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MP3 Player News & Headlines
Gemini Announces iTrax iPod DJ Mixer
The iTrax joins the Numark iDJ, to allow users to mix the output of two iPods, with basic dj functionality.
Micron Acquires Flash Memory Maker Numonyx
(PC World)
PC World - Micron Technology has agreed to acquire flash memory maker Numonyx, adding NOR flash chips -- a memory type commonly found in mobile phones and MP3 players -- to its product lineup and expanding its manufacturing capacity
Apple: More than 70 Percent of 2007 Cars will have iPod Support
More than 70 percent of 2007-model US automobiles will offer iPod integration.
Griffin Intros Evolve iPod Speakers
Griffin Technology today announced the unveiling of its new lineup of powered speaker systems. Evolve is a speaker system with a flat charging base that holds your iPod in a Universal Dock.
Griffin Intros Hi-Way Case for iPod Hi-Fi
Griffin Technology today announced Hi-Way, a versatile, custom fit, roadworthy carrying case for the iPod Hi-Fi compact stereo.
The Eight Thousand Dollar Piano-Shaped ipod Table
The Concerto Table, a piano-shaped table designed by Nicholas Lovegrove & Demian Repucci, has to be one of the most expensive and exclusive iPod accessories yet.
RealNetworks, MTV to spin off Rhapsody
(AP)
AP - RealNetworks Inc. and MTV Networks said Tuesday that they plan to spin off Rhapsody America LLC, their digital music service joint venture, into an independent company.
UK pop sale for Haiti raises $80,000 so far
(Reuters)
Reuters - An online auction of pop memorabilia from some of Britain's biggest acts has raised around 50,000 pounds ($80,000) so far for survivors of the Haiti earthquake, organizers Oxfam said on Monday.
MP3 Tech Commentary
Nook Availability Update and v1.2 Software Update Hey, remember the Nook? Leading up to Christmas, the Barnes & Noble eReader was the hottest thing, and appeared poised to give Amazon's Kindle a run for its money. But a slew of bugs, along with the impending arrival of Apple's mighty iPad relegated the Nook to the backburner. Despite the Nook's launch woes, Barnes & Noble still managed to sell a ton of the devices, which has been practically sold out. Until, now that is. An announcement at the Nook blog states that Nook availability is finally looking up. The device is now in stock online and is also supposed to be arriving in Barnes & Noble stores by the middle of the week, according to B&N. Apparently, the ladies love to read as B&N was extra-motivated to make the Nook extra-available right before Valentine's Day. B&N is also throwing in a few deals this month, including a short story from bestselling author Adriana Trigiani and a Valentine's Day recipe for red velvet cupcakes from Anne Byrn. Yes, guys, you can now start running for the hills. (One married co-worker of mine, actually got super-depressed after seeing Wal-Mart's Valentine's commercial during the Superbowl. Nothing against Wal-Mart, though. Dude's just flat out traumatized from past experience.) Speaking of the aforementioned bugs, B&N also released its second update for the Nook, and this appears to be a major one. Cosmetically, the most noticeable difference involves the new icons. But B&N says the update also includes: Meanwhile, a look at the comments on the blog, reveal that some people are still having problems after the update. While page swipe now appears to be working every time for some folks, some are apparently still having issues with it. Other problems reported by people include dictionary issues, lost page numbers and progress bars (for books being read prior to the update), lost libraries and freezing. Not sure, though, if this is actually widespread or simply a case of squeaky wheels getting the most attention. On the plus side, at least the device is now as available as a bachelor — warts and all. Photo © Barnes & Noble Nook Availability Update and v1.2 Software Update originally appeared on About.com Portable Entertainment on Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 at 00:01:08.
