iTunes Connects with BlackBerry; Apple Launches New iPod Shuffle

Information Appliance Associates, the Calif.-based company that develops software solutions for the Macintosh platform, announced on Oct. 31 the new release of pearlTunes, a device that copies and converts unlicensed music from Apple iTunes on Windows to Research In Motions new BlackBerry Pearl model.

Users will be able to copy their favorite songs to the BlackBerry Pearl using pearlTunes, as the device takes the users MP3s and other unguarded digital music files from selected playlists on iTunes for Windows and copies them to a MicroSD memory card that is on the users BlackBerry Pearl.

Terence Goggin, chief technology officer of Information Appliance Associates, feels that the incorporation of different media files into the BlackBerry Pearl is a big benefit for users.

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"This is a really exciting merging of two worlds. Now iTunes users can use pearlTunes to sync their non-protected digital music to their BlackBerry Pearl handhelds," he said.

pearlTunes will retail for $9.95 and can also be purchased at PocketMacs Web site.

Speaking of digital music, Apple Computer announced on Oct. 31 that their new iPod shuffle will be available in Apples retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers for $79 starting Nov. 3.

Very small in size, the new iPod shuffle weighs just half an ounce, making it comfortable for users to wear.

"With its ultra-compact design and built-in chip, the new iPod shuffle is the most wearable iPod ever," said Greg Joswiak, Apples vice president of Worldwide iPod Product Marketing, in a company statement.

Users will have more time on the new iPod shuffle to listen to their music wherever they go as it features up to 12 hours of battery life.

Click here for a review of the the BlackBerry Pearl.

Users will also be able to listen to their music in any order that they want or they can turn on a switch to listen to their songs in the order that they want.

"The new iPod shuffle completes our all-new lineup of iPods for this holiday season and beyond, and we hope its going to be a huge hit," said Joswiak.

Users will be able to connect the new iPod shuffle to their Mac or PC with the included dock and iTunes new AutoFill option, which automatically syncs the users songs from their music library.

Available Nov. 3, the new iPod Shuffle can also be purchased through the Apple Store Web site.

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