The tech-heads over at Apple seem to know exactly how to construct a description when it comes to software updates.  iTunes is now offering owners of the iPod 5G and 5.5G an update option that is supposed to incorporate "bug fixes".  For those keeping track, the update is version 1.3.

The thing is, while Apple assumed that this "fix" was enough of a priority to make it available through iTunes, no one seems to notice any change in how the iPod 5G/5.5G runs.  Kinda makes you wonder what all of these software updates do, huh?  Leave it to Apple to fix what you didn't even know was broken.

You want one of those cute little iPod nanos.  Maybe there's something about having an expensive portable media player that's about a third of the thickness of a candy bar that just gets you excited.  The problem is, you're having a hard time reconciling the price of the little bugger with your wallet.

Have no fear.  Apple's offering refurbished iPod nanos for those of us out there that don't want to decide between the iPod and groceries for the month.  To sweeten the deal, they're throwing in a gift card worth $15 on iTunes to those who purchase the refurbished iPod nano.  The offer lasts until June 30th, so think fast.

You've got your iPod touch and you want to see what the deal is with watching movies on it. Your first guess is iTunes, except they want you to buy the movie from them. Of course, you're not paying twice for the same movie, right?

Right. There's a software solution, an app called HandBrake (handbrake.fr) that will transfer your DVDs over to the iPod touch, easy breezy. Just make sure you bring an extra pair of headphones for the guy watching the movie over your shoulder on the bus.

Software developer Bitfield has come up with the perfect solution for foreign film afficianados - RoadMovie (www.bitfield.se/roadmovie/index.html). RoadMovie is a batch video converter that supports standard subtitle files, which can then be imported into iTunes. Now you can put your favorite subtitled flicks on your Apple products (Apple TV, iPhone, iPod), your PSP, cell, even the Web.

Need subtitle files to get started? Try Bitfield's Submerge (www.bitfield.se/submerge/index.html). Check out the RoadMovie demo (or purchase) at Bitfield's official site (www.bitfield.se/roadmovie/index.html).

We can now give a breath of relief as Apple has confirmed they will allow VoIP calls over WiFi. However, they won't allow VoIP over the cellular network which is good news for ATT. There would be no reason to make any calls over ATT's network if you could just do it for free on Skype.

SightSpeed is the first company that will get their service on the iPhone. We believe this will be a very popular feature, but the question is whether Skype will join on. We hope they do because it is by far the most popular VoIP provider. Until then, we'll just have to make calls over the expensive ATT network.

This is a question people are asking after developers stumbled across a feature in the new SDK (a developer thing). It basically strongly hints of a parental control feature where you can actually turn off and on features.

Some of the features include controlling the play of explicit songs, website control, youtube, iTunes store, and AppStore control. This is quite interesting news and must be a major concern for many parents who don't want their kids to have access to such a powerful phone without certain restrictions. It is basically a computer so letting kids browse the entire web might not be such a good idea for some parents.

Welcome to the report that shows you that you can buy iPod at below retail where you'll get a much better price. Many people believe that the only place to buy iPod in a new condition is to go to apple.com or the Apple store, but they are losing out on a lot of money.

When you buy iPod at the Apple store, you'll be charged the full retail price always as well as tax which can amount to another 8 percent. However, there are certain online retailers that are allowed by Apple to charge less than retail. For example, one of these places is Amazon. You'll save a few dollars and tax, which can add to a lot.

However, there's one store that simply beats them all and it is called MacMall. For some reason, Apple lets them do crazy things like letting people buy iPod way below retail, offer no tax, and then on top of that, they give extra goodies and rebates. It's actually kind of crazy what they can do considering that Apple hates its retailers from selling below retail.

Here are the current prices compared to retail Apple prices:

Buy iPod Touch 32 GB
Apple: 499.99 dollars
MacMall: 474.98 dollars (free case, free usb power adapter)

Buy iPod Classic 160GB
Apple: 349.99 dollars
MacMall: 326.93 dollars (free case, free usb power adapter)

Buy iPod Nano 8GB
Apple: 199.99 dollars
MacMall: 186.99 dollars (free case, free usb power adapter)

Buy iPod Shuffle
Apple: 69 dollars
MacMall: 67.99 dollars (free case, free usb power adapter)

As you can see, MacMall clearly beats the Apple prices and the quality will be exactly the same as ordering from Apple. It makes you really wonder why people buy iPod from Apple all together. It's even more funny that MacMall can even afford to give extra goodies like a case and usb power adapter. Maybe Apple lets them do that because not many people order from MacMall, so maybe I shouldn't tell people to buy iPod from MacMall.