Recently in MP3 Players & Digital Audio Category

If anybody pays any attention to MSN Music anymore, it still generated plenty of ill will (and bad, bad PR) when Microsoft let users know that it was about to go away (and will all of their music. too).
The slightly happy ending was that it's going to be around until 2011 (if anybody, like I said, still cares).
Anyway, it's a story with a happy ending, but it could have been much, much more happier. Intrigued? Then read all (and more) about it here.

A new UK survey of people aged 14 to 24 finds that kids still love their music and are willing to pay for it — but only on their own terms.
Sponsored by British Music Rights (which represents songwriters and music publishers) and conducted by the University of Hertfordshire, is billed as the "largest UK academic survey of its kind."
The results aren't particularly surprising in most cases, but what the respondents appear to want is an unlimited download service free of DRM that could be legally accessed for a monthly fee.
Hey, it's like the birth of MTV -- "I want my MV (and I want it now!).
Read much more about it here.

Do CDs have another thing to fear -- vinyl?

There has been no doubt that CD sales have been declining due to the growth of digital music. Now it seems CDs are being assaulted by the format they replaced -- vinyl.

Always popular with happening DJs, vinyl LPs have enthusiasts claiming that the analog sound from records is of higher quality than that of their digital counterparts. But how about larger photos and liner notes -- remember them?

(Thanks to Wikipedia for the photo;.) More vinyl details here.

Now we know some (at least) of the reason that NBC pulled its TV shows, etc., out of iTunes and threw its lot in with Zune -- pricing and copyright protection.

In a nutshell, NBC doesn't want to price every one of its show at $1.99 -- which Appleapparently insists they do -- and they want to make sure all material played on these neat little gadgets is protected by copyright -- something Apple is apparently not concerned with, but Microsoft is.

Find out all of the details (at least those fit to print) in the New York Times here.

The iPort FS is a free-standing docking system that enables an Apple iPod to become integrated into a whole-home audio system, and it can be used as a source in a variety of local audio systems.

The small iPort Dock can be placed on a desk, table or other convenient location, allowing quick and easy insertion of an iPod, with connections to both the audio/video system and the user’s computer.

By pressing a single button on the iPort, you can change the iPod from the streaming mode to the music transfer mode, enabling content to be easily transferred from the computer to the iPod.

Simple is good!

www.iportmusic.com

Microsoft just announced that Zune, the company’s "all-in-one digital entertainment brand," is adding new software features and content to the Zune online store, music community and Zune Pass monthly subscription service.

Of particular note, Zune is expanding its video store to include downloads of popular television shows from Comedy Central, MTV, NBC Universal, Nickelodeon, Starz Media, Turner Broadcasting, Ultimate Fighting Championship and VH1.

Will be interesting to see how this dents Apple's iPod leadership ...

Read more about it here on the Microsoft site.

Everybody loves free albums, and Nine Inch Nails is giving away another one, according to Mashable.comhttp://mashable.com/2008/05/05/nine-inch-nails-give-yet-another-album-for-free/.

The Slipis a full-length album available for download at nin.com.

Will record companies eventually disappear or will they morph into something totally unrecognizable?

Anybody have any crystal ball gazingon what the future looks like for "the majors"?

Improving upon their line of Squeezebox (& Transporter) music network devices, Logitech recently introduced the Squeezebox Duet.
The Squeezebox Duet sports a cool new remote controller with a full-color 2.4 inch LCD screen and a receiver that utilizes 802.11g WiFi. the Duet allows users to stream music from any computer to any room with an audio receiver, browse your music collection with full color album art, and even stream Internet radio stations. In addition to playing songs stored on your computer, you can also connect to online services such as Pandora and Rhapsody. Rich Tehrani came to me a couple of weeks ago looking for a device that streams Internet radio, and Pandora so he can work out and listen to music. At the time I couldn't think of anything, but the Squeezebox Duet sounds like it might fit the bill. (Rich also found Webot as a possible solution today)


I like how the multi-room controller with its scroll-wheel navigation makes it easy to browse, select, and play music. After registering the Squeezebox Duet’s receiver, users can use the receiver and remote control to browse Internet radio stations, and subscription-based music services, all while their PC is off. Your personal library of music can be also uploaded to the open-source SqueezeNetwork so that no computer is required for playback. You can also add an MP3tunes.com music locker and listen to your personal music collection without turning on your computer.

For multiple rooms, additional receivers can be added. Simply connect the Squeezebox Receiver to a stereo system or powered speakers. You can also set it up so it plays different music or is synced so that every room is playing the same music. Logitech stated that people already using the older Squeezebox (and Transporter) system, can purchase controllers and integrated into the network.

The beauty of the Logitech Squeezebox Duet network music system, is that music lovers can listen to their personal digital music collection, Internet radio and subscription services on their high-end home-entertainment system anywhere in their house where they have stereo equipment. The scroll-wheel controller also makes it easy to workout on your home treadmill, elliptical, etc. and change music on-the-fly like you would do with your iPod or other MP3 player. That was another one of Rich's features he was looking for - the ability to change music while working out.

My only complaint with this device is that although the remote controller has a full color LCD screen, it doesn't support video for watching streaming video content. What? No Video? (What no gravy?)



