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Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds, Laptops

The European Union already initiated a Battery Directive in 2006 that aimed to make it easier to dispose of and recycle old batteries, but it looks like it’s now taking things one big step further with its “New Battery Directive,” which proposes that batteries in all electronic devices should be able to be “readily removed” for replacement or disposal. New Electronics’ Gary Nevison further adds that “the requirement is clearly intended to ensure that users can remove batteries by opening a cover by hand or after removal of one or two screws,” which would obviously pose a bit of a problem for the iPhone, not to mention every iPod and even a few non-Apple devices. Then again, this wouldn’t be the first time that Apple has tangled with the EU, and we have a sneaking suspicion that it won’t be the last.

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Source: Donald Melanson

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Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Have you always dreamed of a giant, wall-hanging iPod seemingly warped and twisted like a big, crappy, old television? Well, Russian artists Aristarkh Chernyshev and Alexei Shulgin have, and now they’re subjecting the world to it. Yes, say hello to the wowPOD, a fully functional iPod mutation which is absolutely worth whatever our business manager has been authorized to pay for it.

[Via TUAW]

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Source: Joshua Topolsky

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Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

digg_url = ‘http://digg.com/apple/4GB_iPod_nano_4Gs_show_up_on_Best_Buy_s_Canadian_site’; Look, we know there’s some kind of good explanation for these things existing, but Apple, don’t you think it’s a little weird how they keep cropping up in stores even though you never, ever mentioned them? That’s right, those 4GB iPod nano 4Gs we saw at Dutch retailers last week have now made their way onto Best Buy’s Canadian website. Over in North America, the players will apparently sell for $139, and will be available tomorrow… or so they say.

[Thanks, Robert]

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Source: Joshua Topolsky

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The iPhone may be Apple’s most talked-about product, but on Tuesday Apple focused attention on its most dominant franchise: the iPod and the iTunes music and video store.

Source: By BRAD STONE

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Filed under: Portable Audio

In case you missed ‘em among all the iPod hubbub, Apple also introduced some new in-ear headphones today, which should go some way to improving its reputation among more discerning listeners. These boast two drivers each — a woofer and a tweeter — and come with three earbuds to ensure a proper fit. They sure are running up against some stiff competition at the $79 mark though — but hey, they’re white.

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Source: Donald Melanson

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Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

digg_url = ‘http://digg.com/apple/iPod_touch_updated_same_screen_new_case_new_features’; As expected, Apple just updated the iPod touch with a new thinner stainless steel case — it’s still got the same display. There’s now hardware volume controls (hooray!) and a built-in speaker, and a Nike+ receiver is also built in, so you just need the shoe transmitter. On the software side, the UI has been tweaked and the new iTunes Genius features have been added, and the App Store is now included (obviously). Battery life is decent at 36 hours of music and 6 hours of video, and Apple’s doing the same “environmentally sound” design thing it did with the new nano. Three price points: 8GB for $229, 16GB for $299, and 32GB for $399. So much for that rumored price drop below the iPhone’s $199 price point, but we won’t complain too much about a $100 price drop.

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Source: Nilay Patel

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Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

digg_url = ‘http://digg.com/apple/iPod_classic_refreshed_bumped_to_120GB’; Steve Jobs just announced that the iPod classic will only come in a single $249 120GB config from now on. Seriously, that’s the only model of classic available now, storage junkies — better snap up those outgoing 160GB models while you can.

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Source: Nilay Patel

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Are Zune buyers motivated by what the device is — or by what it isn’t?

Source: By ROB WALKER

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