News Archive for 07/01/17

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Nike Speed+: iPod-less?

01/17, 6:00pm

Nike Speed+ to obfuscate Nike+iPod?

Sports gear manufacturer Nike will soon release a watch that could eliminate the need for the Nike+iPod kit, according to Electronista. Appearing only briefly on the European Nike website before being removed, the Nike Speed+ watch includes its own flash memory and wireless receiver that links with the Nike+ sensor. After a run, the watch connects to a computer through USB to upload distance and speed information to the Nikeplus.com website. An onboard LCD also tracks information useful to live runners such as the estimated calorie burn and pacing, the description said. No launch information accompanied the leak, but the inadvertent announcement suggests that Nike is approaching its Nike+ initative as a multi-level strategy of which the iPod is only a part. The sporting company recently announced its C.O.R.E. iPod backpack that offers music control through the strap. News of the still unreleased Amp+ bracelet for iPod users also surfaced late in 2006 and pointed to Nike's expansion beyond tracking equipment alone.

Online music doubles sales

01/17, 5:45pm

Online music sales double, CD sales slump

Worldwide online sales of music doubled to $2 billion in 2006, but failed to compensate for lower CD sales, says the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI). The Associated Press observes that the online realm today represents 10 percent of the market, but that the industry as a whole has shrunk by three percent. The report from the IFPI contradicts the organization's past expectations, which held that digital sales would compensate for the overall declines seen since 2002. The growth of online music has in fact slowed in its own right, since 2005 sales saw a threefold increase. IFPI chairman John Kennedy still hopes that 2007 will be the year that online sales rescue the music industry, particularly because of devices like the iPhone. Kennedy warns however that internet service providers may be targeted with lawsuits if they continue to allow known pirates to operate.

Apple to open FairPlay?

01/17, 1:30pm

Apple to open FairPlay DRM?

Apple is planning to open its FairPlay digital rights management (DRM) standard used on tracks purchased from its iTunes Music Store, according to /Tech/ sources. The publication says Apple is gearing up to make two announcements this week, making protected AAC files streamable via USB and the ability for third-party 'Made for iPod' manufacturers to license Fairplay for their own use. If true, the moves would result in more hardware with expanded functionality, such as digital output straight from iTunes, and built-in displays of previously protected track content such as album artwork. /Tech/ speculates that the move could be intended to keep Made for iPod companies on board as the appeal of more "open" players like the Microsoft Zune become stronger.

YouTube to iPod Converter

01/17, 11:25am

Free YouTube-to-iPod Converter released

DVDVideoSoft today released its Free YouTube to iPod Converter, enabling Windows users to download as well as convert videos from YouTube for use on Apple's video iPod, SOny's PSP, and modern mobile phones. The software requires only a link to a YouTube video to download the video and convert it into MP4 format, ready for uploading to portable media players. Additionally, users can supply a Flash Video file to convert to the MP4 format within several seconds. DVDVideoSoft's Free YouTube to iPod Converter is available or free, and works with all recent versions of Microsoft Windows including Windows Vista.

LightSnake Podcasting Kit

01/17, 9:50am

SoundTech unveils LightSnake Podcasting Kit

SoundTech Professional Audio today unveiled the SoundTech Podcasting Kit (site not updated), an easy-to-use package allowing anyone to create and place Podcasts on the Web. The SoundTech Podcasting Kit includes the LightSnake XLR Intelligent Microphone Cable, Sony Acid XMC software with a 1-year Acidplanet Prozone membership, a tripod microphone desk stand, and a professional microphone. The included LightSnake Intelligent XLR Microphone Cable plugs directly into a computer's USB port, reducing the complexity and clutter traditionally associated with digital recording. The LightSnake features SoundTech's patented "Live when Lit" technology cable ends that glow and flash as sound is transmitted, and Sony Acid XMC recording software allows users to easily record as well as edit Podcasts. The included 1-year subscription to Sony Acidplanet Prozone provides Podcast hosting that allows anyone to subscribe and listen to the Podcast. The SoundTech LightSnake Podcasting Kit is due to arrive in the first quarter of 2007, and is priced at $150.