ipod

Keeping backup files can save you plenty of headaches if your Apple gadget starts bugging out. However, this long-winded download is just as hard to use as it is to say. The only reason to be impressed by 123 iPod iPad iPhone Backup is that it's somehow worse than iTunes in features, usability, and reliability.

When we put it in use, this ancient-looking download crashed and seized when it tried to recognize our gadget. When we finally made 123 iPod iPad iPhone Backup work, backing up wasn't slow, it's just wasn't particularly fast. There's also … Read more

iPhones, iPads, and iPod Touches get all the attention, but let us not forget the humble iPod Shuffle, the tiny clip-on MP3 player that's hard to beat for hiking, biking, running, and the gym.

Apple sells the Shuffle for $49, but for a limited time, Walmart has the fourth-generation iPod Shuffle 2GB and accessory kit for $39, plus sales tax where applicable. Shipping adds about $3, but you can avoid that charge by choosing store pickup or padding your cart to at least $45.

I should note that three of the seven available color choices are already out of … Read more

Yahoo Messenger is an instant-messaging application that has been around for many years and has been a popular IM tool on different operating systems. Now that there's a port to iOS, Yahoo Messenger can be ubiquitous. It's available from iTunes and several other sites, and easy to install.

In Yahoo Messenger you can add contacts by e-mail address or invitation, break them into groups, see when they are online, and message back and forth with multiple sessions active at once. Yahoo Messenger goes beyond basic IM by adding integration with the iPhone and iPad camera. You can launch … Read more

Handling many popular file formats, DivX Plus for Mac is the latest DivX player for the Mac platform. With its editing and conversion options as well, we found it to be a great potential addition to any user's Mac toolbox.

As you would expect, DivX Plus for Mac handles DivX format video files, as well as MKV and AVI files. This latest version of the player also allows for conversion from MP4 format, so you can format existing video files for use on the iPhone and iPad. You can also use DivX Plus for Mac as a streaming platform … Read more

JailbreakMe is an app that jailbreaks (unlocks from a specific carrier) your iPhone. It allows full access to all functions built into the iPhone, as well as some apps that are not available through the App Store. JailbreakMe is itself not available through the App Store but is on many download sites including the authors' sites.

Before running JailbreakMe you should make a backup through iTunes so you can restore the iPhone to its original state should you have problems with JailbreakMe or any app installed once broken. Installing the app is as simple as running the download and then … Read more

Quick housekeeping note: I've got something pretty sweet lined up for tomorrow. And next Friday. And the Friday after that. It's all part of a somewhat special occasion, and I'm really excited about it. Stay tuned!

If you ask me, there's no better gift item for a kid than an iPod Touch. Music, videos, games, e-mail, books, cameras, apps -- they're all there, all in one pocket-friendly package.

For a limited time, and while supplies last, Apple has cut prices on refurbished Touches. To wit: You can get a fourth-gen iPod Touch with 8GB for $129 shipped, … Read more

Sometimes when your significant other lets you know about an upcoming appointment or event, and you have every intention of entering it into your iCloud calendar. But, as we all know, the event doesn't always make it there.

To eliminate the need for everyone to take the time to create a new event in their calendar, share an iCloud calendar. By sharing the same calendar, any time an event is added, everyone who shares the calendar will get an alert of the new event.

Here's how to share an iCloud calendar using your iOS device:

On Tuesday, Apple unveiled its well-received holiday lineup of products and saw its stock continue to sink. Stock analysts are predicting that like Google, Apple will miss consensus estimates for the current quarter, mostly due to lower-than-expected iPhone sales and production delays for the iPhone 5. Apple reports its quarterly earnings after the bell tomorrow.

Read: Apple earnings preview: All eyes on iPhone, iPad

But now the analysts have some fresh meat, and are considering how the iPad Mini will impact Apple's fortunes, especially its pricing. The mini-tablet space is becoming a hot spot, one crowded with competitors. … Read more