This week at iLounge: The biggest debut of the week was Apple’s unexpected re-re-release of the iPod U2 Special Edition, the third iteration of the red and black iPod that once looked so distinctive. To differentiate the latest model from the standard 30GB video iPod it’s heavily based upon, Apple changed the rear metal casing to a mirrored black color, and redid the top and bottom ports in black plastic rather than the previous white. Plus, buyers get a download card for an exclusive 33-minute U2 video in the box, rather than the posters and coupons handed out with old U2 iPods. Yeah, it’s long in the tooth, but Apple’s at least trying to make it a little bit interesting.
Almost equally exciting is XtremeMac’s new MicroMemo, which uses an integrated speaker and flexible microphone to offer the most complete recording accessory we’ve seen so far for the fifth-generation iPod. There’s an audio sample online if you want to hear how it handles various types of recording challenges. And we’ve also looked at BoomWave’s cool Podstar Diablo devil cases, as well as BlueBox’s miJam series of crazy toy musical instrument add-ons for iPods — a guitar, drumstick set, and mixer that aren’t exactly impressive unless you don’t have a $20 Casio keyboard.
In the news this week, Apple filed a second copyright lawsuit and a U.S. trade complaint against Creative Technology. It was also revealed that Apple approached Creative in 2001 about licensing the company’s technology or investing in a possible Creative digital media player spin-off company. Plus, Apple dropped the price of iPods in Canada, college students said iPods are more “in” than beer, World Cup iPod guides abound, and iLuv unveils an interesting tablet-style media player for the iPod.