Will The New MusicDNA Format be MP3's Nemesis? A new music format called, MusicDNA, has been developed that could potentially replace the ageing MP3 format. Bach Technology, who co-developed MusicDNA with the Fraunhofer Institute of Digital Media Technologies (IDMT), say the new format will provide the user with a far richer media experience when compared to standard audio formats. The new technology makes use of an enhanced set of metadata tags to increase a user's interactive experience. Some examples of how these tags could benefit a consumer are: accessing the artist/band's latest videos; following links to related blogs; discovering related music on media-orientated services and social networks, etc. For a long time now, the music industry has been trying different methods to reduce online music piracy -- the most notable being (the almost defunct) DRM technology that prevents files from being copied, shared, etc. The problem with this however was it often restricted the user so much that even major music services like iTunes eventually phased it out. However, this new format potentially offers the consumer a great deal more entertainment for their money than just music. This could be just what the music industry needs to try to increase sales and reduce online piracy via file sharing networks. The big question now is, will the new MusicDNA format 'persuade' consumers to migrate from the trusted MP3 format with the promise of an enhanced multimedia experience? Related Articles:
Will The New MusicDNA Format be MP3's Nemesis? originally appeared on About.com Digital Music on Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 at 09:00:30.
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Soundcheck Offers Free Corinne Bailey Rae MP3 Download Walmart's Soundcheck service, which showcases select artists by providing exclusive content, is offering up a free Corinne Bailey Rae MP3 download. The free track, I'd Do It All Again, is taken from the British Singer/songwriter's new album, The Sea, which is due for release 26. Jan, 2010. To get your free track, simply go to Soundcheck's Corrine Bailey Rae page and click on the highlighted free download button. You'll have to be quick though -- there's only a limited number of downloads available. Related Articles:
Soundcheck Offers Free Corinne Bailey Rae MP3 Download originally appeared on About.com Digital Music on Wednesday, January 20th, 2010 at 15:59:06.
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Top eReaders: A Look at Today's Popular eBook Readers Now that we've got our Slate Tablet Roundup all set up, I figure now is a good time to do a roundup for eBook readers as well. Certainly, we've done a list of some new eReaders from CES. But what about those already out? Check out our eBook reader roundup to see some of the more popular eReaders out on the market. Photo © Sony Top eReaders: A Look at Today's Popular eBook Readers originally appeared on About.com Portable Entertainment on Wednesday, February 10th, 2010 at 00:01:16.
Free Music Downloads This Week The free music downloads in our spotlight this week are: Artist/Band: Stacy B Artist/Band: Motor Artist/Band: The Asteroids Galaxy Tour Related Articles:
Genre: Pop / R&B / Club
Free Music Download: Do It Now (download Code: 1688).
Genre: Techno / Alternative / Electro
Free Music Download: Kick It (4:46)
Additional MP3(s): Kick It (Malente Remix) (4:25) via RCRD RBL
Album: Hyper Machine (Dim Mak Records) available from top digital music services.
Genre: Electronic / Pop
Free Music Download: The Sun Ain't Shinning No More (33 Hz Remix) (5:55)
Additional MP3(s): 2 more versions via RCRD RBL
Album: Fruit (Small Giants Records Ltd.) now available digitally
Free Music Downloads This Week originally appeared on About.com Digital Music on Thursday, February 11th, 2010 at 09:00:40.
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Free Kindle Readers? Plus LG Joins eReader Fray People love free stuff. Which makes it no surprise that a report from TechCrunch about free Kindle eReaders is starting to gain some traction on the Intertubes. As part of its efforts to soften the potential blow of Apple's iPad, TechCrunch cites a "reliable source" who says that Amazon is mulling giving free Kindle Readers to members of its "Prime" service. That would be customers who pay $79 a year to get free two-day shipping for their orders. Amazon, meanwhile, declined to comment on the rumor. In other news, another major Korean electronics manufacturer is slated to release a new eReader this year. Samsung has already thrown its hat into the eReader arena, featuring several products at the recent Consumer Electronics Show. Now LG is also entering the fray with its own eReader in April, according to Electronista. Given LG's dabbling with e-paper displays, I guess it was only a matter of time. Photo © Amazon Free Kindle Readers? Plus LG Joins eReader Fray originally appeared on About.com Portable Entertainment on Tuesday, February 16th, 2010 at 05:13:22.
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