News Archive for 07/01/24

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Transformers iPod dock

01/24, 1:00pm

Transformers iPod dock

Japanese toy maker Takara is producing a pair of new, unofficial Transformers-themed audio products, Electronista notes. Of these, the most significant is likely the Optimus Prime-like Convoy iPod dock, which features a transforming cab, and a detachable trailer which opens up to reveal speakers and the dock itself. The design should fit all "standard size" iPods, with the iPod Shuffle being specifically excluded. The other Takara product is the Soundwave MP3 player, modelled after the namesake cassette toy. The Takara version is decidedly more modern however, opening up to reveal a miniSD slot. The player runs on batteries, but will play music in both its cassette and robot forms. The Convoy is priced at $145 and comes in white, while Soundwave is $80 in white or $110 in blue, though pre-orders of the latter are already sold out. Both items should ship in July.

DMGI content on iTunes

01/24, 12:50pm

DMGI to offer audio, video content on iTunes

Digital Music Group today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Apple, and has appointed Apple as a reseller of its audio-visual files owned and/or controlled by DMGI. Apple now serves as a reseller of TV programs, feature length movies, shorts, and specialty content, according to DMGI. Apple, meanwhile, has agreed to pay DMGI fixed wholesale prices for each video download during the term of the agreement, under which DMGI is generally responsible for all royalties and third party payments due with respect to the exploitation of its video content. Apple is to provide monthly sales reports to DMGI and make payments based on those reports. The agreement took effect on January 19th of this year, and stands to span for 36 months from the launch of DMGI's video content on iTunes alongside any renewals or extensions of that content. The deal will add hundreds of thousands of musical tracks as well as thousands of hours of TV, film, and video content to iTunes.

Bluetooth dock bridge

01/24, 11:55am

Bluetooth bridge for iPod docks

German Bluetooth specialists ANYCOM have announced the FIPO, an upcoming bridge device for iPod docks, writes Electronista. Instead of enabling iPod content to be played elsewhere, as one might expect, the FIPO actually permits any Bluetooth-enabled music player -- including a cellphone -- to stream audio through the dock. Once paired, the player and the FIPO can then exchange control commands, such as play, pause, and track skip. This works both ways, such that buttons on a car stereo, for instance, can change tracks on a phone. The FIPO will begin production for Europe and the US on February 15th and cost about $99.