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CES: Roku announces SoundBridge OEM plans
Roku LLC on Thursday announced that it would make its SoundBridge network music player technology available to original equipment manufacturers (OEM). Utilizing the SoundBridge technology OEMs can add networked digital music features like Internet radio and digital music playback to their devices.News
CES: GoDot offers Portable Photo Albums
GoDot Technology Inc. on Thursday introduced two new "Portable Photo Albums," hard disk drive-based portable devices that enable users to display digital photos also stored on a variety of different flash media formats. Mac and PC-compatible, the DPV 02 and DPV 03 feature USB 2.0 interfaces and storage capacities of up to 100GB. Pricing was not announced.News
CES: NaviPlay Bluetooth iPod adapter adds headphones
TEN Technology announced Thursday that its NaviPlay Bluetooth stereo adapter for Apple Computer Inc.'s iPod will include Hewlett-Packard (HP) Bluetooth Stereo Headphones when the NaviPlay ships next month. TEN is demonstrating both products at this week's International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada.News
Jabra headsets combine iPod, mobile phone audio
Mobile phone headset maker Jabra on Thursday unveiled its C120s and C220s, two new corded headsets designed to combine the audio from mobile phones and from iPods or other music players. The first stereo headsets from Jabra, the devices plug directly into the mobile phone and offer an adapter to connect to standard music devices like the iPod, saving you from having to switch from earbuds to headset when you get a call.News
CES: Digital Experience shows off new iPod gadgets
At a pre-show event at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada on Wednesday, companies gathered to demonstrate the newest gadgets and hi-tech equipment. While Apple and its popular iPod were not in attendance, several companies brought new iPod accessories to show attendees.News
CES: Lexar intros new flash drive, MP3 players
Lexar Media Inc. on Tuesday announced at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas the release of a new flash drive, JumpDrive Expression, as well as two new MP3 players, the LDP-800 and LDP-200. The company's Web site had not been updated with the new products as MacCentral posted this article.News
CES: Roku PhotoBridge update improves iTunes support
Roku on Wednesday introduced a 2.0 beta software update for its PhotoBridge HD1000 digital media player, which connects to a home entertainment system and provides a way for computer users to play music, show pictures and play computer-based video. The new 2.0 release will add support for unencrypted AAC music files, commonly used by iTunes users looking to save space on their hard disks compared to MP3 files.News
CES: Allegro ships Media Server for Windows and Mac
Boston, Mass.-based Allegro Software Development Corp. announced that it has released Allegro Media Server, a Mac and Windows-compatible music server software application that enables networked media server devices to access music stored on iTunes. The software is compatible with wired and wireless hardware sold by Linksys, Netgear, Roku, and other companies.News
CES: Nyko to intro iPod gear, game controller
Nyko Technologies on Monday announced that it will use this week's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas to introduce a new line of accessories for the iPod and iPod mini, along with a version of its AirFlo gaming controller that works with Macintosh and Windows computers. All of the products will launch in early 2005; a company representative told MacCentral that pricing and specs will become available when CES kicks off. Next week, Nyko's Web site will be updated to reflect the introductions.News
The Year in Macs, Part One
An army of iPods, a redesigned iMac, and a Tiger looming on the horizon—2004 proved to be quite a year for Apple. MacCentral.com Editor Jim Dalrymple takes a look back at the last 12 months in a two-part review of Apple’s busy year. Today’s installment looks at significant hardware releases and updates. Part two will examine software news, Apple’s financial performance, and assorted legal wranglings involving the company.News
Sony’s Connect Co. to hone focus on digital media
Sony Corp. has set up a cross-company working group dubbed Connect Company to focus on the digital media market, the U.S. office of the Japanese electronics giant confirmed Thursday.Reviews
Roku SoundBridge M1000 and M2000
With a uniquely clean design and built-in iTunes support, a readable display, a simple infrared remote control, and a reasonable price, Roku’s SoundBridge M1000 can fit well in your home stereo system.Opinion
Ready or Not?
