News Archive for 06/11/20

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Apple changing its iTunes pricing tune?

11/20, 9:55pm

Changing iTunes pricing?

Apple may be looking for ways to encourage sales of digital albums and is reportedly working with the record labels to reimburse buyers of digital singles who subsequently buy the entire album. CNET News.com reports that Apple is trying to solve this purchasing dilemma, which discourages customers and reduces overall sales for the record industry. "So not only are you not getting your tunes, but the music industry is leaving some money on the table," according to the report. "Supposedly, iTunes customers may soon be able to buy the album and get credit for any single tracks they have bought. The report also sayd that Apple has already been showing more flexibility when it comes to album pricing, by selling some albums for $7.99 and $5.99, less than Apple's flat-pricing of $9.99.

Etymotic's ety.8 Bluetooth Earphones

11/20, 6:45pm

ety.8 Bluetooth Earphones

Etymotic Research today introduced the ety.8 Bluetooth Earphones, which it says is the industry's "first and only" in-the-ear wireless earphones. The ety.8 Bluetooth Earphones are also the only Bluetooth earphones with high-accuracy sound reproduction and full noise exclusion. The new earphones are the smallest wearable stereo Bluetooth earphones, able to fit easily in a pocket or purse. Each earphone weighs less than half an ounce; one contains the battery and the other the circuit, antenna and controls. The ety.8 Bluetooth Earphones, which work with iPod devices and other Bluetooth-enabled music players, are supported completely by the ear canal-with no external support required-for comfortable long-term use. The company includes a large selection of eartips to accommodate different ear sizes.

Ministry of Sound takes on 2G Shuffle

11/20, 6:10pm

Ministry of Sound

Ministry of Sound today launched its Clip Stix music player, a new rival to Apple's second-generation iPod shuffle. The screenless Clip Stix integrates a full-size clip on the back, enabling the device to attach safely to clothes for running or other high-impact exercise. The 256MB flash player plays songs in either MP3 or WMA format, and comes preloaded with 10 songs from the Ministry of Sound. Battery life is rated at a modest 4.5 hours, according to the company. The player is scheduled to ship in the near future in black or pink for $60 after taxes, but offers significantly less storage capacity than Apple's entry-level 1GB iPod shuffle, which sells for $79. [corrected]

iPod aids rescue of lost hunter

11/20, 5:20pm

iPod aids rescue

A 25-year-old Vancouver man who wandered off into the woods near Corvallis found himself lost Thursday after he and his mother split up to hunt for mushrooms. The man failed to hear his cellular phone ring as he foraged because he was listening to music, but eventually realized that he was lost with no means to find his way back to his vehicle. A search through the underbrush by workers from a nearby sawmill turned up nothing, and Benton County emergency rescue authorities were called to the scene as night fell, according to the Oregonian. Rescuers talked to the man on his cell phone in an attempt to locate him by his description of the landscape, but discovered his location by the bright glow of his iPod, which led rescuers directly to his location. The man suffered a sprained ankle, but said he was relieved to be back home and thanked the volunteers who tried to find him.

Tunewear debuts new iPod nano cases

11/20, 8:30am

New iPod nano cases

Tunewear today announced its "PRIE uni" and "PRIE SilverBall" series of high-quality genuine nappa leather cases for Apple's iPod nano. PRIE uni (pictured at right) is a color stitch carrying case for the first- and second-generation iPod nano. It is made from black nappa leather and has vivid color stitching all along the front and back of the case; there are 3 types of color stitch models--green, blue or purple. PRIE uni includes a removable, swivel hook called TUNEHOOK that allows users to easily attach it to a belt loop or a ring on any bag and also features a flip-cover that closes with a magnetic flap; the case includes TUNEFILM, the company's clear protective film that covers the LCD and click wheel of the iPod nano for extra protection. It also offers the ability to sync/charge the iPod while inside the case. It will ship in December for $40.