Category Archives: Audio

Audio, Video

How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP3 Audio

YouTube is a platform that has revolutionized the way we consume video content. With millions of videos uploaded every day, it’s no wonder that YouTube is one of the most visited sites on the internet. However, sometimes you might want to listen to a particular video’s audio without having to watch the whole thing. This is where converting YouTube videos to MP3 files comes in handy. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of converting YouTube videos to MP3. Whatever your reason, converting YouTube videos to MP3 is a simple and convenient way to get high-quality audio from any YouTube video.

Desktop / Laptop

There are many websites and programs that can help you convert YouTube videos to MP3, but not all of them are safe and reliable. Some of them may be buggy, malicious, or even illegal. In this article, we will show you how to use some of the best and safest YouTube to MP3 converters for desktop and mobile devices.

Before we begin, we need to address a legal issue. You can legally convert and download YouTube videos that are in the public domain or have a Creative Commons license, or if you have permission from the copyright owner. However, you cannot legally convert and download copyrighted videos without permission. This may violate YouTube’s terms of service and result in legal consequences.

So, make sure you only convert and download videos that you are allowed to. Also, make sure you have updated antivirus software on your device to protect yourself from any malicious websites or programs.

Now that we have cleared that up, let’s see how to convert YouTube videos to MP3 on desktop and mobile devices.

How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP3 on Desktop

There are many desktop programs that can convert YouTube videos to MP3, but we will focus on four of them: Dirpy, Motionbox’s YouTube To MP3, 4K Video Downloader and MediaHuman.

4K Video Downloader (Best overall 🏆)

4K Video Downloader

Here are the steps to follow:

  1. Download and install 4K Video Downloader from the official website.
  2. Copy the URL of the YouTube video you want to convert from your browser.
  3. Launch 4K Video Downloader and click on the “Paste Link” button.
  4. Select “Extract Audio” as the format and choose “MP3” as the quality.
  5. Click on the “Browse” button and choose the destination folder for your converted file.
  6. Click on the “Extract” button and wait for the conversion to finish.

key features that make it stand out from other similar tools:

  • Download playlists and channels from YouTube and other platforms.
  • Download subtitles and annotations along with the videos.
  • Download videos in 4K, 8K, and other resolutions.
  • Download videos in 3D and 360° formats.
  • Transfer downloaded files to iTunes automatically.
  • Apply smart mode settings to all future downloads.

4K Video Downloader offers three plans for different needs and budgets. You can choose from:

  • Free plan: download up to 30 single videos per day, up to 10 videos per playlist, and up to 5 videos per channel.
  • Personal plan: pay $15 once and get unlimited downloads, no ads, no watermarks, and premium support for 3 computers.
  • Pro plan: pay $45 once and get all the features of the personal plan plus channel subscription feature, in-app proxy setup, and future updates for 3 computers.

You can try 4K Video Downloader for free and see how it works for yourself. It is compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems. Download it today and enjoy your YouTube videos as MP3 files anytime, anywhere.

That’s it! You have successfully converted a YouTube video to MP3 with 4K Video Downloader software. You can now play it on any device or use it for any purpose you want. Enjoy!

YTD Video Downloader

ytd video downloader

If you want to download and convert Youtube videos to mp3 format, you can use YTD Video Downloader software. Here are the steps to follow:

  1. Download and install YTD Video Downloader from its official website: https://www.ytddownloader.com. The software is compatible with Windows and Mac operating systems and supports over 900 websites besides YouTube.
  2. Open the software and click on the “Paste URL” button.
  3. Copy the URL of the Youtube video you want to convert and paste it in the box.
  4. Select “mp3” as the output format from the drop-down menu.
  5. Choose the quality and destination folder for your mp3 file.
  6. Click on the “Download” button and wait for the process to finish.

key features

  • It supports downloading videos from YouTube and other popular sites like Facebook, Vimeo, Dailymotion, etc.
  • It can convert videos to various formats, including MP3, MP4, AVI, WMV, MOV, etc.
  • It can download multiple videos at once and resume interrupted downloads.
  • It can automatically add the downloaded videos to your iTunes library and sync them with your devices.
  • It has a built-in video player that lets you preview and play the downloaded videos.
  • It has a simple and intuitive interface that makes it easy to use for anyone.

Plans and packages:

YTD Video Downloader offers two plans: a free version and a pro version. The free version allows you to download and convert videos up to 30 minutes long, but it has some limitations such as ads, slower speed, and no batch downloads. The pro version costs $29.90 per year and removes all the limitations of the free version. It also offers some extra features such as faster speed, no ads, batch downloads, priority support, and more.

You can now enjoy your mp3 file on any device or player. YTD Video Downloader is a fast and easy way to convert Youtube videos to mp3 format.

SnapDownloader

SnapDownloader - Video Downloader

If you want to download YouTube videos as mp3 files, you can use SnapDownloader YouTube to Mp3, a free and easy-to-use tool that lets you convert any YouTube video to mp3 format in a few clicks. Here are the steps to follow:

  1. Download and install SnapDownloader YouTube to Mp3 from its official website.
  2. Copy the URL of the YouTube video that you want to convert to mp3.
  3. Paste the URL into the search box of SnapDownloader YouTube to Mp3 and click on the Search button.
  4. Select the mp3 format from the list of available formats and choose the quality that you prefer.
  5. Click on the Download button and wait for the conversion to finish.
  6. Enjoy your mp3 file!

SnapDownloader is not only a YouTube to MP3 converter, but also a video downloader that can download videos in up to 8K resolution and VR formats. It also has a video trimmer feature that lets you cut any part of the video before downloading it. Moreover, it has a schedule downloads feature that allows you to set a date and time for your downloads to start automatically.

Plans: SnapDownloader offers a free trial version that lets you download two videos per day for 24 hours. If you want to unlock all the features and enjoy unlimited downloads, you can purchase a lifetime license for $19.99 or a yearly license for $9.99. Both plans come with free updates and customer support.

SnapDownloader is a powerful and easy-to-use tool that can help you convert YouTube videos to MP3 in no time. Whether you want to listen to music, podcasts, audiobooks, or lectures offline, SnapDownloader can handle any video and audio conversion task with ease.

Dirpy

Dirpy is a website that lets you convert YouTube videos to MP3 in high quality (up to 320 kbps). It also lets you edit the ID3 tag data of the audio file, such as the title, artist, album, genre, etc. Here’s how to use Dirpy:

  • Go to the YouTube video you want to convert and copy its URL from the address bar.
  • Go to Dirpy and paste the URL into the search field. Then click the Dirpy button.
  • You will see various details about the video, such as the name, duration, ID3 tag data, etc. You can edit them if you want.
  • In the Record Audio section on the right, set the format to mp3 and set the quality to 320 kbps (or lower if you want smaller files).
  • Click Record Audio and you will be prompted to save the MP3 file to your computer.

Motionbox’s YouTube To MP3

Motionbox’s YouTube To MP3 is another website that lets you convert YouTube videos to MP3 in different formats and qualities. You can also use it to convert videos into other audio formats, such as FLAC, OGG, AAC, and WAV. Here’s how to use Motionbox’s YouTube To MP3:

  • Go to Motionbox and make sure the conversion option is set to MP3.
  • Paste the URL of the YouTube video you want to convert in the appropriate field.
  • After the conversion, a mini audio player will appear. Click the three dots and choose Download to save the file.
  • You can also choose Share if you want to send the file via email or social media.

