As part of the new iPod shuffle pair -- which surprised us out of the blue yesterday morning, Apple has also unveiled an updated version of its iTunes jukebox software for both Macs and PCs. Prior to the update's release, Apple advertised a "smart" Genius feature that was supposed to extend recommendations to include movies and TV shows in addition to music. However, that component was canceled last minute and did not make it into the release. In addition, Apple has billed some features already in existence as new, such as the Autofill and a higher-fidelity import setting for ripping CDs. And above all that, Apple failed to offer an explanation for this "placebo" iTunes upgrade. Frankly, it wasn't the first time Apple's played to our ignorance -- and I'm afraid it won't be the last either.

Apparently fake iTunes gift cards are the next big thing in the underground cybercriminal world. Earlier this week, Chinese hackers enabled this new "business" by cracking the algorithm used to generate the voucher codes printed on real prepaid iTunes Gift Cards. As a result, a slurry of fake iTunes cards began popping up all over the web, enabling a consumer to buy a valid voucher code that could be redeemed at the iTunes Store for music, movies and TV shows purchases. The $200 iTunes gift cards are selling for as low as $2.60 -- if you are willing to shop on Asian web sites using credit card processing firms most westerners have never heard of.

Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak will surely remember his dance performance on the reality show Dancing with the Stars for as long as he lives. Not only did Woz embarrass his dance pair Katrina Smirnoff, who is a world champion pro dancer, but he was taunted by the three-panel judges who didn't spare a word to graphically describe his nerdy moves. But kudos to Woz who had guts to prove that yes, nerds can dance, too -- and do so in front of the 20+ million viewership. Our advice though to Woz: Get in line for the Dancing with the Nerds show instead. At least there you'll stand a better chance -- although the ultimate winner of that show would probably have to be, without a doubt, Steve Ballmer. EXTRA: VIDEO

This past Tuesday, it felt like Steve Jobs personally orchestrated the multiple hardware updates of Mac desktop lines when, in reality, all Apple did was leak the Mac mini spyshot and announce updated products with two press releases. What a remarkable departure for the California-based consumer electronics powerhouse that up until recently used to send tingles down our spines with glamorous media events centered around Steve Jobs and his showmanship. While many fans would like to believe Apple's marketing will turn to old practices once Steve Jobs gets back from his medical leave, in reality it won't. In fact, Steve Jobs may never return to Apple and the recent stark departure in how the company markets its products might be part of a carefully-staged plan to prepare all of us for the idea of an Apple without Steve Jobs.

Sales of Mac desktops are free-falling, largely because of the way overdue iMac refresh, and Mac notebooks are not matching the growth seen by the overall notebook market. In an economy like this, consumers are turning to ultra-cheap netbooks that are currently keeping the industry alive. Nevertheless, Apple is ignoring the netbook market despite being hurt by its refusal to unveil a Mac netbook. Analysts and investors feel the time is right and are pressuring the company to bring a $599 Mac netbook to the market, arguing that Apple could profit around 40% on it without cannibalizing MacBook sales. If Apple ignores the call for a Mac netbook this year, the company might easily pay dearly for the mistake with further sales declines and market share erosion. EXTRA: SLIDESHOWS

Verizon? The iPhone on the Verizon's EVDO/CDMA cellular network? While some call it Utopian dreaming -- citing AT&T's exclusive multi-year iPhone distribution deal -- others are convinced Apple is on the verge of announcing a Verizon deal sooner rather than later. If true, the deal with Verizon might alter balance of power in the U.S. cellphone industry while giving Apple the kind of distribution footprint enjoyed by the big boys. Even if the rumor turns out to be false, it still begs the valid question of what happens next for Apple's iPhone once the company's exclusive partnership with AT&T expires?

Opinion - In late 2007 when I was in San Francisco for Intel's Developer Forum, I signed up for Verizon Wireless broadband. Since then I have used it all across this nation while driving back and forth, and apart from some sporadic loss of signals when driving in mountain ranges, I have never had any problem with the service. And today, I found out that Verizon is still honoring their unlimited usage contracts made before their current 5GB capped contracts.

Opinion - Microsoft appears to be grasping at every source of revenue potential it can reach and then some. It's actually now moved beyond the point of being kind of interesting to follow along with, and into the area of "Okay, it's time to be a little concerned." This most recent move of Wonderwall's celebrity news/gossip site has us scratching our heads and wonderwalling: What are they thinking?

Opinion - When a well-oiled machine is working, and has been for quite some time, nobody pays it any mind. It becomes part of the base toolset used reliably everyday to carry out the larger tasks built upon it. And while those larger tasks depend on each lower-level tool working properly, when one fails we quickly begin to realize the extent and scope to which our house of cards has been built.