We already know that Apple is going to introduce a new cloud-based music service, and it looks like Apple did lots of research on this thing to make sure that everything is smooth for their iOS devices.

Streaming music through 3G network isn’t exactly easy, as the speed of our internet is the bottleneck of everything really. So how does Apple overcome such issue? Well, here’s a new patent from Apple that might just be able to help Apple speed up things.

Apple has just file a patent of ‘partial music sync’ which seemed to be something that we will most definitely see in their cloud-based music service if Apple really manage to pull this off nicely, as usual with their magic wand.

It suggests that just a snippet of the beginning of a song (or movie, for that matter) could be stored locally on a device, and then be synced to the complete version in the cloud, which would let you begin playback “immediately” rather than having to wait for the usual buffering to take place.

The patent application also explains that the streaming playback could be adjusted based on the type of communications network, and that there would naturally be various means to authenticate your device and ensure that you actually own the music you’re streaming.

SOURCE via Apple Insider

The iPod nano sure evolved a lot. It used to be so tiny, with a little buttons, then it turned even smaller, with only one power button and that’s it. Then it changed again, also with a button but then gained a super tiny touchscreen panel, making it a watch. Now, Steve Jobs is going to squeeze yet another camera into the already-very-small iPod Nano.

The folks from Taiwan’s Apple.pro website have got hold of a photo of something that resembles the next generation iPod nano. the big change here is the addition of a built-in camera that’s said to be 1.3 megapixels, which appears to have also shoved the clip out of the way, although there does seem to be a faint outline where one could be. Of course, the key word here is purported, thus there is no guarantee that this will be the final design.

But still, since there’s most probably no iPhone to announce at WWDC 2011, it’s quite impossible for Steve Jobs to only be talking about iOS and apps right? There’s a missing magic for his trademark “and one last thing”.

SOURCE via Apple.pro

Sometimes bringing out a Boombox makes us rage when it runs out of juice and there’s no plug around. This Eton Soulra 2 will be perfect for this summer at the beach, where you’re far away from a usable plug and fully under the blazing sun. Let us introduce the green-lover solar-powered iPod boombox formerly known as the Soulra 2.

This ain’t no ordinary boom boom pow wannabe, as this Boombox here has eight speakers and is pretty loud. Eton claims it charges twice as fast as its predecessor (five hours) thanks to a sizable monocrystal solar panel, and lasts five hours on a charge. It’ll juice your phone, too. All told, you’ll be schlepping around seven pounds and paying $300 for the privilege of completely cordless mobile sound, which sounds awesome to us. Summer will be full of blast and green!

SOURCE via Eton

Previously we’ve seen rumours of Apple ditching the physical home button on upcoming iOS devices, and wallah, here comes a new prototype that supports this rumour, a new prototype iPod touch with a capacitive home button.

According to its ‘About’ screen, this “DVT-1″ (a late milestone) device packs a whopping 128GB of memory, beating the 64GB prototype iPhone found in Hong Kong. The model number “MC550LL” isn’t very far off from the fourth-gen iPod touches too (“MC54xLL”).

So will we see any leaked prototypes of the next generation iPhone with no physical home button? Coz there’s a kid that keeps on complaining to me about his iPhone’s home button being not very sturdy compared to his sister’s iPhone.

SOURCE via Crunchgear

Thinks that too many people have an iPod and yours just won’t stand out? Well, now here’s a way to stand out in the huge crowd of millions of iPod owners, well in a very pricey way. ZShock has managed to work its magic — $18,000 worth of Apple magic, to be precise — on a Lunatik iPod nano watch, with the end result being something that we’d hardly recommend being caught dead with, unless you’re the extreme feminine rare species. If you fall into the latter category, then take a deep breath and click the source link below.

SOURCE via BGR

Right, Apple Inc. was rumored to have implemented a slightly more advance coding into iOS 4.3.1 to try and stop the possibility of it being jailbreak, but whether the new system is there or not, iOS 4.3.1 still got jailbreak on the same day of its launch courtesy of Redmond Pie. Of course, this is just a tethered jailbreak, but bear with it for the moment, and we’ll be there shortly. For full instructions on how to jailbreak your iOS 4.3.1 device using the PwnageTool head over to Redmond Pie. Of course, as usual we do not encourage jailbreaking your iPhone as it might brick your phone.

SOURCE via Redmond

There are several reports surfacing on the internet with iPod Touch users facing issues after updating to iOS 4.3, which was launched on Thursday last week. Majority of the complaints come from the fourth generation models, but not reserved to that model only of course. Users are experiencing odd graphical glitches, most noticeable on the lock screen. Of course, this is not the only glitch, as people are also seeing icons overlapping and other pixel oddities. Are you facing this issue too?

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Feel the craving to watch your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch (fourth gen) videos on your new big screen, but looking for something with a little more girth than Apple’s HDMI solution or the AirPlay video mode? Hanwha’s latest dongle might just do the job for you. As you can see above, in place of the original adapter’s dock connector port is a USB 2.0 socket — compatible with cameras supporting mass storage connection — alongside the 720p-friendly HDMI port, but you’ll have to use the switch to toggle between the two modes. And that little mini-USB port on the far right? Well, it’s there to provide some juice to “reduce battery drain,” but probably not enough to charge up your iDevice, though I think it’s still very thoughtful of them to have that. If you’re still interested and have a friend in Japan, Hanwha’s charging ¥5,980 (around $73), which is almost double that of Apple’s $39 connector. Worth it? Your call.

SOURCE via Akihabaranews

We’ve seen quite a number of Apple’s iPod nano 6G turned into watches, but who has the best design thus far? Most of them are just simple watch strap, but this new Frontal Concepts from the Australian outfit has more than just a simple rubber band with your iPod on it.

Rather than just looping a band through the device’s rear clip, the Infuse strap actually has a simple, one-click locking mechanism to keep your digital timepiece in position. It’s also positioned to allow the audio cord to run upwards along the arm, and it’s built from polycarbonate plastics and silicone — plenty tough to withstand the occasional gym visit.

The Frontal Concepts is not actually a concept, but a real product that’s coming to the US in a week’s time, and you can actually pre-order yours today for USD 24.95.

SOURCE via Frontal Concepts

We’ve seen plenty of iPod docks, but when you say the name Yamaha, you’ll surely think of high quality products from the famous company that manufactures awesome pianos, besides many other wonderful audio or music related products. Their latest is no exception, as the TSX-140 will put itself apart from the mountains of iPod docks.

The TSX-140 comes with a very cool IntelliAlarm feature. This feature allows users to be awoken by music on their iPod, but rather than blasting firmly at 11 when the clock strikes way-too-early, it gradually ups the volume until your brain is alert enough to obliterate the snooze button.

Obviously as the name says, there’s an iPod docking port on the top as well as a USB port, and you’ll also find a pair of 3.5-inch ported bass reflex speakers beneath the Earthy exterior. In addition to the illuminated buttons on the top panel, three front panel controls give access to source, volume, radio presets, alarm clock and equalizer functions, and while Yamaha claims that this guy provides “a gentle, stress-free feeling that makes waking up a pleasure,”. I think I’ll trust them on this.

SOURCE via hothardware