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Latest Gear Live Videos
Microsoft Lowers Prices on Zune Players and Accessories
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Hot Deals, Microsoft, Music, Portable Audio / Video,
We told you yesterday about the Zune Pass being such a sweet deal and you probably countered with, “But I don’t have a Zune.” Microsoft is pleased to announce that they have lowered their prices on their flash-based products just for your. Effective now in the U.S. and Friday in Canada, the 4GB model is now $99.00, the 8GB is $139.00, and the 16GB Zune drops $20.00 to $179.00. There are also accessories that have been marked down, so you have no excuse.
Gallery: Microsoft Lowers Prices on Zune Players and Accessories
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iPhone 2.2: iTunes Wi-Fi Store supports podcasts over the air, not music
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Music, Wireless / WiFi,
So, we knew that iPhone 2.2 would bring OTA podcast downloads in the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store, so we had to try and see if it would allow us to download anything else over the air as well. Unfortunately, music is still a no-go. You can’t access the Featured or Top Tens sections in iTunes on the iPhone, unless you have a Wi-Fi connection. Meanwhile, the Podcasts section supports both audio and video podcasts, which puts a smile on our faces.
Gallery: iPhone 2.2: iTunes Wi-Fi Store supports podcasts over the air, not music
Zune Pass now includes 10 keeper songs per month
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Corporate News, Hot Deals, Microsoft, Music,
Wow. The best deal in music just got a whole lot better, as Microsoft has announced that the $14.99 per month Zune Pass will now allow subscribers to download and keep 10 tracks per month, which is a $10 value. Those tracks are yours, permanently, even if your Zune Pass subscription comes to an end. Participating labels include EMI Music, Sony BMG, Universal Music, Warner Music, and independents like INgrooves, Independent Online Distribution Alliance, and The Orchard. Tracks downloaded from Sony BMG and UMG will be DRM-free MP3s, which tracks from EMI and Warner also include MP3 files, there are also some WMAs still hanging around. The Zune guys say that soon, 90 percent of the music in the Zune Marketplace will be in the MP3 format.
So when you break this down, if you subscribe to the Zune Pass, and download 10 tracks a month, you are really just paying $5 for unlimited access to the huge catalog of music available in the Zune Marketplace. We can’t think of a better, legal deal in music than what Microsoft is offering with Zune right now. Can you? At this point, we see no reason to fire up iTunes to do our music purchasing.
Gallery: Zune Pass now includes 10 keeper songs per month
The screen on the iPod nano isn’t exactly huge with its 2-inch display. The Nano TV converts your 3rd generation device into a mini-TV. Designed to look like a TV/VCR player combination, the screen moves to a whopping 2.8 inches, ready to compete with the bigger iPods. Lightweight and compact, pop your nano into the top and it will play through its included speakers. Small enough for traveling, pre-order for £14.99 (~$22.00) for an early January delivery.
Read More 
| Thumbs Up
Gallery: Retro Nano TV
Sony Bluetooth Transmitter and Headset
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Music, Portable Audio / Video, Wireless / WiFi,
Sony’s stereo Bluetooth in-ear buds should be just the thing for joggers, travelers, or anyone else who gets tired of cords. The DR-BT160AS has over-the-ear hooks and the band encircles the back of your head. With a lithium-ion battery, you get 7 hours of play or 100 standby time before needing a recharge. Plug the transmitter into your iPod and get an effective range of 30 ft. with a frequency range of 2.4000 to 2.4835GHz. You can get the earbuds and TMR-BT8iP transmitter/receiver for $179.99.
Read More | Sony Style
Gallery: Sony Bluetooth Transmitter and Headset
Nokia Recalls 5610 XpressMusic Handsets
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Smartphones, Music, Rumors,
Rumor has it Nokia has announced that they are no longer offering their 5610 XpressMusic handset and will recall all of its existing inventory from stores and warehouses. This was prompted when a manufacturing problem affecting the phone’s display was detected. If you have one of the models, you can get a replacement of a 5310 or 6301 at any T-Mobile phone store plus a $25.00 or $50.00 credit from the company as a way of apologizing. While we are not completely convinced that this has gone past the rumor stage, we did notice that T-Mobile lists them as “temporarily out of stock.”
Read More | Ubergizmo
Gallery: Nokia Recalls 5610 XpressMusic Handsets
Zune 3.1 update: More games, better Social, more
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Handhelds, Microsoft, Music, Portable Audio / Video, Video Games,
Just two months after the Zune 3.0 release, Microsoft is now deploying the next incremental update to their Zune platform with Zune 3.1. Available for download today, the Zune 3.1 update brings quite a few welcome feature changes and updates:
- New Games: Checkers, Sudoku, and Space Battle
- New multiplayer mode, and single-player difficulty levels, for Texas Hold’em
- Visual changes to the Zune Social, making it prettier and easier to navigate
- Like-Minder Listeners feature added to social, allowing you to compare your music tastes to others
- Improved play count reporting, content synchronization, and other bug fixes in both the hardware and software
You can grab the update now by launching your Zune software, going into Settings, and hitting Check for Updates.
Read More | Zune Insider
Gallery: Zune 3.1 update: More games, better Social, more
Skull Belt Buckle PMP
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Wearables, Music, Portable Audio / Video,
Who wouldn’t want a large Skull Belt Buckle that doubles as a 1GB media player/FM tuner with 1.5-inch display? Control it by buttons or on the included earphone’s cord. The buckle can also hold another MP3 or MP4 player, included LED light module or anything 40 x 60 mm or smaller. The device is compatible with MP3, WMA, WAV, AMV and JPG files, and will run approximately 4 hours before needing a recharge on its built-in Li-ion battery. Contact Chinavasion to pre-order or inquire about price.
Read More | Chinavasion
Gallery: Skull Belt Buckle PMP
Dreams6 DJ Speaker
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Misc. Tech, Music, Portable Audio / Video, Videos, USB,
Now anyone with an iPod, MP3 Player, laptop or other audio device can be a mini DJ. The Dreams6 DJ Speaker plays your tunes and has 3 variations of mixed scratches to really impress the crowd. Small enough for a pocket or backpack, it comes with a USB cord for recharging through your PC. The DJ Speaker is available in red, black or white at a price of $45.99. We are thinking that this may be one of those gadgets that’s fun for the first 10 minutes, as evidenced by the demonstration.
Read More | Audio Cubes
Gallery: Dreams6 DJ Speaker
Hijack Keyring Double Headphone Sharer
Posted by Sheila Franklin Categories: Misc. Tech, Music, Portable Audio / Video,
Have you ever heard a tune so great that you just had to share? The Hijack Keyring Double Headphone Sharer does just that. Of course you each have to have 2 sets of headphones, but the device will work with an iPod, MP3 player or any device with a standard headphone socket. Share the music with someone on a bus, train or subway for the mere sum of £6.95 (~$11.00.) and you might make a new friend.
Read More | Gadgets
