I'm spending the weekend in Northern Arizona on a photo shoot. It's dry up here, but I took along a little iPhone/iPod touch app that put me in the center of several dramatic thunderstorms.

The app is called Thundergod [iTunes link]. With creative microphone technique, and a good set of headphones, you'd swear you were in a raging storm, or a rain forest, or one of 5 other environments, listening to nature at its most spectacular. You can listen and let your mind drift off, consider the state of the universe, or just fall asleep in a soft rain using the built in sleep timer.

I suspect the techniques used to make these recording are similar to the highly regarded binaural technique, using 2 microphones separated by the approximate distance between your ears. Then when you play back with good headphones, you are instantly transported to a hyper-realistic, almost holographic place that closely duplicates being in a real space with real sounds.

This effect doesn't work through speakers. It can sound nice, but it's not startling or compelling. With headphones the sound comes alive, and you can begin to have an emotional reaction to what you are hearing.

The app also allows for a special equalization curve if you are using earbuds like the ones Apple includes, and it is effective. This app as produced by Holographic Audio Theater, who gave us the free app Naturespace that shows off their recording and producing prowess. It's a good introduction to their technique.

Thundergod is not cheap. It's a U.S. $9.99 app, but of you look at the App Store reviews you'll be surprised how many purchasers thought the app was worth the money.

The sounds are not short repeating loops, but something like a long concert that has a beginning, a middle and a conclusion. I liked the 'Thor' environment the best, because it was the most dramatic and attention-grabbing. It's not for relaxation, but for stimulation. If relaxation is what you want, there are sonic environments included for that as well.

My suggestion is that you try the free intro app, and if you like it, then go ahead and get Thundergod. The effect can't really be described, but must be experienced.

The store is back, and the rapid rumor ramp-up is vindicated: Apple introduced a new iPod shuffle this morning, billed as 'the first music player that talks to you' -- it features a VoiceOver interface that announces artists, songs and playlists on demand (the iPod nano features spoken menus as well, so that tagline may need some work).

Interestingly, the VoiceOver UI concept was mused upon by John Gruber last month. The shuffle now supports multiple playlists, which would have been difficult to manage without some sort of UI for controlling which one is playing.

The new shuffle expands to 4 GB of storage for the same $79US, but in the course of shrinking the overall size of the microscopic MP3 maven down to 1.8" high, 0.7" wide and 0.3" deep (45mm x 17mm x 7.8mm), the player controls were moved onto the headphone cord. This may not sit well with buyers who prefer other earbuds.

The shuffle is available in black and silver and is shipping in 3-5 days.

We were recently wondering what happened to the in-ear headphones that Apple promised way back in September. Today, we're happy to see that the online Apple Store is finally offering them for sale with free shipping and delivery listed as 7-10 days.

These headphones promise to be of higher quality than the standard buds that ship with the iPhone. In addition to better drivers and sound isolation they include the new combo mic / remote that offers volume control on certain late model iPods (basically, the presently shipping models only). If you manage to grab a pair let us know what you think.

[via Engadget]

If you have one of those small, multi-colored nano-chromatic iPod nanos, then you might be in for a surprise the next time you sync it with iTunes. That's because an update is waiting for you; the iPod nano (4th Generation) update 1.0.3 gives your musical friend the following new features/bug fixes:

• Support for Apple In-Ear Headphones with Remote and Mic (yeah, the ones we've been waiting for)
  
• Support for Apple Earphones with Remote and Mic
• Fixed instability issues when using Nike + iPod Sport Kit
• Added a setting to turn off Cover Flow when rotating iPod nano and a Cover Flow menu item under the Music menu
• When Shuffle setting is set to Songs, pressing play on a song in saved Genius playlist will now follow the Shuffle setting
  
• After playing a slideshow with TV out, Cover Flow album art is no longer distorted
  
• Waking iPod nano after hibernating no longer distorts photos
• Other minor bug fixes

If any of these things have been bugging you, you'll be pleased to know that Apple has fixed them. I know I have wanted the ability to disable Cover Flow for a long time. You can download this update by docking your iPod nano (4th Generation) with iTunes, selecting your iPod under devices and choosing "Check for Update."

Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

As our old friend Nik tipped us yesterday and Macworld's Jason Snell reported in his two-hour rundown of the MacBook Pro and MacBook updates, there's a stealth feature with these machines that is sure to please iPhone owners: the $29 US Apple Stereo Headset, included with the iPhone, works as a microphone on the MB/MBP unibody models.

While this might not be a top-line selling point for the laptops, it's actually a very nice added feature for users of VoIP software (Skype, Gizmo) or iChat audio conferencing. Trimming your laptop bag by skipping the USB headset (or the Bluetooth headset, for that matter) will save wear and tear on your back; not having to buy another device to do sound input for your laptop will save wear and tear on your wallet.

Update: One commenter notes that these headphones also work for sound input on the previous MacBook Pro ("MacBookPro4,1"); if anyone else can confirm, please chime in. Another asks if the clicker button works to control iTunes playback; per the Macworld article, it does indeed.

Thanks to everyone who sent this in.

Another interesting detail released in the excitement of the Let's Rock event: Apple's announcement of two new sets of headphones designed for the new iPods and their voice notes recording feature. The first set is similar the the present iPhone headset with a main button for play/plause and skipping control (in addition to the mic). A nice new feature, however, is the addition of two buttons for volume control.