The iPod photo is just another example of Apple’s knack for coming out with the right product at the right time.Reviews
Bose SoundDock
iPod speaker system lacks features but offers impressive sound quality for its size.News
HarmonyAudio mates audio to Mac via FireWire
London, UK-based Miglia Technology on Monday introduced HarmonyAudio, an external FireWire-based audio input designed especially for musicians. It's an interface that's compatible with any analog audio source and works with Apple Computer Inc.'s GarageBand, Logic, Logic Express or any other application that supports Mac OS X's Core Audio technology.News
RealNetworks promises iPod lockout fix
Apple Computer Inc. has updated the software for some of its iPod music players so that songs bought from RealNetworks Inc. won't play. RealNetworks says they're not sure why it's happened, but they're working on a fix. Apple suggests that it's what to expect if you use music that isn't officially supported on the iPod.News
Resonator amplifies music over headphones
Shinza.com has introduced the Resonator Earphone Speaker System, a device that amplifies the sound coming from a set of headphones so that everyone in the immediate vicinity can hear it as if it was coming from a horn speaker. The company notes that Resonator was "designed to complement the Apple iPod," but the it can be used with other portable media players too. Selling for US$29.95, Resonator comes with a set of earbud headphones, a mini stereo extension cable and a carrying chain.News
Concertino for iPod features tube-based amp
Munich, Germany-based Goldster Audio GmbH has announced Concertino, a premium-priced sound system for the iPod that mixes old and new technology. It combines a tube-based audio amplifier and full range speakers, along with a second audio-in port that lets you also attach a CD player or other audio equipment. Priced at €3,200 ($4,283), it's not likely to appeal to the masses, although it's sure to create a stir among well-heeled, iPod-toting audiophiles.News
Altec Lansing’s new iM3 speakers/dock match U2 iPod
Altec Lansing has released inMotion iM3 Black Limited Edition, a special version of its all-in-one iPod audio system that matches Apple's iPod U2 Special Edition. Colored black like the U2 iPod, the iM3 Limited Edition is otherwise the same as its all-white cousin, featuring a pair of speakers and a dock powered by four AA batteries. The speakers offer MaxxBass technology that produces a deep sound without a subwoofer and the dock includes the same synchronization, data transfer and recharging abilities as Apple's iPod dock. The iM3 also features a secondary input jack so that you can connect it with other devices, including pre-dock iPods, other MP3 players and laptops. Pricing is US$179.95; a padded carrying bag, 3.5mm stereo cable, wireless remote control and universal power supply are included.News
DMC 8270 music player records FM, encodes MP3
Digital Mind Corp. (DMC) on Tuesday unveiled its DMC 8270, a portable digital music player with 20GB of storage. Compatible with Macs and PCs, the DMC 8270 plays MP3, Windows Media Audio (WMA) and Ogg Vorbis audio file formats, features an FM radio tuner with direct recording capability, voice recording, and the ability to encode audio into MP3 without using a computer.News
Digital Music Products of the Year
Our profile of the winners of the 20th annual Editors’ Choice Awards highlights the digital-music hardware and software that hit all the high notes this year.News
Kanguru Audio Flash hops into the MP3 player market
Kanguru Solutions on Monday released its Kanguru Audio Flash, which can play MP3 and WMA files as well as serve as a digital audio recorder and a file storage device. Its internal flash drive contains between 128MB and 1GB of storage, and it also features an FM radio tuner with 20 presets, an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display, USB 2.0 connectivity, a headphone jack, an audio line-in port and equalizer and hold buttons. The Kanguru Audio Flash runs on one AAA battery and comes with a battery charger, ear buds, a leather carrying case, a neck strap and two rechargeable AAA batteries. Pricing is US$99.95 for the 128MB model, $119.95 for 256MB, $159.95 for 512MB and $199.95 for 1GB.How-To
Portable Protection
Keep your portable Mac products spotless with a few of these protective products.News
Apple pitches music industry on U2-style promos
U2 has been a familiar sight to iTunes Music Store visitors in recent weeks, with the online music store featuring everything from a U2-themed iPod to a digital boxed set of the Irish rock band's recordings. And if Apple has its way, other musical acts will enjoy a similar promotional push as part of an effort to bolster business at the online store, the director of iTunes product marketing told a gathering of music industry executives Wednesday.News