MediaHuman

MediaHuman is a desktop program that lets you convert YouTube videos to MP3 in bulk. You can download multiple videos at once and choose different quality settings for each one. You can also use it to download playlists and channels from YouTube. Here’s how to use MediaHuman:

  • Download and install MediaHuman.
  • Launch MediaHuman and click the Paste URL button on the toolbar.
  • Go to the YouTube video you want to convert and copy its URL from the address bar.
  • The video will be added to MediaHuman’s download queue. You can repeat this step for as many videos as you want.
  • To change the quality settings for each video, click the gear icon next to it and choose Preferences.
  • To start converting and downloading all the videos in the queue, click Start All on the toolbar.
  • The converted MP3 files will be saved in your Music folder by default. You can change this location in MediaHuman’s settings.

Alternatively, you can use the following steps:

Step 1: Choose a YouTube video

The first step is to choose a YouTube video that you want to convert to MP3. You can use the search function on YouTube to find the video you want. Once you’ve found the video, copy the video’s URL from the address bar at the top of your browser.

Step 2: Choose a YouTube to MP3 converter

  • YTMP3: This website allows you to convert YouTube videos to MP3 or MP4 with high quality. You just have to paste the URL of the video and click on convert. Then you can download the file or save it to Dropbox. YTMP3 is free and ad-free, but it has a limit of one hour per video. YTMP3 works on any device and browser and you can access it from their website.
  • OnlineVideoConverter: This website allows you to convert YouTube videos to MP3 or other audio formats like AAC, OGG, M4A, etc. You can also choose the quality and bitrate of the conversion. You just have to paste the URL of the video or upload a file from your device and click on start. Then you can download the file or scan a QR code to transfer it to your device. OnlineVideoConverter is free and ad-supported, but it has no limit on video length or number of conversions. OnlineVideoConverter works on any device and browser and you can access it from their website.
  • 2Conv: This website allows you to convert YouTube videos to MP3 or other audio formats like WMA, WAV, FLAC, etc. You can also choose the quality of the conversion. You just have to paste the URL of the video and click on convert. Then you can download the file or send it by email. 2Conv is free and ad-supported, but it has a limit of two hours per video. 2Conv works on any device and browser.

Step 3: Paste the video URL

Once you’ve chosen a converter, paste the YouTube video URL into the converter’s search bar. Some converters may require you to select the video format or quality before conversion. Make sure to select MP3 as the output format.

Step 4: Convert the video

After pasting the video URL and selecting the MP3 format, click on the convert button to start the conversion process. Depending on the length of the video, it may take a few minutes for the conversion to complete.

Step 5: Download the MP3 file

Once the conversion is complete, you’ll be given the option to download the MP3 file to your device. Click on the download button to save the file to your computer or smartphone. Some converters may also allow you to send the file directly to your email or cloud storage.

How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP3 on Mobile

One of the easiest ways to convert YouTube videos to MP3 on your mobile phone is to use a dedicated app that does the job for you. There are many apps available for both Android and iOS devices that can download and convert YouTube videos to MP3 in a few steps. Here are some examples of such apps:

  • SnapTube: This app allows you to download videos and music from YouTube and other platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, etc. You can choose the quality and format of the download, including MP3. You can also manage your downloads and play them offline within the app. SnapTube is free and ad-supported, but you can upgrade to a premium version to remove ads and unlock more features. SnapTube is only available for Android devices and you have to download it from its official website.
  • YMusic: This app is designed to play YouTube videos as audio files without downloading them. You can also download videos as MP3 or other audio formats with different quality options. You can also browse YouTube within the app and create playlists. YMusic is free and ad-free, but you can donate to support the developer. YMusic is only available for Android devices and you have to download it from its official website.
  • Documents by Readdle: This app is a file manager that also has a built-in browser and downloader. You can use it to access YouTube and other websites and download videos as MP3 or other formats. You can also transfer files between your device and cloud services like Dropbox, Google Drive, etc. Documents by Readdle is free and ad-free, but you can purchase additional features like PDF editor, VPN, etc. Documents by Readdle is only available for iOS devices and you can download it from the App Store.
  • Other options include Kapwing or Ringtone Maker.

To use any of these apps, you just have to follow these general steps:

  • Install the app on your device and open it.
  • Search for the YouTube video that you want to convert to MP3 or paste its URL in the app.
  • Select the download option and choose MP3 as the format and the quality that you prefer.
  • Wait for the download to finish and enjoy your MP3 file offline.

In conclusion, converting YouTube videos to MP3 is a simple process that can be done with the help of online converters. Just make sure to choose a reliable converter and be cautious of any potential copyright violations. Also, please respect the rights and interests of the original creators and do not use their content for commercial purposes or without their permission. With these steps, you can enjoy your favorite YouTube content as audio files on your devices.

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Disclosure: Please note that we may receive affiliate compensation for some of the links below, at no expense to you, should you decide to purchase a paid plan. This blog does not provide financial advice, it is purely for entertainment and fun.

Audio, Internet

20 Best Podcasts to Listen to in 2024

Podcasts are a great way to learn new things, get inspired, or simply enjoy some quality entertainment. Whether you are looking for something to listen to on your commute, during your workout, or while relaxing at home, there is a podcast for every occasion and interest. Here are 15 of the best podcasts to listen to in 2024 in all categories, from comedy to science to history and more.

Technology

The Vergecast

The Vergecast is the flagship podcast of The Verge, one of the leading tech news and media platforms. Hosted by Nilay Patel, Dieter Bohn and other Verge editors and reporters, The Vergecast covers everything from gadgets, apps, software, hardware, social media, gaming, entertainment and more. The Vergecast is known for its lively and informative discussions, interviews with tech leaders and experts, and deep dives into the most important topics in tech. The Vergecast is released every Friday and has a runtime of about an hour.

How I Built This

How I Built This is a podcast by NPR that tells the stories of how some of the most successful entrepreneurs and innovators in the world built their businesses and products. Hosted by Guy Raz, How I Built This features interviews with founders and CEOs of companies like Airbnb, Shopify, Spotify, Instagram, Slack and more. How I Built This is inspiring, educational and entertaining. You can learn from the challenges, failures and successes of these tech pioneers and get insights into their vision, strategy and mindset. How I Built This is released every Monday and has a runtime of about 45 minutes.

CodeNewbie

CodeNewbie is a podcast for anyone who wants to learn how to code or improve their coding skills. Hosted by Saron Yitbarek, CodeNewbie features interviews with developers, programmers, engineers and educators who share their stories, tips, resources and advice on how to start or advance your coding journey. CodeNewbie is friendly, supportive and inclusive. You can find episodes on topics like web development, data science, machine learning, cybersecurity, game development and more. CodeNewbie is released every Wednesday and has a runtime of about 30 minutes.

TechCrunch Mixtape

TechCrunch Mixtape is a podcast by TechCrunch that explores the intersection of tech, culture and society. Hosted by Megan Rose Dickey and Henry Pickavet, TechCrunch Mixtape covers topics like diversity and inclusion in tech, social justice and activism in tech, ethics and regulation in tech, emerging technologies and trends in tech and more. TechCrunch Mixtape features interviews with tech leaders, influencers, activists and thinkers who share their perspectives and opinions on the current and future state of tech. TechCrunch Mixtape is released every Thursday and has a runtime of about 40 minutes.

AI Today

AI Today is a podcast by Cognilytica that focuses on artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on various industries, domains and applications. Hosted by Kathleen Walch and Ron Schmelzer, AI Today covers topics like AI use cases, AI best practices, AI challenges and opportunities, AI research and innovation, AI ethics and governance and more. AI Today features interviews with AI experts, practitioners, researchers and thought leaders who share their insights and experiences on how AI is transforming the world. AI Today is released every Tuesday and has a runtime of about 25 minutes.