The second set (pictured right) is a bit more exciting as it seems to represent Apple's attempt to compete with more high-end "canalphone" headsets from the likes of Etymotics, Shure, Ultimate Ears, etc. In addition to the mic and in-line controls of the other set, the buds on this one include two separate drivers (tweeter and woofer) as well as three sizes of silicone tips for sound isolation. We can only hope this hi-fi effort is more successful than the ill-fated iPod Hi-Fi.

Both sets are listed as compatible only with the new iPod classic, 4th gen nano, and 2nd gen touch. However, Infinite Loop has suggested that they will work with the iPhone excepting the volume controls which are not supported. The first set will be $29, while the in-ear set will run $79.

With the day's Apple news slowing down, the Apple store finally came back online after what seemed to be an eternity. We've been looking around and here are the changes that we found:

• New iPod nanos are now available for order and ship within 24 hours
• New iPod touches are available for order and ship within 1-3 business days
• New iPod classic is now available and ships within 24 hours
• New iPod shuffles are available and ship within 24 hours
• New in-ear headphones are not available and sport a "coming soon" message
• New earphones with remote/mic are "coming soon" as well

That is all the newness that we spotted, be sure to leave a comment below (or send us a tip) if you spot something else.

Thanks to everyone who sent this in!

If you frequent the library (or quiet places) then Breakaway could be a god-send. You'll never be afraid of your headphones becoming unplugged when you have John Mayer playing loudly in iTunes. If you have ever used an iPod, then you know that when you unplug your headphones while playing a song it is automatically paused; Well, Breakaway does this for your Mac and iTunes.

You can choose from many different settings in Breakaway, including setting triggers and fade in/out speeds. The only downside to this application is that it doesn't work with USB headphones, only ones plugged into the audio out port on your Mac. However, this freeware is handy to have around.

You can download Breakaway for free from the developer's website.

We've seen clever iPod marketing from outside the US before, like this great campaign from South Africa. Today's ads come from the Sydney, Australia Police Department.

Designed to encourage people to be aware of traffic while listening to their iPods, the ads depict users lying on the road, their eyes closed and an earbud wire partially outlining their bodies, Dragnet-style. The headline at the top of each image reads, "Watch for cars when wearing headphones." They certainly grab your attention.

We've posted before on legislative efforts to prevent 'walking while listening' -- a campaign like this might be more effective in the long run than law enforcement would be.

[Via creativebits]

The iPhone headphone jack with its super narrow opening is so recessed that most people simply can't use their personal headphones. The jack is too narrow, their plugs won't fit. Fortunately, Derek K. Miller has found a solution. The iPod Shuffle Sports Case ships with an adapter cable with an extra-thin plug. If you pop over to ebay and search for iPod shuffle sports case. If you're willing to wait for the right auction, you can likely pick up an adapter for just a few dollars.

Thanks Miaz

Eagle eyed TUAW reader Eric noticed that Apple has updated the iPhone photo gallery. Not only that, but they updated it to include pictures of a heretofore unseen iPhone dock. Not the most groundbreaking of news, I will admit, but since we have relatively little information about the iPhone we need to obsess over something, right?

The gallery also includes a better picture of the iPhone headphones, which include a microphone so you needn't lift the iPhone to your head when someone calls you while you're listening to Macy Gray (or any other artist, one assumes).

Update: It would seem that we have could a glimpse of the iPhone dock before, during the intro keynote. That glimpse was fleeting though, so now you can stare at the dock for hours and hours.

We recently mentioned a concept from Arriva for iPod Shuffle headphones that integrate the Shuffle into the 'phones themselves. Well Monster Cable (of way-too-expensive-cables fame) has apparently beaten them to the punch with these foldable iFreePlay headphones. As you can see the Shuffle fits into the top of the left can for a "cordless" experience, while still giving access to the controls, etc. While you're certainly not going to be a paragon of fashion walking down the street with these, I could imagine that they might be useful for the gym or a run.

The iFreePlay headphones are available now for $49.95.

[via MacMerc]

CNET's Crave has the scoop on these "wireless" headphones forthcoming from Arriva. As you can see from the Photoshop mockup, the headphones integrate a 2nd generation iPod Shuffle dock in the middle to achieve the "wireless" effect. I'm guessing you'd be the subject of a few double-takes walking down the street with a Shuffle apparently embedded in the back of your skull, but this looks like it might be useful for exercise, etc. CNET quotes Arriva's founder as saying "Apple knows what we are up to and have not said anything except we can make our headphones in all the Shuffle colors, which we are."

Arriva has not yet announced a price or shipping date (though "hopefully by this summer").

[via Engadget]

Saint Patrick's day is just a few weeks away. And what says "American Irish" more than green beer, green face paint, and green glowing neon iPod earphones? Akihabara News tracked down these fabulous iPod-compatible neon cables that flash along with your music--whether you're listening to Dexy's Midnight Runners, Thin Lizzy or U2. The cables, which run off a pair of AAA batteries, are available for purchase at this entirely-in-Japanese site. So good luck with that ordering!

During my interview with Jeremy Horwitz, Editor of iLounge, I asked him what headphones he would recommend to replace the Apple supplied earbuds that come with an iPod. Without missing a beat he said the Er6is from Etymoic Research. I had to find out what made these headphones so good, so I headed over to the Etymotic booth on the showfloor and managed to get some time to talk with Mead Killion, Etymotic's President and founder. This man knows his sounds, and he knows how to make an awesome headphone.

We chat about the Er6i and the ety8 (the Bluetooth earphones). As always, if you like to enjoy these in Quicktime point your browser here.