16 February, 2006
iPod dock with Mac Mini?
Stories are doing the internet saying that Apple will intergrate a iPod dock as an option with the new Mac Mini computers. zzzz
Is the Walkman dead?
During 2005 Sony Ericsson brought out a Walkman phone and it made a big hit with consumers in Europe with 3 million sold during the second half of 2005.
And now they've extended the range with a massively impressive W950 music phone which, if marketed correctly, could challenge the iPod in 2006.
This phone should do well with people that don't need GB's of storage capability and just want to listen to music on the bus or tube. It's a pretty damn stylish phone too. It's got a 4GB hard drive which could hold a very impressive 4,000 songs in MP3, AAC, AAC+, E-AAC+, WAV and m4a formats. The QVGA screen is impressive and has Bluetooth, USB 2.0 and a full html browser - Opera 8. In our own experience we've found Opera better than the other browsers.
Amazon to take on iTunes?
Amazon Chief Exec Jeff Bezos has rightly said that if they're going to try and compete with iTunes they'll not want to simply create a copy of the Apple creation.
News from the Wall Street Journal indicates that Amazon is advanced talks with four of the world's largest music companies to offer a digital music service that is significantly different from iTunes.
One of the additional tactics seems to be to offer Amazon-branded portable music players (just as Advanced MP3 Players do), pre-loaded players and subscription services.
Do you think they can do a good enough job to take on Apple?
At the moment Amazon sells 10% of all digital music players in the US which includes iPods. If Amazon causes too much of a stink would Apple stop Amazon selling their products?? I've not seen any Apple comment on this possibility.
One issue that could prevent or harm Amazon's entry in to the player market would be the avaliability of Flash memory. Mr Cotty of iSuppli is report to have said that Apple "has tried to lock up available flash memory for its small music devices". To me Apple has an obligation to its shareholders to make sure its got sufficient components to continue with its massive growth. It's unlike me to support Apple, but whether or not they're securing sufficient quantities to continue the growth in sales or prevent others from entering the market is a comment that only market analysts and company executives could comment on.
On the digital download front, it has been said that Amazon is busy building its service with the hiring of 3,000 people in the US to get the project off the ground. If you compare this level of hiring with Google and Yahoo! which hired 2,659 and 2,185 people in the US last year.
News from the Wall Street Journal indicates that Amazon is advanced talks with four of the world's largest music companies to offer a digital music service that is significantly different from iTunes.
One of the additional tactics seems to be to offer Amazon-branded portable music players (just as Advanced MP3 Players do), pre-loaded players and subscription services.
Do you think they can do a good enough job to take on Apple?
At the moment Amazon sells 10% of all digital music players in the US which includes iPods. If Amazon causes too much of a stink would Apple stop Amazon selling their products?? I've not seen any Apple comment on this possibility.
One issue that could prevent or harm Amazon's entry in to the player market would be the avaliability of Flash memory. Mr Cotty of iSuppli is report to have said that Apple "has tried to lock up available flash memory for its small music devices". To me Apple has an obligation to its shareholders to make sure its got sufficient components to continue with its massive growth. It's unlike me to support Apple, but whether or not they're securing sufficient quantities to continue the growth in sales or prevent others from entering the market is a comment that only market analysts and company executives could comment on.
On the digital download front, it has been said that Amazon is busy building its service with the hiring of 3,000 people in the US to get the project off the ground. If you compare this level of hiring with Google and Yahoo! which hired 2,659 and 2,185 people in the US last year.
15 February, 2006
Bean's out of date ... already!
The Independent has report that the Sony Bean is to be discontinued after only 6 months.
From April it will be no more, the competition from the iPod could have been too much. And it's not just MP3 players that its happening to. If you look at anything digital, Moore's Law will nean that TV's, digital cameras, DVD players etc will only have a shelf-life of about 6-9 months.
Can you spot any retailer selling video recorders, cassette players? Ok so they're still around, but do you hear anyone raving about them? It's no longer cool to have a tape player in your car! You've got to have, at the very least a CD player, but you should really be sporting an mp3 player and a 12inch tft, neon lights and crap music that has two-line lyrics.
From April it will be no more, the competition from the iPod could have been too much. And it's not just MP3 players that its happening to. If you look at anything digital, Moore's Law will nean that TV's, digital cameras, DVD players etc will only have a shelf-life of about 6-9 months.
Can you spot any retailer selling video recorders, cassette players? Ok so they're still around, but do you hear anyone raving about them? It's no longer cool to have a tape player in your car! You've got to have, at the very least a CD player, but you should really be sporting an mp3 player and a 12inch tft, neon lights and crap music that has two-line lyrics.
