mobileaccessoriescenter.com

- First of all, it’s Talk Like a Pirate Day! AAargh! (check out FriendFeed’s eye patch, hehe)

-Second, make sure you pop over to www.twitter.com to see their redesign. I think it looks sharp, with the rounded corners. =P

- Radio that’s all user interface: BoingBoing found a radio that is incredibly simple. You lift the top to change the volume and you twist it to tune into your favorite station! So neat.

-  yearbookyourself.com: You can upload your photo and see what your yearbook photo would have looked like in all the decades back to the 1950s. Looks pretty neat, but I don’t have a front-on photo of myself. Let us know if you try it out!!

Well, I caved. (It wasn’t too hard to get me to. =P)

Saturday I was in the vicinity of the Apple store and I was sucked in. I emerged with a white 16GB 3G iPhone. And a case and screen protectors and a car charger. And the $20 per month unlimited text messaging plan, bringing my monthly bill total to $89.99. Good thing I don’t have cable, eh?

I’ve downloaded a few apps., but I haven’t done much searching for neat ones. So far I’ve got Twitterific, AIM, NetNewsWire, Pandora, AppleRemote, and WeatherBug. Apple Remote is nothing short of amazing for controlling my iTunes. Thinking about some games, perhaps. I do have three separate email accounts set up including .mac, gmail, and Microsoft Exchange.

Apple sets deadline for App Store launch submissions

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 available until after the launch of the App Store.” The App Store is expected to open for business alongside the release of iPhone Software 2.0 and the iPhone 3G on July 11.

Vaja debuts cases for iPhone 3G

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 of the case’s front flap, and starts at $85. The classic Retro Slim Bag is a sleeve-style case which offers access to the phone’s ring/silent switch, sleep/wake button, and headphone jack, and features a stitched leather stripe on the left side. It starts at $45. Finally, the classic Pouch is a solid color leather case featuring a fold-over top flap and a snap closure. It starts at $65.

XtremeMac acquired by Imation

Imation Corp., which develops, manufactures, and sells various electronic iPod and iPhone accessories under the Memorex brand, today announced its acquisition of Xtreme Accessories (XtremeMac) for a purchase price of $9 million. XtremeMac was one of the earliest developers of iPod accessories, but appeared to have struggled in recent months with iPhone compatibility, substantial release delays, and uncertainty as to whether prior products would come back into stock.

Commenting on the transaction, Frank Russomanno, Imation’s President and Chief Executive Officer said: “With the acquisition of XtremeMac, Imation has added a brand recognized and respected by Apple enthusiasts and one that enhances our portfolio of products serving the growing market for consumer electronics related accessories.”

We’re excited to be participating in our first in-person event - the Art on Lark Festival in Albany, New York on June 21st, 2008. That is where our offices are based out of, with our inventory and shipping coming out of Central Pennsylvania. If you are in the Albany area or nearby, be sure to visit the festival and our booth, it is a really good time (I’ve attended the past 5!).

Elgato releases software update for Turbo.264

Elgato Systems has released Turbo.264 version 1.3, a free update to its USB video encoder hardware. The Elgato Turbo.264 is a Mac-only H.264 video encoder that accelerates video exports to iPod, iPhone, and Apple TV formats. New in version 1.3 is support for DVD chapter markers, which are merged into chapter markers readable by video-enabled iPods, the iPhone, and the Apple TV, and support for Dolby Digital pass through on Apple TV video exports. In addition, the software update offers numerous improvements and bug fixes. Turbo.264 version 1.3 is available now as a free download from Elgato’s website. For more information on the Turbo.264 hardware, read our full review.

RichardSolo debuts Backup Battery for iPhone, iPod

Vaja intros iVolution Stripes for iPhone

Vaja has introduced its new iVolution Stripes leather case for iPhone. The iVolution Stripes shares its basic design with the iVolution Top, offering a flip-down protective front flap, open access to all buttons and controls, and an optional rear clip. Unique to the iVolution Stripes is a customizable five-stripe color scheme, which allows the user “more than one million possible color combinations.” The color of the far left and far right stripes is the same and carries over onto the case’s back, which is a solid color. The Vaja iVolution Stripes for iPhone is available now and starts at $100.

Gear4 launches DUO iPod speaker system

Gear4 will launch its new DUO iPod 2.1 Speaker System tomorrow in the United Kingdom. A novel design by iPod speaker standards, DUO is a home stereo system that splits into two pieces: a table-mounted bass unit and a detachable front panel with retractable iPod dock that can serve as a standalone portable speaker system. The system provides the user with uninterrupted music when docking or undocking. When docked, the drivers housed in the satellite speaker join with a 20W subwoofer in the bass unit to provide more full sound, and the main unit also charges the satellite speaker’s rechargeable lithium-ion battery. Other features include an integrated fold-out stand for the satellite speakers, direct charging of the satellite speakers via AC cable when away from the bass unit, a remote control, and 38W of total speaker output. The Gear4 DUO 2.1 iPod Speaker System will be available in the UK tomorrow for £150/200€ and will launch in the US and other regions later this year.