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First Look: Making Music with GarageBand 2
First-timers will enjoy Apple's easy-to-use app, but more seasoned musicians will likely feel stifled.News
Seagate matches Hitachi with 1-inch 6GB hard drive
Seagate Technology LLC announced Thursday that it has begun shipping a 1-inch hard disk drive with a 6GB capacity, following rival drive maker Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Inc.'s (HGST) announcement of a similar product.News
Hitachi cuts Microdrive prices, debuts 6GB model
Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Inc. (HGST) has begun shipping a new version of its 1-inch Microdrive hard-disk drive that can hold 50 percent more data than the company's current highest capacity model, it said Wednesday.Editors’ Notes
Farewell to 40GB
What’s interesting about Apple’s revamped iPod line isn’t just what’s new—it’s what’s missing.News
Solo Show Controller 2 adds MIDI control, more
Alien Apparatus Co. Inc. has released version 2.0 of Solo Performer Show Controller, a system for musicians that controls background music, lyrics displays, MIDI effects and light shows. The hardware side consists of a six-button foot controller that connects via USB, with software that runs on Windows or Macintosh. This upgrade adds more MIDI control functionality, including sending MIDI files to external devices and automatically changing MIDI effects settings. It can also send hotkey commands that control other applications and redefine button functions on the foot controller. Pricing for the full system is US$395, but Alien Apparatus doesn't note upgrade pricing for the software. System requirements call for Mac OS X v10.2, a G3 500MHz processor, 128MB RAM, 120MB free hard drive space and an audio output jack.News
Archos offers 100GB video recorder, player
Archos on Friday announced the pending release of its Pocket Video Recorder AV4100, a handheld video player that can also schedule and record video itself, without needing a computer. Designed to complement Archos' existing AV400 line, the AV4100 packs a 100GB hard disk drive inside.News
Motorola unveils first iTunes-capable cell phone
Motorola on Monday announced that its first iTunes-compatible 3G cell phone will be available in the fourth quarter. Dubbed E1060, the new model will feature a mobile version of iTunes music player capable of carrying a limited, but as yet undefined, number of songs. It will also include video download and playback capability, a color display, a 1.3-megapixel camera with 8x zoom, two-way video calling, an integrated speakerphone and dedicated Internet browser keys. Video plays at VGA (640 x 480) resolution.News
Do the iPod Shuffle
About the size of a pack of gum and weighing in at less than ounce, Apple’s iPod shuffle is the music device for people who never thought they’d buy an iPod.News
MP3tunes launches with 300,000 songs
First announced last week, MP3.com founder Michael Robertson launched a new venture Wednesday called MP3tunes. The online music download service, hoping to grab a piece of the market Apple dominates with the iTunes Music Store, is starting out with 300,000 songs available for download for US$0.88 each or $8.88 per album.Editors’ Notes
Napster’s Bad Math
Napster takes on iTunes with the worst ad, bar none, on the Super Bowl.News
Xdrive offers ‘virtual iPod’ music service
Xdrive on Monday announced the availability of a new music service that takes advantage of users' virtual Xdrive storage to stream songs over Treo cell phones or any Palm, Tungsten or Sony Clie PDA. Users install a music player on their cell phone or PDA that supports the MP3 and M3U (playlist) formats, upload the music to their Xdrive account and then access the account from a portable device. The music feature is a free add-on to the Xdrive service, which costs US$9.95 per month for 5GB of space and $19.90 per month for 10GB, with a 15-day trial period available for new users. Xdrive noted that next month it plans to add a similar feature for digital photos.News
EyeTV update adds MPEG-4 for EyeTV 200, ConvertX
A recent update to Elgato's EyeTV Personal Video Recorder (PVR) software for the Macintosh enables Elgato's EyeTV 200 and Plextor Corp.'s ConvertX PVR for the Mac to record video using hardware-based MPEG-4 encoding. Previously the devices were capable only of recording using the MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 standards. EyeTV 1.7 is a free upgrade, and also subtitling support and Clear QAM support for certain models of EyeTV hardware.News
The Clips: three ways to secure an iPod shuffle
