News Archive for 06/07/14

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Amazon may enter movie downloads

07/14, 4:45pm

Amazon movie downloads?

Amazon has joined Microsoft as yet another company rumored to be working on a movie download service that would compete with Apple's iTunes Music Store. Reuters reports that Amazon has begun meeting with industry executives and major studios, and is believed to be planning a service for video similar to its "Shorts" service that allows users to receive portions of books for 49 cents. Those rumors peaked at the Seattle Film Festival last month, when former Amazon book editor and film critic Tom Appelo made an appearance. Appelo is believed to be an editor for the new service, according to the report.

FM Transmitter ban may end in UK

07/14, 4:30pm

FM transmitters in UK

Ofcom -- a communications regulation body in the UK -- is holding a public hearing on the usage of FM transmitters, which are currently banned but are commonly used with MP3 players such as Apple's iPod in other regions. Since 1949 The Wireless Telegraphy Act has banned the use of radio equipment without a license or exemption in the UK, which made FM transmitter usage illegal for iPod owners. BBC.com reports that legislation will likely pass to stop this ban on FM transmitters by 2007. "This decision [...] will not only regulate a booming black market and provide the country with valuable tax revenue, but also enable the iPod generation to enjoy their music using the latest gadgets," stated Don Foster, spokesperson of media, culture, and sport for the Liberal Democrat.

J&R offers blue, grey iPod nanos

07/14, 12:00pm

J&R ships blue, grey Nanos

Authorized Apple reseller J&R in New York is offering blue and grey iPod nanos in 2GB capacities. Color combinations include a blue body with a Maserati grey center; a blue body with a jet black wheel; a Maserati grey body with a blue wheel; a jet black body with a blue wheel; and a blue body with a red center button. The units include standard earbud headphones, a USB cable, a dock adapter, and iTunes software for Mac OS X as well as Microsoft Windows. Target recently began selling pink iPods, which it describes as the "ColorWare Pink Edition." J&R colored Nanos are priced at $265, and feature an "X2" scratch-resistant coating.

Survey finds 80% prefer Wi-Fi to iPod

07/14, 11:55am

Wi-Fi beats iPod in survey

Kelton Reseach recently conducted a survey on Wireless network use and importance among the public, finding that nearly 80 percent of respondents would give up their home phone rather than their Wi-Fi network, while some 80 percent would forego their iPod in lieu of their Wi-Fi network. The poll found that 38 percent of Wi-Fi network owners use it 'several times' per week, with roughly twenty percent of respondents saying that they rarely use it, if ever. This survey queried subjects between the ages of 18 and 64. [corrected]