Another day ... Benq EF51 MP3 Player
This guy is an BenQ-Siemens EF51 Mobile phone and music device. The main details are that it has an 1.6 inch colour display with 262,144 colours at 128 x 128 pixels.
There's also an FM radio, capability of playing MP3, WMA, ACC and AAC+ formats and a neat voice operated music selection function which allows users to simply order their mobile phone the name of the song to play - ouch that's one hell of a sexy feature.
There's also 3D surround sound, a 6-band equaliser and a Display Lyris feature - awesome dude! And you can even record music direct from the radio - steady on, be careful of the legals on that one.
You can also expand the avaliable memory using miniSD cards. If that isn't enough for you, you can even make use of the 1.3 megapixel digital camera. This little beauty should be realease in the near future.
Bears, now dogs and cats
Kids new companions and they need a bit Green Day as they rock to sleep. Oh please, now you can get clothes for these creations of Hasbro. I'm starting to get a tad annoyed with the daily stream of iPodmania. You'll see people on TV in twenty years with room full of iPod memorabilia, just like you do with walls adorned with an overweight Elvis, garish Ronald McDonalds and creepy porcelain dolls. grr.
The Associated Press has stated that iPod merchandise is worth an estimated $850 million and the iPod is the number one toy. What happened to playing on your bikes and loosing your Action Man in the woods?
The Associated Press has stated that iPod merchandise is worth an estimated $850 million and the iPod is the number one toy. What happened to playing on your bikes and loosing your Action Man in the woods?
At last a challenge to the iPod?
A super sized sim card is set to take on the iPod - at long last. Reports from The Times state that the mobile phone is going offer serious competition for the people in Apple-land.
Orange unvield the new sim card will have 8,000 times more memory than the standard Sim card at the 3GSM conference in Barcelona. This capacity will allow it to hold three full-length films, 130 music tracks and 50 games with email attachments - wow!
It will only be avaliable with certain handsets this year but will be trialled in France first.
A spokesman for Orange said: “The half-a-gigabyte Sim card transforms the mobile phone into a true multimedia device, allowing you to securely carry your sensitive personal data and contents with you and access it whenever and wherever you want.”
Orange unvield the new sim card will have 8,000 times more memory than the standard Sim card at the 3GSM conference in Barcelona. This capacity will allow it to hold three full-length films, 130 music tracks and 50 games with email attachments - wow!
It will only be avaliable with certain handsets this year but will be trialled in France first.
A spokesman for Orange said: “The half-a-gigabyte Sim card transforms the mobile phone into a true multimedia device, allowing you to securely carry your sensitive personal data and contents with you and access it whenever and wherever you want.”
PocketParty V2
If you want to listen to your iPod on the go, but don't have any headphones you're probably going to have one of these fellas lying around too! Com'on.
It weighs only 52 grams and gives out a massive 1 watt of stereo sound but does last for up to 10 hours using a single AA battery.
You can buy for just £24.99
14 February, 2006
Listen to Word documents and emails on your MP3 Player
Neat software from Magenetic Time which is only £30.99 (22.99 at the moment) will allow word documents and emails to be converted into speach via MP3's for use with iPods, mobile phones and PDA's or, indeed, any PC.
There are three versions of the MT1 sofware, with MD-iPod, strangely being the version you'll need for your iPod.
The advantage of this software is that the converted file only takes up about a quater of the ortingal file. Furthermore, the file created also sounds like a normal person and not like HAL.
There are three versions of the MT1 sofware, with MD-iPod, strangely being the version you'll need for your iPod.
The advantage of this software is that the converted file only takes up about a quater of the ortingal file. Furthermore, the file created also sounds like a normal person and not like HAL.
Microsoft to Challenge iPod
Gates said to a group of Seattle schoolchildren that he plans to rival the iPod. Gates commented: 'I don't think what's out in the market today is the final answer,' he said. 'But again, it just shows the magic of software. Apple did a very good job on iTunes, did the user-interface design right. That means we'll have to match all that good work and do something even better.'
Nooo! Not MP3 Players for Christmas 06 already.
Following on from Hasbro's I-Dog which you could hook up to an iPod and the Baby Einstein that allows you to sing to your baby whilst it rocks to sleep there is now a SpongeBob SquarePants speaker system available.
This whole iPod generation is going mad: "The iPod is the No. 1 toy. My view is why fight them? Why not join them?" said Isaac Larian, chief executive of MGA Entertainment Inc., which has a chair under its popular Bratz brand that serves as an iPod speaker.