Business and Entrepreneurship

If you want to learn from successful entrepreneurs, get insights into the latest trends and innovations, or get motivated to start or grow your own business, these podcasts are for you.

The Tim Ferriss Show

This podcast is hosted by Tim Ferriss, the author of The 4-Hour Workweek and other best-selling books. He interviews world-class performers from various fields, such as sports, entertainment, science, and business. You will learn their secrets, habits, routines, and tips for achieving excellence.

Masters of Scale with Reid Hoffman

This podcast is hosted by Reid Hoffman, the co-founder of LinkedIn and a legendary investor. He interviews some of the most influential entrepreneurs and leaders in the world, such as Mark Zuckerberg, Oprah Winfrey, Sara Blakely, and more. You will learn how they scaled their businesses from zero to billions of users or customers.

Health and Wellness

If you want to improve your physical and mental health, boost your energy and mood, or learn more about nutrition, fitness, or mindfulness, these podcasts are for you.

The Doctor’s Farmacy with Mark Hyman

This podcast is hosted by Mark Hyman, a renowned doctor and author who specializes in functional medicine. He explores the root causes of chronic diseases and how to prevent and reverse them using food as medicine. He also interviews experts on topics such as gut health, brain health, aging well, and more.

The Happiness Lab with Laurie Santos

This podcast is hosted by Laurie Santos, a professor of psychology at Yale University who teaches a popular course on happiness. She reveals the science behind happiness and well-being and how we can apply it to our daily lives. She also interviews guests who share their experiences and challenges on their happiness journeys.

The Mindbodygreen Podcast with Jason Wachob

This podcast is hosted by Jason Wachob, the founder and co-CEO of Mindbodygreen, a leading media platform for wellness. He interviews some of the most influential and inspiring figures in the wellness space, such as Deepak Chopra, Brené Brown, Gwyneth Paltrow, and more. You will learn about their philosophies, practices, and tips on how to live a healthier and happier life.

Entertainment

If you want to have some fun, laugh out loud, or get immersed in fascinating stories and conversations, these podcasts are for you.

Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend

This podcast is hosted by Conan O’Brien, the famous comedian and late-night talk show host. He interviews celebrities, comedians, musicians, authors, and other interesting people who he wants to be friends with. You will enjoy their hilarious banter, personal stories, and insights into their lives and careers.

The Daily Show with Trevor Noah: Ears Edition

If you love the witty and hilarious commentary of Trevor Noah on The Daily Show, you will love this podcast version that features highlights from the show, as well as exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes content. The podcast covers the latest news and current events with a dose of humor and satire.

99% Invisible

This podcast is about design, architecture, and the hidden stories behind everyday things. Hosted by Roman Mars, 99% Invisible reveals how design shapes our world and our lives in ways that we often don’t notice or appreciate. You will discover the history and meaning behind objects such as flags, coins, maps, bridges, and more.

Comedy Bang! Bang!

This podcast is a comedy show that features improv games, sketches, characters, and celebrity guests. Hosted by Scott Aukerman, Comedy Bang! Bang! is unpredictable, absurd, and hilarious. You will laugh out loud at the antics of regular guests such as Paul F. Tompkins, Jason Mantzoukas, Lauren Lapkus, and more.

Society & Culture

Serial

This is one of the most popular and acclaimed podcasts of all time, and for good reason. Serial is a true crime podcast that investigates a single case over multiple episodes, revealing new twists and turns along the way. The podcast is hosted by Sarah Koenig, who is a master storyteller and journalist. The first season focused on the murder of Hae Min Lee in 1999 and the conviction of her ex-boyfriend Adnan Syed. The second season explored the case of Bowe Bergdahl, a US soldier who was captured by the Taliban and later released in a controversial exchange. The third season delved into the criminal justice system in Cleveland, Ohio.

Radiolab

This podcast is a blend of science, philosophy, and art, exploring the mysteries and wonders of life and the universe. Hosted by Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich, Radiolab features stories that are fascinating, surprising, and sometimes mind-blowing. You will learn about topics such as memory, language, morality, time, and more.

Stuff You Should Know

This podcast is exactly what it sounds like: a show that teaches you stuff you should know about various topics. Hosted by Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant, Stuff You Should Know covers everything from history to science to culture to pop culture. You will learn about things such as how vaccines work, why we have daylight saving time, what is deja vu, and more.

The Joe Rogan Experience

This podcast is one of the most popular and influential podcasts in the world, featuring long-form conversations with guests from different fields and backgrounds. Hosted by comedian and UFC commentator Joe Rogan, The Joe Rogan Experience covers topics such as comedy, sports, politics, philosophy, psychology, health, and more. You will hear honest and unfiltered opinions and insights from Joe and his guests such as Elon Musk, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Bill Burr, and more.

This American Life

This podcast is a classic and one of the most respected and beloved podcasts in the world. Hosted by Ira Glass This American Life features stories that are true personal and captivating. Each episode has a theme
or topic such as love, fear, family or secrets. You will hear stories that are funny, sad, touching or shocking.

TED Radio Hour

This podcast is a collaboration between NPR and TED, featuring ideas and stories from some of the most inspiring and innovative speakers in the world. Each episode explores a theme or topic from different perspectives, such as happiness, creativity, or courage. You will learn something new and be amazed by the power of ideas.

Audio, Games

Best Gaming Headsets of 2024: How to Choose the Right One For You

If you’re looking for the best gaming headsets for 2024, you might be overwhelmed by the number of options available on the market. There are many factors to consider when choosing a gaming headset, such as sound quality, comfort, durability, wireless capability, and price. To help you narrow down your choices, we’ve compiled a list of the top five products that have received rave reviews from the pros and gamers alike. Here are the best gaming headsets for 2024, according to the experts:

Razer BlackShark V2

Razer BlackShark V2 Gaming Headset

This is a wired gaming headset that delivers excellent sound quality, comfort, and noise cancellation. The BlackShark V2 features a 50mm TriForce Titanium drivers, which are custom-tuned to deliver high, mid, and low audio frequencies separately for richer trebles, brighter sound, and powerful bass, that produce clear and balanced audio across all frequencies.

The headset also has a detachable HyperClear Cardioid Mic that filters out background noise and enhances voice clarity, with a USB Sound Card, which offers greater speech pickup and noise cancellation, as well as access to features such as Mic Boost, Voice Gate, Volume Normalization, Mic Equalizer, and Ambient Noise Reduction via Razer Synapse. The BlackShark V2 is designed with memory foam ear cushions and an adjustable headband that provide a snug and comfortable fit. The headset also comes with a USB sound card that enables THX Spatial Audio for more immersive and realistic sound.

The Razer BlackShark V2 is compatible with PC, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices with a 3.5mm jack.

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Gaming Headset

This is a wireless gaming headset that offers high-resolution audio, long battery life, and versatile connectivity. The Arctis Nova Pro features a 40mm Hi-Res driver that delivers rich and detailed sound with a wide frequency range. The headset also has a retractable ClearCast bidirectional microphone that reduces ambient noise and captures natural-sounding voice. The Arctis Nova Pro boasts a 20-hour battery life and can be used with PC, Mac, PS5, Ps4, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices via Bluetooth 5.0 or 3.5mm jack.

The headset features a sleek design with a durable metal headband, and soft memory foam ear cushions. The Arctis Nova Pro also comes with a USB-C DAC that provides 24-bit/96 kHz audio quality and customizable EQ settings. The Arctis Nova Pro is designed to immerse you in your games with clear and balanced sound, and to let you communicate with your teammates with crystal-clear voice quality.

