Go Play AV: Portable Audio, Video, Media and Game Players

Would you still buy an iPod if Apple licensed FairPlay to other MP3 makers? We see a lot of nice players out there, but as ipod owners ourselves, sadly have to give the others a miss. What do readers think? Should licensing be good or bad for Apple? For the iPod?

Technorati Tags: Apple, iPod

cNet review a replacement operating system for your iPod or other MP3 player, called Rockbox, that brings a lot of new features:

In its current state, the Rockbox interface is utilitarian, graphically sparse, and reminiscent of a command-line system, and it lacks the flash of modern commercial MP3 players. But where it comes up short in pizzazz, it more than compensates in options and settings, many of which would make the default iPod jealous. Using RockPod is fun

This is an interesting project that will be well worth follwoing.

Read complete article: MP3 Insider: An iPod that’s not an iPod - CNET reviews

Technorati Tags: Archos, iAudio, iPod, iRiver, MP3 players, Operating System, Rockbox

iPod nano is a pencil thin flash memory based music player which comes in black or white and 1GB, 2GB and 4GB capacities and features:

• 1.5-inch (diagonal) color LCD with LED backlight
• AAC (16 to 320 Kbps), Protected AAC (from iTunes Music Store), MP3 (16 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3 and 4), Apple Lossless, WAV, AIFF
• Syncs iPod-viewable photos in JPEG, BMP, GIF, TIFF, PSD (Mac only) and PNG formats
• Dimensions (inches): 3.5″ x 1.6″ x 0.27″
• Weight: 1.5 ounces

(more…)

TrustedReviews have provided an excellent review of the 5G iPod:

There’s also a fairly strong consensus that the iPod is still the best looking MP3 player out there. It’s just beautiful to look at. With its sleek frontage and the silver back it’s a desirable piece of tech jewellery. However, it is susceptible to scratches and finger prints so I’d recommend buying a protective case at the time of purchase – there’s certainly a wide choice available

In the review they do highlight one thing which we’d like to bring attention to - since we totally agree:

While £300 will buy you four times the capacity that you got nearly three years ago, Apple is certainly stingier with the accessories. Way back in early 2003 my 15GB iPod box contained a dock, a Firewire cable, a wired remote and a wall charger. None of that is now included. Where will this end? Will the box for the sixth generation iPod even include an iPod?

Enough said.

Read complete article: TrustedReviews - The UK’s Premier Source for IT Reviews & News

Lookup on Amazon:

“Apple 60 GB iPod with Video Playback Black” (Apple Computer)

Technorati Tags: Apple, digital audio player, ipod, ipod video, mp3 player, personal video player, portable audio, portable entertainment, portable media player, portable video

Carl Howe on The Consumer Electronics Stock Blog writes a very insightful article on what the Disney-Pixar merger means for the future of rich media content on the iTunes Music Store, and this the iPod:

With Jobs and Disney CEO Robert Iger joined at the hip, the days when Hollywood could just stonewall a new technology like iPods or dictate distribution terms for movies are over. Steve Jobs’ relationship with Disney is now a trump card in his hand. For players in both Silicon Valley and Hollywood, that means it’s now a whole different game.

This article really opens ones eyes to what this deal really means and is a well worth reading as this merger will ultimately affect all online media distribution.

Read complete article: The Consumer Electronics Stock Blog » What Disney Acquiring Pixar Means For Apple and the Industry (DIS, PIXR, AAPL)

Technorati Tags: Apple, Disney, Pixar, portable entertainment, portable media player, portable video, disney pixar merger

Apple finally conceded to the FM tuner push of MP3 players by releasing their own add on FM tuner, but only for the latest iPods:

MACWORLD EXPO, SAN FRANCISCO—January 10, 2006—Apple® today announced the iPod® Radio Remote which combines the convenience of a wired remote control with new FM radio capabilities for the iPod nano and fifth generation iPod. The iPod Radio Remote is a convenient way for music lovers to skip tracks and adjust the volume of their iPod even when it’s in a pocket or backpack, and listen to FM radio stations while displaying station and song information on their iPod screen.
“The iPod Radio Remote combines two great features in one elegant product,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide iPod Product Marketing. “The iPod Radio Remote is both the best remote control and the best FM radio listening experience for iPod.”

Read complete article: Apple Announces the iPod Radio Remote

View iPod Radio Remote on iPod accessories page.