Spin Master Ltd have launched two new iPod related products. The iDrum which allows children to create beats and rhythms on the back on the case and iMix lets them scratch DJ sounds on top of the music.
We can see that toy makers aren't trying to compete with Apple for the top products this Christmas, but are trying to use the popularity of the iPod to sell associated products. If you can't beat them ...
This whole iPod generation is going mad: "The iPod is the No. 1 toy. My view is why fight them? Why not join them?" said Isaac Larian, chief executive of MGA Entertainment Inc., which has a chair under its popular Bratz brand that serves as an iPod speaker.
Spin Master Ltd have launched two new iPod related products. The iDrum which allows children to create beats and rhythms on the back on the case and iMix lets them scratch DJ sounds on top of the music.
We can see that toy makers aren't trying to compete with Apple for the top products this Christmas, but are trying to use the popularity of the iPod to sell associated products. If you can't beat them ...
Loudest Portable Speaker launched in UK
Think Outside Boomtube H2O1 is thought to be the first portable speaker that has a bass tube and twist-off speakers. And amazingly it produces 40watts of sound.
We're still trying to find online stores that sell them so bare with us.
We're still trying to find online stores that sell them so bare with us.
Apple being sued over replacement costs
Our sources indicate that Apple will be defending a lawsuit that states that they should offer free replacement for scratched screens and not the USD25 they are asking buyers to pay in the US.
An iPod Generation
It's come to our attention that in the last 3 months alone Apple have sold 14 million of them worldwide.
Then you've also got the iPod accessories - there's shelves of them in stores and pages on line. There seems to be every concievable accessory and even clothes dedicated to them. Then you've got cars; the new Citroen C1 hatchback now comes with an iPod plug-in to its car stereo. And they're not the last with 15 car manufacturers signed up to iPod intergration.
It get's worse (or better depending on your pursuasion) as Louis Vuitton has announced the launched a carry-case for the player.
The shear volume of accessories avaliable for the iPod is a clear barrier for other MP3 manufacturers such as Creative Zen, Philips GoGear or Sony's MP3 Walkman as people are less inclined to but them as they're less able to get the add-ons.
Then you've also got the iPod accessories - there's shelves of them in stores and pages on line. There seems to be every concievable accessory and even clothes dedicated to them. Then you've got cars; the new Citroen C1 hatchback now comes with an iPod plug-in to its car stereo. And they're not the last with 15 car manufacturers signed up to iPod intergration.
It get's worse (or better depending on your pursuasion) as Louis Vuitton has announced the launched a carry-case for the player.
The shear volume of accessories avaliable for the iPod is a clear barrier for other MP3 manufacturers such as Creative Zen, Philips GoGear or Sony's MP3 Walkman as people are less inclined to but them as they're less able to get the add-ons.
You must delete your old tracks when selling an iPod
The new advice from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and I expect similar national organisations will require that you delete all tracks off your MP3 Player when you sell it on eBay or any other service. Just be careful - you don't want to be a test case.
13 February, 2006
iPod Nano now has protection
A company called Otterbox have released a weather-proof case for the iPod Nano which will allow you to use it whatever the weather, and upto 1 meter if you feel the need to listen to a few tunes in the water. I suppose it'll be worth getting if you want to relax on a lilo in the pool or sea and don't want to risk the effects of an erant child pushing you overboard.
Levis to launch iPod jeans
According to Canada.com Levi Strauss company are planning to launch specialised jeans designed to hold an iPod.
The new RedWire DLX will have an in-built joystick control in the front watch pocket which will allow users to control their iPod without having to remove them for their jeans. They say that the bump created by an iPod won't be visible won't be created but we're yet to be convinced, but they are:
"In designing the jeans we considered both function and fashion -- the result is a uniquely functional, yet stylish, great fitting jean," says Robert Hanson, Levi’s U.S. brand president.
Levis arent't the first to get in on the act. They've followed the trend set by Tune Wear, Scottevest, Kenpo and Burton Snowboards.
The new RedWire DLX will have an in-built joystick control in the front watch pocket which will allow users to control their iPod without having to remove them for their jeans. They say that the bump created by an iPod won't be visible won't be created but we're yet to be convinced, but they are:
"In designing the jeans we considered both function and fashion -- the result is a uniquely functional, yet stylish, great fitting jean," says Robert Hanson, Levi’s U.S. brand president.
Levis arent't the first to get in on the act. They've followed the trend set by Tune Wear, Scottevest, Kenpo and Burton Snowboards.
