News Archive for 06/11/28

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Wal-Mart debuts video download service

11/28, 3:05pm

Wal-Mart video downloads

Brick-and-mortar retailer Wal-Mart today unveiled its first direct-download video service in an effort to reward DVD buyers at its stores. The chain plans to launch a beta test allowing customers to purchase movies as well as TV shows solely as downloads. Starting Wednesday buyers of certain DVD movies such as Superman Returns will be able to purchase download versions of the same movies priced between $2-4 for portable-quality editions designed for handheld players such as Apple's iPod and a hybrid download that includes both the portable version and a full-quality copy for computers. No file format was specified, according to Electronista, but Wal-Mart is likely to involve protected Windows Media files similar to those of its existing music store. The move comes after Wal-Mart held talks with Apple to offer rumored iTunes coupons and gift cards that would allow the retail giant to collect a small amount of revenue from iTunes video sales.

iPod recommended 75% by retail clerks

11/28, 2:50pm

iPod recommended 75%

Many big-box retailers are recommending Apple's iPod to customers asking about MP3 players about 75 percent of the time (up from 63 percent in June of 2005 and 68 percent in November of 2005), while Microsoft's Zune player only received roughly 8 percent of recommendations, according to checks performed by research firm Piper Jaffray. The firm spoke with 40 big-box retailers to gauge which MP3 players salespeople were suggesting for more than $200, revealing that some salespeople had never even heard of Microsoft's Zune player when approached during the checks, despite the fact that the devices were sold in their stores. Zune held the 7th spot on Amazon's top 10 best-selling MP3 players list during its launch week in mid-November, but the player abruptly fell out of the top 10 after the initial buzz subsided. Piper Jaffray maintains its 'outperform' rating on Apple shares with a price target of $99.

Queen's University joins iTunes U

11/28, 12:40pm

Queen's Univ on iTunes U

Queen's University located in Kingston has become the first Canadian university to launch iTunes U, a Web application that offers up a wide range of download-able multimedia files to the university community as well as anyone else seeking a "taste of the university experience." The now-portable aspects of life on campus will include audio versions of public lectures, videos of debates, football games, convocation ceremonies and even archival footage of the original live version of the university mascot Boo-Hoo the Bear. While much of the initial content is being supplied by CFRC (101.9 FM), Tom Dean, an assistant professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, will be the first to make his Operating Systems course lectures and labs available through iTunes U so that students can listen to them at their leisure, the University said.

iSymphony M1, M2 music systems ship

11/28, 10:40am

iSymphony M1, M2 ship

iSymphony today launched its new iSymphony music system, a multi-function audio playback device with support for Apple's iPod player. The iSymphony M1 integrates a CD/MP3 player with USB and SD/MMC inputs for flash memory devices to play through the unit. The M1 also features an AM/FM stereo tuner, MP3 as well as WMA playback, a backlit clock with the ability to wake to music, and a built-in universal dock for iPods with adapters to support all dockable models. The system charges the iPod while docked, and allows users to remix tunes through the system. The iSymphony M2 includes all of the M1's features, adding a Progressive Scan DVD/MPEG4 player along with additional flash memory via Memory Stick compatibility. The iSymphony M1 is priced at $200, while the iSymphony M3 is available for $300.

Waterproof case for 2G iPod nano

11/28, 9:25am

H2O ships 2G Nano case

H2O Audio today announced that it has begun shipping its new H2O Audio for iPod nano Gen 2, the latest addition to H2O Audio's popular line of adventure sport accessories for iPod music players. H2O Audio for iPod nano's compact and durable form-fit case perfectly compliments the Gen 2 nano's slim-line design, according to the company. The Gen 2 housing ships with an armband and H2O Audio offers accessories including its patented waterproof headphones as well as a swim belt for off the arm extended water wear. H2O Audio for iPod nano Gen 2 features the company's patented durable "elastomeric" diagonal T-seal providing "absolute waterproof protection" as well as its unique full-function Commander scroll-wheel assembly that provides users with access to all click wheel functions--even when submerged in up to ten feet of water. The secure waterproof housing is rated to 10ft. (3m), is compatible with a wide range of standard headsets, and offers full view Menu screen, while delivering extreme impact and scratch protection. It is available for $80, while the headphones are $40.

Google predicts iPod media revolution

11/28, 9:20am

Google VP on iPod video

Apple's popular iPod has already transformed the digital music industry and become a cultural phenomenon, but at least one Google executive believes that the media player will continue to revolutionize culture and the industry. One Google exec is predicting the iPod will lead a further media transformation of similar magnitude in the coming decade, according to Silicon.com. "Speaking at the FT World Communications Conference, Nikesh Arora, Google's VP of European operations, told delegates that, in the coming years, the plummeting price of storage and its increasing volume-to-size ratio will give iPods almost unlimited potential to hold music and video. Arora said, by 2012, iPods could launch at similar prices to those on sale now and yet be capable of holding a whole year's worth of video releases. Around 10 years down the line that could be expanded, creating iPods that can hold all the music ever sold commercially." He also said that that there will be greater convergence between mobile and internet, as consumers expect to be able to access traditional web content and services on the mobile platform.