Logitech G Pro X Wireless Lightspeed

Logitech G Pro X Wireless Lightspeed Gaming Headset

This is a wireless gaming headset that combines superb sound quality, comfort, and durability. The G Pro X Wireless Lightspeed features a 50mm Pro-G driver that produces crisp and powerful sound with DTS Headphone:X 2.0 surround sound technology. The headset also has a detachable Blue VO!CE microphone that enhances voice quality and reduces background noise. The G Pro X Wireless Lightspeed is designed with replaceable memory foam ear pads and a steel-reinforced headband that provide a comfortable and sturdy fit. The headset also has a 20-hour battery life and can be used with PC and PS4 via USB dongle.

The headset features a 2.4 GHz wireless connection that delivers up to 20 hours of battery life and low-latency performance. The Logitech G Pro X Wireless Lightspeed is designed for professional gamers who want to enjoy an amazing gaming experience without wires.

HyperX Cloud Alpha

HyperX Cloud Alpha Gaming Headset

This is a wired gaming headset that offers great sound quality, comfort, and value. The Cloud Alpha features a dual-chamber driver system that separates the bass from the mids and highs, resulting in clear and distortion-free sound. The headset also has a detachable noise-canceling microphone that delivers clear communication and can be easily muted with an inline control. The Cloud Alpha is designed with leatherette ear cups and an aluminum frame that provide a cozy and durable fit. The headset also comes with a detachable braided cable and can be used with PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices via 3.5mm jack.

Corsair HS80 RGB Wireless

Corsair HS80 RGB Wireless Gaming Headset

This is a wireless gaming headset that offers impressive sound quality, comfort, and RGB lighting. The HS80 RGB Wireless features a 50mm neodymium driver that delivers immersive and accurate 7.1 surround sound with Dolby Atmos spatial audio technology. The headset also has an omnidirectional microphone that picks up voice clearly and can be flipped up to mute. The HS80 RGB Wireless is designed with plush memory foam ear pads and an adjustable headband that provide a comfortable fit. The headset also has a 20-hour battery life on a single charge and can be used with PC via Slipstream wireless technology or USB-C cable.

The headset also has a wireless range of up to 40 feet and supports Bluetooth 5.0 for simultaneous connection with other devices. The Corsair HS80 RGB Wireless has a dynamic RGB lighting system that can be customized with the Corsair iCUE software. The software also allows users to adjust the audio settings, EQ presets, microphone volume and side tone level. The Corsair HS80 RGB Wireless is compatible with PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and mobile devices.

How to buy a gaming headset

If you are a gamer, you know how important it is to have a good gaming headset. A gaming headset can enhance your gaming experience by providing immersive sound quality, clear communication with your teammates, and comfort for long sessions. But with so many options available in the market, how do you choose the best gaming headset for your needs? Here are some tips to help you make an informed decision.

Know your budget

Gaming headsets can range from $20 to $500 or more, depending on the features and quality. You don’t have to break the bank to get a decent gaming headset, but you also don’t want to settle for a cheap one that will break easily or sound terrible. A good rule of thumb is to spend at least $50 to $100 on a gaming headset, as this will ensure you get a decent sound quality, durability, and comfort.

Know your platform

Different gaming headsets are compatible with different platforms, such as PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, or mobile devices. Some gaming headsets are universal and can work with multiple platforms, while others are specific and can only work with one platform. Make sure you check the compatibility of the gaming headset before you buy it, as you don’t want to end up with a headset that won’t work with your device.

Know your preferences

Gaming headsets come in different styles, shapes, sizes, and colors. Some gaming headsets are wired and some are wireless. Some gaming headsets have a closed-back design and some have an open-back design. Some gaming headsets have a boom microphone and some have an inline microphone. Some gaming headsets have RGB lighting and some don’t. The choice is yours, but you should consider your preferences and needs before you buy a gaming headset.

Know your features

Gaming headsets have different features that can enhance your gaming experience. Some of the common features are:

  • Noise cancellation: This feature blocks out external noise and lets you focus on the game sound.
  • Surround sound: This feature creates a 3D sound effect that makes you feel like you are in the game world.
  • Bluetooth: This feature allows you to connect your gaming headset wirelessly to your device via Bluetooth.
  • Battery life: This feature determines how long you can use your gaming headset without charging it.
  • Volume control: This feature allows you to adjust the volume of the game sound and the chat sound separately.
  • EQ settings: This feature allows you to customize the sound profile of your gaming headset according to your preferences.

Know your reviews

Before you buy a gaming headset, it is always a good idea to read some reviews from other users who have bought and used the same product. Reviews can give you an insight into the pros and cons of the gaming headset, as well as its performance, quality, and durability. You can find reviews on online platforms such as Amazon, YouTube, Reddit, or gaming websites.

Buying a gaming headset in 2024 can be a daunting task, but if you follow these tips, you will be able to find the best gaming headset for your needs and budget. Happy gaming!

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Disclosure: Please note that we may receive affiliate compensation for some of the links below, at no expense to you, should you decide to purchase a paid plan. This blog does not provide financial advice, it is purely for entertainment and fun.

Audio, Mobile, News

Everything Apple Announced at The ‘Far Out’ Event: iPhone 14 Pro, Apple Watch 8 Ultra, AirPods Pro 2

CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, Apple officially announced at the 2022 Far Out event, a new line of updated products including new iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro mobile devices, upgraded AirPods Pro 2 earbuds, and the company’s gen 8 line of Apple watches, plus the most interesting Watch Ultra model, . No new VR Goggles at this point. Here are the highlights:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGThZCVBHws

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New iPhone 14 / 14 Pro

Apple announces the 6.1-inch iPhone 14 and 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Plus with the same iPhone 13’s body design and notch, a similar A15, improved array of camera sensors, and more.

Apple makes eSIM the only way to authenticate wireless carriers for the iPhone 14 series in the US (at the moment), working with all big carriers: T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T.

Apple also unveils satellite-based Emergency SOS, free for two years in the US and Canada with iPhone 14 models, providing low bandwidth messaging services.

Both models have:

  • HDR display
  • True Tone
  • Wide color (P3)
  • Haptic Touch
  • 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio (typical)
  • 800 nits max brightness (typical); 1200 nits peak brightness (HDR)
  • Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating
  • Support for display of multiple languages and characters simultaneously
  • A15 Bionic chip
  • 6‑core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores
  • 5‑core GPU
  • 16‑core Neural Engine
  • 12MP Main: 26 mm, ƒ/1.5 aperture, sensor‑shift optical image stabilization, seven‑element lens, 100% Focus Pixels
  • 12MP Ultra Wide: 13 mm, ƒ/2.4 aperture and 120° field of view, five‑element lens
  • 2x optical zoom out; digital zoom up to 5x

Apple says iPhone 14 starts at $799, available September 16; 14 Plus starts at $899, available October 7.

—

In addition to the baseline models, Apple announces the 6.1-inch iPhone 14 Pro and 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Pro Max with a Dynamic Island notch, 48MP main camera, A16 4nm chip, and always-on display.

iPhone 14 Pro’s new Dynamic Island pill-shaped notch, which has custom UI elements for incoming phone calls, timers, turn-by-turn navigation, and more is one of the most advanced features that we have seen tonight.

