Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited by Dan Knight
- 2006.05.11
This Week's iPod News
PowerBook, iBook, iPod, and other portable computing is covered
in The 'Book Review. General
Apple and Mac desktop news is covered in The Mac News Review. News about Apple's
transition to Intel CPUs and other Intel developments is covered in
The Macintel Report.
All prices are in US dollars unless otherwise noted.
For current iPod prices from a variety of sources, see our
Best iPod Deals.
News and Comment
Products
Software
News and Comment
French Senate Proposes Less Restrictive DRM
Law
The International Herald Tribune's Thomas Crampton says:
"The Senate version of a French copyright bill will be more
sympathetic to software companies like Apple Computer than was the
version passed overwhelmingly by the National Assembly in March, a
senator on the commission reviewing the bill has said.
"The new proposals, to be introduced for debate Thursday, come
after intense lobbying by technology companies and virtually ensure
that the radical copyright overhaul once envisioned by supporters
will be stalled as politicians maneuver toward a compromise."
Link: French
Senate Proposes Less Restrictive 'iPod Law'
Patent Application Points to Use of Cell
Network for iPod Downloads
The Register's Andrew Orlowski reports:
"The US Patent and Trademark Office has published two patent
applications today which offer some clue to the future shape of the
iPod, and also Apple's ambitions as a digital media
distributor.
"As well as an intriguing glimpse of what a wireless iPod could
do, it potentially sets Apple on a collision course with the major
cellular phone networks.
"Patent application (#20060095339), filed 18 months ago,
describes an iPod that's fully wireless enabled - but envisages it
as a portable shopping cart rather than a device for sharing
media.
"It's sure to be read with great interest by lawyers at the
giant cellular phone carriers. It also describes a method of
tagging a digital media file on one device and network and
downloading it to another device on another network. That's very
similar to how Sprint and Verizon - to name but two - allow you to
buy a song over the air, and then tag it for downloading to your PC
when you get home.
"And this has the potential to bring Apple into a head-on
collision with the carriers, once again."
Link:
Apple Heads for New Carrier Collision with Wireless iPod
Patent
Products
JBL Rolls Out Radial iPod Speaker System
PR: JBL's High-Performance System Gives Music Lovers a
VIP Pass to Great Sound and Drop-Dead-Gorgeous Style
JBL, a leading provider of award-winning audio products for the
computer industry, today announced the introduction of JBL Radial,
a high-performance entertainment dock for the iPod. Designed with
audiophiles in mind, the versatile JBL Radial delivers powerful
high- and mid-frequency sound, and ample deep and distortion-free
bass, in a single compact, stylish device. Offered in either
elegant black or chic white, both with chrome accents, JBL Radial
makes the perfect iPod companion by adding a sleek and modern look
- and clean and beautiful sound - to any room or office.
With 60 watts of total power, JBL Radial combines proprietary
technologies to produce legendary sound. The system includes four
aluminum-domed Odyssey(R) full-range drivers, which are driven by
powerful neodymium magnets, for superior dynamic range. Further,
the low-frequency driver is capable of peak-to-peak travel of
nearly one inch, providing astonishing and accurate bass
reproduction. JBL Radial also includes signature technologies such
as Computer-Optimized Equalization, which produces a rich
soundstage, and Optimized Compression Topology, which ensures clean
and accurate sound at high-output levels.
"We knew it was important to have a robust range of products to
suit the needs, tastes and budgets of all of our customers. JBL
Radial was created for customers who were looking for a higher-end
home audio product," said Fred Faulkner, JBL Multimedia's vice
president of sales and marketing. "We're excited to include JBL
Radial in our award-winning iPod docking-speaker line."
A true high-performance entertainment dock, JBL Radial allows
consumers to fully enjoy every iPod feature from one source; simply
connect JBL Radial to a computer or TV to enjoy photos or videos
stored on a docked iPod. Further simplifying the process, the
included JBL Radial RF smart remote gives users full iPod control,
allowing them to change tracks, browse through libraries, adjust
settings, and scroll through extras - all without having to get off
the couch or walk across the room.
As it does all JBL iPod docking speakers, JBL Radial charges the
iPod even if it's not connected to a computer, or if the system is
in "off" mode. Additional features include easy-to-use touch volume
controls, additional cables for connecting it to other devices, and
an extra connector on the rear that allows synching a docked iPod
with iTunes on the computer.
