News Archive for 06/12/29

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Lyrics, podcasts coming to the Zune?

12/29, 3:50pm

Podcasts on Zune?

Microsoft's Zune, which competes directly with Apple's video iPod for dominance in the digital audio player market, may have some undisclosed features waiting to be unlocked. A contributor to the Zune Scene forums has explored the zune.exe file, discovering that the file contains references to sychronized lyrics as well as podcasts -- neither of which are currently supported by the player, the Zune Windows browser, or the Zune Marketplace. Microsoft may be planning a future revision to the Zune which will enable the above options, though podcasts in particular might require significant revisions to the browser and Marketplace, according to Electronista.

Hammacher direct-to-iPod video converter

12/29, 3:30pm

Direct-to-iPod converter

Hammacher Schlemmer has launched its iRecord media converter, a device designed to eliminate the need for a computer to send audio and video to an iPod. Electronista notes that the device connects to any RCA or S-video source, converting a stream into an MP3 or MP4 file which is transferred directly to an iPod's storage space. Users can send content to any USB storage device, although Hammacher claims that the iRecord can distinguish between an iPod and miscellaneous products. Video is captured at 320x240 and comes in at 1GB for a three-hour file. Hammacher is selling the iRecord from its website for $160.

MS may take on iTV at CES in January

12/29, 11:15am

Microsoft at CES

Microsoft is planning to use its aggressive showing at January's CES trade show in Las Vegas to introduce a home server that would function as a media hub for a home network. Sources speaking to ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley allege that the Windows Home Server is expected to serve as a combination of a network-friendly PC with a customized version of Windows Vista that would ease the process of sharing media with computers, Microsoft's Xbox 360, and similar devices that can tap into the Redmond-based company's Media Center software. The hardware may also include media extenders or a special network router, according to Electronista. The source leaked no specifications, the announcement -- if valid -- is likely timed to compete directly with a formal announcement of Apple's iTV or other media-related products that could be released at the MacWorld Expo due to begin alongside CES.