Gizmodo: iload

CD to iPod Ripping iLoad Reviewed (Verdict: Only For People Who Hate Computers)

Jason Chen — Wed, 30 May 2007 17:30:59 EDT

The only type of person who would use the iLoad by Wingspan is the person who either hates computers or doesn't know how to use them. The device takes in your iPod, then rips CDs into digital form and loads them onto your iPod. No PC required.

Crunchgear took one for a spin, and thought it worked as advertised but was super noisy doing it. Once your music is transferred from the CD into your iPod, you can also delete tracks by title or category—again, straight from the iLoad without a PC.

Is it worth the $299 price tag? Only if you're an anti-computer guy who still wants access to an iPod. – Jason Chen

Product Page [iLoad via Crunchgear]

A New Load of iLoad: iLoad-v and iLoad-c

johnb — Wed, 01 Mar 2006 11:19:30 EST

You may remember the wondrous iLoad that we discussed a while back. Well, it's back and better than ever. Inventor Sanford B. Schupper has added two new models to the iLoad line—the iLoad-v which downloads video from any video source, and the iLoad-c which downloads music through cellular services. All of it is currently on "pre-order" and rendered in beautiful CG. Go to the site, watch the iLoad-c video with its rousing Ravel score, and be amazed.

Product Page [iLoad]

iLoad Inventor Vents, Is Out on Bail

johnb — Sat, 12 Nov 2005 14:03:33 EST

So we get a call the other day about the iLoad, which, on the surface, seems, shall we say, "no longer necessary." It's the iLoad PR fella, good guy, it seems. He's going to send us a bit on this new product, all is well, we'll take a look, make a more refined judgement. We see hundreds of ideas like these—on the surface, they're fine. Given a bit of thought, they're kind of silly. More power to the inventor. Yeah, team. Different strokes for different folks.

So I'm not really concerned until the inventor, a certain Sanford B. Schupper, dropped us a line today:

If you want to pontificate or seek self-aggrandizement either go into politics or don t do it at someone else s expense. Your business credentials don t justify such public scathing of something you have no first hand info about. Think before you speak ...or get a towel and some lotion and head for the bathroom...might be more fulfilling and won t be at the expense of others.
No need to respond. Just grow up.

Sandy

So we get flamed over a silly CD player that dumps audio to an iPod with no visible means of getting the CD track info via the Interweb—maybe it's got wireless, or maybe it's vaporware: the website doesn't say—and I'm starting to get a little curious. Why would Mr. Schupper be so angry about this. Could he be making shit up?

Then I found this story from the Colorado Springs Gazette. The gist appears here:

A Monument businessman convicted of theft and securities fraud won t be allowed to travel to China to market a product he invented, a judge ruled Friday.
Sanford Schupper, 56, has been convicted of defrauding Citibank Visa of as much as $200,000 and sentenced to six years in prison. In another case, Schupper was convicted of swindling a family out of $872,000 and sentenced to eight years in prison. ...

Friday, Schupper s lawyer asked senior state District Court Judge Donald Campbell to grant Schupper permission to go to China to market his latest invention, an accessory for Apple iPods.

Pop through to read on.

Schupper says the product could make him millions and allow him to pay court-ordered restitution to victims of his crimes. He hasn t revealed specifics about the product because of fears someone might steal the idea.

What's that? Paranoid inventors? Vaporware? Securities fraud? Yes, friends, another magical visit to the wondrous underworld of tech!

This is what I've dug up on our little buddy. Generally, it's bad to antagonize your audience, Mr. Schupper, even though you are under a bit of stress.

Monument Gun Shop Case [KSCourts]
Same [Findlaw]
iLoad whois [Whois]
Parent Company - Wingspan Partners Inc [Wingspan]

UPDATE - Sent him a quick reply with some of the above links and got this:

And how do you relate that with the subject matter? I don't want to enter a dialog with you. As I said before, don't reply. Just consider what I had to say and your own reasons for being very negative without credentials that support such observations
Try and find something positive to write about. Good day

Please do not reply further

iLoad - Load Your iPod Without PC

johnb — Thu, 10 Nov 2005 10:13:35 EST

Aren't we all past the point where we need to rip our CDs? The whole "Rip, Mix, Burn" era peaked in 2002 and anyone with CDs at this point should probably just keep listening to the Technics 100-disk changer and give it up. Anyway, the iLoad is a little thingie that rips CDs to your iPod. I'm thinking this is a proof-of-concept patent thing for future lawsuits—"PATENT 1,100,033,032,095 - A device that removes data from compact disks and transfers it to a portable music player"— but we'll see what comes of it. No specs or info yet, just a "Spam me" link.

Product Page [iLoad]