Apple says iPhone 14 starts at $799, 14 Pro starts at $999, and 14 Pro Max starts at $1,099, available September 16; 14 Plus starts at $899, available October 7

Both Pro and Pro Max have:

  • Dynamic Island
  • Always-On display
  • ProMotion technology with adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz
  • HDR display
  • True Tone
  • Wide color (P3)
  • Haptic Touch
  • 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio (typical)
  • 1000 nits max brightness (typical); 1600 nits peak brightness (HDR); 2000 nits peak brightness (outdoor)
  • Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating
  • Support for display of multiple languages and characters simultaneously
  • A16 Bionic chip
  • 6‑core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores
  • 5‑core GPU
  • 16‑core Neural Engine
  • 48MP Main: 24 mm, ƒ/1.78 aperture, second-generation sensor-shift optical image stabilization, seven‑element lens, 100% Focus Pixels
  • 12MP Ultra Wide: 13 mm, ƒ/2.2 aperture and 120° field of view, six‑element lens, 100% Focus Pixels

Apple today announced iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, the most advanced Pro lineup ever, featuring the Dynamic Island — a new design that introduces an intuitive way to experience iPhone — and the Always-On display. Powered by A16 Bionic, the fastest chip ever in a smartphone, iPhone 14 Pro introduces a new class of pro camera system, with the first-ever 48MP Main camera on iPhone featuring a quad-pixel sensor, and Photonic Engine, an enhanced image pipeline that dramatically improves low-light photos. These groundbreaking advancements make iPhone even more indispensable for everyday tasks, creative projects, and now even emergency situations with features such as Emergency SOS via satellite and Crash Detection. iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max will be available in four gorgeous new finishes: deep purple, silver, gold, and space black. Pre-orders begin Friday, September 9, with availability beginning Friday, September 16.

Introducing iPhone 14 Pro | Apple

—

New Apple Series 8 Watches

As expected, Apple announces the Watch Series 8 in the same exact  41mm and 45mm sizes with a new body temperature sensor, Sleep app, focus on women’s health features like Wrist Temperature, and additional options.

Series 8 will offer four colors: midnight starlight, silver, and product red. Three stainless steel finishes: silver, gold, graphite. Starts at $399 for GPS and $499 for cellular. Three months of Fitness+ free. Order today, avail Sept 16th.

Furthermore, Apple updates Watch SE with Midnight, Starlight, and Silver colors and a nylon-composite back case, S8 chip, and more, available for $249+ on September 16

In addition, Apple announces Watch Ultra, aimed at athletes, with a titanium case, 49mm screen, an extra “action button”,  precision GPS, a second speaker, 36-60 hour battery life, and more. All models are $799, available Sept 23rd. Comes with your choice of 3 different bands.

Apple today announced Apple Watch Ultra, which brings a new bold design and a wide range of features built for endurance, exploration, and adventure. Apple Watch Ultra introduces a 49mm titanium case and flat sapphire front crystal that reveals the biggest and brightest Apple Watch display yet. A customizable Action button offers instant access to a wide range of useful features. Apple Watch Ultra has the best battery life of any Apple Watch, reaching up to 36 hours during normal use.1 Additionally, a new low-power setting, ideal for multi-day experiences, can extend battery life to reach up to 60 hours. The Wayfinder watch face is designed specifically for the larger Apple Watch Ultra display and includes a compass built into the dial, with space for up to eight complications. Apple Watch Ultra also brings three new bands — Trail Loop, Alpine Loop, and Ocean Band — offering unique design features that provide a secure and comfortable fit for every adventure.

Apple says watchOS 9 will bring a Low Power Mode to Watch Series 4 and up, promising up to 36 hours of battery life by disabling the always-on display and more.

AirPods Pro 2

Apple debuts AirPods Pro 2 with an H2 chip, new low distortion driver, personalized Spatial Audio, volume touch controls, available September 23 for $249. Free engraving included, including emoji.

What else do you get with the Pro 2 version? 6 hours of listening on a single charge, 33 percent increase over original AirPods Pro. Charging case allows for 30 hours of listening time, increase of 6 hours.

Apple today announced the second generation of AirPods Pro, the most advanced AirPods ever. With the power of the new H2 chip, AirPods Pro unlock breakthrough audio performance — including major upgrades to Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode — while also offering a unique way to experience Spatial Audio that’s even more immersive. Now, customers can enjoy Touch control for media playback and volume adjustments directly from the stem, along with longer battery life, a brand-new charging case, and an additional ear tip size for a better fit.
AirPods Pro (2nd generation) will be available to order online and in the Apple Store app starting Friday, September 9, with availability in stores beginning Friday, September 23.

 

Audio, Cryptocurrency

AirPods Max vs Ethereum, Which Would You Rather Buy?

Apple has just announced their new and most advanced $549 AirPods Max noise-canceling headphones, set to arrive on December 15th and competing with Sony and Bose with nearly double the price. The company justifies the high price tag with “incredible high-fidelity audio, adaptive EQ, Active Noise Cancelling, and spatial audio,” like the AirPods Pro.

On the other hand, Ethereum digital currency which has recently launchced its next itteration, also known as Ethereum 2.0, started to soar since the epic launch last Tuesday.

Both offer great value and are popular in the market, but which would you prefer more at $600?

[zombify_post]

Audio, Games

4 Great Gaming Sound Systems To Buy

In this generation where games are a common thing in our homes, it is very important that you get a high-quality sound system which will ensure that your gaming experience is just awesome. Some players operate with the best of the range gaming gadgets which is an affordable and accessible alternative to the high-class home speakers. The best gaming sound systems have the capacity to take one’s living room and make it an audio-visual space of virtual delights.

If you have been looking for gaming sound systems that will fully satisfy your needs, then look no further. Below are the best gaming sound systems in the market:

 

1. AVerMedia GS331 SonicBlast Gaming Soundbar

This powerful product comes with 2.0 Channel. It has a very superior configuration of sound for gaming. It delivers a 40 watt rich and lifelike surround sound which makes your room sound filled up. Also, it has three EQ Modes which optimize ones listening experience in music, movie and game.

Additionally, it has a wireless audio which enables you to stream music wireless from mobile gadgets via Bluetooth

 

2. Logitech Z906 5.1 Surround Sound Speaker System

This system has 5.1 digital surround sound therefore very good for a gamer. This makes you able to hear every detail in your DTS soundtracks and Dolby Digital soundtracks. It has a 165 Watt powered sub-woofer. It has THX-certified home theatre speakers which assures one of real cinema quality sounds. It does deliver a continuous 500 power watts, with the capability to deliver a maximum of 1000 Watts of power under specific circumstances. This produces a room-shaking and thunderous audio with a deep base. Also, it has a very flexible setup in that one can connect a maximum of 6 devices including game console, TV, music player, computer and more. Additionally, it has a wireless remote and a compact control console which enables you to personalise your surround sound instantly. This system operates with any gadget with either a digital coaxial input, six-channel direct, RCA, headphone jack (3.5mm) or optical inputs.

 

3. Yamaha YHT-4930UBL 5.1-Channel Home Theater

Yamaha YHT-4930UBL 5.1-Channel Home Theater comes with the 5.1-Channel compact Black-gloss speaker package. It has 6-1/2 100 watts powered subwoofer Also, it possesses the YPAO sound optimization which facilitates automatic speakers set up. This product comes with a 4K Ultra HD pass-through having HDCP 2.2 support. It is also Bluetooth enabled for music streaming wireless with compresses music-enhancer.

 

4. JBL Cinema 610 Advanced Home Theater Speaker System

This home theater speaker system is among the best gaming sound systems. It is very easy to install and comes with Voice-matched two-way satellite speakers. This system comes with 5.1 Channels. It has a good delivery package including brackets for wall-mounting. It also has sixty-watts, 8″ powered sub-woofer.

 

Conclusion

Gaming is a very important element in our lives. It is something that is enjoyed by many people including both adults and children. This is because it helps in refreshing our minds, especially after a tiresome work. A good gaming sound system is therefore key in making sure that you enjoy your play to the fullest. Now you know which system to buy.

Audio

Here’s How to Choose a Vinyl Turntable

 

Meta: Need a music-playing device to amuse crowds of people and yourself? Get a turntable and start turning heads!

