That's the date and that's the price for Microsoft's new MP3 player.
The press release gives all of the details.
The big question: Will this make any kind of dent in Apple's domination of this market?
Recently in MP3 Players & Digital Audio Category
Always like the concept of the U2 iPod, and now it's been updated with a new lower price (still garners a premium, though, according to some recent blogs.
Obviously, you've seen the band involved in promos for Apple's products and now with Disney so involved with movie downloads on iTunes, will we see a Disney iPod from Apple?
I know you can get Disney skins, but how about a real one?
Remember we blogged earlier this week about the question about Zune's pricing?
Well, today much and all kinds of speculation, rumors, innuendoes, viewpoints and blogging about just how much that Zune "in the window" will cost.
Maybe Microsoft should sell them all online via an auction; can you imagine an eBay auction of that scale? Or how about "Microsoft Direct" -- would be very interesting ...
Does anybody really know the price of Microsoft's new Zune?
(Does anybody really care? Hey, sounds like a tune from Chicago, or Chicago Transit Authority as the band was originally known.)
Seems Apple's new iPod pricing threw Microsoft for a loop, according to reports, so the retail pricing for the product is still up in the air.
Lots of intrigue about how to market a product in this story, with one of the key marketing "Ps" (there are four) -- price -- still a big question mark.
Is this anyway to run a company?
Griffin Technology offers oodles of products for the iPod -- not a bad way to run a business!
The PowerBlock Travel is the ultimate travel pack; it can charge your iPod wherever you go. The twin flat-blade, non-polarized prongs fit into any twin-prong outlets -- ideal for international use, but, more importantly (or "at least"), the package includes adapters that cover every kind of AC connection you'll encounter in your globe trekking. PowerBlock handles voltages from 110 to 240 AC, converting seamlessly to the 12 Volt DC that you (actually your gadgets) need.
What's more, the PowerBlock Travel includes a Griffin dock connector cable for your iPod.
Now you never need to leave your iPod at home -- no matter where you go! Don't leave home without it!
MSRP: $34.99
Memory companies hold a funny place in the world of gadgets -- they provide an essential component to PDAs, MP3 players, smart phones, digital cameras and the like -- yet they are essentially invisible.
And while branding does play a role in consumer's purchasing decisions in this area, very often price is the determining factor when faced with competing products in clam shell cases hanging from retailers' display racks.
All this leads to a note about Crucial Technology celebrating its tenth anniversary this year.
The Crucial story starts with Micron Technology, one of the largest dynamic random access memory (DRAM) manufacturers in the world and the only one based in the U.S.
Headquartered in Boise, ID (yes, that is true), Micron manufactures DRAM chips and assembles them into memory modules for sale to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) worldwide. And they have been doing it for more than 25 years.
When Micron asked, well, what about the end user? What about the everyday folks who want to upgrade their existing systems with OEM-quality memory -- the home desktop user, the IT network guy, the student notebook user?
To make a long story short, Crucial Technology was born in 1996 (September to be specific -- so it really is 10 years to the month!) to take this memory to consumers with factory-direct pricing.
Obviously, 10 years in the memory business underscores that they must be doing something right.
So, if you're not familiar with Crucial, take a look at www.crucial.com.
Showtime, baby!
Of course, buzz central about Apple's big event today on multiple channels.
Want to get a sneak peak inside "the core" from a source that's got very good sources? Then check out this post on Gizmodo, which seems to have it down.
Is it a bird, is it a plane, is it a cell phone, is it iPod movies ...
According to an article in the U.K.'s fine newspaper, The Guardian, mainstream adoption of Apple's iPod is making it less cool. (Really?)
This is from industry analysts who speculate the music player has peaked in popularity.
Adding to the iPod's apparent "trouble" are mobile phones with music players. (If only they got it right ...)
Now industry analysts are noted for predicting the future, which in the land of gadgets is very hard; seems their crystal balls sometimes need to be cleaned (or maybe they just get fogged up a bit).
Think they've got it right this time?
Looks like today's blogging is all about more and more.
Now we have Universal Music, home to artists such as U2, planning to make its catalog of recordings and music videos available for free on an ad-supported Web site that will launch later this year.
According to the buzz, SpiralFrog.com will split advertising revenue with the recording company.
Users can download an unlimited number of songs or music videos if they register at the site. Tracks cannot be burned to a CD, but users will be able to transfer music to portable media players equipped with Microsoft Windows digital rights management software.
However, the service will not work with Apple's Macintosh computers or its market-leading iPod music players. (Is that a good idea?)
Fine reporting from The Washington Post.
Here's another gadget that I wished I had inverted -- it's simply called Cordgo, and in a way that is what is does (or enables you to do).
A one hand-operated cord adjustment and storage accessory, Cordgo's durable, lightweight design fits in the palm of your hand to deliver cord control.
No more dangling iPod cords, cell phone cords, MP3 player cords; in fact, any cord up to 3mm in diameter.
Cordgo was designed to perform as an integral component between cord and digital device so it adjusts the cord automatically to "the perfect length."
It eliminates the tangling and physical interference of a cord and can be clipped to your belt, arm band, key chain, car visor, bag or slipped it in your pocket.
MSRP: $9.95 (and now with a "buy one, get one free" offer, plus free decals that can be affixed to the face of the cover)