E.R.S. announces Ubercaster podcasting suite

E.R.S. today announced its podcast production suite: Ubercaster is described as a complete production suite for podcasting on the Macintosh. "Producing a show on a Mac can be as easy as everything else. Say goodbye to the laborious combination of programs. Übercaster let podcasters prepare, record, cut and release their shows the way they'd expect it. With its podcasting specific features and its über appealing design Übercaster defines a new standard for integrated podcast production. Übercaster will be available early 2006 and requires a G4 Mac with Mac OS X 10.4 or better.

Apple posts latest iPod shuffle firmware

Apple today posted iPod Update 2005-11-17, which includes new software for the iPod shuffle as well as software for all other iPods. Apple says the update iPod shuffle v1.1.3 software includes bug fixes, but does not provide any specifics. The computer maker does say that it requires iTunes 4.7.1 or later and that Mac OS X 10.3 through Mac OS X 10.3.3 are not supported. In addition, the notes say that Mac OS X v10.3.6 or later is recommended for connecting iPod shuffle to a low power USB port, like on certain keyboards and non-powered hubs. Apple also said that some computers require either the optional iPod shuffle dock or a USB cable extender--without providing any details on models affected. Earlier this month, we noted that iPod shuffle owners were complaining of problems after updating to iTunes 6.01 that would render their MP3 players useless; it is not yet known if the update resolves the issue.

5G iPod: quality playback, lacks accessories

Jeremy Mahadevan of the The Straits Times has reviewed the 5th generation video-capable iPod. Mahadevan criticizes Apple for removing most of the accessories bundled with the iPod, stating, "contrary to past tradition, Apple has decided to send the iPod the way of its smaller siblings and reduce bundled accessories to the nudest of minimums." The iPod can only be charged via a computer out of the box, "which may be acceptable for some users but still scrapes the bottom of the cost-cutting barrel." When it comes to video playback, Mahadevan was mostly impressed: "thanks to the quality of the screen, videos are remarkably nice to watch." He does, however, point to the fact that "you can’t fast-forward or rewind through a video." He also notes "battery life suffers greatly during video playback, particularly for the 30GB model."

XtremeMac launches MicroShield for iPod video

XtremeMac has released the MicroShield for Apple's fifth-generation video-capable iPod, designed to protect the body and screen of the device while providing unobstructed access to the clickwheel, earbud jack, and dock connector. The crystal clear, two-piece shield snaps securely onto the front and back of the iPod and ships with two rear panels: one with a low-profile integrated belt clip, and one without. The rear panel design allows insertion of an iPod with the earphone jack facing either up or down for easy access. MicroShield is available for $25.

Compression Master 3.2.1, Engine 2.2.1

Popwire Technology today released updated versions of its Compression Master and Compression Engine, adding support for media coding to Apple's latest video enabled iPod and Sony's Playstation Portable (PSP). Compression Master 3.2.1 and Compression Engine 2.2.1 allow production of content for DVDs, internet, mobile phones, music services, television, and other types of digital media by reliably converting all common formats such as MPEG-2, MPEG-4, QuickTime, DV, H.264, H.264 main profile, 3GPP, Flash, Windows, Real Media and AAC. Users of Compression Master choose which media file should be coded for the iPod the PSP, or both, and then apply a template, while Compression Engine moves the media coding process to the server space for more efficient media coding. Compression Master 3.2.1 is available for $500 (pricing for Compression Engine was unavailable).

Clear Channel to offer video podcasts

Clear Channel is planning to experiment with video podcasts of its radio stars, and conservative talk-show host Rush Limbaugh is set to be the first. Fans belonging to the Rush 24/7 club--which costs $7 a month and allows users access to commercial-free podcasts of the show, among other perks--will be able to get a daily 60-second videocast starting next month, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal. Media companies are racing to get their content to customers in new ways, and video podcasting is currently in the experimental stages as TiVo, Walt Disney, Time Warner, and others proceed to test the waters. Clear Channel hopes that the video podcasts will drive up fan loyalty. If the test-run is successful, it plans on expanding its video podcasts to other programs. [subscription required]

Flixpo.com offers free videos for 5G iPod

How2Share Technologies today launched Flixpo.com, its online source for free Apple iPod and Sony PSP video content which it claims is the largest independent repository available via the internet. Flixpo.com categories include movie trailers, independent shorts, and comedy reviews, among others. "Industry research shows there's not a lot of compelling digital video content available for iPod and PSP users. Our mandate with this site is to make it easy for consumers to get high quality, fast streaming content that is easy to access and is already optimized for their portable devices," said Colin How, president of How2Share Technologies. Flixpo.com video clip genres include "Indie Showcase," "Risque Ads," "Funny Ads," "Wild Kingdom," "Game Machinima," "Open Mike," "The Box Office," "Adventure Sports," "Popular Clips," and "Loading...Ready...Run". Accessing content requires streaming video clips directly from Flixpo.com, then transferring those clips to an iPod after importing them to iTunes.

iPod users sharing music at night clubs

A growing number of establishments across the U.S. are allowing customers to play their own music--often on Apple's iPod digital music player--to share their tracks in clubs and bars with other patrons. Brian Toro, manager of Bar Louie in Chicago said "everybody wants to be a DJ, people enjoy having a little control in their lives." Toro brings his own music into Bar Louie to play punk and rock songs for customers, while allowing others to play almost anything provided the music is upbeat, according to a report from the DailyNews. Some professional DJs are waiting for technology that will allow them to perform the mixing and scratching they do with vinyl albums on a single portable player, something they already do using laptops and special software or larger media consoles. Susan Barnes, associate director of the Lab for Social Computing at Rochester Institute of Technology in New York sees technology encouraging people to socialize, contrary to many beliefs that the modern "iPod generation" hides in their headphones. "All this stuff is set up for people to meet other people, not isolate," Barnes said.

Wal-Mart changes tune, sells Nanos

Apple's iPod was one of the hottest items this year during the Thanksgiving holidays thanks in part to Wal-Mart. The company, which did not carry the iPod last year, said that the company had a "philosophical argument" with Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs over whether the iPod player should play music from more varied sources: "He won, we lost. Now we have Nanos in the stores," Fitzsimmons said, referring to the latest, smallest version of the iPod. Wal-Mart said Saturday its Black Friday sales were good, with strong sales of computers, dolls, portable DVD players and video games, although it didn't provide precise sales figures. Wal-Mart estimated that its sales at stores open at least a year - or same-store sales, a closely watched measure of retail performance - rose 4.3% in November, compared with its original forecast for a 3% to 5% increase.

Veoh offers free video content for iPods...

Veoh Networks today made available more than 3,000 free videos for easy download and transfer to Apple’s video iPod. Veoh allows anyone with a computer and an Internet connection to broadcast their own TV show, or channel of shows, in full-screen television quality. Individuals and companies are already broadcasting content--from original cartoons, like Superman and Popeye to feature-length films. According to Veoh, the site features more than 10,000 user-produced videos on virtually every subject imaginable. Veoh is a described as a community of publishers and consumers, where published content is approved by editors.

Griffin launches Tunebuds for iPod shuffle

Griffin Technology today announced TuneBuds, a combination earbud and lanyard for iPod shuffle. TuneBuds keep both the earbuds and shuffle handy around the wearer's neck. "Just snap TuneBuds onto the shuffle's USB connector, and you're up and running (or dancing)." TuneBuds' audio cable, integrated into the lanyard, keeps you free of excess cords and tangled lines. Griffin says that TuneBuds make no compromise on sound quality. The comfortable earbuds supply superb audio to please the most discerning listener. Tunebuds are available for $20.