PodBuddy, a division of DVForge Inc., on Friday introduced The Clips, a set of three clips for attaching an iPod shuffle to a belt, a piece of clothing, a backpack or just about any place else. The collection features a belt clip, a gripper clip for clamping it to a sleeve or other area of clothing and a push pin clip that fastens it almost anywhere. All three match the shuffle's appearance and are made of white ABS plastic, stainless steel and galvanized steel. PodBuddy expects to ship The Clips in March for US$19.99.News
Napster counters iTunes with new To Go service
Digital music service Napster LLC on Thursday announced the release of Napster To Go, a new Windows-compatible portable digital music subscription service that lets user move an unlimited number of songs from Napster to compatible MP3 players for a US$14.95 monthly fee. A $30 million marketing campaign kicks off Sunday during this year's Super Bowl, and is aimed squarely at Apple's iTunes Music Store.News
MP3.com founder to start new music venture
Michael Robertson, the founder of MP3.com and head of desktop Linux company Linspire Inc., on Thursday next week plans to launch a new music download company and service called MP3tunes.News
Tritton offers 2.1 speakers for Mac mini, iBook
Tritton Technologies on Tuesday announced its Sound Bite, a 2.1 speaker system it says is ideal for an Apple iBook or Mac mini. The Sound Bite is a self-contained USB-powered speaker system that integrates two aluminum micro drivers and a subwoofer, complete with a sound chip. It's available in pearl white or dark gray finishes, and is priced at US$49.95.News
Best Buy to sell Mac mini, iPod shuffle in stores
Best Buy, which currently sells Apple's laptops and desktops through its online store, has quietly updated its Web site with a note that in-store availability for the Mac mini and US$99 512MB iPod shuffle is "coming soon." Best Buy will sell both the $599 1.42GHz and $499 1.25GHz Mac mini at its brick-and-mortar locations but has neglected to carry the $149 1GB iPod shuffle, although the diminutive MP3 player is available for order from its Web site.News
WiFiTunes brings iTunes to Pocket PC
If you're one of a growing number of Mac users who has bought a Pocket PC-based PDA to use when you're mobile, Aspecto Software has a new tool that you might be interested in: WiFiTunes, an application that make it possible for WiFi-enabled Pocket PC PDAs to browse iTunes libraries on their local computers and stream MP3s.News
AudioOutfitters offers ‘iPodez’ accessories
Midvale, Utah-based AudioOutfitters LLC on Friday has consolidated its stable of accessories for Apple's iPod by introducing the new iPodez line. The iPodez line includes devices designed to operate with Apple's third and fourth-generation iPods, HP iPods, and iPod photos.How-To
Inside the iPod Photo
The iPod photo does more than just play your favorite music and show off a bunch of photos. Christopher Breen and Dan Frakes unravel the mysteries of Apple’s digital device, showing you how to turn movies into digital flipbooks, control and display PowerPoint presentations, entertain party guests, and perform other astounding tricks.News
Sonos Digital Music System ships
Sonos Inc. on Thursday announced it is shipping its Sonos Digital Music System, which lets users listen to digital music stored on a Mac, PC or Network Attached Storage (NAS) device from anywhere in the house. The Sonos Digital Music System comprises a "ZonePlayer" — a networked audio player — and the "Sonos Controller" — a wireless handheld device with a color screen.News
iDirect Remote provides iPod remote control
Digital Lifestyle Outfitters (DLO) on Wednesday introduced the iDirect Remote Control. Compatible with Apple iPods that feature Dock Connectors, the device enables iPod users to wirelessly control their music player from across the room. The iDirect Remote Control costs US$49.99 and is shipping now.News
iPod ezLink cables cut out the dock
Audio Outfitters on Tuesday introduced its new iPod ezLink cables, which directly connect an iPod to a computer without going through a dock. They feature a dock connector on one end and either a USB 2.0 connector or USB 2.0 and FireWire connectors on the other end, depending on the model you choose. The former is US$15.99 and the latter is $19.99.News
MacMice intros GuitarPlug, MicPlug USB devices
