Accessories
Happy birthday: Apple’s iPod turns 15

Here’s a nice slice of Apple trivia for you: The original iPod happened fifteen years ago today, on October 23rd, 2001.
Nine months after the American tech giant introduced iTunes as a music software, then-Apple chief executive and co-founder Steve Jobs took the stage to announce the portable MP3 player that acted (somewhat predictably) as a precursor to the iPhone and iPad and revolutionized the way we listen to and buy music.
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It changed Apple forever, too. The iPod made it possible for Apple to pivot from a personal computer company to a consumer electronics company, where the action is — and where the money is to be made.
Here’s an excerpt from Job’s presentation; his self-confidence isn’t misplaced:
‘Now, why music? Well, we love music. More importantly, music is a part of everyone’s life — everyone. Music’s been around forever; it will always be around. This is not a speculative market… But interestingly enough, in this whole new digital music revolution, there is no market leader… No one has really found a recipe yet for digital music. And we think, not only did we find the recipe, but we think the Apple brand is going to be fantastic, because people trust the Apple brand to get their great digital electronics from.’
The former Apple head went on to describe the iPod as a “quantum leap in listening to music.” The first iPod had enough storage to fit 1,000 songs at CD-quality; had 20 minutes of skip protection; offered 10 hours of music playback.
Most important of all was that it could ride shotgun in a person’s pocket. “This amazing little device holds 1,000 songs. And it goes right in my pocket,” Jobs quipped, throwing shade at companies like Creative, SonicBlue, and Sony and their bulky, unattractive music gear. The first iPod went on sale for $399, but people gobbled it up.
Music will always be around; the iPod won’t.
Apple sold its millionth iPod in 2003. In the years that followed, the company introduced other iPods of varying colors, shapes, sizes, and functionalities. By 2010, Apple had sold 275 million iPods. But that same year, Tony Fadell, the guy who created the iPod, left Apple.

Steve Jobs launches the iPod nano in 2005
Apple has stopped reporting financial figures of the iPod entirely. Sales are on a decline, and consumers are no longer excited about them. Apple probably feels the same way we do because it hasn’t touched the iPod line since last year — an eternity in the industry. The iPhone is its flagship product now, accounting for more than half of Apple’s revenue.
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It hasn’t stopped selling iPods in its stores, though. Surely, there’s still a market for them, however small and insignificant. But the question isn’t if Apple will eventually discontinue the iPod, but when. Music will always be around; the iPod won’t.

Accessories
Apple Watch Series 9 + Watch Ultra 2 Unboxing
Featuring the bundled bands plus the new FineWoven and Nike Sport bands

Apple’s September 2023 “Wonderlust” Event isn’t just about the new iPhones. They’ve also announced updates to the well-loved Apple Watch Series 8 and Watch Ultra.
The Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 may not look so different from their predecessors, but the new features cater to older Apple Watch users to upgrade.
Aside from the upgraded S9 SiP (System in a Chip), this also enables new features like having a built-in Siri and even Double Tap using your two fingers and wrist.
And thanks to Apple’s Carbon Neutral goal by 2030, the new Apple Watches (at least the Ultra 2 and aluminum-cased Series 9s) are now more sustainable for the environment.
This also means saying bye-bye to our good ol’ leather Watch bands — but wait until you see what Apple has to offer.
Watch our latest unboxing of the new Apple Watch Ultra 2, Apple Watch Series 9 (in Aluminum and Stainless Steel), plus a plethora of bands to try out!
Accessories
Philips launches Professional Soundbar dedicated for hotel rooms
Designed for MediaSuite TVs

Philips has ventured into the soundbar business with the global launch of the Philips Professional Soundbar (HAL5023) that brings powerful cinematic audio experiences in hotel rooms.
The two-in-one soundbar comes with a built-in subwoofer that has been designed and configured exclusively to suit Philips’ MediaSuite TVs, delivering a better and more immersive entertainment experience.
The device was built in collaboration with TP Vision’s Philips sound team; it features a professional 2.1 channel setup. It is designed to be installed effortlessly as either a freestanding or wall-mountable soundbar.
Afterwards, users may easily configure the soundbar’s settings using the professional setup menu on the Philips MediaSuite TV.
All other related settings can be quickly copied and transferred to the entire TV fleet remotely through cloning via PPDS CMND.
Control your experience
The newly-released soundbar can be controlled using the standard MediaSuite TV remote, eliminating the need for another controller.
It can also double as a high-end speaker for guests wishing to play any song, podcast, video, or audio file out loud on their personal devices, via Bluetooth or the built-in Chromecast technology on the MediaSuite TV.
The soundbar also comes with a power adapter so that only one power outlet is used, along with the TV.

The 2nd Generation of AirPods Pro (or AirPods Pro 2) was launched not too long ago.
It’s got all the nifty upgrades from the first iteration including better ANC, better battery life, better chip with UWB, more sensors, a MagSafe charging case with speakers, and many more.
Then Apple introduced the USB-C version of the same AirPods Pro model.
You might be wondering: Are there even any changes? Or is it just that new USB-C port all along?
Spoiler alert! There are changes you need to know and might convince you to buy one.
Head over to our comparison of the refreshed AirPods 2 USB-C versus its Lightning counterpart (and a mini unboxing in between).
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