Starting this fall, Abilene Christian University will be the first institution of higher learning to hand out iPhones or iPod Touches to incoming freshman to help enhance their learning experience.

According to ACU, Apple has already started to work with Abilene Christian University on handing out iPhones to incoming freshman starting this fall. The iPhone or the iPod Touch would allow students to receive homework alerts, answer in-class surveys and quizzes, check account balances, make payments and much more. This new program will definitely help to solve any communication issues that students encounter with contacting their professors or adjusting to college life.

It looks like Apple and AT&T have worked themselves into another market that seemingly no one else is yet to compete with. What I want to know is how they expect the students to actually pay attention in class and not watch YouTube videos all day?

Here is a video from ACU to help show you how the iPhone will be implemented into the students’ life.

YouTube - Watch Link

To read more about this new iPhone program at ACU, click here.

Source: ACU News

If you’ve held out on getting an iPod Shuffle, then your wait has now been rewarded.

Apple is now shipping out the new 2GB iPod Shuffle as of today and it’s a very affordable $69.00. Only $20 more than the 1 GB version and you’re able to store up to 500 songs, whereas the 1 GB holds about 240.

Twenty bucks can get you a long way when you’re bored on the bike at the gym.

To go to the Apple Store, click here.

Source: Engadget

For those of you who have held out on buying the Apple iPhone, may want to look into it now.

Apple has now made the iPhone bigger with 16 GB of storage space so you can double up on music, movies and whatever else you happen to throw into this little phenomenon.

In addition, they are also releasing the 32 GB iPod Touch for you music junkies out there who need all that space to hide their Michael Bolton collection.

The bigger iPhone and iPod Touch can both be ordered at the Apple online store, Apple retail stores and AT&T retail and online stores for $499. Not a bad deal for the iPhone, seeing how the original 8 GB version goes for $399 and the 4 GB at the time it was released went for $299.

Click here to see the iPhone on Smarter.com.

Source: Gizmodo

Apple announced recently that they were releasing their iPod Nano in pink to help celebrate Valentine’s Day.

Not a bad idea.

I don’t know how long Apple will be leaving the pink iPod nano on the shelves, but I suggest they at least keep it going for a bit after Valentine’s Day so that the guy’s who forget about the holiday, have a chance to bail themselves out with this unique gift.

To see the pink Apple iPod Nano on Smarter.com, click here.

Either way, get one of and in this video I found on Gizmodo, Swiss photographer and graphic designer Enrique Pardo will show you how to make a stand for your little device.

YouTube - Watch Link

Source: Gizmodo

When it comes to car audio electronics and other gadgets, Crutchfield is a great place to start looking.

So when you’re at Crutchfield, if you purchase any item over $100, we have a coupon that will instantly save you $20 off any item.

For instance, if you’re in the market for a car CD player, then maybe you should check out this Kenwood Excelon KDC-X591 stereo. Not only does this play CDs, but if you buy the USB adapter cable, you can also use it to hook up to your iPod.

Already discounted down to $179.99, take off $20 more when you enter in the code 3A706 during checkout.

Click here to be sent to Crutchfield.com.

And to see it on Smarter.com, click here.

For those of you who waited it out and resisted in buying the Apple iPhone when it was first introduced, here’s a chance to get one at a discount.

Apple has decided to get rid of the 4GB version of the iPhone, therefore they are selling the remainder of its stock of the version for only $299! The 8 GB version is now running for $399.

So if you’re interested, the Apple Store is back online so you can go pick one up there or run down to a store near you.

Source: Engadget.

Looks like Toyota caught up with the rest of the auto world and now has an integration kit that allows you to connect your iPod to the car.

The unit costs about $300 and it is officially approved by Apple, making it a “made for iPod” product. When the kit is installed, you just plug the iPod into it and it can be controlled using the car’s audio head unit, or the steering wheel, if it has that option on it.

Apparently the unit is easy to install and it goes into the glove box that way you don’t have to disconnect it when you leave your car and it is secure and out of site in the box.

The kit can be installed into any current Toyota or Lexus and is compatible with most versions of iPods.

Source: Gizmag

But if you happen to have $40,000 laying around, then maybe you’d want to pick up this iPod Shuffle. I don’t know who came up with this idea, but the thing is not only lined and coated with diamonds, but also gold. Even the earbuds have diamonds on them!

Check out these other blinged out items: Sony Walkman, Swiss Army Knife

Source: Luxist

So for all you ladies out there who complain about not having any pockets in your miniskirt to hold your iPod, phone or whatever you may want to carry, then check this out.

This miniskirt, made by Vickerey, has a pair of shorts built into them with pockets specifically made for an iPod and even has a cable hole to slide your headphones through.

Vickerey doesn’t stop at miniskirts. They have a whole line of iPod-designed clothing ranging from pants to shirts.

Source: Crave.cnet.com