MacMice has announced that it will ship its new GuitarPlug and MicPlug USB audio devices on Feb. 10 for US$49.99 each. The former features a quarter-inch guitar plug while the latter includes an XLR interface for use with any handheld microphone. Both convert an analog signal to a 16-bit 48KHz USB audio signal compatible with any software that will accept it, such as GarageBand or Logic. Each plug is 2.3 inches long and .7 inch across and offers a power switch and a power indicator.News
iPod Shuffle, Mac mini draw crowds at Apple Stores
The word of the day at Apple retail outlets in California was "Shuffle." Approximately 80 or so eager customers stood in line outside the downtown San Francisco Apple Store and 200 lined the halls of South Coast Plaza, waiting to be among the first to get their hands on the new Mac Mini, iPod Shuffle, and the iLife and iWork software suites from Apple.News
NAMM: David Ellefson on iTunes and his new band
Former Megadeth bassist David Ellefson was on hand at NAMM 2005 and spent some time with MacCentral to discuss his new band F5 and his thoughts on selling music on the iTunes Music Store.News
Kiwi resellers hold hope for new Apple products
Apple resellers in New Zealand hope the brand's two new bargain-priced versions of its popular Mac and iPod lines will fly out the door — with little pushing from their end.Editors’ Notes
Doin’ the Shuffle—My First Week with the new iPod
Jim Dalrymple’s first week with the iPod Shuffle has been quite an experience.News
ProClip offers iPod photo auto mounts
ProClip USA has expanded its line of iPod vehicle mounts to include holders that work with Apple Computer Inc.'s 40 and 60GB iPod photo models. The ProClip is a clip-on bracket that mounts on your vehicle's dashboard or console without damaging your car's interior. The holders themselves cost US$24.95 or $34.95 depending on whether you want a standard holder or swivel; the mount itself costs about $29.95, depending on year, make and model of vehicle.News
MWSF: Dock800 brings FireWire 800 to iPod
Recognizing that available FireWire 400 ports are sometimes a scarcity, Griffin Technology has introduced the Dock800, a FireWire 800 cable that works with Apple Computer Inc.'s iPods and iPod mini. The Dock800 works with the Dock Connector on third- and fourth-generation iPods and all iPod minis. Griffin expects to ship the Dock800 in the first calendar quarter of 2005 and is accepting pre-orders for US$14.99.News
MWSF: G-Technology adds more hard drive solutions
G-Technology has introduced four follow-ups to the G-Drive the company unveiled in November: the G-Safe line of FireWire 800 RAID systems; G-Play, a personal multimedia player; G-Drive mini, a diminutive version of the G-Drive that weighs less than nine ounces; and G-SATA, a line of serial ATA external hard drives. All of them will ship next month; product pages were not available on the G-Technology Web site as MacCentral posted this article.News
MWSF: Griffin shows BlueTrip, FireWave
Griffin Technology on Wednesday continued its stream of Macworld Conference & Expo San Francisco news with the announcement of two more products: BlueTrip, a Bluetooth device for transmitting iPod music to a home stereo, and FireWave, a FireWire peripheral that enables 5.1 Surround Sound audio on a Mac. The former will ship this quarter for US$149 while the latter will be available next quarter for $99.99.News
Digital audio vendors not afraid of iPod shuffle
If you think the new iPod shuffle has existing flash MP3 player vendors shaking in their playlists, think again. Although it could just be a case of putting on a brave face, all the vendors MacCentral spoke with claimed to be either excited or relieved upon seeing the new flash player from Apple.News
MWSF: iPod integration coming to Volvo, M-B, others
On the heels of BMW and Mini Cooper, who announced integrated iPod solutions for their cars last year, Mercedes-Benz USA, Volvo, Nissan, Alfa Romeo and Ferrari have teamed up with Apple to offer the same in their upcoming models, the companies announced on Tuesday. While Nissan, Alfa Romeo and Ferrari will make the details of their plans public later this year, Volvo and Mercedes-Benz have already provided details.News
MWSF: Griffin intros AirClick remote for iPod, Mac
Griffin Technology Inc. on Tuesday announced the AirClick, a remote control compatible with all dock connector iPods, including the iPod mini and the iPod photo. AirClick is also available in a USB version that works with a Mac or PC. It uses RF technology instead of infrared, which enables to work from up to 60 feet away, even when the target isn't in the line of sight or is behind a wall.News
MWSF: Elgato, ATI bring EyeTV Wonder to Mac