Representing a blend between the good old vinyl-dominated times and a new kind of modern music-playing contraption, a turntable is a must-have for a music aficionado, as it incorporates pretty much all the things one might need to start playing hit after hit, in whatever format it may come.

In this article, we’ll try to point out a couple of important things to take into consideration if you’re about to purchase yourself a brand new DJ-worthy apparatus! More precisely, we’ll talk about what are the parts of a turntable, what kinds of it are available to buy and how can you keep it up to date once you’ve gotten yourself one.

What’s a turntable made of?

Platter – To put it simply, a platter is that thing upon which you place the record you’d like to play. Typically, it’s better if the platter on a turntable is a bit on the heavier side, as this will mean more stability for the rotating record and fewer distortions and other smaller imperfections down the road. The platter is usually powered by a small motor enabling the record to spin at a designated speed, which often can be adjusted. Modern-day turntables offer up to 3 different speeds, so you can switch them for different tracks as you like it. However, older models have only one or two speeds, and that isn’t necessarily optimal if you’re a DJ.

Cartridge – The cartridge of a turntable is usually a small part, but it’s nevertheless quite important as its job is to be in contact with the record, and produce sounds. Since it plays such an important role in the overall turntable experience, it’s advisable to upgrade it regularly lest it becomes worn out and ruin your otherwise great configuration.

Tonearm – as its very name suggests, a tonearm is a part of a turntable responsible for getting the needle to the record itself. Although it appears to be largely peripheral, a tonearm can be as crucial as a cartridge or any other part for that matter, as a wrongly designed model can make your record sound distorted and, more typically, make it play at slightly different speeds throughout its run!

Should I go manual or automatic?

To many people, it may seem rather obvious that if you’re buying a turntable, it’s going to be manual because arguably the most important part of owning one, is that you get to lower its arm on your favorite record every time you’d like to hear it again. However, automatic turntables have their own vibe going for them as they feature builds that have the majority of the button-pushing’ and arm-lowering’ work already done for you, so what you’re left with amounts to arranging the sounds in new peculiar ways and coming up with your own wacky tracks. Perfect for DJ’s!

So, the choice really isn’t a difficult one. If you’re into tweed jackets, top hats, and geography, chances are- you’re going to go for a manual one. As for the automatic versions of it, the typical audience includes lots of young and hip kids who’d like to confuse and excite everyone with some of their own creations. Of course, geography teachers aren’t necessarily exempt from these new interesting toys, and the same goes for the younger people interested in buying a turntable.

Keeping up with the Joneses – the question of turntable upgradeability

Once you’ve received your brand new turntable and are ready to knock yourself out listening to some of the blasts from the past you’ve been storing in your attic for years, it’s safe to say you’ll be pretty much the luckiest person about. For a while. The question of upgradeability especially concerns the people who go for a manual version of this exquisite piece of music-playing machinery, as the new features and editors typically installed on them get outdated pretty soon, leaving your almost DJ-worthy self in dire straits!

To avoid this unfortunate turn of events, make sure to get yourself a turntable you can upgrade later on. In this way, you won’t have to buy a brand new device, but merely a small part that became overshadowed by an enhanced version of itself.

Conclusion

All in all, buying a turntable is one of the most rewarding investments you can make. It plays music, it looks good- what’s not to love? Well, the price probably, but still, if you manage to find an agreeable model within your budget, you’re sure to have a blast with it! Actually, one of our other reviews describes the ideal of a top record player under $300, so if you chance upon it, you may get an even clearer picture of what you may want. Hopefully, this guide helped you understand the nature of these magnificent devices more closely, and gave you a better idea of what your top portable turntable might be!

 

—————————————–

Author Bio: Alex Frank has worked in the sound technology industry for 10 years. Today, he is an affiliate blogger who likes to educate his international audience about sound and technology. Visit Music Instruments Center to find more about the music that you need.

Audio, Wearables

Vomercy Over Ear Headphones iPhone 7 Review

 

Are you looking for a pair of durable and highly convenient earphones? While the brand may not be as known as compared to other bigger models, Vomercy is a perfect choice. As an over ear headphones, it comes with a rather simple design, but with multi-functionality which can allow you to enjoy great music, while making hand-free phone calls, great for your everyday life. It is also equipped by special ear buds which are designed for small ears. They are also fit for your individual ear canals, extremely light in weight, and magnetic in form, which is great for outdoors use.

Most importantly, it is also highly compatible for use with the iPhone 7 model, allowing you to enjoy the best there is in the sound department. However, as there are a lot of choices that are currently available in the market these days, making a good decision is often a difficult task. In order to make a well-informed decision, it is best to look closer into the features of this headphones and see whether or not it is the model that you are looking for. 

Technical Details and Features 

Here are some of the technical details and features of the Vomercy Over Ear Headphones:

  • Magnetic Attraction – This capability of magnetic attraction is the one that is responsible for hanging around your neck easily, and for portable gathering as well. This model is ergonomically designed and equipped with soft-gel, offering comfort while wearing.
  • Passive Noise Cancelling Features – What makes other cheaper headphones low in quality is that they are not able to reduce, if not remove completely,  noise from the outside. This is different with Vomercy Over Ear Headphones. This model comes with soft gel ear buds that takes charge in isolating most noise coming from the outside surroundings. As a result, you can expect nothing but pure music indulgence. Its high end quality also delivers crystal clear, dynamic, and pure sound.
  • In-Line Control – This headphones’ slidable volume button for control makes it a whole lot easier to adjust the volume using perfect fingers feeling. It also has a multi-function button that can be used for answer/hang-up incoming callsand pause/play of music. All you have to do is to click two or three times in order to control the tracks. While the playback control is compatible only with iOS devices, as well as some Android devices, it can still work as a normal headphone that can be used to listen to MP3 player music from smart phones, as well as other media devices.
  • Enhanced Built-In Microphone – This enhanced microphone quality collects the sound of voice in an effective way, clearly transmitting between the caller and the receiver.

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Positive Highlights of Vomercy Over Ear Headphones

      • This wireless Bluetooth headphones comes with an active noise cancelling technology which is prefect for enjoying stereo sound and music, leaving you feeling amazed with the entire experience.
      • Its advanced Bluetooth and NFC technologies are great for smooth and quick connection to your devices, such as iPhone 7, and other Android devices.
      • No need to worry when the battery dies out. The unit also comes equipped with an audio cable that can be used for wired connection in case of need. This makes it more exciting and convenient.
      • This over ear headphones comes with super large size, as well as softer sides, making it possible for a more comfortable wearing experience. You can expect that there is no pain while wearing this on, even after a long time of use.
      • Its stereo headphones are also equipped with an adjustable headband which can be adjusted easily to conveniently fit any head size.

Some Drawbacks 

As with other headphone models, the Vomercy Over Ear Headphones also comes with some drawbacks. For instance, some users reported that while the noise cancellation feature works on this unit, it may not work perfectly when the aux cord is plugged to the headphones. However, this may only be due to a defective unit received. Also, while it has the capacity to block out outside noise, the sound from inside may bleed out immensely, allowing other people around you to hear everything.

Bottom Line

All in all, the Vomercy Over Ear Headphones is a very promising unit that you can buy. With fast Bluetooth connection, you can easily pair with your Bluetooth enabled device, and start listening to your favorite music. Everything else is also accessible using its button, including volume control, and track control. With its adjustable headband, you can also customize the fit depending on the size of your head. It also has amazing portability which means that you can easily place this headphones inside your laptop bag or backpack. A lot of positive reviews have been received about this product, which speaks a lot about its overall quality.

