Hands-on with Hama’s iPod nano 4G case at IFA

Our spicy, siesta loving friends over at Engadget Spanish just nabbed a hands-on with Hama’s “iPod nano 4G” case on the floor of IFA. The tip came in anonymously about an hour ago and sure enough, there it is, buried in a mountain of iPod accessories and sharing the same smooth arc of the Kevin Rose nano — as it will from henceforth be known. Hit the read link for all the pics, or check a couple more after the break.
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Apple admits to iPod nano smoking and sparks, will replace faulty devices

Well it’s only taken a number of years and some seriously ruined pants — but Apple has finally come clean on the flammable nature of the first-generation iPod nano, and is now offering to replace the faulty devices. After reports today that two more of the media players had lit up without warning in Japan, the company issued a statement admitting that the nanos do — in fact — have battery problems which cause them to smoke or spark and generally burn the hell out of things. In the company’s words:

“Apple has determined that in very rare cases batteries in first generation iPod nanos sold between September 2005 and December 2006 can overheat causing failure and deformation of the iPod nano. Apple has received very few reports of such incidents (less than 0.001 percent of first generation iPod nano units), which have been traced back to a single battery supplier. There have been no reports of serious injuries or property damage, and no reports of incidents for any other iPod nano model.

Any first generation iPod nano customers who have experienced their battery overheating should contact AppleCare for a replacement. Any other customers who have concerns about their first generation iPod nano battery should also contact AppleCare.”

Well, thanks guys… at least we didn’t die. [CNET]

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iPhone firmware 2.0.2 is out… and angry

Well okay, we don’t know if it’s angry or not, but you can bet your bottom dollar that the 2.0.2 update of Apple’s phone OS is out there for your downloading pleasure (via iTunes, specifically). So far, all we know is that this iteration tackles those pesky “bugs,” but what those exact bugs are, we couldn’t say… nor could Apple. We’re grabbing now and will update with any exciting developments.

Update: Well we’ve got the new firmware up and running, and it’s true — those bugs have been fixed. Which bugs? Well, it’s still hard to say, but our voice suddenly sounds deeper, and we’ve noticed improved grammar during calls.

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Steve Jobs: 60 million iPhone apps downloaded, confirms kill switch

Steve Jobs, presumably speaking from a hyperbaric chamber where he’s being nourished with an infusion of liquified developers-souls before his next public appearance, had a few interesting tidbits about the AppStore for the Wall Street Journal this morning. Namely, users have downloaded some 60 million programs for the iPhone representing sales of about $30 million since the launch last month — a 30/70 revenue split between Apple and developers, respectively. “The thing’s going to crest a half billion soon,” Jobs added, “I’ve never seen anything like this in my career for software.” He went on to say that phone differentiation is no longer about radios and antennas (or uh, battery life) but about software. Steve also confirmed the controversial iPhone application kill switch in the event that Apple inadvertently approves a malicious program for distribution. Jobs said, “hopefully we never have to pull that lever, but we would be irresponsible not to have a lever like that to pull.” As to the $999.99 I Am Rich application, the dubious download that displayed nothing but a glowing red gem, pulling that from the store was a “judgment” call. Sure, but that doesn’t explain how it made it through the vetting process to begin with.

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Student Arrested for Adding Webcam Spy Software to Womens’ Laptops

Ever sat there and looked at the webcam in your laptop wondering if maybe someone, somewhere was, you know, watching you? Chances are that’s just you being paranoid, but for a few unfortunate female students in Florida who relied on a supposed friend to fix their laptop computers, such fears were well-founded. Their no-fee technician, 23-year-old Craig Matthew Feigin, not only fixed the problems they reported to him, but also installed software on their laptops to automatically take pictures from their webcams and upload them to a remote server.

One such student, Marisel Garcia, noticed her laptop was running unusually slowly after having Feigin work on it. She also noticed that a light on it popped on whenever she walked by. That light was the indicator of the integrated webcam turning on, taking pictures of her in various states of undress.

She went to the police and Feigin readily confessed, indicating “eight or nine more potential victims” according to the police in Gainesville, Florida. Unlike the ‘Porky’s‘ movies, where these sorts of hijinx would have been laughed at, Feigin is now facing felony charges and could spend some time in jail, where he’ll be the one watched at all hours of the day and night. [Source: ars technica]

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