News Archive for 06/05/10

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Apple modifies iPod licensing program

05/10, 6:15pm

iPod license fee modified

Apple has done away with its "Made for iPod" accessories licensing program and adopted a flat fee system instead. The Cupertino-based company formerly collected a percentage of revenue from all products that connected to an Apple 17-pin iPod connector, charging 1.5 percent at first but raising the cut up to 10 percent for companies such as Bose as the iPod grew in popularity, according to Smart House Magazine. The new system charges a flat $4-per-unit fee, which will favor manufacturers of high-end iPod accessories and appease Bose, which complained about the higher rates when Apple announced the change last year.

Bosch unveils iPod dock for Power Box

05/10, 5:30pm

Bosch unveils iPod dock

Bosch Power Tools and Accessories today unveiled its Power Box Dock Accessory for iPod, an iPod dock designed to work with its Power Box Advanced jobsite radio/CD/iPod player and power center. Designed specifically for Apple's iPod, the new dock plugs directly into the Power Box's 12-volt auxiliary outlet and 3.5-millimeter input jack to play music or charge the iPod without extra wires or plugs. The dock completely encases any one of five iPod models, utilizing proprietary adaptors to accommodate for the various sizes available on the market today. The Dock accessory is priced at $50, while the Power Box Advanced ships for $180.

Apple wants Beatles on iTunes

05/10, 2:30pm

Apple wants Beatles

Apple Computer is hoping to reach an agreement with Apple Corps that would enable it to sell the Beatles' music via its iTunes Music Store. "We certainly will do everything we can to get them on iTunes," vice president of iTunes Eddie Cue said. "The Beatles aren't available in any digital format today but they are going to be one day. We certainly hope that happens on iTunes." Apple Corps, the Beatles' record label which is owned by former band members and their heirs, recently filed suit against Apple Computer for breaching a $26 million settlement in 1991. Apple Computer won the court battle, however, and is now seeking rights to sell digital versions of the Beatles' tracks on iTunes. Apple Corps is remastering the Beatles music, and in April announced plans to release the tracks in the form of digital downloads. The combination of the Beatles and iTunes could spur more music consumers to purchase digital tracks legally, according to Bloomberg.

ZAP battery packs for iPod unveiled

05/10, 12:25pm

ZAP iPod battery packs

ZAP today unveiled a new series of lithium battery packs designed specifically to work with Apple's iPod. ZAP's Portable Energy chargers and power packs are designed to work with iPod mini, iPod shuffle, iPod nano, and fifth-generation video iPods. The energy solution for the iPod shuffle can extend listening time by up to 60 hours, according to the company, and the lithium-ion battery system can be recharged up to 1000 times, offering up to four times the power of conventional batteries. Each ZAP Pack uses a smart microprocessor control system that can power a variety of mobile electronic devices including handheld PCs, digital cameras, cellular phones, audio, DVD, compact disk players, video cameras, laptops, and more. Several models also charge DC electronics from 4.0 to 19.0 volts through either a DC or USB port. The iZAP battery pack is priced at $50 for iPod nano, $60 for iPod mini, and $60 for iPod video. The D-14 Universal Charger can power iPod shuffle players, and is priced at $60.

DICE ships iPod car integration kits

05/10, 8:30am

iPod car integration kits

DICE Electronics is now shipping its hard-wired DICE iPod interfaces, which help users connect dock connector-compatible iPods and selected Audi, Volkswagen, Honda and Mazda vehicles. The company says it also expects to ship interfaces for selected BMW, Toyota and GM vehicles later this month. "The DICE interface was designed to create a seamless interconnection between the iPod and the entertainment control of the vehicle," the company said. "While the DICE interface was designed to provide the ultimate experience for iPod vehicle integration, it also features an auxiliary jack making an external satellite radio or DVD player connection very easy." Users can use the controls on the iPod as well as buttons on the radio to navigate between playlists, albums or songs. It supports connection via an iPod dock cable (3ft cable included) or the DICE iPod cradle, which features a 2.5mm video out jack that can connect a (video) iPod to any external video source.

Sony to support AAC file format

05/10, 8:25am

Sony to support AAC

Sony this week announced it will begin supporting the AAC audio file format, which used by Apple and other vendors for audio file compression. The forthcoming support will not yet allow users to play iTunes music on their Sony devices as Apple's propietary FairPlay DRM technology is also used to protect songs, but the move is seen as a symbolic concession to Apple, according to one report. The company has moved from using its own proprietary ATRAC audio files to supporting a wide variety of file formats: "Sony long clung to its proprietary data compression technology, known as Atrac. It has since turned to an open-door policy, embracing such popular formats as MP3 and Microsoft Corp.'s WMA. Still, the electronics manufacturer's acceptance of Apple's AAC format, used for the immensely popular iPod digital music players, marks a particular about-face." Sony will release the AAC-compatible Sonic Stage CP free of charge via the internet on May 15 for use with its hard-disk-based Walkman A series products.