NPR Morning Edition’s David Malakoff yesterday covered the Laptop Battle phenomenon: competitive laptop composition contests that are spreading across North America, thanks to fourthcity‘s LAPTOPBATTLE.ORG. NPR caught the recent Mid-Atlantic laptop battle. Players are given a time-limit and are actually forbidden from using external controllers. The music must be laptop-only. Then it’s a slam — whoever wins over the judges with their musical mastery and energy wins.
So, how can you get on the action? April 1 (Friday!) is the next contest in Seattle. (Any Seattle readers? Hit comments and let us know if you make it!) And the contest will be touring through many other US cities; check the site for details. For virtual action, download the free DVD. And women, get rolling — there was all of one female entrant in February.
In other news: NPR finally answers the question of what Fruity Loops composition + color commentary sounds like on the radio.

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An interesting story cropped on Pat-Rights.com claiming that iTunes’ identity verification system infringes upon US Patent 6,665,797 for “Internet/Remote User Identity Verification.” Read more…

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TuneWare today announced the following iPod accessories:
PRIE series [PRIE HOOK] hook style cases for the iPod. PRIE HOOK is an easy way to attach the iPod or iPod mini to a belt loop or bag strap and is available in two models: PRIE HOOK 4G for iPod 4G/iPod photo and PRIE HOOK mini for iPod mini. PRIE HOOK series will be available mid-January 2005 for suggested retail price of US$54.
A clean removing wearable wrapper [POPTUNE] for the iPod mini. POPTUNE is available in 8 stylish patterns such as wild “Leopard”, lovely “Heartbeats”, tough “Camouflage” and more. POPTUNE series will be available mid-January 2005 for suggested retail price of US$8.95.
A water resistance case [WATERWEAR] for iPod 4G and iPod mini. WATERWEAR is available in two models: WATERWEAR 4G for iPod 4G and WATERWEAR mini for iPod mini. WATERWEAR series will be available end of January 2005 for suggested retail price of US$24.95.
Aluminum clip holder [ALUMINIUM CLIP for ICEWEAR] for iPod mini. ALUMINIUM CLIP for ICEWEAR series will be available end of January 2005 for suggested retail price of US$18.85.
See all of TuneWear’s new iPod accesorries at Macworld Expo SF on January 11, 2005 at booth# 621.

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Apple is expected to announce a bare bones, G4-based iMac without a display at Macworld Expo that will retail for $499, Think Secret is reporting. Read More…

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Neal from the PowerPage UK bureau files this report:
I passed the London store last night in regent street. The store will be housed in Regents House a building that dates back to 1898. With 9 days to go to the grand opening I managed to peek inside and boy is it big. The glass stair case is centre placed and it reminded me of the Soho store in New York but bigger!

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The remote(s) for the iPod do not advance, play or stop photos on the iPod photo. Quite a bummer. Read more…

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A how-to on getting music off your iPod. Read more..

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Lamborghini owners looking to iPod their Lamborghinis on forum, trying to emulate the BMW. As BMW has recently hard-wired audio inputs for iPods into some of their cars, including the popular 3-series and Z4 roadster, it seems other marque car owners are looking to do the same. Lamborghini-Talk has a forum for owners and enthusiasts and there is a thread on installing iPods in Lamborghinis. P.S. Check out the new BMW 3-series unveiled yesterday on www.bmwusa.com.

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Apple Computer, Inc, will open a new store at the Alderwood Mall in Lynnwood, WA in early November 2004. Read More…

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Faithful Apple users enjoy to hide the fact they are Mac fanatics, especially when toting the iPod. Read more…

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