News Archive for 06/09/19

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iPod-ready mobile theater

09/19, 5:55pm

Dual ships iPod-ready mobile theater

Dual Electronics today began shipping the XDVD8182, a new mobile theater system that combines DVD-based entertainment options with full iPod control capability. The XDVD8182 features a 7-inch touch-screen motorized TFT LCD display in widescreen format. The unit is compatible with DVD, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, CD, CD-R/RW, MP3, and WMA media, featuring easy integration within the most modern mobile entertainment systems via 5.1-channel preamp outputs, as well as one set of audio/video inputs. The system also includes two dedicated video outputs to drive optional headrest monitors, and a rear view camera input. Information such as playlist, artist, album, and track are displayed on the unit's LCD screen once an iPod is connected with the supplied interface cable.

Disney sees $50m revenue

09/19, 4:00pm

Briefly: 125K Disney movies from iTunes

In Brief: Walt Disney has sold 125,000 movie downloads worth $1 million in revenue through Apple's iTunes store and now says it expects the movie downloads to generate $50 million in added revenue during the first year.... Windows users are being warned of a circulating Zero-day Internet Explorer exploit that affects any Windows-based syste--even when fully patched and secured with a firewall.... DigitalLife 2006, a consumer technology, gaming & entertainment event, will take place October 12–15 at the Javits Center, New York (MacNN readers can get free passes by using 'INSIDER').... SendStation has kicked off the final days of its current iTunes promotion, offering 50 free iTunes songs with the purchase of a smartCharge iPod Car Charger for $25.... Crucial is offering a "barrel of swashbucklin" 2GB Gizmo! Overdrive flash drives, to users who visit their website and find the appropriate treasure (no purchase necessary).

VisualHub 1.1.3 released

09/19, 1:45pm

VisualHub 1.1.3 supports 640x480 H.264

Techspansion today released VisualHub 1.1.3, offering support for the higher resolution H.264 video (640x480) at speeds up to 40 percent faster than Quicktime and iTunes, according to the company. VisualHub is a third-party video converter featuring a simple interface and a broad compatibility range with numerous video formats. VisualHub 1.1.3 also features variable quality as well as bitrate, a selectable image size allowing users to convert "anamorphically" for widescreen HD playback, and two-pass encoding for enhanced image quality. VisualHub 1.1.3 is available for $25, and is a free upgrade to all registered users. The software requires Mac OS X 10.3.9 or later.

Colored Nano sleeves ship

09/19, 1:30pm

Fabrix unveils colored Nano sleeves

Fabrix today unveiled its new collection of iPod nano sleeves in new colors to match Apple's latest second-generation iPod nano. Each sleeve is cushioned with internal quilted padding that provides the portable player with protection against scratches, light bumps, and knocks. The cases are hand sewn to precise dimensions to offer a snug fit, according to Fabrix, and the four new colors are priced from $16.

iTunes 7 under fire

09/19, 1:20pm

iTunes 7 issues surface on Web

Apple's recent release of its iTunes 7 multimedia software is drawing complaints from Mac as well as PC users, which range from poor sound quality to mobile phone troubles. Apple has already acknowledged numerous issues which include AirTunes' inability to connect to remote speakers, iTunes 7 inability to play interactive booklets purchased from the iTunes Music Store, album art not downloading properly, iPods not playing content purchased from the iTunes Music Store, and numerous cell phone users reporting that music transferred to their handsets after upgrading to iTunes 7.0 fails to play on the device. Some users reported only receiving audio during video playback, and one user claims his iTunes software has slowed to a crawl following the update, according to CRN. "Unless it is absolutely necessary for you to upgrade to iTunes 7 right now, I would advise holding off until a correct version is released - these forums are full of members who have spent hours trying to work out fixes - just stick with 6.0.3," one user suggested.

M-BUZZ music service

09/19, 12:40pm

M-BUZZ mobile music service unveiled

Sony-Ericsson today unveiled its M-BUZZ mobile music service, initially highlighting specific Sony artists and their music. The service is offering songs and other content from the musicians that users can download via supported phones. Compatible phones begin with the higher-end W850 and W950 models shipping before the end of this year, with more support planned as new phones arrive, according to Electronista. While Sony-Ericsson is one of the best-known music phone manufacturers, its Walkman phones have never had a compatible music service designed to work with them because their format support is limited to AAC and MP3 files.

Three-piece iPod case

09/19, 10:55am

Ifrogz ships three-piece iPod case

Ifrogz is shipping its three-piece silicone iPod case that protects the digital media player while offering users more than 300,000 ways to customize the look of the device. The cases provide three distinct components which include "Wrapz," "Bandz," and "Screenz" to protect the iPod. "Wrapz" -- which come in 38 colors -- are the main case component of the ifrogz system, covering the entire player from top to bottom while exposing the screen, scrollwheel, and ports. "Bandz" -- which also come in 38 colors -- stretch around the sides of the iPod, protecting exposed ports with a single opening over the iPod's headphone jack. "Screenz" are protective sheets of transparent plastic that lay over the iPod's clickwheel and are available in more than 200 unique options. The ifrogz cases fit iPod mini, iPod nano, 20GB as well as 40GB iPods, and 30GB as well as 60GB video iPods.

Sonnet PodFreq Nano, mini

09/19, 9:30am

Lower prices on Sonnet PodFreq Nano, mini

Sonnet Technologies has announced price cuts on its PodFreq nano and PodFreq mini premium FM transmitters for iPod mini and first generation iPod nano models, respectively. Both PodFreq models' have been reduced to $30, a savings of between 40% and 70% off previous prices. PodFreq nano and PodFreq mini are each a premium FM transmitter, integrated dock and protective case. They improve upon all the features and functionality of the original PodFreq and include a car charger, car cradle, USB 2.0 cable, and soft carrying pouch. Sonnet notes that PodFreq nano (Part No. FMT-IPOD-NANO) is only compatible with first generation iPod nano models (and not the new, second generation iPod nano models) and that PodFreq mini (Part No. FMT-IPOD-MINI) is compatible with all iPod mini models.