iPod classic

Japan court rules Apple’s click wheel infringes patent

Apple must pay a Japanese inventor Y300 million (about $3 million USD) for patent infringement involving the iPod’s Click Wheel, a court ordered Thursday. The inventor had asked for Y10 billion, but received far less from the court. The provisional ruling, based on sales dating back to 2004, ends a legal dispute which began in 2007…

Apple launches $59 AppleCare+ extended coverage for iPod touch and iPod classic

Hot on the heels of yesterday’s iPhone 5s/5c introduction, Apple has quietly brought its premium $99 AppleCare+ iPhone coverage to the United Kingdom, France and Italy. The extended coverage plan – previously limited to customers in the United States, Canada and Japan – covers up to two incidents of accidental damage from handling of your device.

Not only is Apple taking the AppleCare+ coverage to more places, but more devices as well. Today, we learn that AppleCare+ is now available for two iPod devices: the iPod touch and the iPod classic…

Budget iPhone design to be a mix of iPhone 5, iPod touch and iPod classic

The so-called budget iPhone rumors have been really heating up over the past month. And today, more fuel is added to the fire. Following up their report last week regarding next-gen iPhones and iPads, iLounge is back with some new details on the low-end device.

Citing ‘reliable sources,’ the site says that the handset will be “substantially made from plastic,” and design-wise, it will look like a cross between the iPhone 5, the fifth generation iPod touch and the iPod classic…

Check out this blow-away concept of next-gen iPod touch

With just one day left until Apple’s massive iPhone 5 introduction tomorrow, it’s a mockups day today. This morning already saw us post a few nice dummies and mockups, from the iPhone 5 dummy with high-quality closeups of the handset’s controversial two-tone design to a concept video showing off its possible features to this nicely done mockup of a mini iPad in hand.

With some people expecting new colorful iPods at tomorrow’s event, designer Guilherme Schasiepen went about rendering half a dozen stunning mockups of what a fifth-generation iPod touch might look like. The renderings and more food for thought follow right below…

Poll: will Apple launch refreshed iPods alongside the iPhone 5?

With invites for Apple’s long-rumored September 12 media event sent out earlier today, all eyes are on the next iPhone, as subtly hinted by a “5” lurking in the shadow on the invite graphics. A separate media event is also believed to be in the works around October for a mini iPad. This leaves us with the obvious question: how does a third iPod-related presser fit between these two?

Per conventional wisdom, Apple could refresh iPods alongside the iPhone at the September 12 event. On the other hand, such a high-profile iPhone introduction – perhaps the most important product launch in Apple’s history – deserves an exclusive media event of its own. We’ve put together a quick poll to let us know about your expectations come next Wednesday (it ain’t a YES/NO poll)…