News Archive for 06/05/03

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Rockbox firmware overhauls iPod

05/03, 5:35pm

Rockbox iPod firmware

A new open-source firmware upgrade for Apple's iPod is turning heads, offering users choice and greater control over audio playback. CNET recently reviewed Rockbox, an open-source firmware project that completely replaces the iPod's firmware while expanding the capabilities and limitations of the existing hardware. The firmware features OGG and FLAC support, as well as gapless playback. Users can crossfade, fade in/out, and can configure an antiskip buffer. Rockbox displays photos -- although not in a thumbnail grid view -- and allows users to zoom in or modify slide-show settings. The firmware is slated for release in November.

Trapped miners receive iPod relief

05/03, 5:05pm

Trapped miners with iPods

Two miners trapped in a Tasmanian mine for over a week were given iPods to alleviate boredom while rescuers work to free them via a drilling operation. A rock fall in a Beaconsfield gold mine in northern Tasmania trapped the two men beneath 12 meters of rock, and killed a fellow miner. The survivors were discovered alive on Sunday night, and were given nutrition on Monday evening via a small PVC pipe, according to a report from The Age. The men, Todd Russell and Brant Webb, are reportedly still in good spirits. "They remain in good health and have now received iPods so they can listen to their favorite music," mine manager Matthew Gill said in a statement. Eight loads of concrete were sent to the mine to create an even pad for a Raise Borer, which rescuers will use to drill through the rock burying the two men, according to the report.

H2O Audio ships waterproof Nano case

05/03, 11:05am

Waterproof Nano case ships

H2O Audio today began shipping its H2O Audio for iPod nano, the latest addition to the company's line of adventure sport accessories for iPod players. The custom form-fit case is designed to compliment the iPod nano's slim-line design, and includes a ready-wear armband. The enclosure features new patent pending engineering and design technology that includes a durable "elastomeric" diagonal T-seal, providing absolute waterproof protection. The case also offers a unique full-function "Commander" scroll-wheel assembly that provides ready access to all of the Nano's proprietary clickwheel functions, even when fully submerged in water. The waterproof housing is rated at 10-feet, is compatible with a wide range of standard headsets, and provides waterproof protection when used with H2O Audio patented waterproof headphones. The H2O Audio for iPod nano housing is priced at $80, while waterproof headphones are available for $40.

PortalPlayer down, but not out?

05/03, 9:30am

PortalPlayer to fight back

Longtime iPod chip supplier PortalPlayer may not be down and out yet. A new report says that the company may supply the chips for Apple's next-generation video iPod, despite indications that the company had lost a future contract bid for iPod chips and one Samsung executive claiming that it has already won the contract to supply chips for the next-generation iPod nano, which analysts expect could surface by the September quarter. Craig Berger, an analyst with Wedbush Morgan Securities, told the EETimes that PortalPlayer is still the favorite to win the contract for at least some of Apple's future iPod line. "We continue to believe PortalPlayer will retain its socket in the soon-to-be-released video iPod given Apple's design constraints," Berger said in his Tuesday report to clients.