Apple issued a recall on the 1st generation iPod nano back in mid-November and while many had probably requested a shipping box almost immediately, Apple appeared to be taking some time in getting those boxes sent out and the replacement units sent back. But that aside, we can now say with certainty that Apple is more »

Since the launch of the original iPhone (and perhaps even before then) we’ve been waiting for Apple to offer a sibling. This strategy has served them well in almost every other product category (iPods and Macs) but has been withheld from its mobile phone segment. Is now the right time to move this strategy forward? more »

From a new product perspective, possible the most exciting announcement is the new iPod nano. It doesn’t do as much as the iPod touch, but it combines the ease of use of the touch with the portability of the shuffle. The new iPod nano is simply a roughly 1.5-inch square with a 1.5-inch touchscreen. it more »

Today’s iPod refresh tipped Apple’s concerns over cannibalizing iPhone sales via the iPod touch. Leaving the camera off the touch surprised many and even angered some. The backside of this move presents this questions to consumers: Do you want a video camera or do you want all the fun you’ve been hearing about the App more »

I hate surprises. This year, it looks like a showdown of portable music players is being leaked early and I, for one, am thrilled. No more watching keynotes to see what is coming down the line. Today we can reveal one confirmed product and one that looks to be very real.

The Zune HD is real

Microsoft has confirmed the Zune HD we told you about here, saying it will be available this fall. This new Zune is designed to compete head-to-head with the iPod touch; which is a bold move as many of us believe that device is the pinnacle of PMPs.

The Zune HD will include an OLED screen, HD radio receiver, and HD output to a TV. There hasn’t been any announcement yet about apps (the big advertised point of the iPod touch), so surely MS has something more up there sleeve, right?

Zune owners love their little portable media player and are usually very vocal about it. Unfortunately, they are in the minority of PMP buyers. Quite frankly, I am a little surprised Microsoft is pushing forward with the much maligned Zune brand. Microsoft will be using the goodwill of the Xbox brand by having the Zune HD being a “premium partner in the Xbox LIVE Video Marketplace, bringing an exciting catalog of TV and film to the platform. Zune will occupy the first slot within the Xbox user interface in the Xbox LIVE Video Marketplace, exposing the Zune brand experience to millions of new consumers for the first time.”

That is one descriptive title. It almost totally explains the content of this post. Girl likes boy so she posts pictures of herself on MySpace and may have to spend time in jail. Tiny movements may provide power for your toys. Also, Jeff Bezos plays factory worker.

Scientists at UC Berkeley and the University of Massachusetts Amherst are working on a developing technology that can dramatically change the way that electronic media is stored. The science behind it will involve the ability to let microscopic nanoscale elements precisely amass themselves over a large surface. When all is said and done, the researchers on the project claim that the contents of 250 DVDs would be able to fit into a space about the same size as a quarter.

Researchers have attempted to perform this feat before with little success by using the method where molecules in the thin film of block copolymers arrange themselves into a rigid and central pattern when spread out on a surface. They have run into a problem when the area increased and the pattern would not maintain itself.

This is where we call out the tech moves that seem odd, out of touch or just plain straight up smokin’ crack. This week sees posturing, positioning and flat out insanity. Here is what caught my eye this week:

Follow to see me call out:

• LG and its ridiculously square phone
• AT&T thinks Android is on crack
• Sprint thinks we want to watch football (American) on our phones.
• Moto wants to be on crack
• and our own Natesh who finds more than his share of obscure gadgetry

Christmas is for the kids, right? Better get them crossed off the shopping list first. I checked out a few of the wish lists floating around and thought I would share them with you. Wouldn’t you know, they are filled with electronics. We have plenty of shopping days til the holidays. That is, unless your kids want Elmo Live, which is already selling out.

What are your kids asking Santa for? Keep reading to see.

Seems that I am not the only one that reveres Logitech for their well thought out products and supreme ease of use. The maker of tons ‘o stuff nabbed four Good Design awards from Japan. The award picks four stand out products from the electronics maker. This makes a total of 20 designs awarded for Logitech in the past six years; an impressive feat, for sure.

The Good Design Awards is presented for designs that clearly demonstrate merit in the following assessment categories: designs that meet or exceed a certain standard, superior designs and future-oriented designs.