12 February, 2006
I've seen it all - a smelly MP3 player
Solid Alliance has released the fruit fragrance iCool MP3 Players in Japan. It just seems every day a new and unique mp3 player is released. These are obviously designed for school kids and we are awaiting their arrival in the UK.The MP3 player has a SD/MCC memory unit to expand the 256MB built-in memory. It's also USB 2.0 compliant and can play MP3 and WMA, with an FM-tuner, LCD display and voice recorder.
Smallest MP3 With display being launched in 2gb format
Walmart will have exclusive rights to sell the Mobiblu DAH-1500i, at the moment Amazon has been selling the cube.
Soccer / Football Shaped MP3 Player
Shiro Corporation has released a football shaped MP3 player. Why? We have no idea!
It seems that companies know they can't take on Apple with the traditional, mass-market MP3 players so they're going down the niche/kitch route. What with the World Cup coming, you can't really blame them for jumping on the bandwagon.
At least this model has a digital FM tuner with record option, unlike the bear MP3 player.
I won't be buying one, but I'm not their target market.
Tomy Teddy Bear MP3 Player
Oh dear! I've seen it all now. But nonetheless this Teddy Bear MP3 Player will still sell well at Christmas even if it is a bit of a joke? Tomy who does well at making toys has come up with a Teddy Bear MP3 player.
It's only got 128mb of memory for MP3 and WMA files, but there's no radio and you don't know what song is playing (other than putting the ear phones in and listening to it).
You connect to your PC like most others - a USB cable but only has an 8 hour battery life as it runs off AA batteries. We're still waiting on a price, but if you've got any kids younger that eight or nine, then it could be worth getting it just to see the look on their face.
Wi-Fi iPod?
Yet more stories about the future plans of Apple are coming out. Red Herring comments that Apples shares increased 3.6 percent in value after the speculation that they will start to offer iPods that could download music and video from anywhere.
According to a company with strong sales links with Apple, CFO of PortalPlayer, Svend-Olav Carlson expects the models to be released in the next six months.
Now this seems like a great idea. Allowing people to download whilst waiting for a train or their other half to finish shopping will greatly increase the desire to have the new model as well as increase use of iTunes - which I naturally assume will be tied into it with a stripped down service.
According to a company with strong sales links with Apple, CFO of PortalPlayer, Svend-Olav Carlson expects the models to be released in the next six months.
Now this seems like a great idea. Allowing people to download whilst waiting for a train or their other half to finish shopping will greatly increase the desire to have the new model as well as increase use of iTunes - which I naturally assume will be tied into it with a stripped down service.
Microsoft to take on Apple?
News is flying again about Microsoft taking on Apple to develop new digital media devices. On Friday Bill Gates, Chairman of Microsoft said:
"I don't think what's out on the market today is the final answer,Between us and our partners, you can expect some pretty hot products coming out over the next few years."
Considering that only 20% of current digital media devices are compatible with Microsoft software he's not too happy about that and is planning on increasing that figure, the stories go. Read more here.
"I don't think what's out on the market today is the final answer,Between us and our partners, you can expect some pretty hot products coming out over the next few years."
Considering that only 20% of current digital media devices are compatible with Microsoft software he's not too happy about that and is planning on increasing that figure, the stories go. Read more here.
iPod with Touch Screen
Rumours are flying that Apple will start to offer an iPod with a larger model with a bigger screen and touch-screen functions.
Whether or not this happends is anyone's guess.
Whether or not this happends is anyone's guess.
Apple Dominates the MP3 World
News comes to us that Apple is to slash prices of its Shuffle model to $69 and added more content to iTunes. The move can be seen as an attempt to gain an even stronger position in the hardware and download market of which Apple has an 83 per cent share*.
Furthermore, Dell has shelved it's competiting MP3 player product and Napster can be seen to turning into an ad-supported website rather than a pure-play download site.
But just how successful is Apple? Well, they've already sold 40 million units and set sell its billionth download on iTunes. I just hope they don't have similar problems as Microsoft and Google have had with a perception growing that they're just too big. Fingers crossed that the marketing and PR Departments get it right!
Furthermore, Dell has shelved it's competiting MP3 player product and Napster can be seen to turning into an ad-supported website rather than a pure-play download site.
But just how successful is Apple? Well, they've already sold 40 million units and set sell its billionth download on iTunes. I just hope they don't have similar problems as Microsoft and Google have had with a perception growing that they're just too big. Fingers crossed that the marketing and PR Departments get it right!
You are on the page about: MP3 Players: 02/12/2006 - 02/18/2006. Use this when you email us.
