News Archive for 05/01/20

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iPod shuffle issues

01/20, 5:20pm

iPod shuffle may not play well with all AAC files

Apple says that the iPod shuffle music player may not play all AAC files. A document on Apple's support website says that users may not be able to play songs that are encoded by applications other than iTunes. "If you try to play a song on iPod shuffle that was encoded in AAC format (.M4A) by an application other than iTunes, iPod shuffle may not play it and skip to the next song. To prevent this from happening, always use iTunes to encode songs to AAC for iPod shuffle play. Songs purchased from the iTunes Music Store (.M4P and .M4B files) are not affected by this." Earlier today we noted that the iPod shuffle may not be compatible with all USB ports, including those used in iMac G3s, eMacs, the ADC-based 17-inch Studio Display and certain Xserve configurations.

Creative\'s financials

01/20, 10:00am

Creative's sales soar, profits down

Singapore's Creative Technology, who has its sights set on gaining marketshare from Apple, said its sales soared by 50 percent last quarter as it sold more than 2 million players. The company says it expects the momentum to continue with another 50 percent increase in sales this quarter, despite the introduction the iPod shuffle, a signficant competitive threat to its flash-based players. The EE Times, reports that while sales revenue increased 50 percent to $375 million, up from $250 million in the same period a year before, profit plunged to $11.8 (from $65.2 million in the year ago quarter) after one-time charges related to recent acquisitions. Without those charges, the company's profits only fell slightly from $28.3 in the year-ago quarter to $25.5 million.