Utility bypasses iTunes for Shuffle song management...

iPod shuffle Database Builder 0.7 is small utility that allows iPod shuffle bypass the iTunes management of songs and simply playback all compatible songs that are placed on the Shuffle. Users can simply use the Shuffle as an USB-drive--i.e, simply mount the drive on the desktop, copy over song files, runt he Database Builder application, and then easily use the MP3 player to listen to the songs. The application includes applications/scripts to run Database builder on Linux (via Python), Windows (.exe file), and Mac (AppleScript) platforms.

Iomega takes on iPod shuffle with Mixx MP3 player

Iomega today launched its latest challenge to the iPod dominance: the new flash-based Mixx MP3 player, designed specifically for sports and fitness enthusiasts, is touted as a full-featured digital audio player with voice recording and FM broadcast recording as well as other tranditional features. Iomega Mixx says the MP3 player holds up to 19 hours of music (MP3, WMA, or WAV format) in its shock-resistant solid-state memory. The player is the size of a conventional USB key drive (2.96 x 1.5 x 0.92 inches) and provides more than 10 hours of continuous play from its AAA battery. It offers a USB interface, FM stereo with 30 presets, a built-in microphone for voice recording, and a backlit graphical display for viewing song titles, lyrics, and other information. The device features a durable alloy casing with a rubberized easy-grip surface; it ships with a neck strap. Three capacities are available 256MB ($60), 512MB ($90), and 1GB ($130).

NewerTech offers battery replacement for iPod photo

Newer Technology today introduced a high-capacity 900mAh replacement battery for all iPod Photo models and fourth-generation 40GB iPods. The company says the $30 battery is immediately available and ships with instructions and installation tools, although it "highly recommends" professional installation. NewerTech says the replacement battery provides 28 percent more run-time capacity for iPod photo models and 50 percent more run-time capacity for the fourth-generation 40GB iPod. Other replacement batteries offered include: 1800mAh ($30) and 2100mAh ($40) for first- and second-generation iPods; 850mAh ($26) for third-generation; 750mAh ($26) for fourth-generation; 600mAh ($25) for iPod mini; and 900mAh ($30) for iPod photo.

Microsoft to help Creative challenge iPod dominance?

Microsoft said it is "working hard" to make it easier for Creative and other companies to use Microsoft software for its MP3 players and challenge the dominance of the iPod, according to Business Times report. "The iPod has done great marketing and great design," Bill Gates was quoted as saying. "We have to do something with our partners that’s just better." Shares of Creative jumped on speculation that Microsoft may partner directly with the MP3 device manufacturer, although the company recently said that demand for MP3 players was less than expected, and it would have an operating loss for the quarter ended June.

Sony MP3 players outsell Apple's Shuffle in Japan

Despite rising marketshare and growing sales, Reuters reports Sony has a new line-up of digital music players that are "slicing into the popularity" of Apple's iPod shuffle in Japan. The report says that Sony's new line of flash-based players have displaced the Shuffle as the top-selling MP3 player in in its category, which may be in part due to absence of iTunes for Japan. "Apple is still squashing Sony in Europe and North America, where the iPod has achieved iconic status and a big selling point is the availability of iTunes, an easy-to-use music downloading service that has not yet been launched in Japan." Apple continues to lead the market with its hard-drive based iPods, according to the report; however, "there has been a decisive momentum swing in the Japanese market, with Sony securing the top position for memory-type players in both May and June, knocking Apple and its iPod shuffle device into second place."

Digital music sales triple in first half of 2005

Digital music sales have soared and may be the industry's largest opportunity for growth. Reuters reports that while U.S. album sales are off 7 percent year-to-date, songs sold over the Web through paid downloads have tripled in the first half of the year. According to data from Nielsen SoundScan, US internet users purchased 158 million songs in the first half of the year from online music services such as iTunes--compared with 55 million in the year-ago period. In the same period, overall U.S. album sales, including downloads, fell 2.5 percent to 301.2 million units in the first half from 309 million a year earlier, while sales of albums, excluding digital music sales, fell 7 percent. The report also said that single-song sales have increased to 6 percent of overall music sales, compared with less than 2 percent a year ago.