February 28, 2006, 5:28 PM PST
All of Wikipedia on your old iPod
Posted by: Tom Merritt

I got very excited when I saw a Boing Boing posting today about a program that puts the entire Wikipedia on your iPod. I got much less excited after I downloaded it and the wizard said it wouldn't work with my fifth-generation iPod. Still, if you have an older iPod, this is a really cool-sounding thing.

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February 27, 2006, 12:00 PM PST
Apple's next big thing
Posted by: Jasmine France

Last week, members of the press received an invite to "come see some fun new products from Apple" on February 28 (more details here). Unlike many of the release events in the past couple of years, this latest enticement directs us to Apple's Town Hall on the Cupertino campus. Recent rumors that the company filed a patent for a touch-screen interface for the iPod have fueled the buzz that a sixth-gen iPod is in the works. Is that what Apple will show off to the press next Tuesday? If it is, what do you think the next iPod will look like? Or could it be a new laptop, a tablet PC, a media center, or a smart phone? We've had an overwhelming response from our readers since we initially posted this blog last week. So far, the comments have varied quite a bit. It looks like several people are hoping for an updated iPod, but many think it will be new Intel-based computers. Other favorites include an Apple PDA and, as recently posted on Think Secret, an iPod boom box.

Update: It looks like Think Secret had the inside scoop on this one. Get the details here.

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February 21, 2006, 12:40 PM PST
Sony PSP + Apple iPod = Viliv P1
Posted by: Jasmine France

Several blog sites are spreading the news about Episodic Media's Viliv P1 and its arrival stateside, but I think I4U News says it best by describing this portable video player as "the bastard child of a Sony PSP and an iPod." The P1 has the landscape layout and wide screen of a PSP, along with the Click Wheel of an iPod (no doubt, it'll be subject to some scrutiny by Apple). At first blush, the P1 is quite attractive, both in looks and in features. The 30GB device measures 6.3 by 2.9 by 0.7 inches and weighs just 8.8 ounces. Its Macromedia Flash interface looks easy to navigate and pleasantly graphic. Considering it has a 4-inch-diagonal screen with QVGA resolution, it's probably ideal for watching video content on the go. DivX, XviD, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, and SWF video files can be played directly on the device, and ASF and WMV files are supported with transcoding. The P1 plays back MP3 and WMA (no mention of DRM) audio content, though Episodic Media's site also mentions OGG, AC3, and AAC support. You can also view JPEG, PNG, and BMP image files, and there's a CompactFlash card slot for direct offloading from digital cameras. Other features include an FM tuner and recorder, voice and line-in recording, built-in speakers, and A/V output. There's nothing impressive about the P1's 11-hour rated battery life for audio, but the 6-hour video rating is enticing.

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February 17, 2006, 3:29 PM PST
iRidiculousness
Posted by: Jasmine France

Am I the only one sick of seeing iThis and PodThat? I understand the desire to capitalize on the iPod's success, but I think these companies could be slightly more creative in their naming schemes. Ranting aside, I had to give a shout out to Corgi's iCar, namely because if any male member of my family over 40 owned an iPod or any other MP3 player, he'd be drooling over these speakers. Of course, he'd also assert that Corgi ought to offer more options than the Cadillac Escalade and the Nissan 240SX models. The fancy speakers work with any audio device that has a standard headphone jack, but they also come preloaded with their own tunes. Of course, the real draw of the iCar is the hydraulic action. The car, which is actually mounted atop the speaker unit, bounces up and down and rocks in all directions to the music. Naturally, each car also includes a full light kit, with LEDs flashing in the undercarriage, the engine, the wheel wells, and the trunk area. And, oh yes, the rims spin. But try not to be too hypnotized by all this action--at $34.99, you can't expect killer sound from the speakers themselves.

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February 16, 2006, 4:07 PM PST
So you thought ripping CDs was legal
Posted by: Jasmine France

Think again. Apparently, the RIAA is thinking better of its statement in the MGM vs. Grokster case. If you followed the case, you may be aware that the RIAA stated that "it's perfectly lawful to take a CD that you've purchased, upload it on to your computer, and put it on to your iPod." No doubt concerned with the collective pocketbooks of its members, the organization is now changing its tune, stating that CD owners are not actually authorized to rip music to their computers at all. Oh, come on...like you're really surprised. Or are you? Please share your feelings on this matter below. And while you're at it, check out the excellent graphic that Gizmodo has posted for the occasion. (Thanks, EFF...for much more than just this.)

Addendum: Concerned about your digital rights? Please visit the EFF Action Center to support the Electronic Frontier Foundation's efforts to protect our civil liberties.

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February 15, 2006, 11:37 PM PST
Amazon digital music store and MP3 player by summer?
Posted by: James Kim

We already know that Amazon.com has run a music store for years. Heck, along with dozens of books, toys, gizmos, and other material goods, I've purchased CDs, streamed music samples, and downloaded freebies galore. But word on the street is that the number one online retailer will follow Napster, Real Networks, Microsoft, and many others with its own music store and/or service as early as this summer; we first heard of the possibility last August. In addition to introducing a subscription service, Amazon may partner with an A-list MP3 manufacturer to deliver an Amazon-branded MP3 player that works with the service à la iTunes and the iPod. Imagine it: the aPod.

It's way early, but there are a number of reasons to think that Amazon might be able to derail the iPod train:

In general, Amazon has a gigantic user base (55 million and counting) and major brand recognition.

