Apple's online store is offering a variety of iPod nanos in 2GB, 4GB, and 8GB capacities at discounted rates. The company's 2GB iPod nanos are available in silver for $79, storing up to 500 songs and offering up to 24 hours of music playback on one battery charge. Reconditioned 4GB iPod nanos are priced at $99, hold up to 1,000 songs, and are available in silver as well as blue and pink. Apple's 8GB iPod nanos, avialable in black for $149, holds up to 2,000 songs while offering the same battery life ad the company's 2GB and 4GB models. Apple's latest iPod shuffles are also available with 1GB of storage capacity in silver, pink, blue, green, and orange for $49 each.

Tunes to go with the

Last week it rained consistently and beautifully for three straight days here in Greensboro. I was not only excited about the alleviation of the drought and the marathon naps I missed classes for, but I listened to some pretty solid stuff last week. Music just feels better when it's been raining and I have the perfect songs to prove it.

I took the liberty of buying Feist's new record, The Reminder, and it was everything I thought it was going to be. If you watch TV you should know who she is. Her song "My Moon My Man" is the theme for the LG Chocolate phone on the Verizon Wireless commercials. Or if you've seen the new iPod Nano Video commercial they use her song "1 2 3 4." Leslie Feist, the lead singer, has somber, sometimes muted and melancholy vocals which makes her perfect to listen to on a rainy day.

Flash Zune in "Citron" Mysteriously Revealed Without Fanfare

Today is the big day that the Zune 2 officially launches in stores, granting Microsoft a second shot at the mobile music and video market. For the 4GB and 8GB versions of the new Zune, Microsoft opted for flash memory, placing it as a direct competitor against the iPod nano. We also knew that the new Flash Zune would be offered in four colors: black, red, pink, and swampwater green, but did you know there was a secret fifth color? Apparently so, because a secret color known as "Citron" has mysteriously emerged out of the woodwork and it is certainly a lot more bold than the other Flash Zune players. The "Citron" Zune looks to be a very vibrant yellow, almost neon-like. In this way, you may compare it to something like the Lamborghini line of laptops from Asus. Another vital difference is that the Zune Pad on the Citron Zune is all black, unlike the other schemes that have color-matched pads.

Prima ships iPod, iPhone fashion cases

Prima Cases has teamed up with fashion designer Nicole Miller to launch a new line of Prima Select iPhone and iPod cases. The cases are made in a European facility with high quality leather, according to Prima Cases, where they are detailed and finished. New iPod cases include the iPod video Envelope ($20) in green, black, and cordovan as well as the iPod nano Envelope ($18) in black, green, and cordovan. iPhone cases include the flip style case ($45), Vertical Jacket ($30), Open Face ($30), and Lateral Holster ($35).

Prima's Select Envelope style case for Apple's iPod video and iPod nano is a leather slip case with hand stitched edges and a soft velvet interior, offering a "scratch proof" clear PVC faceplate to guard the liquid crystal display of the portable player. iPhone cases The Prima Select Premium Leather iPhone Flip Case is made of harder shell Italian leather with an opening for the handset's proximity sensor.