News Archive for 06/02/13

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Podcasting easily

02/13, 5:55pm

How to create a podcast easily

Podcasting may be easy, but users will spend a lot to create them. A new column describes how to create a podcast, but concludes that if it is to be a relatively "easy" task, it will also be an expensive one. Using a 20-inch iMac, GarageBand, a Snowball microphone, and a .Mac account, Eric Convey of the Boston Herald created an audio podcast in orer to determine the feasibility of the process for the average computer user. Convey noted that while the process is relatively simple, the cost is not small: the iMac costs $1,300-1,700, the microphone $150, and a .Mac account is $100 per year. iTunes was also noted as an alternative to a .Mac account, which would provide a simpler method for users to download the podcasts, and would be free to the podcaster.

Amazon, Google, iTunes

02/13, 5:30pm

Amazon, Google to take on iTunes

Google and Amazon are both looking to take down Apple's share of the legal download market, according to a report. The Financial Times says that while Amazon is further along in its plans than Google is--Amazon may launch its download service sometime in the second quarter of the year-both are ripe for competition with Apple, which currently holds 70-80 percent of the legal download market. Google continues to deny any plans for a music store in addition to its video store, and denies rumours of a merge with or takeover of Napster, but had "very serious discussions with the music industry later last year" according to the report.

Seagate 12GB 1-inch drive

02/13, 4:20pm

Seagate unveils 12GB 1-inch drive

Seagate has announced that it will begin shipping a 12GB one-inch drive later this year, which the company hopes will increase the gap between flash memory and its higher-capacity hard disks that can fit into similar small spaces. Rob Pait, Seagate's director for global consumer electronics marketing said that the 12GB drive indicates what perpendicular recording may be able to do for the industry. "It's just a start where we see the technology going. Storage capacity will be growing quickly, which will be a key differentiator to flash," Pait said. The executive was not able to talk about Seagate's business relationship with Apple, but mentioned that Seagate "certainly would love to have Apple back as a customer," according to TG Daily. Apple discontinued its iPod mini in 2005, which contained a Seagate 1.8-inch hard drive, and replaced it with the flash-based iPod nano.

Cyclist death iPod related

02/13, 2:10pm

Death of UK cyclist sparks iPod warning

Cyclists in the UK have been urged not to listen to iPods while riding on the roads after a 32-year-old law student was killed by a large truck. Patricia McMillan was knocked from her bike and thrown under the truck's wheels near her home in Acton, west London, according to virgin.net. The woman was on her way to a part-time job as a waitress in Kensington on February 2nd, according to the report. The victim's best friend, Jacques Poullard, told the Evening Standard that Ms. McMillan might still be alive had she not been listening to the iPod.

RIAA warns users

02/13, 2:05pm

RIAA warns users of selling loaded iPods

Selling an old iPod model may not be as easy, or as legal, as one might think. According to MTVNews.com, the Recording Industry Assocation of America (RIAA) says it is illegal to sell an iPod that is pre-loaded with digital media content. "Selling an iPod preloaded with music is no different than selling a DVD onto which you have burned your entire music collection," the RIAA said in a statement. "Either act is a clear violation of U.S. copyright law. The RIAA is monitoring this means of infringement. In short: seller beware." MTVNews.com says the legality is a rather fuzzy issue, citing copyright and trademark lawyer Andrew Bridges, who works with eBay.

Hacking iPods

02/13, 1:20pm

Hacking iPods easier than ever

Hacking an iPod is easier than ever, according to a recent report. The Boston Globe writer Hiawatha Bray reports that the "Hacks" series of books now make it much easier for almost anyone to get more out of their software and hardware. Bray says that to get a new graphic background on the iPod, a free, Windows-only program called iPodWizard will work. PodMail for Macs allows iPodders to download email onto the iPod for viewing. Radio Recorder for Macs or Streamripper for Windows and Mac will allow users to capture Internet radio streams and record them as MP3 files, which can then be downloaded onto the iPod.