More specifically, the massive customer base that traditionally purchases CDs from Amazon will transition to digital downloads as MP3 players become ubiquitous; it'll be in Amazon's best interest to aid that transition.

Music-service subscriptions are growing, and many others have blazed a rough trail; Amazon's purported summer launch might be excellent timing.

Many new users may be attracted to a cell phone-like service through which an MP3 player is actually bundled free with a one- or two-year commitment. According to the Wall Street Journal article, this could happen.

Although Apple has a near monopoly in this space, it's still way early in the game. Only about 20 percent of U.S. households have an MP3 player, according to the CEA.

Again, according to the WSJ article, Amazon is responsible for selling 10 percent of all MP3 players purchased in the United States. Of course, a huge percentage of these sales are iPods.

Amazon is developing its overall digital content holdings, including video.

All right, here's why Amazon Music Store won't disrupt Apple's dynasty:

The forces at Microsoft, Creative, Samsung, SanDisk, and others have been trying to derail Apple for years. Casualties include Rio, Dell hard drive players, HP, and most recently, the Sony Walkman Bean, plus the egos of all mentioned (except maybe SanDisk's).

Say Amazon partners with Samsung to create the aPod. So far, these unions haven't worked out. Dell partnered with Creative, and what resulted was a solid but boring product that has been discontinued. Samsung launched a bunch of Napster players that didn't work out due to mediocre hardware and an even worse (at the time) Napster store. The concept of a seamless hardware/music store relationship is central to success, but Apple can control both sides of its equation. For Amazon's sake, let's hope that it can hire some innovative gadget designers.

Assuming the store will utilize Microsoft WMA, Amazon has lots of competition in its own league. Forget iTunes--it has to contend with Napster, MSN, Wal-Mart, Rhapsody, Virgin, Yahoo, Urge...the list goes on. Plus, you have some decent competitors emerging, such as the Toshiba Gigabeat S and the Creative Zen Vision:M. On the flip side, if Amazon goes AAC, ATRAC3 (uh, right), or a proprietary format, it misses out on the existing base and a still significant number of WMA players.

OK, what do you think?

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February 14, 2006, 3:39 PM PST
Adios, Walkman Bean!
Posted by: James Kim

Bean there, done that.

Sony's "magical" bean-shaped MP3 player--designed with females in mind and aided by a huge glossy ad campaign-- will be discontinued in April. According to Sony, the cute flash-based player, which we panned for mediocre build quality and general navigation issues, will still be supported (warranties, firmware, Connect support, and so on).

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February 13, 2006, 10:11 AM PST
Awesome news for Cowon iAudio U3 owners
Posted by: James Kim

Today, Cowon sent me the official version of the latest and highly anticipated U3 firmware update. Version 1.20 gives the U3 WMA DRM 10 support, meaning it can be used with subscription services such as Napster To Go and Rhapsody To Go, as well as purchased WMAs, of course. Cowon previously had stated that this would be available in late December or early January, but better late than never! The firmware will probably be posted on the Cowon Web site within the next couple of days.

Also due to the "current market trend," Cowon is lowering the price of the white 1GB version from $190 to $170 and the 2GB black version from $270 to $220. Both moves by Cowon makes the U3 a bit more attractive than before.

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February 13, 2006, 8:53 AM PST
More touch-screen iPod fodder
Posted by: James Kim

The fifth-generation iPod has come to be known as the "video iPod"; the much ballyhooed sixth-gen iPod, which is pretty much a figment of our collective imagination, is referred to as the "touch-screen iPod." Check out the latest alleged Apple patent drawings of the touch-screen interface, which may be used for an upcoming iPod as well as for a tablet computer.

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February 09, 2006, 12:58 PM PST
The Apple iPod orchard is coming alive
Posted by: James Kim

Not a lot had circulated about the iPod in 2006 until just recently. Here's what's happened so far this year:

• No new iPods at Macworld, but new firmware that enables FM radio with an accessory is launched.
• iTunes is updated to 6.0.2 and adds the MiniStore, which offers suggestions based on your music collection. Apple later discloses that the feature does not collect any information from the users.
• Apple's iTunes Music Store starts to bulk up in the video department. Showtime is the latest network to offer shows for download for use on the computer or the 5G iPod.
• Apple quietly announces the $149 1GB iPod Nano yesterday.
• The company also cuts prices for the iPod Shuffle (the 512MB is now $69, and the 1GB is now $99). Today, iPods are accessible by more people than ever.
• The Billion Song Countdown graphic is at 958,234,896 as I type. Apple is giving away a 4GB iPod Nano, plus free songs to the user who downloads every 100,000th song up to 1 billion (that's about 417 Nanos).
• According to Think Secret, the planned mid-Manhattan Apple Store will be the first 24/7 store, and it will feature an iPod "bar."
• Now, hardcore rumors about a 6G iPod that is much more videocentric than the 5G version have begun. According to online buzz, the vPod will feature a larger 3.5-inch screen that's touch sensitive. A virtual Click Wheel will appear onscreen when the user touches it. While Think Secret has miscalculated before, some of us here at CNET believe Apple will launch an iPod with a bigger screen and better battery life (we guess late March/early April). With portable video gaining major momentum (thanks to a growing iTunes catalog, Google Video, Starz, BitTorrent, and others), it doesn't take a wizard to figure out that a screen-heavy iPod that can actually play through a feature-length movie is around the corner--along with the feature-length movies themselves.

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