Game time

MP3 Insider

MP3 Insider 133: Lauren Rich Fine interview

In her latest report for PaidContent.org, author Lauren Rich Fine boils down the music industry's most important trends and milestones over the past 10 years. The report is entitled Playing A New Tune: The Music Industry's D-I-Y Era, and takes an unflinching look at the state of the music industry, the players involved, and the staggering amount of money and blind faith it takes to stay in the game.

Want to know if record labels still matter? Not sure if Apple saving or slaughtering the music industry? Should bands stop making records and transition entirely to Guitar … Read more

MP3 Insider 132: Bulbous twoofers

Donald and Jasmine are back and ready to catch up on FLAC-compatible MP3 players, speakers that use "twoofers," headphones that use speakers, and a handy way to control your iPod while keeping your eyes on the road.

Plus, Jasmine offers some tips for taking your iTunes music collection to a non-Apple MP3 player, and Donald reviews an oldie but goodie.

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MP3 Insider 130: Personal radio apps for the iPhone

Donald and Jasmine discuss Pandora 2.0 and the new Slacker app for the iPhone and the iPod Touch. Also on deck: a bit of info from the NAMM show and a little good-natured ribbing at Haier America's expense. Oh, and we poke some serious fun at Microsoft...prepare for your ears to bleed a little first, though.

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MP3 Insider 128: 2008 gives up the ghost

In the final MP3 Insider of 2008, Donald and Jasmine discuss Dr. Dre's super stylish in-ear headphones, a way-too-pricey iPod dock from DLO, some touch-screen alternatives to the iPod Touch, and a gaggle of gear for the Creative Zen family.

Plus, find out how to follow Jasmine and Donald while they cruise around CES 2009.

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MP3 Insider 127: Prize patrol

Donald and Jasmine announce the winner of the Gears of War II Special Edition Zune 120, but first you have to listen to them talk about Apple's new In-Ear Headphones, some pricey single-minded iPod accessories, Donald's one year Zuniversary, a roundup of the top budget headphones, and a cool and creative reason to have a Rhapsody subscription.

Also this week: think up a creative Twitter alias for Jasmine for CES and get a chance to win a JBL On Stage Micro.

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MP3 Insider 126: MyPods from Mapple

Apple's new in-ear headphones are out, and Donald and Jasmine can't help but poke a little fun with the help of a recent Simpsons episode.

Also this week, the MP3 Insiders discuss Donald's favorite gadgets from 2008, as well as which portable audio gadgets make good gifts (and which don't).

Plus, things get a little heated when copyrights and the RIAA enter a conversation on digitizing audio.

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MP3 Insider 125: New Zune news

Donald and Jasmine discuss Zune price drops and a Zune Pass deal that may put some pressure on other subscription services.

Also on the agenda is the latest iPod Touch firmware, some products that failed to impress, iTunes alternatives, and a reader question about stripping audio from DVDs.

Plus, we're giving away a 120GB Zune MP3 player from Microsoft (see contest details below). Not just any Zune, in fact, but the thoroughly badass Gears of War 2 Edition, which features an etched logo and comes loaded with Gears of War videos, photos and music.

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MP3 Insider 124: From firmware to concepts

Donald and Jasmine discuss the latest Zune firmware, as well as their opinions on the current state of Bluetooth technology.

Also this week, an iPod concept that takes fashion gadgetry to another level, cute and tiny travel speakers from Sony, and thoughts on HD radio. Plus, the winners of our Burton prize giveaway are announced.

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