News Archive for 05/12/21

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Google search for music

12/21, 11:55pm

Google capitalizes on online music

Google is looking to capitalize on surging digital music interest, creating a a results page tailored to music for related searches. PC Pro reports that "Google is now offering a single box at the top of a results page that it has decided is about music. Clicking on a link will give you a standard list of links to official pages and fan sites, and news and pictures for the News and Images indexes. However, the bulk of the page is given over to a discography and reviews of the artist's albums and, surprise, surprise, where to buy the records online culled from the Froogle service." The report, however, points out that Yahoo! has been doing the same with music-related search for some time now: "Similarly Yahoo! offers its 'shortcuts' which are also collections of links. Often, in the case of musicians this will be a link to Yahoo! Music which will not only offer background information but also offer to sell selected downloads."

Over 20 iPod cases

12/21, 4:45pm

DLO ships over 20 new iPod cases

Digital Lifestyle Outfitters (DLO) today began shipping over 20 new styles of its Relaxed Leather cases for iPod and iPod nano, as well as its fling fashion cases for iPod nano. The Relaxed Leather cases are offered in suede and distressed leather styles, with features such as designer stitching and rivets. Nano fling fashion cases offer styles such as “Faux Crocodile and “Metallic Snakeskin. DLO cases are available from $30-35 from Target, as well as Apple retail stores.

2005-Year of iPod in Japan

12/21, 3:45pm

Apple, iPod dominates Sony in Japan

Apple's iPod is an overwhelming success in Japan. The company has a roughly 60 percent marketshare--as of the middle of November--in the country, or about six times that of its archrival Sony. A column in the The Daily Yomiuri calls 2005 the Year of iPod in Japan; however, despite the success of the iPod and iTunes Japan, music sales continue to fall: "While iTunes and the iPod captured the public's imagination, overall music sales kept falling this year. In the first 11 months of 2005, shipments of audio software by the Recording Industry Association of Japan's 41 member companies totaled 278.4 million units, down 2 percent compared with the corresponding period of 2004, for a value of 330 billion yen, down 3 percent....And just one single, the aforementioned "Seishun Amigo," managed to sell more than a million copies, in contrast to the late '90s, when at least 10 singles sold that amount each year."

iPods in 73M cars

12/21, 3:40pm

iPod integration expected in 73M autos

Apple's iPod influence is growing in a variety of sectors, including the automotive industry. Telematics Research Group expects that there will be 73 million cars worldwide that will offer iPod integration by 2011--28 million of which will be the US alone. A new report finds that proliferation of automotive interfaces for portable music players is creating a new competitive landscape driven by music listening and device preferences. The report also found that Aux inputs for music and Bluetooth support will also proliferate, but to a lesser extent.

Americans need gadgets

12/21, 1:10pm

Poll finds Americans need gadgets

A recent poll found that millions of Americans consider gadgets such as Apple's iPod, personal computers, cell phones, and high-speed internet essential. "The internet connection is my lifeline," said Jennifer Strother, a mother of two young children. "It's the connection to friends, e-mail, especially for stay-at-home moms. I'm hungry for adult conversation and any news that isn't 'Dora the Explorer' or 'Blue's Clues.'" One-third of households in the U.S. pay more than $200 per month for entertainment and communications, while 4-in-10 spend between $100 and $150 per month, according to a report from the Herald Online. The loyalty to high-speed internet is assumed to be a sign that people are getting hooked on newer technology; almost 4-in-10 people consider high-speed internet essential. David Greenfield, a Connecticut psychologist who specializes in high-tech issues elaborates: "Our culture is about distraction, numbing oneself. There is no self-reflection, no sitting still. It's absolutely exhausting."