Roku offers SoundBridge M500 network music player
Palo Alto, Calif.-based Roku on Wednesday introduced the SoundBridge M500, a new network music player that's compatible with Macs and PCs. The new device has been created as a low-cost player that can play music from a computer to an audio system by streaming data a wired or wireless network, and it works with both powered speakers or component stereo systems, and is available exclusively at Radio Shack through the holidays. It costs US$199.News
DVForge ships pocket-sized guitar amp JamPlug
DVForge Inc. on Wednesday announced that its miniature guitar amp JamPlug is now shipping. It plugs into the jack on a guitar or bass and runs on a single AAA battery, which ships with the JamPlug along with a set of white earbud headphones. You can replace the headphones with those of your choice. JamPlug also features a power switch and a volume control wheel; DVForge notes that its photos of the product don't show the latter because they used a pre-production model. Pricing is US$49.99.Reviews
First Look: MusicMatch Jukebox’s Impressive Version 10
Free software helps organize large music collections.Reviews
Audio Converters
For improving sound quality of your recordings, Metric Halo’s ULN-2 and Lynx Studio Technology’s L22 leave the Mac’s built-in converters in the dust.News
Survey: Napster, iTunes beat other download brands
Market research company Ipsos-Insight on Tuesday announced the results of TEMPO, a quarterly survey of digital music behaviors. According to the report, consumers aged 12 and older in the United States were as likely to be aware of Apple Computer Inc.'s iTunes Music Store and Napster 2.0 when it came to recognizing digital music download brands — each music service registered 20 percent of what TEMPO refers to as "top-of-mind" awareness.Reviews
iPod photo
Apple’s iPod Photo—the first of the portable music players to offer a color screen and the ability to display digital pictures and album art—is pricey. But it also marks a solid step forward in the evolution of the device. Is the iPod photo right for you? Find out in Christopher Breen’s review.News
New Peachpit book offers iPod playlist ideas
Peachpit Press on Monday published The iPod Playlist Book, a 160-page, US$14.99 collection of more than 150 music playlists assembled by editor Cliff Colby. Colby worked with over two dozen music critics, journalists, radio programmers and DJs to assemble such playlists as "Road Trippin'," "Not Your Typical Wedding Songs," "The Building Blocks of Punk" and others. Peachpit Press has also set up a special Web page that allows readers to click on their favorite playlists and view the selections on the iTunes Music Store.News
XtremeMac offes Audio Splitter for iPod
XtremeMac on Friday introduced the Audio Splitter for iPod, designed specifically for the third-generation iPod, Click Wheel iPod, iPod photo and iPod mini. It converts the earbud connection on your iPod into two earbud connectors, to enable you and a friend to listen to the same music. It was designed to sit flush on the iPod and measures about half the width of the iPod mini, so it allows free access to the iPod hold switch. The XtremeMac Audio Splitter for iPod costs US$12.95 and is available now.News
Simpl A1: iPod amplifier for high-end headphones
Simpl Acoustics has introduced its first product, the Simpl A1 Headphone Amplifier for iPod, which the company expects to have in stores by Friday. The Simpl A1 snaps to the back of the MP3 player and enables iPod owners to use high-end headphones by providing the necessary power. It includes a Lithium Ion battery that recharges through a USB port and offers 16 hours of use. Stereo mini-to-mini and USB A/Mini-B cables are also provided. Pricing is US$149.99News
Gear Guide: Part Four
Whether the Mac users on your holiday shopping list have a song in their hearts or a new baby on the way, chances are there’s a gadget out there that will make a perfect gift. And we’ll help you find it with the fourth part of our Gear Guide, featuring cool hardware for music lovers and new parents.News
Clarion to integrate iPod with car stereos
Clarion Corp. is the latest aftermarket automobile entertainment system manufacturer to step up to the plate with iPod support. The company announced Thursday plans to unveil a new in-dash DVD player/monitor for automobiles that will feature full iPod integration. Clarion also announced plans to introduce a new CD receiver with similar capabilities. Both new products will debut at the 2005 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada in January.News
