Associated Content
iPod fans agree that the iPod battery is the most vulnerable part of their beloved gadget, so lengthening battery life is an important concern. Once an iPod battery runs out of juice, there’s not much you can do, unless you want to pay Apple for a costly replacement battery, or shell out a few hundred dollars for a brand new iPod. Here’s the good news: if you’re well-informed, you can do plenty to prevent battery burnout and extend the life of your iPod battery! If you follow this simple guide to protecting your iPod battery, your device will last longer and perform better.

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BusinessWeek
There has been little activity out of Cupertino on the iPod front recently. But hints of new products are in the air. The waning of August has kids getting ready to go back to school -- and Apple Computer watchers wondering when Steve Jobs is going to pull the next iteration of the iPod music and video player out of his turtleneck.

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CNET
After years of cranking out hit iPod models, has Apple Computer hit a wall? The company hasn't had a significant update to its product line this year, with the only change being the addition of a smaller-capacity 1GB iPod Nano in February.

"It's possible that we're at a point where the path to taking the next step is less clear and less straightforward, even for a company with the technology expertise and creativity of Apple," said IDC analyst Susan Kevorkian.

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AP
Bob Seger turned the page, and Metallica finally found justice for online fans. Now, only a few remaining big-name musical acts refuse to make their songs available on Apple Computer's popular iTunes Music Store.

Analysts say the online holdouts — including the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Garth Brooks, Radiohead and Kid Rock — probably can't avoid iTunes forever as fans flock to the Internet to buy music.

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Macworld
Apple continued to lead the U.S. digital music player market in the second quarter with a 75.6 percent share, according to the NPD Group.

“Apple has done a great job of focusing consumers’ attention on digital music in their products through millions of dollars in advertising,” said Ross Rubin, analyst at the NPD Group.

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AppleInsider
Microsoft's upcoming Zune digital media player has long been rumored to sport on-the-go wireless capabilities that would differentiate it from Apple's iPod offerings, but it appears those reports are partially inaccurate.

According to a report published on Twice, retailers briefed by Microsoft say Zune will offer Wi-Fi capability but will require that the player be connected to a PC in order to purchase tracks.

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Wired Magazine
Some simple instructions for getting YouTube videos onto your iPod, for Mac and Windows users.

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Playlist Mag
Ever been frustrated by your inability to download the cool Flash-based videos you find on YouTube? That’s where TubeSock comes in. With the click of a single bookmark script (compatible with Safari and Firefox) it will download the YouTube video displayed on your monitor and convert it an iPod-friendly file.

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Brighthand
In the past few months, there has been quite a bit of evidence that Apple is going to put out a combination phone and iPod, often referred to as the iPhone. With Apple's World Wide Developer Conference kicking off this week, speculation that this device will be announced any day now has reached a fever pitch.

Those eagerly hoping to get their hands on an iPhone will not be pleased to read a report from DVD Newsroom that indicates that Apple has no intentions of announcing a smartphone this week, or any time soon.

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Reuters
Apple Computer Inc. said it has teamed up with three major automakers to link its popular iPod music player with car stereos, laying down a new challenge to a fragmented radio industry. Ford Motor Co., General Motors Corp. and Japan's Mazda Motor Corp. will offer an easy iPod connection in the majority of their brands, allowing drivers to charge the digital music player and store it in a glove compartment as they listen to its songs.

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Macworld
The iTunes Music Store expanded its video offerings Tuesday, when Turner Broadcasting System announced that it would bring several television shows to the online store, including programming from CNN, Adult Swim and the Cartoon Network. The new shows include original programming from CNN’s CNN Presents news program as well as Johnny Bravo, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, The Venture Bros., and Sealab 2021 from the Cartoon Network.

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Macworld
Apple’s iPod line has gone months without an update. It’s been nearly a year since the portable music player added new capabilities, such as the ability to play video, or appeared in a new form factor, like the slimmed-down nano. In the rapid-fire world of technology toys, that’s usually the sign of a product line that’s gotten long in the tooth.

And yet, iPods continue to fly off the shelves just as fast as Apple can make them.

The reason for this conventional wisdom-defying turn of events? Analysts and trend watchers credit the iPod for finding a market that isn’t as focused on recent product updates as much as it is having one product that “just works.”

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