JBL Radial is compatible with all docking iPods, including the
5G iPod and iPod nano, and comes equipped with a mini stereo jack
connection for use with devices such as digital music players,
personal CD/DVD players, and laptop and desktop computers. Offered
in either black or white, JBL Radial has a suggested retail price
of $299.95. This high-end iPod speaker system will be available in
June 2006, online at www.jbl.com and at quality retailers
nationwide.
Link: JBL
First Bluetooth Adapter for iPod nano
PR: Anycom Technologies Inc., a leading provider of
wireless data communication and Bluetooth technology, announces
BluNa - the world's first Bluetooth adapter designed especially for
the iPod nano, carrying the logo "Made for iPod," from Apple.
BluNa transmits music wirelessly in crystal clear, digital
quality from the iPod nano to any Bluetooth receiver, including
speakers, headphones, computers or stereo systems.
When users plug BluNa into an iPod nano, they receive automatic
playability with the paired mobile device. Since there is no
pairing button, pairing will be done automatically and stored for
future connections. To pair for the first time, users simply put
the receiving device into pairing mode.
BluNa is Bluetooth 1.2, Class 2, supporting the A2DP profile.
The sleek design weighs less than 10 grams, and is available in
black and white.
"We are thrilled to unveil the world's first Bluetooth adapter
made exclusively for the iPod nano," said Anycom managing director,
Walter Daguhn. "The compact form and light weight will allow users
to listen to their iPod nanos wirelessly and without a clunky
adapter. The detail and precision allow BluNa to fit perfectly with
the dimensions of the iPod nano, and in turn to become a single
mechanical object."
The multifunctional iPod nano adapter can be used in several
settings:
- Use BluNa with the Anycom BIWAS-20 Bluetooth speaker to send
tunes wirelessly from your iPod nano to the speaker in different
rooms in your house or outdoors. (Bundle MSRP $349.99).
- Pair it with the Anycom BSH-100 headphones. Listen to the music
wirelessly from your iPod nano and simultaneously sync the BSH-100
with your cell phone. When a call comes in, the iPod nano will
automatically pause for the user to take the call, and then resume
when the call is finished. (Bundle MSRP $229.99).
- Connect with a stereo system using Anycom's Bluetooth Stereo
Receiver.
- Anycom will soon offer a car audio adapter that can receive
Bluetooth audio streams and play through the car stereo
system.
Bluetooth Remote Control Function (AVRCP) has also been
implemented in BluNa, so that song selection, play, pause and stop
commands can be given from the Anycom stereo headphone.
BluNa will be available in May for $119.99 and will include an
AC power supply to charge the iPod nano quickly without a USB
connection. It will also be compatible with other Bluetooth devices
like stereo headsets from Logitech, Motorola or Plantronics.
By detaching a part of the BluNa, the adapter can also be used
on any other iPod with a dock connector, including the iPod mini
and iPod video models.
Products can be purchased at eCOST, Amazon.com, mobileplanet.com, buy.com, Frys, Microcenter
(CA), and
Office Depot.
Link: Anycom
Software
EasyWMA Converts WMA, ASF, and WMV to
iPod-usable Formats
PR: EasyWMA allows you to convert WMA, ASF, and WMV audio
files to MP3, M4A, or WAV so that you can play your favorite songs
in iTunes or any other player on your Mac.
EasyWMA has a very simple user interface, full drag and drop
support, and can even do batch processing to convert your whole
library of WMA songs in one click. It's also super easy to install
: just a simple application to drag and drop on your hard disk.
Open your WMA audio files by choosing "Open..." in the "File"
menu, or simply drag and drop the files you want to convert on
EasyWMA window. Notice that since version 2.0, you can directly
open or drag and drop folders, EasyWMA will automatically look for
all WMA files.
EasyWMA will create a new file with a ".MP3" extension in the
same folder as the original WMA file (or on the Desktop if the
folder is not writeable). Notice that EasyWMA will not convert WMA
audio files including DRM. For these files, EasyWMA will probably
just create an empty file.
EasyWMA provides iTunes integration : you can automatically add
converted files to a playlist of your choice in iTunes.
Main features
- Input formats : WMA, ASF, WMV, WAV
- Output formats : M4A, MP3, WAV
- Manual or automatic bit rate selection from source (32-320
kbps)
- Batch processing
- Drag & drop of files and folders
- ID3 tags support
New in version 2.5.2:
- Added German localization (Thanks to Hartmut Hillmann)
System requirements: Requires Mac OS X v10.2 or later.
The full version of EasyWMA costs $10.
Existing users of EasyWMA may qualify for a free update to
version 2.5.1
Link: EasyWMA
