LG HB954SP HTIB Blu-ray system features iPod and iPhone dock

Posted by Mark Rollins Categories: Home Entertainment

LG is set to make you consider a HTIB set with their HB954SP, a 5.1 channel surround sound system with five speakers and a subwoofer, all pushing 1,000 total watts of power.  It also includes a BD-Live-enabled Blu-ray player that has an iDock - basically an iPod dock that you can use to charge an iPod or iPhone. 

Expect to see the HB954SP HTIB launch sometime in November. No mention of price, but we are thinking it won’t be cheap.

Read More | LG

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

iTunes 9.0.1 now available, much more stable

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Music, Software

Apple released iTunes 9.0.1 yesterday, and normally, they squash some bugs that some people experience. Here is a look at the changes in the latest release, which comes just a couple of weeks after the iTunes 9 release:

• Resolves issues browsing the iTunes Store.
• Addresses a performance issue where iTunes may become unresponsive.
• Fixes a problem where iTunes may unexpectedly quit.
• Fixes a problem syncing Podcasts in playlists to iPod or iPhone.
• Fixes a problem sorting albums with multiple discs.
• Addresses an issue with the Zoom button not switching to Mini Player.
• Improves application syncing for iPod touch and iPhone.
• Genius is now automatically updated to show Genius Mixes.

We must say, iTunes 9 feels more responsive, and works more “as it should,” or as expected. Hit up Software Update to grab it.

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

iPod shuffle Special Edition stainless steel gallery

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Features, Galleries, Portable Audio

You know that new iPod shuffle that Apple was gushing over during their “It’s Only Rock and Roll” event? We were able to get our hands on one of the stainless steel beauties, and have given it our gallery treatment. If you’re interested in an inexpensive iPod that can hold a couple thousand songs and keeps a low profile, this might be the one for you. Check it out, it’s definitely slick.

Read More | iPod shuffle Special Edition gallery

Gallery: iPod shuffle Special Edition stainless steel gallery

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

Microsoft’s take on today’s Apple announcements

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Corporate News, Microsoft, Music, Portable Audio / Video, Software

One things we’ve been wondering today, admidst all of the Apple It’s Only Rock and Roll event news, is how Microsoft was feeling, especially as it pertains to their Zune business, which is set for a major overhaul in six days. We got in contact with a Microsoft spokesperson, and asked them about what they thought of the new iPod and iTunes announcements. Here’s what they had to say:

Since our debut, Zune has offered a different kind of end-to-end digital entertainment experience that includes wireless MP3 players, a robust online store, music community and innovative software features that help users easily find the music and videos they love.

The entertainment experience for consumers hasn’t changed that much after Apple’s announcement today.  Our point of view has always been that people want to be entertained, and they want a better way to watch and listen to the digital entertainment they love.  We’re interested in getting you your content where you want it in rich, exciting ways.  We look forward to sharing more on September 15th.

Okay, so Zune is all about music and videos - not games, video recording, and all that other stuff. We get it, and we like the focus. What we don’t like, though, is how Microsoft allowed Apple to steal their thunder by announcing the new line-up way after Microsoft announced the Zune HD, followed up by Apple launching the new iPods a week before the Zune HD hits stores.

In the meantime, if you’re a music fan looking for a new music player, we say wait until the fifteenth. What you see come out of the Zune camp may surprise you. All of you. I’ve already said too much.

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

iPod classic not dead, bumped up to 160GB

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Music, Portable Audio / Video

The rumors were heavy that Apple would be axing the iPod classic since it’s the iPod that moves the least number of units across the product line. If that happened, it would have truly been the end of an era, but thankfully, the iPod classic remains alive and well. Not only that, but Apple has increase the storage on the classic from 120GB to 160GB while maintaining the same thin profile. Very nice.

You can pick up the 160GB iPod classic for $249.

Read More | iPod classic

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

iPod nano 5G: Shoots video, FM tuner with Live Pause, Pedometer (with videos!)

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Cameras, Portable Audio / Video

The iPod nano got a very welcome upgrade today, with Apple integrating a camera into the device, making it the first (and only - sorry iPod touch) iPod with a built-in camera. On the lower left on back of the iPod nano sits the camera, along with speaker and microphone. The iPod nano only records video, so it doesn’t take still images, and those videos are recorded at 640x480 in H.264 up to 30fps with AAC audio. There are also 15 video effects you can apply, like Black and White, Film Grain, Thermal, X-Ray, and more.