Motorola-MS phones

02/13, 11:50am

Motorola to offer WMA-based cell phones

Motorola has announced a deal with Microsoft to use the Windows Media technology in a new line of music cell phones, to be sold alongside the iTunes phones. According to Reuters, Motorola plans to launch between one and three phone models equipped with Windows Media in 2006, while retaining its iTunes phones as a separate product line. The company already has two iTunes phones, including newly introduced ultra-thin Motorola SLVR. The Windows Media phones will allow consumers to buy songs online either from a PC or from the phones, and transfer content between the devices, according to Reuters, which also says that Nokia announced a deal to include Windows Media last year, giving Microsoft a foot in the market of the world's two largest handest makers, and placing it in direct competition with the iTunes phones.

Solio iPod charger

02/13, 10:30am

Solio solar iPod charger now in black

Better Energy Systems has released a black version of its Solio" charger. The device is compatible with iPods, cell phones, PDAs and more. Solio is a portable renewable power source that draws energy from sunlight, storing it in an internal battery and using it to charge the devices. Solio features a fan-blade design that allows it to achieve maximum solar area when in use. Solio can store energy for more than one year, providing an hour of iPod playtime per hour of charging, with Solio taking 8-10 hours of direct sunlight to fully recharge the internal battery. Solio costs $100 and is available in black, silver, or white.

iPod competitors coming

02/13, 9:15am

MS pledges new iPod competitors

Microsoft and its hardware partners will continue to challenge the dominance of the iPod by bringing new digital media devices the consumer market. Reuters reports that Chairman Bill Gates pledged to work with its hardware partners to develop new digital media products. "I don't think what's out on the market today is the final answer," Gates told a group of minority students. "Between us and our partners, you can expect some pretty hot products coming out over the next few years." Reuters reports that Gates "praised Apple's iTunes music store and said the software giant was talking with hardware partners to create media devices that can be less expensive and easier to connect and can handle pictures and video better." Gates also noted that the market share for Microsoft-comaptible digital music players is around 20 percent, a figure lower than he would like. The comments appear to discount rumors that Microsoft is considering releasing its own branded player.

Boomtube H2O1 for iPod

02/13, 9:00am

Boomtube H2O1 speakers available in UK

Widget UK today announced the UK availability of the Think Outside Boomtube H2O1, a stylish, lightweight portable speaker system that delivers an integrated sub-woofer, detachable speakers, and an internal rechargeable lithium battery that lasts five hours. “The Boomtube H2O1 is the perfect accessory for iPod and music phone users who are looking for a portable speaker with really great sound. Until now, people had to choose between great sound and portability, because there just wasn’t a product that successfully combined the two,” said Greg van den Dries CEO and president of Think Outside. The Boomtube H2O1 is based on a stylish, aluminum, tubular design and is the first portable speaker system to incorporate both a bass tube and twist-off speakers for true stereo separation. It features 2-inch aluminum speakers that reproduce sound at the mid- and high-ranges. In addition, Boomtube H2O1 combines two bass drivers with MaxBass technology for lower frequency bass reproduction. It is available for £170.

Apple sued over Nano

02/13, 8:35am

Lawsuit contests iPod repair charges

Apple is being sued for the replacement fees it is charging customers for replacing broken iPod nano screens. The Mercury News reports that a consumer group has filed a lawsuit, alleging the "iPod nano player is defective because its screen is easily scratched and that the company is breaking its product warranty by charging $25 for replacements. The lawsuit, which is seeking class-action status, was filed b the Los Angeles-based Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights; it claims that the Nano can not endure normal use without getting scratched to the point where it becomes unusable. The suit contends the Cupertino-based iPod maker should warn users accordingly." The group is asking that is also demanding that Apple recall or repair the defective products for free, or refund the purchase price to dissatisfied customers as well as asks that the Apple add scratching or cracking to its warranty coverage, according to the report.