Gear Guide: Part Three
A USB-powered coffee mug? It’s just one of the gadgets that makes a perfect holiday gift for a Mac user on the go. And if you have Mac-loving gamers on your holiday gift list, never fear—we’ve got cool gadgets for them, too, in part three of our Gear Guide.News
M-Audio intros Ozonic, a FireWire MIDI keyboard
M-Audio on Tuesday unveiled Ozonic, a FireWire MIDI production and performance keyboard that features 37 keys, 40 assignable MIDI controllers, eight knobs, nine sliders with drawbar mode, nine buttons, pitch and mod wheels and sustain and expression pedal inputs. All of its MIDI controllers can be programmed to a MIDI controller number and unique channel, and its 4 x 4 analog audio interface operates at up to 24-bit/96kHz fidelity.News
Kanguru offers Audio Flash MP3 player
Millis, Mass.-based Kanguru Solutions, a subsidiary of Interactive Media Corp., on Tuesday introduced the Kanguru Audio Flash, a USB 2.0 flash memory-based MP3 player. The Audio Flash sports an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED)-based display — the illuminated display works without backlighting. The device is plug-and-play compatible with Macs and Windows PC, and works as a mass storage-compliant device, so it can store MP3, WMA and WAV-format files without any additional software, and it can also be used to store other types of data. An integrated FM audio tuner supports 20 presets. The Audio Flash includes ear buds, leather carrying case, neck strap and AAA rechargeable battery pack. The Audio Flash player is available in capacities up to 1GB; pricing was not announced, and Kanguru had not updated its Web site as MacCentral posted this article.News
Sony to launch its first MP3 hard-disk music player
Sony Corp. is broadening support for the MP3 file format in its portable music player range. It will introduce a new hard disk-based MP3 player in December, and will offer software upgrades for earlier players with hard disk storage so they can play MP3s too. The NW-HD3 can play MP3 files, but is otherwise similar to its predecessor, the NW-HD2, Sony spokesman Shinji Obana said Tuesday. The hard-disk drive storage capacity is unchanged at 20GB.News
M-Audio offers Keystation 88es MIDI keyboard
Avid Technology Inc. subsidiary M-Audio has introduced its new Keystation 88es, an 88-key MIDI controller designed for computer users looking for a full-range keyboard. It features a built-in USB MIDI interface compatible with Macs and PCS and also sports a separate MIDI Out jack to connect to other MIDI hardware. The keyboard features pitch and bend modulation wheels, assignable volume slider, function buttons, assignable up and down buttons, and sustain and expression pedal inputs. System requirements call for Mac OS X v10.1.5 or higher. The Keystation 88es costs US$299.95.News
MacMice intros USB MIDI keyboard for GarageBand
MacMice on Wednesday announced that GarageKey is now available for pre-order and will ship on Dec. 12. Priced at US$119.99, GarageKey is a MIDI keyboard that connects to your Mac via USB and integrates with GarageBand. It features 37 full-size keys and octave up and octave down buttons as well as riser legs that enable you to stow your Mac's keyboard under it when necessary. MacMice does not list the minimum version of Mac OS X required.News
iPort pipes iPod music into whole-home system
Sonance is now shipping iPort, an in-wall docking station that enables you to play the music in your iPod over a whole-home audio system. It's compatible with all whole-home audio systems sold by Sonance, as well as those manufactured by other companies, and it work with all iPod models. The iPort charges your iPod's battery and allows you to use the front-panel controls on the player, or a remote control, while the music plays. Selling for US$598, the iPort comes with an accessory kit that contains all the hardware and cables needed to use any iPod with it. Sonance did not have a product page on its Web site as MacCentral posted this article.News
DLO ships iBoom iPod boombox
Digital Lifestyle Outfitters on Wednesday announced that it's shipping the iBoom — a "boombox"-style loudspeaker system for Apple Computer Inc.'s Dock Connector-equipped iPods and iPod minis. The iBoom incorporates a digital FM stereo with four station presets and a backlit amber LED display. It outputs 20 watts per channel through its four speakers. The iBoom operates using 6 D-size batteries and also runs off AC power — when it's running off of an AC cord, the iBoom also charges the iPod's battery. The iBoom costs US$149.99.News