News Archive for 06/07/21

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MS takes on iPod, iTunes

07/21, 6:05pm

Microsoft's Zune to rival iPod, iTunes

Microsoft today confirmed that it will launch an iPod competitor branded as "Zune." The offering will include portable media players as well as an online service, similar to Apple's iTunes Music Store. The Wall Street Journal reports that Chris Stephenson -- Microsoft's general manager of marketing for MSN Entertainment Business -- said that Microsoft sees "great opportunity to bring together technology and community to allow consumers to explore and discover music together." Stephenson said the first musical device will contain a hard drive as well as Wi-Fi connectivity, and that the company is looking at seven or eight different wireless scenarios, which range from enabling users to view as well as sample music from other Zune devices in the same hotspot to purchasing and downloading music directly to the device.

Podcasts span 6% of Web

07/21, 10:05am

Podcasts span 6% of Web

Over 6 percent of U.S. adults have downloaded podcasts in the past 30 days, according to a report released by Nielsen Analytics. More than 1,700 participants were surveyed on their podcasting usage in a first quarter 2006 study, revealing that about 6 percent of respondents described themselves as regular podcast downloaders -- more than 75 percent of whom were male. Findings also showed that approximately 38 percent of active podcast downloaders say they are listening to radio less often. "The incredible popularity of podcasting is the latest demonstration of consumers' willingness to take control of their media experiences," said Larry Gerbrandt, general manager and senior vice president of Nielsen Analytics.

Griffin iPod cases

07/21, 10:05am

Griffin releases four new iPod Cases

Griffin Technology today introduced four new iPod cases: Trio, Vizor, Tempo, and iClear with prices ranging for $20 to $30. The Trio ($25) is available in six colors and is designed for the iPod nano; it includes three difference style options. Users are given the choice to leave the Nano's clickwheel and screen uncovered or make use of the extra protection covers, which are included. The Vizor ($25) is designed specifically for the iPod video (5th generation) and is available in a variety of colors. It features a flip cover that secures the iPod when closed and a belt clip as a carrying alternative.

DRM-free music from Yahoo!

07/21, 9:25am

Yahoo! calls for DRM-free music

Yahoo! is continuing to hope that labels will heed its call for DRM-free music, as it releases its first set of tracks in the MP3 format--without any DRM attached-- allowing users to purchase a personalized version of the new Jessica Simpson song “A Public Affair” from Yahoo! Music's Web Site for $1.99. While the price for the track, available for a large variety of personal names, is higher than the $0.99 charged by iTunes, the music is available in a format that can be played on any player, according to the company: "Dear digital consumer, even if you’re not into Jessica Simpson, and you’re not excited about spending $2 for a song, let me tell you, this is a bigger deal than you might think." Yahoo! has been publicly lobbying to convince record labels that they should be selling MP3s, saying that DRM doesn’t add any value for the artist, label, or consumer--and noting that DRM-free music is sold everyday on CDs. [corrected]