Technorati Tags: Apple, ipod, portable audio, portable entertainment, ipod radio remote

Consumer Reports report on the iPod 5G 30GB:

THE BOTTOM LINE

The new iPod is no better than competent as a video player, with limitations in display size and quality, and battery life. The selection of prerecorded content is as yet limited. And the jury’s still out on the long-term future of using the iPod for TV shows and movies, since holding it (or any other portable device) near your eyes for an extended period of time can be tiring.

But it’s an engaging way to watch rock videos and the like. And when it comes to playing music, Apple has taken an already fine player and made it even better. We recommend the $299 30-GB iPod as the first choice for most people for a high-capacity MP3 player. If you have a very large music collection or want maximum battery life, consider the 60-GB version. And only those who need a player with a radio or voice recorder need turn to other brands, some of which offer models with those features and may cost a little less overall.

Read complete article: ConsumerReports.org - The new iPod: A fine music player with video benefits 11/05

Technorati Tags: digital audio player, ipod, ipod video, mp3 player, personal video player, portable audio, portable entertainment, portable media player, portable video

What more can we say? Apple strike gold again where everyone else found nothing.

CUPERTINO, Calif., Oct. 31 — Apple(R) today announced that iTunes(R) Music Store customers have purchased and downloaded more than one million videos since they debuted on October 12. Customers can choose from over 2,000 music videos, Pixar short films and hit TV shows for just $1.99. Top downloads include music videos from Michael Jackson, Fatboy Slim and Kanye West; Pixar’s “For the Birds” and “Boundin’”; and episodes of ABC’s hit TV shows “Lost” and “Desperate Housewives.”
“Selling one million videos in less than 20 days strongly suggests there is a market for legal video downloads,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “Our next challenge is to broaden our content offerings, so that customers can enjoy watching more videos on their computers and new iPods.”

You may remember we wrote an opinion piece the day before the video enabled iPod was released suggesting:

If (or when) Apple release an iPod video sooner or later as widely expected, the reality is there’s no established player that owns the portable video player (also referred to as the personal video player) market for them to compete with. They could find domination of that market even easier than the MP3 player market.

One million in three weeks? Seems there just might be some truth in that prediction of ours…

Read source article: iTunes Music Store Sells One Million Videos in Less Than 20 Days

Lookup on Amazon: “Apple 60 GB iPod with Video Playback Black” (Apple Computer)

Lookup on Amazon: “Apple 60 GB iPod with Video Playback White” (Apple Computer)

Technorati Tags: Apple, ipod video, personal video player, portable entertainment, portable media player, portable video

I guess this is what happens when you’re standing upside down all day, but the folks from cNet Down Under have posted a review of why the older fourth generation iPod is better than the new 5G - for audio at least.

The new Apple iPod is no doubt the most capable iPod to date. It’s sleeker than its predecessor, and it gives you the option to watch video. But if you use your iPod mainly for music, which one is best for audio only?

1. Better overall battery life
2. Faster processing
3. More Click Wheel = defter navigation
4. More robust design
5. Remote control

After comparing the two, I’ve come up with five reasons why I’d pick the 4G iPod (the 20GB photo, to be exact), and over the 30GB 5G model if I just wanted to listen to tunes.

Read source article: Five reasons why the 4G iPod is better — for audio: Commentary / Opinion
Lookup on Amazon: “Apple 60 GB iPod with Video Playback Black” (Apple Computer)

Lookup on Amazon: “Apple 20 GB iPod Photo MA079LL/A” (Apple Computer)

Technorati Tags: Apple, digital audio player, ipod, ipod video, personal video player, portable audio, portable entertainment, portable media player, portable video, video ipod

Lance Ulanoff for PC Magazine makes some interesting comments about how Apple can resurrect the ailing portable video player - or portable media player - market:

Despite the efforts by Creative, Microsoft, and Samsung, not to mention Sony with its portable PlayStation (PSP) and a slew of no-brand Taiwan-made devices, Jobs may be right. There is no portable-video market. All the initial hoopla and the subsequent release of players from Archos, Yepp, and others was followed by general consumer disinterest. Almost a year later, virtually no one is carrying the gadgets—a far different scenario than with MP3 players. What went wrong? And how are Jobs and the new iPod 30GB with video and iTunes 6.0 about to resurrect this stagnant market?

Read source article: Column from PC Magazine: Apple iPod’s Amazing Video Feat

Technorati Tags: Apple, ipod, ipod video, personal video player, portable entertainment, portable media player, portable video, video ipod