News Archive for 05/12/08

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Mini, Shuffle protectors

12/08, 4:00pm

iSkin offers iPod mini, Shuffle protectors

iSkin today introduced its limited edition iSkin Vibes-tokidoki iPod protector series, designed to be a stylish solution for the fashion conscious individual. The protectors are available in a number of different designs that feature Japanese inspired characters and scenes for both the iPod mini and iPod shuffle. iSkin Vibes iPod protectors are constructed from high-quality polymer to safeguard the iPod from bumps and scratches. The tokidoki iPod protectors are available in eight various patterns for the Mini, with nine distinct styles offered for the iPod shuffle. iPod mini tokidoki protectors ship with an included belt clip and lanyard for $20, while iPod shuffle tokidoki protectors are priced at $15.

Satellite radio threat

12/08, 12:00pm

Satellite radio threatens industry, iTunes

Apple and other online music companies along with music labels are facing a threat from satellite radio providers, according to The Wall Street Journal: "The beleaguered music industry faces a new, unexpected threat in its battle to protect copyrights and royalties: the arrival in stores of new satellite-radio receivers that mimic iPods in their ability to store and organize hundreds of songs. Fast-growing subscription radio services, offered by XM Satellite and Sirius provide hundreds of channels of music and talk radio to people who buy special radios and pay a $13 monthly subscription fee. Some satellite-radio receivers already allow listeners to record a few hours of programming." Their growing popularity also threatens the iPod-iTunes ecosystem. [subscription required]

iSkin eVo3 for 5G iPod

12/08, 11:45am

iSkin debuts eVo3 protector for iPod video

iSkin today launched the iSkin eVo3, its latest silicone protector designed specifically for Apple's fifth-generation iPod with video capability. The iSkin eVo3 protects the iPod, enhancing the aesthetics of the device while maintaining complete functionality and control access. The skin is constructed from 100 percent pure high-grade silicone, fitting snugly and guarding the iPod against scratches, bumps, and moisture while featuring a new ultra-clear, scratch-resistant face and screen protector. The iSkin eVo3 also features shock-absorbing capability and a micro-textured body that provides an anti-slip gripping surface. The skin ships with a removable rotary belt clip that allows users to position the iPod in various ways, and rear heat-release pores keep the device cool during hard disk mode or when watching videos. The iSkin eVo3 is available in a variety of colors for $35.

Sony cracks FairPlay?

12/08, 10:40am

Sony XCP copy-protection cracks FairPlay?

Among the strangest revelations about Sony's XCP copy protection system is that itself infringes on the copyrights to several open source software projects, according to Freedom to Tinker. In once case, it was revealed that XCP’s code was copied from a program called DRMS, which was released under the terms of the GPL open source license. DRMS is a software program designed to break the copy protection on songs sold in Apple’s iTunes Music Store. It turns out the use of DRMS code may be part of an effort to make XCP compatible iTunes and the iPod by reverse-engineering Apple's FairPlay DRM. In 2004, RealNetworks attempted something similar, but Apple responded with legal threats and patches to iTunes.

Apple-NBC promo video

12/08, 10:40am

Apple promo video hints at SNL on iTunes

Apple has unveiled a promotional video on its website depicting highlights of the NBC Universal programming, which was recently added to the iTunes Music Store. The promo video hints that Saturday Night Live and Bravo programming may soon be available on iTunes, reinforcing comments by NBC executives that indicated more iTunes content was on the way to help fight digital piracy. iTunes users have already welcomed the new NBC programming with open arms, placing nine of the network's shows in the top 20 downloads with episodes of Late Night with Conan O'Brien, The Office, Surface, and the Sci-Fi Channel's Battlestar Galactica.

Free guitar lessons videos

12/08, 9:50am

Free guitar lessons for iPod video via iTunes

iPlayMusic today announced that it will make a series of 35 beginner guitar video lessons available free of charge to iTunes users. All 35 lessons can be downloaded and played in iTunes and on video-enabled iPods. Using the iPlayMusic video method of instruction, the series of lessons provides a fun way to master guitar basics and learn to play songs without reading music. The company also announced that its entire line of video-based guitar learning products are now available for download to the Mac, PC and iPod.

iPod video knockoff

12/08, 8:45am

Creative launches iPod video knockoff

Creative today launched its iPod video knockoff, offering a virtually identical look and feel of the iPod video with a few more features and longer battery life. Creative's new Zen Vision:M player sports a virtually identical footprint to the iPod video and a nearly indentical visual interface; it includes a 30GB drive, rechargeable battery that claims a 4-hour life for video playback and a 14-hour life for music playback; the player supports MP3, Windows Media Audio (WMA, DRM) and WAV audio formats. For video, it supports MPEG-1, MPEG-2/4, WMV 9, Motion JPEG, DivX 4/5, and XviD video files. It also supports sync of Outlook calendars and To-Do lists. The player features a connector to allow third-parties to develop accessories for the product. The Vision:M is expected to ship in either black, white or green later this month for $330. At the launch, Creative's CEO said it would aggressively pursue other companies, including Apple, that had duplicated its patented interface. [site not updated]

iPod patent dispute?

12/08, 8:35am

BBC: Apple faces iPod patent dispute

Apple may face a possible patent lawsuit from one of its largest competitors, Creative. At the launch of its next-generation iPod video-like portable video player, the compay's CEO told the BBC he plans to "aggressively" pursue a US patent that Creative owns on a system used to navigate music on digital players. The report follows speculation that the company would seek royalties from Apple after it said it had won a patent in the US for "the way music tracks are organized and navigated on a player through a hierarchical system using three or more screens." The new video-enabled Zen Vision: M player, positioned to take on the iPod video, look remarkably similar to Apple's iPod designs and offers more features, including an FM radio and a built-in mic and the company has other offerings with iPod-like product names, such as the Zen Sleek Photo and the Zen Nano Plus.