RealNetworks spinning Rhapsody off into separate company

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Corporate News, Internet, Music

RealNetworks has just announced that it will be spinning off its Rhapsody music service into a separate, independently-operated company that will be based in downtown Seattle. This move follows the departure of founder Rob Glaser as CEO of the company, and about 150 RealNetworks employees will make the transition over to the new Rhapsody. Rhapsody, a joint venture between RealNetworks and Viacom MTV Networks, will no longer see it’s majority stake held by Real, which currently has a 51 percent share. RealNetworks says this is a move that is focused on streamlining company operations. Interesting, to say the least, since as far as we’re concerned, Rhapsody is the most interesting and mainstream product that RealNetworks has to offer.

Read More | RealNetworks

• Tools:
• Share on Facebook
• Digg This
• Comments (0)
• Email this story

iTunes 9.0.3 now available

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Music, Software

If you’re of the iTunes-using persuasion, you’ll want to know that Apple has just released iTunes 9.0.3, which includes a few bug fixes, including:

• iTunes no longer ignores your “Remember password for purchases” setting.
• Addresses problems with syncing some Smart Playlists and Podcasts with iPod.
• Resolves a problem recognizing when iPod is connected.
• Addresses issues that affect stability and performance.

Launch iTunes and check for updates to pull in the new version.

• Tools:
• Share on Facebook
• Digg This
• Comments (1)
• Email this story

Diddy Beats packaging revealed

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, CES, CES 2010, Features, Music, Portable Audio / Video

During CES 2010, Monster announced the Diddy Beats, an addition to the Beats by Dr. Dre headphone line. The Diddy Beats are leather-wrapped in-ears that sport a high-polished enamel end cap with the letters “db” on them. They should be available in March or April for $179, but for now, we’ve got a look at the packaging to hold you over.

Gallery: Diddy Beats packaging revealed

• Tools:
• Share on Facebook
• Digg This
• Comments (5)
• Email this story

Top 10 Gear Live Videos of 2009

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Cell Phones, Features, Handhelds, Music, PC / Laptop, Software, Video Games, Videos

2009 is just about over, and we are just in time with our annual top 10 list of the most-watched Gear Live video episodes. Over the past year, as expected, there was a bunch of Apple gear that made the list, but Microsoft gets the top two spots with our Xbox 360 dashboard tour, and the Zune HD hands-on preview. Also getting an honorable mention is the Motorola DROID and Elgato Turbo.264 transcoding device.

Oh, and if you wanna be sure to get our new video episodes as they come out in 2010, be sure to subscribe to us in iTunes, on YouTube, or in your RSS reader!

Click to continue reading Top 10 Gear Live Videos of 2009

• Tools:
• Share on Facebook
• Digg This
• Comments (0)
• Email this story

2009 Holiday Gift Guide: iLuv iMM153 alarm clock with bed shaker

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Apple, Household, Music, Teens, Under $50

So peep this - the iMM153 alarm clock from iLuv features a bed shaker alarm that works in conjunction with an iPod, FM radio, or generic buzzer. It pretty much guarantees that the owner, no matter how deep they are into their slumber, will be woken up by the noise and vibration combo. The iLuv iMM153 is available in black, white, pink, and blue, and is compatible with iPod classic, mini, nano, and touch. The things retail for $59, but Amazon has them for $46.

Read More | iLuv iMM153

• Tools:
• Share on Facebook
• Digg This
• Comments (0)
• Email this story

2009 Holiday Gift Guide: Zune HD

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Handhelds, Microsoft, Music, Portable Audio / Video, Techies, Teens, Under $250

We must say, one device we were excited about this year was the Zune HD, and as evidenced in our Zune HD review, Microsoft came through with a superb device with a fantastic service behind it to match. In fact, we’ve said it many time that, in our opinion, for someone that truly loves music, Zune is the best deal around. Coupled with the $15 per month Zune Pass (which isn’t a requirement,) you get a top-notch portable media player with an OLED screen, HD Radio, and web browser with the advantage of being able to listen to pretty much any song you can think of at a moments notice.

The Zune HD retails for $289 for the 32GB model, and $219 for the 16GB model - however, Amazon’s got a great sale on the Zune HD that’ll put the 32GB model into your hands for $269 ($21 off,) while the 16GB model will run you $189 ($30 off.)

Read More | Zune on Amazon

• Tools:
• Share on Facebook
• Digg This
• Comments (4)
• Email this story

Hit Amazon for some great Black Friday deals

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, HDTV, Hot Deals, Internet, Movies, Music

Okay guys, if you are looking to do some Black Friday 2009 shopping, we think that the Amazon Black Friday deals page is a great place to start. Why? Well, so far today they’ve had full music albums for 75% off, The Dark Knight on Blu-ray for 72% off, and a Garmin nuvi GPS for 50% off. Oh, and there’s plenty more where that came from.

Sound interesting? Head on over to the Amazon Black Friday Deals page to scope out what else they’ve got going on.

Read More | Amazon Black Friday 2009 Deals

• Tools:
• Share on Facebook
• Digg This
• Comments (0)
• Email this story

10 gadget sightings in Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance music video

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Accessories, Apple, Features, Home Entertainment, Music, PC / Laptop, Peripherals, Portable Audio / Video, Videos

Lady Gaga‘s music video have typically always featured some sort of high tech gadget, more often than not she has someone from the Beats by Dr. Dre line, among other things, prominently displayed. Earlier today, her Bad Romance music video was released, and we thought we’d take a moment to highlight ten sightings of tech and gadgetry that we spotted while watching.

Apple iPod classic

Hey, if you are gonna feature gadgets in a music video, you might as well bring in the iconic digital audio player that made everyone into a geek, right? The Apple iPod classic is the first gadget featured in Bad Romance. Deservedly so, we say. You can pick up the 160GB iPod classic from Apple for $249.

Click to continue reading 10 gadget sightings in Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance music video

• Tools:
• Share on Facebook
• Digg This
• Comments (11)
• Email this story

Sonos ZonePlayer S5 now available

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Home Entertainment, Household, Music

Just a heads up to any of you who want to add the Sonos ZonePlayer S5 to your current Sonos setup, or those of you who want to jump into Sonos for the first time for the lowest cost possible - the S5 is now shipping, and can be had for $399. We have one set to arrive later today, so we will hit you with a review after we play with it a bit.

Read More | Sonos ZonePlayer S5

• Tools:
• Share on Facebook
• Digg This
• Comments (1)
• Email this story

Sonos ZonePlayer S5 wireless music system, $399

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Home Entertainment, Music, Wireless / WiFi

Sonos is looking to market to the iPhone and iPod touch crowd with their new ZonePlayer S5 wireless music system. If you’re familiar with Sonos, you know that the price of entry has always been a bit high historically. The ZonePlayer S5 brings that price down to about $400. You plug it in to a router, and you are good to go with the ability to play your entire music library, as well as music from services like Rhapsody, Napster, Last.fm, and others, by using your iPhone as the remote control.

The price rises if you don’t have an Ethernet port handy for the S5, as you would then also need to buy a ZoneBridge, which allows you to connect the ZonePlayer S5 (as well as any other ZonePlayers you have) to your network wirelessly. We definitely think this is a positive step in the right direction for Sonos. By adding an all-on-one ZonePlayer/speaker to their line-up at this much lower price point, they’ve made it enticing to check them out to see what all the fuss is about. We’d pick up a ZonePlayer S5 over a Bose Sounddock any day of the week.

Read More | Sonos ZonePlayer S5 Demo

• Tools:
• Share on Facebook
• Digg This
• Comments (4)
• Email this story