GizMac has introduced two new cases for the iPod nano (with video). The Aluminate is a hybrid case for iPod nano made from a combination of aluminum and polycarbonate. The front of the case is thin, colored aluminum, while the back is clear polycarbonate. Features include built-in screen and Click Wheel protection, and an included lanyard and carabiner clip. The DuraSport is a silicone case for the iPod nano featuring Click Wheel protection, a clear plastic face shield for screen protection, side grips, and an included lanyard, carabiner, and armband with velcro closure. "GizMac is quickly expanding our product lines to offer a wider variety of iPod accessories" explained Ken Vitto, Marketing Director for GizMac Accessories. "The Aluminate and DuraSport iPod Nano cases bring more choices to our customers." The GizMac Aluminate and DuraSport cases for iPod nano will be available in two-packs with attachments, and will sell for $30 when they become available in early February.

Since last week's release of new 1.1.3 software for the iPhone and iPod touch, a number of users, including iLounge editors, have experienced serious problems when trying to update the devices. In some cases, the update appears to have been completed successfully, but renders the devices inoperable, leaving them stuck in recovery mode. When an attempt is made to restore the devices, one of several dialog boxes (pictured below) pops up and says the device can not be restored due to an unknown error.

Alesis, has introduced three new iPod-compatible audio products, including a new PA system and two new recording devices. The TransActive Mobile is a portable PA system with an integrated iPod Dock. It features features a rechargeable 12-hour battery, aluminum construction, a high-efficiency amplifier, the ability to use music from the iPod as a backing track for attached instruments, and four inputs for connecting microphones, electric or bass guitars, keyboards or CD/MP3 players. TransActive Mobile also includes a professional-quality microphone, and is available now for $599.

Great design often appears inevitable. It's not. Virtually every great product is the result of dozens of half-formed ideas, intentional choices, and plenty of prototypes. What better illustrations of this than the iPod and iPhone, products that had been done before by other companies, but were polished by Apple's designers into museum-class works of art?

Bird Electron has introduced its EZ17-B Recycling Speaker for iPod. The EZ17-B is a speaker panel featuring two speakers that is designed to sit flush inside the open end of iPod nano or iPod shuffle packaging. The speaker does not require an external power source, and connects to the iPod via a 3.5mm headphone jack. The Bird-Electron EZ17-B Recycling Speaker for iPod is available now and sells for $40. [via TUAW]

Reporting its first quarter financial results today, Apple said it sold 22.1 million iPods during the holiday quarter - a 5 percent increase compared to the same quarter last year, and a new single-quarter record for iPod sales. It also sold 2.315 million iPhones in the quarter, bringing the total number of units sold up to around 3.7 million. The company posted revenue of $9.6 billion and net quarterly profit of $1.58 billion, or $1.76 per diluted share, compared with revenue of $7.1 billion and net quarterly profit of $1 billion, or $1.14 per diluted share in Q1 2007. These results best analysts' predictions, which called for revenue of $9.5 billion and earnings of $1.5 billion, or $1.62 per share. Sales of Other Music Related Products + Services were up 27% over the year-ago quarter, and up 34% from Q4 2007, to $808 million total. That category includes iTunes Store sales, iPod services, and revenues from Apple and third-party iPod accessories.

Apple will report its results for the first fiscal quarter 2008 later this afternoon, and will also offer a webcast of the conference call discussing the results that will begin at 5pm ET. Travelocity has announced the launch of its new web application for iPhone and iPod touch users. The application allows users to manage their itineraries by getting up-to-the-minute information on flight status, TSA security point wait times, local weather, maps, traffic and airport driving directions. To access the new web app, visit iphone.travelocity.com on an iPhone or iPod touch.

Use of digital music players is growing among youths, with more than half of those naming iPod as their brand of choice, according to the results of a new study. NPD analyst Anita Frazier, who recently contucted a study called “Kids and Digital Content,” said that “the average age of first use of portable digital music players has declined over the last three years.” According to the study, 31 percent of kids aged 6-10 now use digital music players, and 54 percent of those use an iPod. A majority of those users said they use an iPod nano. Youths aged 2 to 14 who own music players have an average of 125 songs, 10 TV shows and 15 movies on their device, Frazier said. “By third grade, half of the kid population in grade school has an MP3 player,” said Paul Metz, senior VP at C&R Research. Several factors are said to contribute to the proliferation of the players among youths, including hand-me-downs from older family members, more lower-priced, kid-friendly players, and kids’ desire to be more like adults. [via Macworld UK]

Apple has announced that it is adding a new pink iPod nano to its lineup. Like the other non-silver colored iPod nanos, the pink model will be available only in an 8GB capacity. “Customers are going to love the gorgeous new pink iPod nano,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide iPod Product Marketing. “The pink iPod nano is perfect for people who want a great new color this spring, or who are searching for a special Valentine’s Day gift.” The new pink 8GB iPod nano is available now and sells for $199.

Adding to the iPod’s library of games, Namco Bandai has released Pole Position: Remix ($5), an updated version of the classic forced 3-D perspective car racing game. As with the original, you need to complete one lap within a time limit to qualify to race in a multi-lap race, and attempt to steer, shift, and avoid both trackside obstacles and other race cars to continue driving. The company has added new selectable tracks such as Wonder, Misaki Point, and mirror versions of each, as well as other exclusive, unlockable content such as “themes” based on other Namco games. Additional photos and details are available in our Pole Position: Remix First Look.