News and reviews of audio products, including FireWire and USB input interfaces, podcasting, microphones, and more

Syncing large music libraries

Kirk McElhearn — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 10:05:00 -0700

You have a large iTunes library and an iPod that can't hold it all? Here are tips for shoe-horning the best stuff on to your portable media player.

Palm calls Apple's bluff on media syncing

Dan Moren — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 09:37:00 -0700

On Tuesday, Apple warned of unsupported third-party media players syncing with iTunes. On Wednesday, Palm called Apple's bluff. And the poker game continues.

Ripping and burning CDs with iTunes

Christopher Breen — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:12:00 -0700

You remember CDs, right? Those silvery discs you played music from before you owned an iPod? Yeah, those. Here's a reminder of what iTunes can do with these discs.

The Button as last resort

Christopher Breen — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:58:00 -0700

When a device has given up the ghost, the press of a couple of key buttons could put things right.

Rip CDs better and faster

Kirk McElhearn — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 10:35:00 -0700

Find ripping CDs a slog? Kirk McElhearn offers some tips for more efficiently ripping your discs.

Microsoft announces Zune HD

Scott McNulty — Wed, 27 May 2009 08:04:00 -0700

Microsoft's Zune HD, due out this fall, will feature an OLED multitouch screen, HD video out, Wi-Fi, and a HD Radio tuner.

Apple amenable to idea of pan-European iTunes Store

Dan Moren — Tue, 26 May 2009 08:41:00 -0700

A newly released report of a meeting last fall shows that Apple would be willing to create one iTunes Store for Europe, were the current licensing situation to change.

Fraudulent iTunes charges are worth watching for

Dan Moren — Tue, 19 May 2009 14:15:00 -0700

iTunes accounts make a tempting target for credit card fraudsters and identity thieves who can easily turn its gift certificates into cash.

Napster to launch new music subscription plan

Dan Moren — Mon, 18 May 2009 08:48:00 -0700

Music service Napster's new subscription service will run $5 a month for unlimited streaming and five MP3 downloads each month.

The Macalope Weekly: Fight, fight, fight!

The Macalope — Thu, 14 May 2009 11:18:00 -0700

If it costs $30,000 to fill an iPod, the Zune should have no trouble competing, right? And with talking heads dithering over whether Steve Jobs will return, new iPhone in hand, it appears that the fuss over netbooks may finally be dying down.

Microsoft Zune ad takes a shot at iTunes

Dan Moren — Tue, 12 May 2009 08:15:00 -0700

Microsoft's taken a break from comparing Macs and PCs to take stack up the iTunes Store against its monthly Zune Pass.

Review: Mini iPod speakers roundup

Roman Loyola — Fri, 08 May 2009 05:00:00 -0700

There are times when you don’t want to don your headphones, and you want your music (or audiobook, podcast, recorded lecture, etc.) fill the air in your general vicinity. For that, you need a mini speaker.

Apple rejects NIN app update, Trent Reznor lashes out

David Dahlquist — Mon, 04 May 2009 11:40:00 -0700

Apple once again rejects a cool app for vague and arbitrary reasons. Only this time, they've opened a big can of worms in the form of Trent Reznor and the sizable Nine Inch Nails fan base.

Altec Lansing intros budget speaker line

Dan Frakes — Fri, 01 May 2009 07:10:00 -0700

Altec Lansing has announced four computer speaker systems for the budget-minded, ranging in price from $20 to $50.

Simplify Music 2.0 for iPhone adds search

Dan Moren — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 09:23:00 -0700

Simplify Media released the second version of their Simplify Music iPhone app, which allows you to stream music over the network from your computer's iTunes library.

Capo helps you learn songs by ear

David Dahlquist — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 11:53:00 -0700

SuperMegaUltraGroovy's Capo lets you slow down, loop, and adjust the pitch of any song you throw at it, aiding the process of learning a song by ear.

Smule releases Leaf Trombone: World Stage for iPhone

Dan Moren — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 11:24:00 -0700

Smule, the maker of Ocarina for the iPhone, has released a new musical application for Apple's mobile platform, Leaf Trombone: World Stage.

Price of Prince iPod will make doves cry

Dan Moren — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 09:32:00 -0700

If you're a fan of the musician Prince you can purchase yourself a limited edition iPod touch commemorating the singer.

The Macalope Weekly: It’s the ruination of X as we know it!

The Macalope — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 08:13:00 -0700

Forget global warming and the economy. The real reason the world is in danger is simple: software bundles, variable music pricing, and subscription services. In times like these, we turn to the Macalope.

Variable pricing hits Amazon MP3, Walmart, others

Dan Moren — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 08:40:00 -0700

The iTunes Store shifted to variable pricing on Tuesday, but Amazon MP3, Walmart, and other music download sites weren't far behind.