News Archive for 05/12/28

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Digital music guide

12/28, 3:20pm

Apple's iPod leads digital music revolution

Kiplinger's today published a guide to the digital music revolution, and Apple's iPod is the MP3 player of choice due to desirable features, the seamless experience offered by iTunes, and because it has the "coolest" look. The guide describes the process and convenience of purchasing music online, as well as the availability of audio books to accompany music collections. Touching on wireless transfer of songs, Sprint Nextel's wireless service--which allows mobile phone users to purchase songs over-the-air directly to their handsets--is cited as a possible future avenue for digital music, and if this occurs Apple is expected to follow suit. Finally, the guide touches on each of Apple's currently available iPod models with respect to features, capacity, and price.

iPodResQ lowers pricing

12/28, 12:00pm

iPodResQ lowers Nano repair pricing

iPodResQ today announced that it has lowered the price of its full-service iPod nano screen repair, allowing all iPod nano owners that have damaged screens same-day turn around and nationwide convenience. "We have received a large supply of brand new iPod nano LCDs and we are happy to be able to drop our flat rate repair price by a whopping $30 per repair. This represents more than a 20 percent savings for this service moving into 2006" said Ryan Arter, president of iPodResQ. "Since the first delivery of the iPod nano, we have been repairing broken or otherwise damaged screens on a daily basis. At this point we are proud to be the number one source for all out-of-warranty iPod repairs and are excited to be able to procure these new parts."

Podcasting helps churches

12/28, 11:30am

Podcasting raises church attendance

Church leaders say internet downloads, as well as podcasts have encouraged more people to attend church services. Online sermons from the Bridge Chapel Christian church in Liverpool have led to a surge in worshippers attending in person, according to a report from the Daily Post. The progressive church focuses on traditional teachings of the Bible for all cultures, and has had close to 600 people tuning into weekly updates. "Large numbers of new people are coming down to the church and joining our congregation simply because of the internet downloads and podcasts," said Steve Evans, who runs the podcast service for the church.

Commercial podcasting

12/28, 11:15am

Podcasting drives commercial interests

"What I Want Podcasting"--a company specializing in the development of podcasts for commercial application--today announced a promotional concert series for the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival 2006 featuring John Legend, Al Green, Shaggy and Patti Labelle. "Concert podcasting is the next step in internet television marketing and promotion," said Martin Elmore, president of What I Want Podcasting. "With the development of our concert podcasting series, we will help drive a whole new industry of online music entertainment, by riding the current sea change towards high quality audio and video internet delivery," says Ryan Hoback, chairman of the company. The Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Podcast can be found on iTunes, Yahoo Podcasts, Google Video, and AirJamaicaJazzandBlues.com.

FoneGear iPod accessories

12/28, 10:50am

FoneGear debuts tuneGear, podBLING

FoneGear today announced tuneGEAR--its line of iPod and audio accessories--and introduced its "podBLING" accessories. TuneGEAR products will initially include headphones, charging solutions, carrying solutions, FM-radio transmitters, and "Music Experience Enhancements." All tuneGEAR headsets include basic ear buds, “audio-foam” cushioned headsets with volume control, ear-clip sport ear buds with volume control, and ear buds with volume control in a lightweight aluminum housing, offering high fidelity stereo sound. FoneGear's "podBLING" is a diverse array of sparkly accessories to "dress up" Apple's iPod, as well as other MP3 players. PodBLING consists of full rhinestone covers in a variety of colors and patterns for the video iPod, iPod mini, iPod shuffle, and iPod nano.

iTunes dominates

12/28, 10:15am

Music traffic soars, iTunes dominates

Apple's iTunes Music Store and other music sites saw a sharp rise in traffic on Christmas Day as hundreds of thousands of people began loading songs on to the iPods they received as presents and redeeming iTunes gift certificates, according to the Financial Times. The report also found that Apple's iTunes Music Store increased its dominance over last year, receiving twice as much traffic as its next closest rival, Sony Connect. Last year, iTunes was only 10 percent ahead of its then closest competitor, Napster, according to the report. Citing figures from an online intelligence company, visits to music download sites saw a 50 percent increase between December 24 and 25. The firm also found that visits to download sites were 15 percent higher than last Christmas.

Silicone skins for Nano

12/28, 9:50am

Laserline debuts silicone skins for Nano

Laserline today introduced Silicone Skins, protective covers for Apple's iPod nano that guard against dust and scratching. The skins are are translucent membranes that fit snugly around the Nano, and are constructed from light-weight, waterproof silicone elastomer that won't rip or tear. The skins have an anti-static property which repels dust, while the waterproof nature insulates the delicate Nano against moisture from rain, snow, and sweat. LaserLine Silicone Skins are available for $15 in "pale baby pink," "icy blue," "pearly white," and "not-so-basic black." The skins ship with a neck lanyard and a wrist strap, with two- and five-packs available in various color combinations.