Windows users looking for an alternative to iTunes might want to consider XPlay 2.1 for their iPod fix. The new version adds support for the iPod Shuffle and Windows 98se/ME.

Mediafour Corporation, developer of XPlay, today announced the release of XPlay version 2.1, which adds support for the iPod shuffle.

The new version of XPlay allows users of Windows 98SE, Me, 2000 and XP to take advantage of the iPod shuffle. Along with support for the iPod shuffle, XPlay 2.1 introduces support for all USB-connected iPods under Windows 98SE and Me.

AppleInsider is reporting that Apple’s retail stores are finally receiving iPod Shuffles in significant quantities as Apple clears up the supply problems associated with the device.

In its investigation this morning, AppleInsider contact several Apple retail stores at random, including locations in Conn., New York, Illinois, and Calif. All stores reported available inventory of both shuffle models, with flagship locations confirming that they retained ‘a good number’ of each of the players.

Similar supply issues occurred with the iPod Mini upon its introduction, and those took almost five months to resolve. Apple blamed those issues on a lack of the CF Microdrives which are used in the Mini. For the iPod Shuffle, it is believed the supply problems were caused by a lack of 1GB flash memory chips.

The importance of having a good timepiece is something that often goes underestimated by most people.
Personally, I cannot stand not wearing a watch, and the only time I ever remove mine is when I am bathing or doing the dishes… or when it falls off due to a broken band.
Such an event happened to me just a few days ago while I was on the job, and in my line of work, it is imperative to have a timepiece of some sort where it can be easily accessed.
Naturally, I thought of running off to the nearest Target, or even $2 shop for a cheap replacement, but after a minute or three’s consideration, I thought better of it. This current watch cost me about $30, and I didn’t want to spend that kind of money again, only to have the replacement watch fall apart in less than a year. Instead, I went and had a hunt around the web for geeky places to buy quality wrist-based timepieces. My first stop was Thinkgeek. THis place offers a fine assortment of wristwear for the discerning geek - at one time, they even stocked a watch that also doubled as a geiger counter. Just what every geek needs, and with a pricetag of a measly $1300usd, it was a steal.


Well, for whatever reason, Thinkgeek did not stock any watch that catered to my desires at the time, and I remembered about this site that stocked the craziest Japanese watches you’ll ever…
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Well I’ve installed iPod Linux on my iPod and I have to say I’m pretty impressed so far. The fonts could do with some tweaking and it really needs some better feedback about switching views though it does offer quite a bit more than the current iPod Software. It has stuff such as a calculator and loads of games including tetris, asteroids, tic tac toe etc.

It also allows for recording that you can do by speaking into the left earphone. I haven’t got this working yet but Im not gonna give up. The installer threw up problems to the first time of asking but I just had to re-download and reinstall Linux onto the iPod. The touch wheel on my iPod was also a little bit too sensitive, but I was able to change this in the settings menu

One of the biggest fears many people have is that it will damage their iPod. The OSX GUI installer is very very easy to use and helps reduce any risk. Also, if you don’t check the box to set iPod Linux as the default OS, it boots into the apple OS by default. To get into iPod linux you have to restart and then hold down the rewind button while starting up.

It does require some work to polish it off but it is a very promising project.

An Apple press release announces that Apple has sold 300 million tracks to date on its iTunes Music Store. Over 200 million of those tracks have been downloaded since the summer of 2004.