iPod

Microsoft, the Zune, and getting beaten at its own game

When I see things like Microsoft's newest Zune, I actually feel pity for the company. Where Microsoft is good, it's great. But where it's an also-ran, it stinks. The Zune is a product that never should have been born. It adds nothing to the industry.

Except a nifty "community website":

The Redmond-based company also announced an online community website for the range, dubbed Zune Social. The beta site allows users to interact with one another and to create user cards, highlighting their favourite and currently playing tracks. However, cards can?t be traded.

The "community," which goes by the name of "John" when he's not online, awaits the social with bated breath.… Read more

Too little, too late for Zune in '07

The technology and music pundits wrote off Microsoft's Zune player immediately after it launched, and one reviewer predicted that it would be such a failure that Microsoft would quietly forget about it by the middle of 2007. I was willing to give Microsoft a little more credit, only because I don't think that the iPod and iTunes are perfect, and because I've seen how Microsoft comes from behind: it refines, improves, outspends and waits until the competition stumbles.

This evening, Microsoft unveiled version 2.0 of its Zune family, and this time, it's got a credible music player--for 2006. Unfortunately for Microsoft, it's 2007.

Game in style with...vinyl?

Gelaskins may offer vinyl to dress up your iPods, but what about your gaming devices?

It seems like Colorforms, while in a different form, are back for our generation. Only this time, instead of applying them to a stick-it board or fridge, you use them to adorn your high-tech toys.

iStyles offers art and patterned vinyl skins for stylizing your Wii, Apple TV, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, iPod and portable gaming devices.

Prices range from $5 for a Wii nunchuk/remote skin set to $6 for an iPod nano skin to $25 to cover your entire Xbox.

The iStyles come … Read more

Sony opens book on new Reader

Rumors have been circulating that Sony was about to release the second edition of its electronic book reader--and now it's official. Sony's new Reader Digital Book, the PRS-505, will hit stores shortly, and while it doesn't look that different on the surface, it's got some notable improvements.

Next-generation electronic paper display delivers faster response and a higher contrast ratio, with eight levels of gray scale instead of four.

Slightly thinner profile.

More intuitive button layout allows for easier navigation.

Available in silver and dark blue.

The new Reader costs the same as the old Reader ($300), … Read more

Report: Microsoft to announce flash-based Zune on Tuesday

Update 5:30 p.m. PDT: Microsoft plans to announce the second generation of Zune digital music players on Tuesday, according to a source close to the company.

Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates is supposed to take part in the formal announcement of the new music player, the Web site BetaNews reported on Monday. A source with knowledge of the announcement confirmed the report when contacted by CNET News.com.

The upcoming player, which will be available in November, will be the first Zune to feature flash-based memory, BetaNews reported.

The site also said Zune's flash-based players will measure 3 … Read more

Best Etsy shops for decking out your tech

How do I justify all the time I spend on Etsy, the sophisticated and simply brilliant marketplace for hand-crafted goods? If I didn't visit Etsy every day, I wouldn't be able to report back to you on the best shops for buying custom tech goodies. (I'm also certain that my Etsy obsession makes me a better gift giver. Friends and family, if this is not true, please keep it to yourselves.)

Without further ado, my favorite Etsy shops for iPod cozies, laptop wallets, and the like:

iPod Crafts The name says it all. This store sells simple, … Read more

Virtual skin for the iPhone

NEW YORK--Another new iPod, another new chance for accessory makers to try something new.

As you know, CNET has been a fan of the Gelaskins. The company continues to deliver on its that's-so-simple -and-probably-cheap-to-make -why-didn't-I-think-of-it, yet practical and inexpensive vinyl protectors.

Yes, Gelaskins seems to be a one-trick pony. But you know what? It works.

The vinyl iPod, laptop and now iPhone protecting art that the company was showing at DigitalLife 2007 now comes with free desktop wallpaper to match.

The corresponding desktop art is downloadable from the Gelaskins Web site.

The "Steampunk" Gelaskin by Colin … Read more

Report: Apple developing OS X minitablet

Apparently the Newton doesn't fall very far from the Apple tree.

AppleInsider is reporting that Apple has a project underway to develop a minitablet computer based on the OS X operating system it has developed for the iPhone and the iPod Touch. The site is calling it "the return of the Newton," referring to the much-maligned but cult-favorite PDA that Apple sold in the mid-1990s.

The report describes a "slate" style device that's about 1.5 times bigger than an iPhone, with a high resolution display and the same touch-screen interface that's found … Read more

The lame blame game

Writing for the BBC, Bill Thompson asks the question "Time for Apple to face the music?" (tip o' the antlers to Dominic Bassett.)

Forgive yourselves if you think you've heard this one before. You have.

The recent launch of the new range of iPods, including the video Nano and the iPod Touch, has shown just how far Apple is willing to go to make life difficult for its users in order to shore up its dominant position in the market for music players and downloads.

Do tell, Bill.

First...

No! Wait! Don't! That was rhetorical!

...if … Read more

MediaCell Video Converter: First Look

Most mobile users like their converted videos like they like their phones: light, fast, and easy to get.

MediaCell Video Converter is a sweet app that achieves the former and shines with the latter. The program's ease at converting from a range of file types to your specific cell phone or PDA helped the program become the single most downloaded video product at CNET Download.com.

Check out MediaCell Video Converter in the video below, and don't forget to watch other informative First Look videos on a slew of users' favorite apps.