Interesting news/reviews/deals from the portable audio market
BusinessWeek runs a piece on Tim Schaaff, Sony’s Senior VP of Software Development: the man who left Apple to undertake a huge task—make Sony’s software work. That means bringing the various departments closer, giving more power to software developers and keeping a low profile so as not to collide with the rather autonomous hardware engineers.
Review: [...]
Samsung YP-Z5: an overall positive impression on this iPod nano competitor. There’s not too many extras here to brag about, but the iPod dogma is all about offering less, right? The device looks and feels great, the UI is a joy to use. The amp could use a little more power, but hey, if you’re [...]
As the rumor sites had managed to tip us, Apple went ahead with presenting an iPod boombox by the name of “iPod Hi-Fi”. CNET’s hosting the presentation video (and ironically, the videos are sponsored by Microsoft).
The double-walled white-plastic enclosure houses two 80mm wide-range cones (set in dedicated chambers and isolated on the fron plate) and [...]
According to the Sunday Herald, Edinburgh-based Wolfson Microelectronics is set to release its latest audio chip, the WM8985, this week. What makes this chipset important is the fact that, according to the company’s statements, it increases power efficiency by 70%. It’s worth noting that Wolfson’s chipsets are used in the iPod (all generations so far, [...]
Griffin’s TuneCenter is one powerful, sweet looking iPod dock: when the iPod is docked into the TuneCenter (and the TuneCenter linked to the TV set), the iPod’s playlists and menus appear on the TV screen. Using the included 14-button remote you can enjoy your music, photos or videos from your couch. The TuneCenter is made [...]
iPod rivals vie for piece of Apple’s pie: a good wrap-up of the iPod competitors that showed up in CES, with quotes from executives.
Apple didn’t present new Shuffles at the MacWorld Expo (like we, along with others, had guessed) but did hav e a treat or two for the iPod users.
The iPod Radio Remote lets you enjoy you favorite radio stations via the built-in FM receiver, accompanied by a nice visualisation on the iPod’s screen. Favorite stations can [...]
Guide to iPod accessories: iLounge has written some introductory texts for the various categories of iPod-related accessories. The most noteworthy are:
microphones and microphone adapters
remote controls
speakers
There was apparently an iPod shortage in European stores during the holidays: it mainly hit continental Europe; the British and Americans managed to get along with no “out of stock” warnings (if you exclude the 1GB iPod shuffle shortage in the US, that is).
Meanwhile, people just keep on writing articles about why Apple should open [...]
iPod designer honored by Queen Elizabeth: Jonathan Ive, the man behind the iMac and iPod’s design, “has been named a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) by Queen Elizabeth II. The award was presented during the Queen’s New Year’s honors ceremony. [...] Created by King George V, the CBE [...]