doPi Karaoke for video iPod ships

doPikaraoke.com has launched the doPi Karaoke, a portable device enabling users to turn a video iPod or other video player into a fully functional karaoke machine. Users can download karaoke songs from doPikaraoke.com in both video formats supported by Apple's video iPod, according to the company, and load the downloaded files onto the portable device. Users can connect iPods loaded with karaoke tracks to the doPi Karaoki system, which in turn connects to a TV or stereo to complete the karaoke setup. The doPi Karaoke is available for $100 from Future Shop.

Zune drops from no. 2 to no. 5

After a strong initial showing Microsoft's share of the digital audio player market has decreased, putting the Redmond-based company in fifth place. Research firm NPD Group reports that in the week ending November 25th, the Zune consumed 2.1 percent of sales, versus 39.4 percent for Apple's iPod and 39.3 percent for SanDisk products. At third and fourth place were players by Creative and Memorex; Microsoft's figures were also tied by a player from the Walt Disney Company, according to Electronista. NPD analyst Stephen Baker noted, however, that the week of Thanksgiving is traditionally difficult for new products, and that Microsoft's unit volume was unusually consistent between the first and second weeks. Microsoft admitted after the Zune launch in mid-November that its strategy is a long-term entry into the portable audio player market, and that it expects to see very little -- if any -- progress during the first year as a contender.

Incipio ships iPod ShuffleBud

Incipio has unveiled its iPod ShuffleBud USB adapter for Apple's second-generation iPod shuffle. The accessory is a tiny USB to 3.5mm adapter measuring 47 x 16mm and weighing just 5.6 grams, allowing users to connect the iPod to any USB port without the need to use the larger iPod shuffle dock included with the portable player. The ShuffleBud supports full speed USB transfer rates, and ships with a lanyard loop on the side to attach a Shuffle to a backpack or laptop case. The iPod ShuffleBud USB adapter is priced at $6.

Toshiba debuts 100GB 1.8" iPod drive

Toshiba's storage division today said that it has produced the world's highest-capacity, 1.8-inch hard drive, delivering nearly 100GB of storage. The new drive uses perpendicular magnetic recording, where bits are aligned vertically on the platter, to achieve the record-setting density, according to Electronista. The small disk mechanism also spins at a relatively quick 4200RPM and consumes less power per gigabyte than earlier models, ensuring that it remains efficient enough to be used in iPods and other handheld devices without sacrificing speed. Toshiba plans to start manufacturing the 100GB model in January with devices using its extra storage soon afterwards.