________________

Author Bio: Anh Vu has worked in the IT field and sound technology industry for 5 years now. Today, he is a blogger who likes to educate his audience more about sound technology. Visit to http://www.headphonesunder100center.com to find the headphone that you need.

General, Music, Video

WATCH: Christina Aguilera Brilliantly Impersonates Britney Spears, Shakira and Cher

[youtube id=”uD2nOjV3AaI”]

So this just happened at Jimmy Fallon’s latest and greatest show, when Grammy award-winning singer Christina Aguilera performed in a game called the “Wheel of Musical Impressions.” Turns out the singer was pretty good at it and she just made a point that she is definitely the tops when impersonating  Britney Spears, as well as certain others like Shakira and Cher.

Watch the video and let me know what you think about her performance

[interaction id=”54ec8fd49cf6a70335b1bf09″]

 

[Via Youtube]

Audio, Media Players

Apple Updates The iPod Touch With New Colors and Lower Prices

Apple-iPod-Touch-2014

Apple today updated the iPod Touch lineup with the introduction of new vibrant colors and lower prices, making the perfect everyday music player an even better value. Now, starting at $199 for the 16GB model (instead of $229), the iPod Touch features a 5-megapixel iSight camera on the back, as well as several other colors including yellow, blue, silver, pink, space gray and red, plus the standard already-known specs which notably include a 4-inch Retina display, along with a front-facing camera, iOS 7 and Apple’s A5 processor inside. Finally, the other models (the 32GB and 64GB iPod touch), which were previously priced at $299 and $399, are now respectively priced at $249 and $299. The new models/prices are officially available in the U.S Apple store today and worldwide in the coming days.

[Apple]

 

 

Audio, Media Players

Cowon Announces D20 MP3 Player With 90 Hour Battery Life

cowon-d20-audio-player

Alright, let’s start this off with a little confession: I own a Cowon mp3 player and I think it is simply the best. Far better than anything else I have ever had before (and I do have quite a lot of audio gear, you know). Better amp, better structure, better music handling features. Thing is, that most people I talk to today don’t even use mp3 players anymore – over time mobile phones have slowly taken their place. But for audiophiles, the mp3 player is a must have. Ultimately, that is why the South Korean corp is starting to market the D20, a 2.5-inch (320 x 240) digital audio device with either 8GB, 16GB or 32GB of internal storage at your choice, an integrated SD card slot, FM radio, voice recorder, TV output, and resistive touchscreen on top. But what is so special about it, you may ask? Put it simple, the battery part is very well planned, with 13 hours of video playback, and up to 90 hours(!) of music at your fingertips. 90 hours, sheesh. As for pricing? The Cowon D20 will sell for ¥11,800 ($125) and ¥16,800 ($178), respectively. 

[via Akihabara News]

 

Media Players

Apple Introduces New iPod Touch, iPod Nano, and iPod Shuffle Media Players

At San Francisco California, Apple has just introduced a new line of iPod devices, including a powerful iPod Touch, a redesigned iPod Nano and a new version of the tiny iPod Shuffle.

iPod Touch:

The fifth-gen iPod touch player appears to be one of the most impressive products that has ever hit the market.

This new iteration boasts that same gorgeous4-inch display (326 ppi panel) the new iphone 5 packs, while the structure itself is nothing but amazing. Only 88 grams (3.1 ounces) of heft behind it and it just 6.1mm thin. As far as architecture goes, the new Touch will sport an A5 chip inside, that is guaranteed to give you roughly seven times the graphics performance (compared to Apple’s previous model).

The built-in battery was also upgraded. When fully charged, it seems to last at least 8 hours of video broadcast or 40 hours of music playback.

The rear camera has been bumped up to 5 megapixels, alongside a backside-illuminated sensor and an f/2.4 lens aperture. There’s also support for 1080p video playback / recording, in addition to the new and highly efficient image stabilization factor. The front facing camera of the Touch holds the 720p resolution.

We’ve also learned that the one strange silver button on the back of the Touch was added in order to hook up a safety lanyard onto the body. OK, whatever. Fortunately, there are some positive news for us software aficionados, as the new player said to support Siri personal assistant, out of the box, and claimed to be shipped along with Apple’s latest and greatest iOS 6 platform.

Finally, the iPod Touch will be offered in a variety of colors, including raw aluminum, black, blue, yellow,and red. We’re also told that the rest of the system’s configuration is pretty respectable, with the new ipod Touch models to run you $299 and $399, housing either 32GB and 64GB, respectively.

More about the new lineup after the break.

Update: Looks like Apple’s new iPod touch, shuffle and nano players just went up on Amazon, so you can place your orders right away, with shipping to start in about 2 – 5 weeks.

iPod Shuffle:

A new version of the iPod shuffle was also recently announced. And while most of the the changes to this new iPod flavor are basically minor, we still thought they’re worth a mention. Well, as a matter of fact there is only one major change, and if you haven’t guessed by now, we’re talking about the colors. The new iPod shuffle will come in eight different colors. That three additional hues from the latest line of shuffles.

iPod Nano:

Apple says it wanted to “reinvent” the nano lineup for quite some time now, and that’s exactly what they’ve done. The new iPod nano (seventh-gen if you’re counting), like the Shuffle, will come in seven different colors. But if the colors weren’t enough, Apple was looking to give it a large display, some nice controls, a thin design and that same small 8-pin lightning connector. The results are pretty impressive, to say the least. The new and entirely revamped nano device holds a few physical controls along the chassis, while the 2.5-inch screen, on top of the DAP, is the biggest display the company ever put in a nano, and it’s covered with a multitouch interface. Oh, and there’s a home button, can you believe it? And it’s widescreen too. That’s nice and all, but at the end it’s the inner parts of the product that make it so special, and in this case, there is a bluetooth connection for pairing wireless headsets or cellphones, along with an FM radio tuner and a fitness pedometer. The average battery life is rated at about 30 hours for audio, with the standard capacity to sell for $149 and 16GB of storage.

 

[Apple]

Audio, Media Players

Cowon’s X9 Media Player Now Available Online, Delivers up to 110 hours of Music Playback

Korean audio giant Cowon has just released a new media player, the X9, that will be offered to the public right away, for about $229.99 at most. The 4.3-inch  (480X272) touchscreen PMP which comes either in Black or White colors, supports most popular audio formats such as MP3, WMA, OGG, FLAC, APE, WAV, XviD, WMV and ASF. In addition it includes a built-in speaker, an FM tuner, a G-sensor, a voice recorder, and a TV-out for easy viewing on your LCD display. The player is equipped with a massive battery that can play up to 110(!) hours of music playback and is said to arrive in either 8GB, 16GB or 32GB of internal flash storage at your choice, alongside a MicroSD slot. So if PMP devices are still your thing, you can checkout Amazon, they’re selling it online through their website, before it gets to the retail stores.

[Cowon]

 

 

Media Players, Music

Sony Launches New Line of Walkman Products

Today, when tablets have become very popular, and mp3 players are considered “meh” it is rare to see a company at such high-profile as Sony announce plans to launch a new range of small media devices, that people barely notice anymore. But that will not deter a company like Sony in pursuing business opportunities, right? Well, as a matter of fact, it has just rolled out a few different types of new music players; among them you’ll find the Walkman F800 and the E470/570 series. And while the F group is more of an upscale, high-end look, the E series is an entry-level set at the top of the line.

So what do really get and for how much? The Walkman F800, Sony’s new flagship player, is said to run Google’s Android 4.0 platform out of the box, along with a 3.5-inch display, WiFi / Bluetooth connectivity, fairly reasonable 4.5 hours of video playback, and storage capacities of 8GB/16GB/32GB at your choice, with a European launch expected in the next coming months, and prices vary, starting at about £210 ($280).

