Though it might have otherwise been a conventional iPod speaker system, JVC's new NX-PX7 ($150) stands out from the pack thanks to its twin iPod or iPhone charging and audio docks. You can expose either, neither, or both of them at once, and switch between their audio with buttons on the system or the included Infrared remote control. Two full-range speakers, each nearly 3 inches in diameter, are found in the unit, as are multi-colored lights that…

This week's Ask iLounge topics: Recovering a corrupt iPod, Hard cases for iPhone, Reimporting CDs into iTunes, iPod shows only Other content, Managing multiple audio formats in iTunes, Optimum iPod video output cables

Happy Fourth of July, U.S. readers! As iLounge’s U.S.-based editors are celebrating today’s Independence Day holiday, iLounge is publishing today on a limited schedule. We will return after the holiday with plenty more iPod, iPhone, Apple TV and iTunes news, reviews, and tutorials. In addition to new stories today from iLounge editors outside the United States, we urge you to check out the Quest for the Best iPhone App Contest and Mophie…

Although today most music comes on CDs that can be easily converted into iTunes formats, audio enthusiasts and an older generation of iPod users may still have music on vinyl LP records. Getting these recordings onto an iPod can be a much more cumbersome process for the average user—a process Numark aims to simplify with the TTi USB Turntable with Universal Dock ($449). First announced last year with that $449 MSRP, the average street price…

A new German T-Mobile iPhone upgrade policy has angered some first-generation iPhone owners, according to a new report. The company has announced that first-gen iPhone users looking to upgrade to the iPhone 3G will be forced to pay a €15 ($24) penalty for each month left on the prior iPhone’s contract, despite the fact that many paid the full €399 ($626) amount for the phone last year. In addition, reports German site Wiwo.de (Translated…

Ryuji Yamada, president of Japanese mobile operator NTT DoCoMo, recently suggested that the company is still interested in making a deal with Apple to offer the iPhone in Japan alongside previously announced Japanese carrier SoftBank. “It’s common sense that Apple wants to sell as many iPhones worldwide as possible and to customize it would be difficult,” Yamada, said in an interview. “Our stance on the iPhone remains flexible.”…

Following complaints from potential customers regarding the voice, text, and data limits on its previously announced iPhone 3G service plans, Swedish iPhone carrier Telia has revised its service offerings for the soon to be released handset. Instead of modifying the plans for the iPhone 3G, the carrier has chosen to allow users to pick from its existing plans for other mobile phones, then add a 199 SEK (roughly $33) unlimited data option. It remains…

A number of Apple patent applications focusing on multi-touch research have been recently published by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Mac Rumors notes that a majority of the applications protect research done by Wayne Westerman, the former cofounder of Fingerworks. One of the applications, titled ”Gesture Learning,” outlines methods to teach more advanced multi-finger gestures to users through the use of visible feedback…

Optus, one of three Australian iPhone carriers, has revealed its plans and pricing for the iPhone 3G. Unlike most other carriers, Optus is offering the iPhone 3G to subscribers on a monthly payment basis, in lieu of taking one large upfront payment for the handset. The company will offer the iPhone 3G with two different lines of contract service plans. The company’s ‘yes’ Cap Plans offer a set amount of data, a credit amount used…

Renamed and redesigned from the company's original iPhone holster, Elan Snap-In, Griffin's new Elan Clip for iPhone 3G ($25) retains the same pricing and general features as its predecessor: it's a plastic holster covered in leather. Packaged with an adhesive screen protector and black cleaning cloth, Elan Clip has a ratcheting and rotating clip on back for attachment to your belt. The leather has changed from smooth to a heavily grainy texture, and…

Google has released a new web-based version of Google Talk designed specifically for the iPhone and iPod touch. Google Talk for iPhone requires the application to be open in the Safari browser in order to receive instant messages. When a user navigates away to another browser window or application, his/her status is automatically changed to “unavailable,” and the session will be restarted when the page is reopened. To access Google…

Apple has sent out an email to paid iPhone developers encouraging them to get their applications submitted by July 7 for inclusion on the App Store on launch day. The email, received by World of Apple, states: “To ensure your application can be considered for the exciting launch of the App Store, submit your application by 12 PM PDT, on July 7, 2008. We will continue to accept applications after this time, however your application may not be…

Vaja has announced its first cases for the upcoming iPhone 3G. The iVolution Top and iVolution SP leather cases both feature a flip-down cover, which blocks access to the iPhone’s Dock Connector but offers protection for the screen when closed, and offer open access to the phone’s camera and headphone jack. The iVolution Top is available in solid colors and starts at $75, while the iVolution SP offers a decorative stripe down the center…

Following a posting yesterday expressing confusion and disappointment over AT&T’s iPhone 3G plans and pricing, and its decision to charge separately for SMS text messaging, BusinessWeek writer Arik Hesseldahl was contacted by Apple regarding the article. Hesseldahl writes, “So Apple called today, a little annoyed with my portrayal yesterday of AT&T’s iPhone pricing.” Hesseldahl defends his position on the non-inclusion…

PurpleTalk, a new iPhone developer tools and services company, has announced the launch of AdShare, a new free advertising service for iPhone developers. AdShare will use a brief splash-screen promotion embedded into a iPhone application to cross-promote different apps and raise awareness for those applications. Each time a developer displays an ad for a separate developer, they receive credit for one advertisement of their App, which will be promoted…

Refined from the original iPhone version, Griffin's Elan Form for iPhone 3G ($30) combines a hard plastic shell with leather coating. Unlike the last version, which came in front and back shells, this one has a slide-off bottom shell inspired by Incase's Slider designs, allowing you to pop the iPhone into a device-specific Apple dock. Additionally, while the prior Elan Form included some front leather, this case restricts its use of leather to the…

Seemingly inspired by Incase's line of Slider cases for the iPhone and iPod touch, Griffin's Nu Form for iPhone 3G ($25) is a two-piece case with a bottom piece that slides off to let you dock the iPhone in Apple's device-specific dock. White with gray and gray with black versions are available, each with a small floating box graphic on the back, a non-adhesive screen protector, and a black cleaning cloth. Actual fit will vary from our top sample…

Revised from its impressive iPhone predecessor, Griffin's new Wave Case for iPhone 3G ($25) receives new color options and different pack-ins. The static cling screen protector has been replaced with one that no longer sticks to the iPhone's face, and the cleaning cloth is black rather than gray. Griffin's 4 earlier, bright colors have given way to 2 slightly more muted pink and blue tones, while the black version has become two-toned translucent…

Apple, Inc., CEO Steve Jobs, and a number of company executives have been re-accused of fraud in a new lawsuit filed in California last week. Along with former Apple CFO Fred Anderson, former General Counsel Nancy Heinen, and board members William V. Campbell, Millard S. Drexler, Arthur D. Levinson and Jerome P. York, Jobs and Apple are accused of knowingly defrauding shareholders with stock option backdating, a scandal which resulted in federal U.S.…

Apple, Inc., CEO Steve Jobs, and a number of company executives have been accused of fraud in a new lawsuit filed in California last week. Along with former Apple CFO Fred Anderson, former General Counsel Nancy Heinen, and board members William V. Campbell, Millard S. Drexler, Arthur D. Levinson and Jerome P. York, Jobs and Apple are accused of knowingly defrauding shareholders with stock option backdating, a scandal which resulted in federal U.S.…