BPI warns parents of fines

12/21, 12:15pm

BPI warns parents of fines for piracy

The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) today warned parents that giving digital music players--such as Apple's iPod--as gifts puts them at risk of being fined large sums if their children illegally download pirated tracks. The BPI points to a recent poll suggesting that half of the music which will be played on the devices will come from websites that breach copyright laws. Record labels in Britain have successfully pursued hundreds of cases against illegal downloaders, forcing some individuals to pay fines of up to £6,500. In one case, a mother was fined £2,500 after her 19-year-old son shared 1,330 songs using the family computer, according to a report from Times Online. A spokesman from the BPI said "We expect MP3 players to be a very popular gift this Christmas. It is essential that parents acquire the knowledge to make sure their children stay the right side of the law when they go online to get music to play on them."

U.K. top track a download?

12/21, 11:20am

Digital sales to decide UK's top single

The U.K. top chart slot may be decided by download sales for the first time in history, with weekly digital sales expected to top one million. The trade association said download sales have already topped 23 million this year, a 400 percent increase over last year. Downloads of digital music now account for roughly 70 percent of weekly singles sales, compared to 25 percent this time last year, according to BBC News. The BPI predicts that 2006 will be an even bigger year for digital music; last Christmas MP3 players were a popular gift that prompted a 30 percent increase in download sales during the last weeks of 2004. The BPI expects a typical boom in CD sales surrounding Christmas time, since singles are often considered "perfect stocking fillers" during the final week of the year.

iSnug Armband fits 5G iPod

12/21, 10:40am

iSnug Armband updated for video iPod

HandStands today announced an updated version of its iSnug Armband for use with Apple's video-capable fifth-generation iPod. Designed for iPod users with an active lifestyle, the new armband features lightweight material, a velcro closure, and a pouch that fits third- and fourth-generation iPods. The iSnug Armband measures 6.5 x 6.5 x 1-inches, protecting the digital media player while securing it on your person. The armband also ships with a smaller pouch to fit iPod minis, and is available in black for $20.

Piracy still abundant

12/21, 10:30am

Poll finds piracy still abundant

A new survey conducted by Mori for AOL U.K. suggests that more than half of consumers still download music illegally over the internet, despite attempts by record labels to stop the sharing of copyrighted works. The survey results seem to contradict Apple's CEO Steve Jobs recent claims that the iTunes Music Store would help to defeat illegal music sharing practices by providing a low-cost alternative which eludes the risk of law-breaking peer-to-peer methods. Still, questions remain unanswered as the piracy battle rages on; the iTunes Music Store made its debut in late April of 2003, and by mid-July of 2005 legal music downloads were up 187 percent, according to The Register. The study found that one out of every six consumers used paid-for services--such as the iTunes Music Store--to purchase music over the internet. The survey also showed a large degree of confusion among consumers about whether or not they were breaking copyright laws by using illegal sites, according to a report from The Guardian.

iTunes Japan adds music

12/21, 8:50am

iTunes Japan adds music from new label

Apple Japan has signed another label for its local iTunes Music Store. The company on Wednesday is expected to add music content from Victor Entertainment, according to Infoworld: "The recording label, which is affiliated with Victor Co. of Japan Ltd. (JVC), will add 18 albums totalling 209 tracks to Apple's online music distribution service, it said. The tracks cover mainly Japanese domestic artists." iTunes for Japan, launched in August of this year, includes a of local and international record labels including Toshiba-EMI, Columbia Music and Avex Group, according to the report.

iPod USB power adapters

12/21, 1:05am

Sonnet debuts iPod USB power adapters

Sonnet Technologies today announced a new line of compact USB power adapters for Apple's iPod. The adapters support fourth- and fifth-generation iPod models, iPod mini, iPod shuffle, and iPod nano. Sonnet’s iPod USB Power Adapter is small, curvy, and versatile--"it's about two-thirds of the size of its competition—the blades fold away when not in use for easy travel storage, and its universal power compatibility enables worldwide use. Its non-polarized blades allow the adapter to be plugged in with the USB outlet face up or down, perfect for use in tight spots. It is available for $20 and is available in black or white; it includes matching dock cable and offers 100–240V, 50/60 Hz universal compatibility for worldwide use.