Also making the iPod nano unique is the addition of an FM tuner, again, a first for the iPod line. Apple has even included a feature they call Live Pause, which lets you pause radio, and continue listening later. It holds a buffer of up to 15 minutes. You’ll also find a pedometer in the new nano, which works together with the built-in Nike+ integration, and a new, larger 2.2-inch screen - up from 2-inch on the previous model. We’ve got videos after the break that show off the iPod nano video camera, Genius Mix, and FM radio features.

The fifth generation iPod nano is available now at $149 for the 8GB model, and $179 for the 16GB version, and they come in nine new colors.

Click to continue reading iPod nano 5G: Shoots video, FM tuner with Live Pause, Pedometer (with videos!)

Read More | iPod nano

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

Apple confirms September 9th rock and roll themed music and iPod event

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Music, Portable Audio / Video, Software

Yup, we’ve suspected that September 9th was going to be the day that we’d see a bunch of new hotness from Apple as it pertains to music, namely iTunes and iPod-related announcements. Well, it’s been confirmed, as Apple has started sending out invitations to a rock and roll themed event on the 9th, to be held at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater. Expect the entire iPod line to be refreshed, with the exception of the shuffle, and with the focus being on the iPod touch and iTunes 9.

What do you hope we see next Wednesday?

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

Logitech introduces two new iPod speaker docks: S325i and S125i

Posted by Mark Rollins Categories: Apple, Handhelds, Music, Portable Audio / Video

The last time we were discussing Logitech, it was in regards to the unveiling of nine new webcams.  Now the company has shifted our focus to their new iPod speaker docks, as they have two new ones that we want to let you in on.  The S325i (pictured above) is iPhone-compatible, and powered by a rechargeable battery good for 20 hours.  The S125i is powered by 4 AA batteries, but doesn’t seem to support the iPhone.  Both of these will be available later this month, with the S325i retailing for $129, and the S125i for $69.

Read More | Crunchgear

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

2010 Acura vehicles get Bluetooth, XM Radio, iPod connectivity as standard

Posted by Mark Rollins Categories: Accessories, Music, Transportation, Wireless / WiFi

Acura is looking to upgrade the experience for customers by adding a few oft-requested features as standard, starting with their 2010 lineup. Look forward to Bluetooth, XM Radio, and even iPod connectivity to all be included. This is definitely a sign of the times, as just about even mobile phone sold today supports Bluetooth, and that can only result in a bit more safety on the road.

Read More | Gearlog

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

Tivoli introduces new iPAL - now available in yellow

Posted by Finnian Durkan Categories: Design, Home Entertainment, Music

I love listening to my iPod. Everywhere I go, I have it plugged in - on the road, in my car, on the bus, at work; everywhere.  But no matter how much I love having all of my audio/visual media right at my fingertips, there has always been one thing that has bothered me about iPods and all of their associated paraphernalia - they all look the same. 

They all resemble something that Eero Saarinen carved out of a block of plastic, polished to a shine, and made available to the public.  This is all well and good if you have a condo chock-full of Jetsons furniture, eschewing any and all hard lines in favor of the Apple standard of soft eggshell curved products.  I, on the other hand, am a pretty typical guy and have a living space peppered with very angular, semi-broken furniture and accoutrements that make a proto-futuristic iPod docking station look a tad out of place.

Enter Tivoli’s iPAL docking station.  Resembling something that would be right at home on a WWII submarine or knocking around in the jungle on a National Geographic expedition; it is the perfect addition to my jumbled, yet spartan living situation.  Stacked next to my hotplate and the Zenith TV that I use as the base for my coffee table, it looks perfectly natural - like it was meant to be there.  Despite its rugged and retro appearance, it offers amazing sound quality, and also comes with an AM/FM auto-tuner and a NiMH battery pack that recharges in three hours and offers 16 hours of continuous play.

While its price, at $274.04 (192.40 Euro) makes it far more expensive than any of the rest of my furniture, it still looks mighty fine sitting atop my bookshelf made of cinder-blocks and 2x4’s.

Read More | Questo Design

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