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Release Date: August 05, 2009
Genre: Games
Release Date: May 22, 2009
Genre: Games
Release Date: August 29, 2009
Genre: Games
Release Date: March 27, 2009
Release Date: August 07, 2009

iTunes New Music Releases

Release Date: September 29, 2009
Genre: Rock
Release Date: September 20, 2009
Release Date: September 15, 2009
Release Date: August 25, 2009
Genre: Rock
Release Date: August 25, 2009

Top 5 Paid Apps

Release Date: April 22, 2009
StickWars $0.99
Release Date: March 31, 2009
Genre: Games
Bloons $0.99
Release Date: April 05, 2009
Genre: Games

Discover New Music

  • Supernature

    • 10 out of 10
    • Goldfrapp
    • On their latest CD, Supernature, Goldfrapp has put together a successful mix of 1980-era New Romanticism, German cabaret, and T. Rex glam that leaves you riveted even through the album's lulls. It's a great amalgam that sounds current without sounding at all dated.

  • Supermodified

    • 10 out of 10
    • Amon Tobin
    • The genius is in the beats. Amon Tobin creates fantastic, groovy beats behind beats. "Supermodified" rolls through your expectations of breakbeat music, and turns them up a bit. It's a mellow album, p
  • Rift

    • 8 out of 10
    • Phish
    • This quasi-concept album (the only of its kind) from these Vermonters finally showcased their ability to convey a message with a studio album, whereas previously they only succeeded in doing so live.
  • Buffy the Vampire Slayer - Once More, with Feeling

    • 10 out of 10
    • Various Artists
    • Most musical episodes of TV shows frankly stink. They are usually little more than ill-conceived vehicles intended to let the stars show off what musical talent they have. Once More, With Feeling,

  • Perverse

    • 8 out of 10
    • Jesus Jones
    • When you think of Jesus Jones, chances are you can't remember them at all, or you vaguely remember "Right Here, Right Now" because it has been use

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News

iPod’s Success Breeds Refurbishing, Repair Businesses

As the iPod's popularity has soared, so have the fortunes of businesses dedicated to refurbishing and repairing the MP3 players. Some of them, such as PodSwap.com, allow customers to trade in used iPods -- working or not -- toward the price of new or refurbished iPod. In 18 months, PodSwap.com has taken in 5,000 iPods, and founder Gregg Radell says that he typically receives 1,500 inquiries each weekend, according to a McClatchy Newspapers article.

Reporter Joseph Tartakoff estimated that at least 12 companies are in the iPod repair and refurbish market. One iPod entrepreneur, Brandon Jones, is just 21 and has been running BrokeniPods.com for 18 months. He fixes between 200 and 400 iPods each month, with the average repair price around $100.

While the iPod's success is a big part of these companies' growth, some feel that the iPod's perceived fragility plays a role too. "It's the Corvette and not the tank," said Aaron Vronko, business manager at iPodMods.com. "It looks sleek and works well and doesn't hold up to a lot of damage."

Apple spokeswoman Natalie Kerris told Mr. Tartakoff that "an iPod is designed to last four years." Harvey Rosenfeld, president of The Foundation for Taxpaer & Consumer Rights, responded: "This is not a throwaway camera. These are a sophisticated piece of electronic equipment that people will assume will last a long, long time. And when they don't, that's improper." His organization currently has a lawsuit against Apple over weaknesses in the iPod nano pending.

Analyst Rob Enderle estimated that "15% of iPods will fail within one year," which he said is "roughly comparable to other small electronic devices, such as cell phones," according to Mr. Tartakoff, who added: "Nevertheless, he said, cell phones are much easier and cheaper to repair. 'Apple's view is they want the customer to buy a new one on a regular basis,' Enderle said."

Ms. Kerris replied that the iPod's failure rate is under 5%, which she characterized as "fairly low" when stacked against other consumer electronics.

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