News Archive for 06/01/04

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iTunes/iPod ecosystem

01/04, 5:35pm

Apple licensing, DRM bad for consumers?

With the largest Apple/Mac-centric show approaching, one columnist believes that Mac faithful's undying devotion to Steve Jobs is bad for consumers. Technology Review's Brad King says that Jobs' deal with the entertainment industry and its DRM practices are bad for consumers, according to a recent column that talks about the restrictive iPod/iTunes ecosystem: "owever, that's not what really, really sticks in my craw. I reserve that (possibly irrational) anger for the iPod and iTunes, two music products that are so restrictive in their licensing and user set-ups that I have never been able to bring myself to download the software to purchase music through iTunes or pony up the cash to by an iPod." Despite Jobs' efforts to take on the music labels over pricing, King notes that the company has towed the music industry line in terms of licensing and digital rights management (DRM).

iPod wraps

01/04, 5:20pm

New colors for iPods from Memorex

Memorex today added a new product to its growing lineup of computer and media accessories. With the company's new iPod Wraps, consumers can print labels for and customize their iPods as often as they like. The adhesive, removable wraps leave no residue when changed, and are made of photo quality, scratch- and scuff- resistant paper. The paper is usable with all iPod models from Shuffle to the Video. Each package of iPod Wraps also contains the new edition of Memorex’s exPressit application, exPressit Label Design Studio, compatible with Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X (specific system requirements were unavailable). Consumers can use their own images or one of over 1,500 that the new Design Studio comes equipped with to decorate their iPod. Like the older exPressit, the new version includes templates for CD and DVD labels as well as a new playlist manager for importing playlist information to be printed onto a label or case insert. The iPod wraps will retail later this month for about $15 per 10-pack.

PC Mag Innovation Awards

01/04, 5:15pm

iPod nano recognized for innovation

Apple has won yet another award for its innovation. Today PC World recognized Apple's iPod nano for its industrial design. The Nano was among the five top products picked in the magazine's Audio Category, along with the JVC Home Theater, Sonos Digital Music System, Yamaha Home Theater Receiver, and Yahama YSP-1000 Speakers. Overall, the iPod nano was among the top 25 products chosen for the 2006 PC World Innovations Awards: "Overnight, the svelte iPod Nano (see picture) irrevocably altered the landscape for portable audio players. Not only did this model take clean design aesthetics to a new level, but it brought us the first high-capacity (4GB) flash-based player--and one priced within reach of the masses, no less. Now, if only it didn't have that scratch-prone surface."

New case for iPod video

01/04, 4:10pm

ezGear launches ezArmor Video case

ezGear has announced the ezArmor Video Protective Case for Video iPods. The case is made entirely of anodized aircraft-grade aluminum, and fits the Video iPod perfectly with a clear protective screen and a click wheel cutout. Neoprene cushions the inside of the case to protect from impacts and scratches. Included with the case is a removable belt clip and neck strap. The ezArmor Video retails for $35 and fits both the 30GB and 60GB iPod video models.

Portable iPod theater

01/04, 4:10pm

Portable theater for video iPod

Icuiti today unveiled the DV920, its pocket-sized video eyewear that offers users a home theater experience with most video sources, including Apple's video iPod. The DV920 allows hands-free, private viewing on a virtual 42-inch screen, and can plug-and-play with a workstation or laptop for 3D gaming. The DV920 is available for $550, and will be showing at this year's Consumer Electronics show in Las Vegas. "The DV920 will serve to enhance the current portable video revolution by offering the user an unparalleled high resolution video experience. It has the ability to display 2D and stunning 3D stereoscopic video in the privacy of your own portable home theater," said Paul Travers, President and CEO of Icuiti.

Earphones damaging

01/04, 3:10pm

Townshend cautions iPod users

The guitarist of a clasic rock band is the latest to crusade against hearing loss and the use of iPod's earbuds. Pete Townshend, of The Who, has issued a statement via his website to warn earphone users about hearing loss. Townshend expressed his concern that others may retain serious hearing damage if they do not turn down the volume of their music while using earphones. Townshend maintains that his own hearing was permanently damaged after years of using studio headphones. In recent months, a Northwestern University professor and audiologist also warned that the earbud-style headphones could cause serious, permanent hearing loss, while one study attributed hearing loss in Australia's youth to iPods and other similar devices.

iPod rock and pop quiz

01/04, 1:55pm

iPod rock and pop quiz, contest

Coolgorilla.com today launched its Coolgorilla Rock and Pop quiz, a free trivia game for iPod owners, and announced a contest that offers participants a chance to win a free video iPod. The download contains 20MB of sound files, and poses questions about The Gorrilaz, U2, Metallica, Beyonce, The Beatles, The Whites Stripes, The Killers, Madonna and more. Users who answer all of the questions correctly can enter the hall of fame, and one lucky user with the fastest completion time will earn the video iPod (specifications were unavailable).

SlideKey, iPod competition

01/04, 9:55am

Zicplay debuts SlideKey music player

Zicplay today rolled out its SlideKey digital music player, a new device that could compete with Apple's iPod for dominance. The gadget plays MP3s, features a digital voice recorder, and operates as a USB storage device. The SlideKey player is available in 256MB, 512MB, and 1GB models, and has optional built-in FM radio on the 512MB and 1GB versions. A cover slides back to reveal the device's various function keys, and the unit can play MP3 as well as WMA files. SlideKey music players are expected to be available in mid-January starting from £45, and all units carry a full one-year warranty.

Sonos ZonePlayer ZP80

01/04, 8:55am

Sonos debuts ZonePlayer ZP80

Sonos today introduced a new ZonePlayer, which allows users to play their digital music, all over their house, on all of their favorite audio equipment – a home theater system, powered speakers, a premium table top radio, and more. "By connecting a ZonePlayer ZP80 to any amplified audio device via the analog or digital outputs, that device instantly and seamlessly becomes part of a wireless, multi-room digital music system. This provides the consumer with the power to use the full-color Sonos Controller to control all of their music, in all of their rooms, all from the palm of their hand." The company says that the ZP80 can also be used to retrofit a conventional multi-room audio system with home-run speakers or as a wireless extender to increase the wireless range of Sonosnet, its AES-encrypted peer-to-peer wireless mesh network created by Sonos.