The Apple Beat: First gen iPod Nanos replaced with latest model, Apple wins infringement case against HTC

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Apple recalled its first generation clickwheel iPod nanos around a month ago due to battery overheating issues. It seems that they are running out of replacement refurb or new units so they are instead shipping users in the program the latest touch-enabled version of the iPod Nano. That is, iff the serial numbers are to be believed.

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iTunes Match now available in Canada, $27.99 to qualify 25,000 songs from other sources

Thought of as the general amnesty for folks who have songs in their music collections that may have been acquired from dubious means and a good way to get better quality audio, iTunes Match is finally available to Canadian users.

Starting today, iTunes Match is available in Canada.  iTunes Match allows you stream and store ALL of your songs to any of your devices, not just your purchased iTunes music. TV purchase re-downloads and TV purchasing via Apple TV is also now available.

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The Apple Beat: Microsoft ramps up its iOS offerings

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

It took a while but Microsoft is finally ramping up its iOS apps and is doing so in grand fashion. Released this week were SkyDrive for iOS, OneNote for iPad and My XBox Live, an Xbox companion app as well as Kinectimals which interfaces with a Microsoft Kinect game of the same name. Could this be a sign that the much anticipated Microsoft Office for iOS is forthcoming?

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The Beatles get some love from iTunes with animated "Cover"ad, free book

It's been a year since the entire Beatles catalog made it to iTunes. Apple's created a striking animated ad to remind us. They are also offering a free animated Yellow Submarine book on iBook Store featuring animated illustrations and text from the 2004 book, 14 full-colour video clips from the original 1968 film, audio clips of classic Beatles hits and Sir George Martin's original score, original dialogue from the film, "read aloud" functionality