Monopoly iPod Game Review

Macgirl's been playing Monopoly non-stop the last week to bring you this review. Find out how it stacks up against the board game original. And yes, it still takes a long time to play:

iPod Recycling - good for mother earth, good for your wallet

This weekend I had the pleasure of visiting my local Apple store. Well, pleasure may be too strong of a word- if at all possible, one should avoid visiting the Apple store on a weekend, ever. (Especially a holiday weekend!) That said, here's a rundown of my exchange experience.

Being both a tree-hugger and a technophile, I was very happy to learn about Apple's iPod recycling policy. When it came time for my old Nano to visit the big Apple logo in the sky, I was happy to hand him over to a nice customer service representative (I'd like to give resound high marks to Kenny, the associate who helped me. He was polite, friendly and apologized for the ridiculous wait I had to endure...why did they remove all but one cash rap? I feel like I'm always standing over there, with some weird request that the Windows-toting hand held machines the staff all carry can't handle. Bring back the registers please, Steve!)
I was even happier to get 10% off my purchase of a new Nano, after filling out a simple form with my name and contact information. The associate then took my old iPod and wrote in the serial number on the form. A swipe of my credit card later, and Kenny was emailing me my receipt (yay less paper refuse!), while giving me the option for a printed receipt if I'd prefer. I can understand why you may want a paper receipt when making a major computer purchase, but I was more than happy to forgo the wasted pulp for a Nano purchase. The receipt showed both a scan of the recycle option (rings up as a penny) and the 10% discount on my 199.00 new iPod.

A look at the iPod vending machines

For those of you who haven't been in a Macy's recently, here's a look at their iPod vending machines. Looking like a two-door convenience store freezer, the machines stock several flavors of iPods, as well as a few digital cameras, and iPod accessories.

I questioned why the store would bother with the vending machines. Is it simply a marketing gimmick? The uniqueness of buying a multi-hundred dollar item out of a vending machine, or is there some method to the madness? As Adam pointed out in a recent episode of TDL Live there could be some sound loss prevention (theft) reasons for putting the devices in the vending machine. Given the other pricey items available though, I don't know. It would be one thing in a drug store, or 7-Eleven, where the iPods might be the priciest items, I'm not so sure about Macy's. Then again, the item s probably a fairly expensive item in terms of its size vs. value. Adam also pointed out the vending machine concept allows them to place the items in traditionally high theft portions of the store without concern. Either way, head down to the local Macy's and check it out.

Nike Amp for iPod Review

Awhile back, I had nothing but good things to say about the Nike + Sport Kit. Well, the same can't be said for the Nike Amp wristband. Video review below:

Apple Defends "Made for iPod" Label in Apple v. Atico International

            Oyez, Oyez, Oyez!  This being my first official blog as the new “lawsuit of the week” correspondent, I’d like to first introduce myself.  My name is Becca and I am currently a law student with the ambition to become a lawyer. Each week I will be mixing my passion for Apple and the law by bringing you the most up-to-date lawsuits involving Apple. 

            This week’s lawsuit is regarding the iPod and an outside company who makes products, which are compatible with the iPod.  Unlike the recent “lawsuits of the week,” Apple appears as the Plaintiff, suing Atico International, in what seems to be an effort to test their “Made for iPod” label.  Attorneys for Apple filed a ten-page complaint against Atico, a company who manufactures several products compatible with the iPod including a dock connector, remote controls, portable speakers and three dock adapters which are made to fit different sized iPods for one standard dock model.  Apple claims in their suit that these products infringe upon key patents that Apple obtained between 2007 and 2008.  Furthermore, Apple claims that Atico has failed to license their use of Apple’s docking design for their speaker units therefore denying Apple of royalties they claim they are owed due to their “Made for iPod” campaign.  Atico’s products also display similar logos to Apple’s indicating their products compatibility with iPods.  Apple’s lawyers claim this is in exploitation of their name and “violating the federal Lanham Act (found in Title 15 of the U.S. Code and includes the federal statutes which govern trademark law in the United States) by falsely suggesting an endorsement by Apple.”

            Apple has asked in their complaint for a permanent injunction (a final order from the Court which would tell Atico to permanently stop selling these products if they are without a license from Apple) in addition to Atico paying damages to Apple for the use of their design without being a part of the “Made for iPod” program.

            This suit makes a mark in Apple’s history book by being the first known case of Apple defending their “Made for iPod” licensing program, which began in January of 2005.

            It seems to me that Apple is looking to make an example of Atico in order to promote other companies to join their “Made for iPod” campaign.  Overall, this program really seems to be an easy way to make money for Apple, instead of a simple way for consumers to tell which outside company’s products may be compatible with their iPods.

The article related to this blog entry was found on :

http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/08/05/16/apple_files_first_lawsuit_in_defense_of_made_for_ipod_licensing.html