MGM Studios adds Stargate to iTunes

MGM Studios today announced that it will add the Stargate SG1 and Stargate Atlantis TV shows to Apple's iTunes Music Store. MGM's addition bolsters the already swelling collection of content driving the market-leading digital media storefront, providing consumers with audio and video content playable on Apple's iPod digital media players. The first five episodes of season 10 of Stargate SG1, as well as the first five episodes of season 3 of Stargate Atlantis are scheduled to be available for download via iTunes starting today, according to the Associated Press. Subsequent episodes for both series will be available for purchase within 24 hours of their airing on the Sci Fi Channel.

Zune to offer more bundled media

A new report suggests that Microsoft's Zune digital media player -- announced earlier this month -- will offer a wider variety of pre-bundled media than previously anticipated, according to Electronista. Cesar Menendez, a Microsoft employee who works on the Zune project, stated in a new blog entry that there will be far reaching content included with Zune from multiple Music labels including both audio and video content. Previously, analysts saw this move as a way for new Zune users to test out the power of their new players, but now believe that Microsoft is attempting to one-up Apple with value added features. Zune is expected to launch before the end of this calendar year to boost holiday sales.

SanDisk 8GB flash player takes on Nano

SanDisk today unveiled the Sansa e280, the world's first 8GB flash player which will compete with Apple's iPod nano. The new device is functionally equivalent to its smaller e200 sibling, which helped the company claim second place in the digital audio player market behind Apple, according to Electronista. The player features FM tuning as well as recording, a microSD slot for extra storage, video playback capability, and voice recording support. The e280 is priced at $250, offering double the capacity of Apple's largest iPod nano -- the 4GB model -- with the same price tag. SanDisk has a distinct advantage in the digital audio player market because it is itself a flash manufacturer, allowing the company to dictate its own prices and increase capacity sooner than most other companies.