News Archive for 06/09/15

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MS, protected content

09/15, 4:00pm

MS may abandon protected content

Microsoft has vested interest in promoting online music and video stores that rely upon the company's standard, but may be opting out of protected Windows Media for its new Zune player. The latest word from the tech giant suggests that the device can import unprotected Windows Media and video, mentioning nothing of the protected format adopted by many of Microsoft's partners. A lack of support for stores such as Napster and URGE could signal a closer adoption of an Apple-like proprietary ecosystem with the Zune player and Marketplace, or a preference for protection-free stores such as eMusic, according to Electronista. Microsoft has yet to formally announce the format it will use for its online store.

More Zune features surface

09/15, 3:40pm

Additional Zune features surface

Microsoft's announcement yesterday of its Zune media player left out details such as the company's longer-term strategy for the Zune name. Microsoft is now addressing those unanswered questions, according to Electronista, as the new device will support the unprotected formats of the iPod. Zune will support H.264 and MPEG-4 video as well as AAC audio, alongside the expected MP3 and Windows Media formats. Despite the wide-aspect screen, however, video will remain limited to the same 320x240 resolution as Apple's iPod. Microsoft has also said that its current strategy is relatively limited, and that videos will not yet be available to buy at the Zune Marketplace. Despite this, the software giant has openly stated its intent to produce a Zune-branded music phone -- positioning its future handset in direct competition with the Apple music phone expected next year.

Samsung unveils Nano rival

09/15, 3:20pm

Samsung debuts video-capable Nano rival

Samsung today unveiled the YP-T9B in Southeast Asia, a digital media player featuring Bluetooth wireless capability in an effort to rival Apple's iPod nano. First released to China, the new player is a variant of an earlier 4GB flash player that adds Bluetooth support -- something the iPod nano currently lacks. Users can connect to any Bluetooth headphones or speakers that fit the A2DP wireless audio profile, and the YP-T9B can use the wireless link to sync with a computer within range, according to Electronista. The new player also supports video playback on a 1.8-inch screen, and can play OGG audio files as well as MP3 and WMA formats. Samsung's YP-T9B boasts 30 hours of battery life when playing audio and 6 hours for video. Samsung neglected to mention when, if ever, the device will launch in the U.S.

Video iPod tear-down

09/15, 2:55pm

Analyst tears down new video iPod

Apple's revamped video iPod may produce high margins for the company, according to a tear-down of the device performed by analyst Craig Berger of Wedbush Morgan Securities. The tear-down revealed potential gross margins between 45 and 50 percent on Apple's revamped iPod video, with consideration for continued hard drive price drops, according to AppleInsider. "Apple should see strong gross margins on these devices in the mid-40 percent range, per our [bill-of-material] cost estimates," said Berger. "Apple is not scaling the capacity of the iPods that fast, and with the hard drives used in the iPods getting cheaper as time goes on, Apple can lower the price point on its 30GB iPod while still maintaining gross margins."

iPod pricing surprises MS

09/15, 1:10pm

New iPod pricing surprises Microsoft

Apple's decision to aggressively price its 30GB video iPod at $249 likely took Microsoft by surprise, according to American Technology Research senior analyst Shaw Wu. "We believe Microsoft is re-thinking its pricing strategy amid potential wider losses to stay competitive in the marketplace," Wu said. Microsoft yesterday officially unveiled its Zune player alongside an online store, announcing further details of the portable player's specifications and capabilities. "We remain underwhelmed with the much-hyped Zune, which is essentially a repackaged Toshiba Gigabeat, with limited differentiation vs. existing Windows Media devices," the analyst said. Wu suspects Zune will still see modest success due to Microsoft's vast resources and strong brand name, but at the expense of its Windows Media partners such as Sony, iRiver, and Toshiba. Microsoft also hinted that it is working on a Zune cell phone, following widespread rumors that Apple is placing the finishing touches on its own mobile handset.

Mophie debuts Shuffle case

09/15, 12:50pm

Mophie debuts Wraptor Shuffle case

Mophie has unveiled its Wraptor protective case for Apple's new iPod shuffle, designed to enhance the movement of Shuffle users on-the-go. The Wraptor is a sleek case designed to prevent "headphone dangle knots." The clear composite case encloses the Shuffle, and features grooves to wrap headphones around while maintaining access to Apple's built-in belt clip. Mophie's Wraptor is slated for shipment in October for $15.

PC Mag honors 8GB nano

09/15, 12:15pm

8GB Nano earns PC Mag Editors' Choice

PC Magazine has reviewed Apple's new 8GB iPod nano, and honored the tiny player with its Editor's Choice award. Noting the new Nano's thickness, aluminum enclosure, brighter screen, search functionality, and extended battery life, the new Nano is still "trumped" on features when compared to the Sansa e200 -- which offers an FM tuner, a voice recorder, and video playback capability. Nevertheless, Apple's new 8GB Nano offers features unavailable with Sansa's e200, such as gapless playback and lossless compression. "It's a good bet that this will be Apple's most popular iPod yet, and with good reason." While the matte black finish "picks up tons of fingerprints," the new Nano feels smaller in-hand and features a slightly concave center select button. "The iPod's navigation system is still the best in the business," according to PC Magazine, and aside from the "Scrub problem" which can cause various glitches, the new Nano "is another solid digital audio player from Apple."

Micro Heaven, 2G Nano

09/15, 11:40am

Micro Heaven debuts 2G Nano accessories

Micro Heaven today launched a new section on its website dedicated to accessories for Apple's new second-generation iPod nano, and began shipping the EzSkin Nano 2nd Gen from Ezgear as well as the X-clip StreetParty 2nd Generation from Gear4. The EzSkin Nano 2nd Gen protects the iPod with high quality silicone featuring a dust reducing coating. the case comes with an integrated belt clip, an ezShade Nano screen protector, and a neck strap. The Ezgear EzSkin Nano 2nd Gen case is available for £20, while the Gear4 X-clip StreetParty 2nd Generation is scheduled to ship in approximately five weeks for £30.

275GB iPod drives by 2009

09/15, 10:25am

Seagate: 275GB iPod drives by 2009

Seagate today announced during a keynote presentation celebrating the 50th anniversary of the hard drive that 1.8-inch hard drives -- such as those found in the iPod and similar players -- should reach 275GB of storage by 2009. The massive storage increase is possible simply by scaling existing techniques, according to Dr. Mark Kryder of Seagate. Additionally, 2.5-inch laptop hard drives will likely triple in capacity to 500GB, while desktop-sized drives should reach a 2.5TB upper limit. The rapid advancement of storage is crucial as games, music, and HD video consume ever larger amounts of data, according to Electronista.

Wireless Home Dock ships

09/15, 10:00am

FriendTech ships Wireless Home Dock

FriendTech has begun shipping the iDea Wireless Home Dock, a device designed to stream content directly from an audio player via Wi-Fi without the need for a computer. The base station features an iPod-specific dock as well as a more generalized cradle for the PSP, music phones, or other digital audio players. Either device can send audio through an RF-based transmitter to compatible receivers, such as the company's own HD-Audio adapter, according to Electronista. Connected directly, the docking station can also broadcast 5.1 surround sound from supporting devices or iPod photos and videos through the built-in RCA and S-video outputs. FriendTech is already shipping the Home Dock with a remote for $150, with individual receivers available for $50.