone my daughter couldn’t even use as an iPod touch. I know it was just a new battery away from being an above average phone for many users, but I didn’t want to be bothered with that. Sell Your Mac will surely fix it up and make a decent profit off of it, but that they were willing to pay me $60 speaks well of both the iPhone’s quality and their ability to find buyers.

It’s worth noting that Sell Your Mac isn’t looking to sell you something in exchange. You can buy used items off of them, of course, but this isn’t meant to be a way to trade in an iPad for an iPad 2, for example. Instead, it’s a way to not have to deal with ebay buyers anymore. It’s a way to clear out that technology box in the basement or raise some money for an upcoming purchase.

The process is fairly simple, too. After you submit your request for a quote (clearly categorized by item on their site), they’ll get back to you to get the device’s serial number and some photos to check for obvious damage. They’ll then send you a prepaid label for the shipment. After they test the item to confirm your description was accurate, they’ll send you a check or a Paypal payment, depending upon your selection. And, of course, they’ll wipe out all your information on the device if you didn’t before sending it to them.

As I mentioned, Sell Your Mac isn’t your only option. For Mac trade-ins, I’ve always had great success with PowerMax, and there are many others beyond that. Rather, it’s just important to know that your old Mac, iPhone, iPad or iPod are likely worth more than you may imagine, and it’s worth trying out a service such as Sell Your Mac before dumping it on ebay, handing it off to a friend or tossing it into the recycling bin. I did, and I’m $60 richer for it.

You’re paying more up front to get that quality Apple device, you may as well get more out of it when you’re done.

Visit [SellYourMac.com]

It’s that time of season when friends and family gather together for an evening of wine, obnoxious sweaters and music. We can’t help you with the alcohol and poor fashion sense, but we can at least suggest you take a look at TEAC’s SR-100i when you’re ready to play some classic Spinal Tap, Wall of Voodoo and Dance Hall Crashers Christmas tunes…or are those just my parties? And is that why no one ever comes?

Regardless of your choice of holiday music, the SR-100i looks like it could deliver. First of all it supports (and charges) just about every dockable iPod and iPhone, up through the latest iPod touch and iPhone 4. When you’re not using the iDevice dock, it folds into the system for better protection and aesthetics.

Via the RCA auxiliary input in the back, you can connect any device with audio output. If you haven’t yet transferred all of your Christmas CDs to your iPod yet, though, you can also use the slot-in CD player on the top to read CD, CD-R/RW, MP3 and WMA discs.

And finally, you can tune in one of those 24 hour Christmas stations via the PLL synthesized FM Tuner, but I don’t recommend that. You may hear Wham’s “Last Christmas” or Hall & Oates’ version of “Jingle Bell Rock,” and you don’t want to be the one blamed for ruining Christmas for everyone.

The SR-100i features two 50W speakers (1-1/4″ tweeter and 3-1/2″ woofer), so it should be more than enough to fill your room no matter how crowded it gets with party-goers.

At 22.4″ wide, 9″ high and 8.7″ deep, however, the football-shaped system is going to take up quite a bit of shelf space. Consider the height if you’ll be using the top loading CD slot…you’ll need room on your bookshelf to slide them in.

Although the brochure available at TEAC’s website states the possibility of a red grill (as well as silver and blue), the SR-100i is currently available in black only. That’s too bad, because the red and silver models would look quite festive. Black will look better in the winter doldrums of January and February, though, I guess.

The TEAC SR-100i is available now from Crutchfield, Buy.com, Amazon, JR.com and World Wide Stereo for around $299.

Product [TEAC SR-100i]

Sometimes, you just need to reset an iPod. A lot of problems and inconsistent behavior can be handled with a reset instead of a full restore, which would actually wipe out your iPod data and give you a clean slate. It’s effective, but drastic, so you’ll always want to try a reset first (this is especially handy when your iPod is frozen; unable to turn on or off). Doing so is as simple as this:

For iPods with a click wheel or track wheel:

1. Turn the hold switch on and then off again quickly.
2. Press and hold the Menu and Center buttons at the same time until you see the Apple logo.

For the iPod touch:

1. Press and hold the Home and Sleep buttons at the same time until the Apple logo appears on your screen.

Photo from QwickStep.com.

Once again, the end of the Summer break is looming and the education system will soon be back in full swing. It doesn’t have to be all bad, though, because Apple is once again offering some great deals for students (and even teachers) in their Back to School campaign.

This year, if you purchase both a qualifying Mac and iPod touch before September 7th, you could receive an online rebate up to $199. Basically, you could buy a Mac and get the iPod touch for free. You can also get your hands on a MacBook for just $949 (a savings of $50) and a MacBook Pro for $1,099 (saving up to $200). They’re not huge savings, I’ll admit, but when you’re a student, every dollar counts.

There are savings to be had on more than just Macs, including the Airport Express and Time Capsule.

In their Back to School campaign, Apple has also kindly listed several reasons why you’d love a Mac for school—as if we needed any persuasion. A recent study suggests the Macintosh has become the students’ laptop of choice, so hopefully some of them are taking advantage of these deals.

Be sure to check Appletell over the next few weeks as we bring a selection of “back to school” guides to make the process just that little easier for those heading back to class.