Anyone in the U.S. who bought a first or second-gen iPod touch between September 12, 2007 and and March 31, 2009 are eligible to get in on an antitrust lawsuit against Apple. The two complaints state that Apple broke federal and state laws by charging for iOS updates and prevented iPods from playing anything that wasn't bought through iTunes. The litigating class membership includes just about every iPod model, including classic, shuffle, and nano.

Although I was peeved when Apple had the gall to charge for an iOS update on my first-gen iPod touch, just so that users could get email and other apps that came for free with the iPhone, it was easy enough to work around. Apple's story about GAAP vs. non-GAAP accounting methods and reasons for insisting on the charge were overly complex and ultimately user hostile. Which is probably why Apple stopped charging for iOS software updates entirely.

I'm still not sure why the lawsuit is claiming that iTunes wouldn't allow outside music sources; from the sounds of it, that situation was isolated to a few types of incompatible DRM, but that's it. Basically, if you bought something from Real (remember them?) or something protected by Windows DRM, it wouldn't play on your iPod. If you had iTunes music with FairPlay DRM or DRM-free MP3s from any source, you were good to go.

Right now there's not much to do besides wait to see how the case pans out and collect what will likely be a five dollar refund for what you paid for the firmware update. You can get updates by signing up at the class-action suit site, or opt out of the case if you're crazy and intend on going after Apple separately for the same issue.

Apparently this case has been hounding Apple for awhile; do you guys see any legitimacy to it?

Source: AppleInsider

Previously, users could access and download click-wheel games for the iPod classic by clicking on a drop down list next to the App Store button within iTunes, but it looks like the option has now been removed completely. With Apple gearing up to announce the next iPhone on October 4th, this could mean they're making preparations to remove the classic from the iPod lineup altogether.

TUAW got a tip earlier this week that Apple is indeed planning to get rid of the platter-based iPod in addition to the iPod Shuffle to help streamline the product line and go touchscreen-only.

It seems that the "product transition" Apple mentioned on the last earnings call could very well be within the iPod line. Specifically, if you want to buy an iPod shuffle or iPod classic from Apple, you should do it sooner rather than later. We've heard those two iPods are getting the axe this year.

Could we see the iPod classic go the way of the Dodo or will Apple keep it around for nostalgia's sake?

Source: AppleInsider, TUAW

The iPod touch, iPod nano, and now it sounds like the hard-drive based iPod classic are all set to receive cameras, presumably at Apple's September 9 music event. We've heard rumors of the iPod touch before, of course, and even the iPod nano, but the iPod classic as well?

That's what Digitimes (via MacRumors) is reporting:

OmniVision will be the sole supplier of 3.2-megapixel CIS products for new iPod nano, iPod classic and iPod Touch models which will be launched in September, the sources indicated.

So, the take away -- if these rumors pan out -- is that those of you who want apps (touch), portability (nano) and now, massive storage capacity (classic) might all have uber-convenient picture snapping in your future.