Elgato Systems and ATI Technologies Inc. on Tuesday announced the EyeTV Wonder USB 2.0, an analog TV tuner for the Macintosh. The EyeTV Wonder 2.0 combines ATI's TV tuner hardware with Elgato's EyeTV software. It will ship at the end of January 2005 for $149.News
MWSF: Elgato EyeTV 500 adds digital cable support
Elgato Systems on Tuesday will announce that it has added support for digital cable to its EyeTV 500 HDTV device. EyeTV 500 supports digital unencrypted cable as well as digital terrestrial reception.News
MWSF: Elgato intros EyeConnect streaming software
EyeTV and EyeHome maker Elgato Systems will announce on Tuesday EyeConnect, a new media streaming software based on the Universal Plug and Play Audio/Video standard. With EyeConnect users will be able to play digital music from iTunes, video — including EyeTV recordings — or photo content from iPhoto stored on a Macintosh, on a variety of UPnP AV certified devices.News
MWSF: Griffin intros AirPort Express stand, SmartDeck
Griffin Technology Inc. on Monday introduced its new Xpress Stand accessory for Apple's AirPort Express. On display during Macworld Conference & Expo San Francisco, Xpress Stand props up the wireless device to give it better range and offers a cable management solution in addition to a status light checking your wireless connection at a glance. Pricing is US$24.99 and pre-orders are being accepted now; Xpress Stand will ship during the first quarter.News
MWSF: Solio charges iPod with solar power
Better Energy Systems on Monday announced Solio, an iPod charger that uses solar power to refresh the MP3 player's built-in battery. Introduced in Europe last year and making its American debut at Macworld Conference & Expo San Francisco, Solio weighs 5.8 ounces and is weather-proof, its arms folding out into a fan shape when in use and returning to the size of a cell phone when no longer needed. When necessary, users can plug Solio into a wall outlet to recharge its internal battery, and its interchangeable adapter system allows its use with other mobile devices. Pricing is not available on the Better Energy Systems Web site.News
MWSF: Sonance iPort adds video support for iPod
Sonance's iPort is an in-wall docking station for Apple Computer Inc.'s iPod aimed specifically at high-end home media installations. Now the iPort — shipping in February for US$598 — works with more than just audio. At Macworld Expo this week Sonance will unveil the iPort's support for images and slideshows stored on the iPod photo.News
MWSF: MacMice to intro slew of new products
DVForge Inc. subsidiary MacMice on Friday announced plans to show off a variety of new products for users of Apple Computer Inc.'s Macintosh and iPod products at Macworld Conference & Expo in San Francisco, Calif. next week. New products include an iPod car interface, a Bluetooth trackball, USB audio adapters, iMac G5 accessories and more. What's more, they're giving away a new Mazda MX-5 Miata, a convertible sports car.News
CES: Audiovox offers Mac-compatible 5GB MP3 player
Audiovox Corp. unveiled new products at this week's International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada, including a 5GB digital music player that's compatible with Macs and PCs. The MP1055HD features compatibility with MP3, WMA and WAV file formats, and sports an FM radio, voice recorder and built-in equalizer with Normal, Classic, Rock, Pop and Jazz pre-sets, as well as "Ultra-Bass."News
CES: Creative offers new Zen Micro MP3 players
Creative — the company that recently "declared war" against Apple Computer Inc's iPod — has introduced new versions of its Zen Micro digital music player at this week's International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada. The new Zen Micro players — aimed at Windows users — are available in 1GB, 4GB and 6GB models.News
iTunes user sues Apple over FairPlay DRM
Thomas William Slattery has filed a class action suit against Apple Computer Inc. in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, alleging Apple is guilt of violating federal antitrust laws and California's unfair competition law by requiring users who buy music from the iTunes Music Store to use an iPod if they plan to take their music on the road with them. Slattery's suit cuts to the heart of an ongoing issue related to Digital Rights Management (DRM) technology present in commercial downloaded music.News
CES : Microsoft eyes Sony deal in digital music push
While Microsoft Corp. took the opportunity to announce a handful of new digital entertainment partnerships at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas this week, the company has yet to unveil any broad-based initiatives to catapult it to the center of the digital music world.News