Now that would be killer! Logitech makes plenty of video products, including being the #1 web cam manufacturer, so it shouldn't be that hard. Get on it, will ya?

Squeezebox Duet Network Music System Feature overview:
- Unlimited access to digital music: Play songs from your personal collection, tune in to thousands of Internet radio stations, or connect to online services such as Pandora and Rhapsody.
- Multi-room controller: Browse, select and play songs — all from the palm of your hand. 2.4-inch color display, convenient scroll wheel, familiar menus and intuitive buttons make navigation easy.

Performance
- Unsurpassed sound quality: High-fidelity 24-bit DAC, sophisticated audio rendering technology, and digital outputs provide crystal clear CD-quality sound.
- Reliable connectivity: Wired ethernet and true 802.11G Wi-Fi support provide excellent range and connectivity.

The Squeezebox Duet Receiver
Building on the control and audio quality of the classic Squeezebox, the new compact wireless receiver easily fits in any room in the house. Expert engineering and sophisticated audio rendering technology helps provide enhanced sound clarity. Advanced 802.11g wireless technology eliminates the need to string wires everywhere just to listen to music from the computer. And Squeezebox owners who want to control multiple music sources all over the house can easily add more receivers, allowing them to listen to a different song in each room, or synchronize their receivers to hear the same tune throughout the house. Multiple receivers can all be controlled by one Squeezebox Duet Controller.

Pricing and Availability
The Logitech Squeezebox Duet network music system is expected to be available in the U.S. and Europe beginning in January for a suggested retail price of $399.99 (U.S.). For people who want to set up additional rooms to play music, additional receivers can be purchased separately for a suggested retail price of $149.99 (U.S.). A stand-alone controller can be purchased for a suggested retail price of $299.99 (U.S.).

System Requirements

• Windows® 2000, Windows® XP, Windows Vista®
• Mac OS® X (10.3.5 or later)
• Linux/BSD/Solaris
• Ethernet or Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n) home network
• Broadband Internet connection required

Technical Specifications Squeezebox™ Controller

• 2.4-inch color LCD TFT display with backlight
• Rechargeable Li-ion battery
• Built-in 802.11b/g wireless

Squeezebox™ Receiver

• Digital optical, coax, and analog connectors
• High-fidelity 24-bit Wolfson DAC
• Plays MP3, AAC, WMA, Ogg, FLAC, Apple Lossless, WMA Lossless, and WAV music files
• Built-in 802.11b/g wireless
• 10/100 Mbps Ethernet port
• Connects to SqueezeCenter™ software, providing access to music libraries on local computers
• Connects to SqueezeNetwork™ for access to Internet radio and online music services

USB memory sticks are more common than President Bush bashing. (exit polling had it as a close call though) Today, yet another USB memory stick launched - the Buffalo SHD-U32GS TurboUSB USB memory stick. Now before you start ho-humming or poo-poohing this as just another USB memory stuck, hear me out. The Buffalo SHD-U32GS TurboUSB features a whopping 32GB of storage and they claim this is the fastest USB memory stick on the market by a clear 20% margin, allowing you to quickly transfer your precious photos, mp3 files, and other large files very quickly.

20% performance over competing memory sticks makes me a bit skeptical, but maybe because this improvement came from Buffalo and not a bigger name like Sandisk or IBM. But assuming the claims are true, with the time you save, you can go back to your regularly scheduled program of Bush-bashing, Hillary Clinton hating, etc. etc. Or just take a break from the political bashing and spends some time playing with your kids this holiday season - or at least playing with whatever holiday gadgetry you get for Christmas.

[Via Akihabara News]

Who wouldn't love R2-D2 in their living room projecting not just Princess Leia, but any damn movie you please. Hammacher Schlemmer, who carries the Skype R2-D2 I oggled over, has done it again with The R2-D2® Home Theater System a home theater system modeled after the famous droid from the Star Wars films. (note: Nikko Home Electronics makes this)



R2-D2's head houses a DLP projection system with superb 1,500:1 contrast, that can project DVD movies, TV shows, images, and video games from his radar eye at 1024 x 768 resolution onto walls up to 16 1/2' away, equivalent to an 80" screen. Further, he can also rotate the viewing angle up to 65° to project images onto your ceiling. They even threw in a DVD/CD player into one of his mechanical arm housings. Even cooler, R2's anterior louvred vents rotate to reveal a docking station that fits most iPods (including video iPods), so you can play music or videos through his two 20-watt built-in speakers, and an access panel adjacent to the docking station conceals slots for memory cards and a USB port, allowing you to project digital pictures.

His rear logic display has an LED message center that alternates between R2's current function and random light patterns, and R2's sensors keep him from falling off tables, down stairs, or down trash compactor chutes while he moves forward, backward, left, right, and pivots. A mounted model of the Millennium Falcon conceals a remote that provides complete control of all R2-D2's functions.

Measures 20 1/2" H x 13 1/2" Diameter (14 lbs.) and will cost ya $2,799.95 - well worth the price for all you Star Wars geeks (myself included)! It'll become available to ship on December 21st - just in time for someone to buy it for you for Christmas (or someone to buy it for me for that matter ).

[via Hammacher Schlemmer R2-D2 Home Theater System product page]