New and Noteworthy: Analyst: iPod gaining further traction; Mod your iBook; Apple "a fantastic stock"

Analyst: iPod gaining further traction A Forbes article quotes analysts at Piper Jaffray, who said results from Apple Computer last week "provided evidence of the continued domination of the MP3 player market by the iPod." Piper Jaffray said, "We believe that the iPod is gaining further traction through the beginning of the September quarter, as evidenced by the number of iPods included on the Amazon.com Top Seller List. In addition, we believe the iPod does not have any supply constraints given that all products ship on the same business day according to Apple's Web site." More.

Mod your iBook Bit-Tech reports on an interesting new iBook modification that allows user customization of the unit's Apple logo. "Fancy something a little more... fruity than your average Mac? A cunning Mac Modder has discovered how to disassemble an iBook and mod the back logo to be a bit more colourful. The back of the iBook and Powerbook both have cutouts on the chassis that create an illuminated Apple logo. The light is created by the same backlight that powers the screen. With some careful unhinging and unscrewing, it's possible to place some translucent plastic between the backlight and the casing, creating a coloured effect." More.

Apple "a fantastic stock" A Motley Fool article that uses a Fantastic Four metaphor to describe a current array of hot stocks says that Apple would best fit as the Human Torch. "Things have been very different since 2003. Steve Jobs has been pure butane as his company has come racing back into consumer fancy with his stock ablaze. The iPod has helped lead the way. Last quarter the company moved 6 million iPod listening devices, and earlier this week the company announced that it had sold a total of 500 million tracks since launching its digital storefront to support the iPod. With the wick burning bright, Apple's other products, such as its Mac desktops and laptops, have come storming back into the mainstream. Yes, history has shown that Apple has let its light go out in an unguarded moment. The difference this time is that Apple has never been this diversified. That's how you keep the fire going." More.

Previously on MacFixIt:

• Problematic USB hubs can wreak havoc under Mac OS X 10.4.x
• KVM Switch kernel panics under Mac OS X 10.4.x

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