The E series, on the other hand, is expected to be a lot cheaper than the F. The noise-cancelling feature in the Walkman E570 lineup is one of the most noticeable things you’ll find in this upcoming iteration , and it’s expected to pack a 2-inch LCD screen, as well. Another model in that series, the Walkman E470, is likely to sell for around £80 (or $80), in a wide variety of colors and a battery life of up to 36 hours for music playback . The new versions will also have an optional dock that can charge ’em up and increase their volume level.

Lastly, there’s the Walkman S770BT model, for those who like to stream music over their bluetooth wireless speakers.

Full PR after the break.

 

Latest Walkman® MP3 players from Sony with Android™, Bluetooth® and digital noise cancelling

Walkman® F800 Series: Web-enabled with Android™, 8.9cm/3.5″ multi-touch LCD and S-Master MX Digital Amplifier
Walkman® S770BT Series: Wireless listening with bundled Bluetooth® headphones
Walkman® E570 Series: Brilliantly clear sound with digital noise cancelling
Walkman® E470 Series: Vibrant colours and 36 hours battery life1

Walkman NWZ-E470

Experience your perfect summer soundtrack, with the new range of Walkman® MP3 audio and video players from Sony.

Whatever your tastes, you’ll be satisfied by legendary Walkman® sound quality. Clear Audio technologies by Sony assure richly-detailed sound, with deep, powerful bass, crystalline highs and reduced leakage between stereo channels. Walkman® even restores those subtle high frequency details that get lost when you’re listening to heavily-compressed digital music files.

This summer’s line-up of MP3 audio and video players by Sony includes the sleekest, slimmest Walkman® models ever. Just 7mm thin, the new S770BT and E570/470 Series take up little space when they’re slipped into a pocket or bag. With up to 36 hours play time1 from a single charge, there’s plenty of stamina to keep you entertained on long journeys. And if you’re looking for a supreme listening experience, Walkman® F800 Series brings you an exciting world of ultra-detailed hi-fi sound, Wi-Fi connectivity and apps.

All new Walkman® models are compatible with Music Unlimited from Sony Entertainment Network, allowing easy access to the millions of music tracks on offer2. As part of a simple monthly subscription, Music Unlimited lets you transfer your favourite personalised playlists and ad-free radio channels to Walkman®, so you can enjoy a world of music discovery even when offline.

It’s easy to load up your existing media collection, too. Walkman® supports drag-and-drop transfer of music, photos, videos, podcasts and playlists from iTunes (non-DRM content only) or Windows® Explorer.

Walkman® F800 Series
Walkman F series
Treat yourself to an extreme on-the-go entertainment experience. Powered by AndroidTM 4.0 (“Ice Cream Sandwich”), the web-enabled Walkman® F800 Series lets you enjoy a generous range of pre-installed apps, from email to maps and media gallery. Connect wirelessly via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth® and download more from an ever-growing choice on Google PlayTM. Interacting with your media collection, apps and games is a pleasure, thanks to the large, highly-responsive 8.9cm/3.5″ multi-touch screen, plus plenty of processing power for smooth, speedy responses.

You’ll enjoy crisp highs and full, thumping bass powered by S-Master MX Digital Amplifier and five Clear Audio technologies. You can even share your sounds out loud via the built-in xLOUD® speaker system that cuts distortion and unpleasant clipping for clearer listening.

Walkman® S770BT Series
S 770
Supplied with colour-matched in-ear Bluetooth® headphones, Walkman® S770BT Series lets you enjoy your favourite sounds without a tangle of wires. Even when your Walkman® is in a pocket or bag, it’s easy to make fumble-free volume adjustments or skip tracks with handy controls on the headphone cord – while Walkman® stays safely hidden.

At home or on the move, Walkman® S770BT Series can also stream high-quality sound to other Bluetooth® compatible devices3, like speaker docks, home audio systems or your car audio system.

Walkman® E570 Series
Walkman NWZ-E570
Immerse yourself in a world of pure, uninterrupted music when you’re commuting into college or just relaxing at home. Walkman® E570 Series can reduce background sound levels by 98%4, thanks to its unique combination of built-in digital noise cancelling technology, and the high-quality noise cancelling headphones that come supplied.

Walkman® E470 Series

Walkman NWZ-E470

Enjoy a perfect introduction to the world of crisp Walkman® sound and powerful bass with slim, colourful Walkman® E470 Series. It’s packed with fun features like Karaoke mode and synchronised lyrics display to help you get the party started. New to Walkman®, there’s even a choice of entertaining games to enjoy on the bright, detailed 5.1cm/2″ LCD screen while you listen.

Also available, Walkman® E473K includes a portable speaker dock with eye-grabbing new styling that’s great for sharing your sounds out loud, whether you’re indoors or relaxing in the garden with friends. Powered by the MP3 player’s internal battery, the dock delivers punchy sound with rich bass while being small and light enough to carry with you anywhere.

Walkman NWZ-E473K

The new Walkman® range of MP3 audio and video players from Sony is available in Europe from 18th July 2012.

Media Players, Music

Samsung Galaxy Player 70 Plus Announced, Packs Dual-Core Processor Under The Hood

Samsung will be updating its Galaxy players lineup with a new upgraded Galaxy Player 70 Plus, a spec bumped version of the previous generation, commonly known as the Galaxy player. While the South Korean mobile giant doesn’t give any further details on availability, the 5-inch Android PMP device is likely to have a 1GHz dual-core processor on board, along with a reasonable 5-megapixel camera, a range of dedicated apps like Kakao Talk messenger and such,  a 2,500mAh rechargeable battery, and a DMB TV tuner for those in Korea. As for the price, the lowest capacity of 16GB is going to be retailed around 399,000 won (about $355), while the 32GB variant will be available for purchase at 469,000 won ($417). Hit the jump below for the full PR.

[Samsung]

 

Equipped with dual-core ‘plus 70 Galaxy players’ release

◇ 5.0 inch large screen, 1GHz dual-core processors operating environment provides a comfortable applying
◇ education in the area Wi-Fi, messaging, games, etc. using various functions

Samsung Electronics launched in March last year, ‘Galaxy player 70’ smart player that improves the performance of the new ‘Galaxy Player 70 Plus “will be released on the 5th.

‘Galaxy player 70 plus “with a 1GHz dual-core performance, upgrade the AP mount, and you can use two kinds of frequency bands supporting a dual-band Wi-Fi wireless internet access more convenient can.

In addition, students applying 5.0-inch large screen when viewing Internet lectures to clearly see the words on the blackboard, and Megastudy, Gangnam-gu · EBS lectures are also supported a variety of educational services. Gibontapjaedoen ‘diohdik dictionary’ and Samsung apps available for download at off the ‘Smart Edu’ there is an advantage.

Wi-Fi in the region ‘chaeton’, ‘kakaohtok’, etc. You can enjoy messaging services, including the gyro sensor tapjaedwae racing game you can enjoy more fine-grained operation.

In addition to the large 2500mAh battery, 5.0 megapixel camera, terrestrial DMB, external memory slot and the various support functions, 16GB/32B product’s selling price 399,000 won, respectively, is 469,000 won.

Samsung Electronics official said, “enhanced” 70 Plus Galaxy players’ emphasis on learning and messaging services to consumers that 10 is expected to gain popularity, “he said.

Meanwhile, Samsung Electronics’ Galaxy Player 70 Plus Backpack giveaway to celebrate the launch, product marketing, will conduct a variety of cheheomdan is a popular idol group Infinite Spiral TV commercials as a model will be unveiled later this month.

Media Players

Cowon’s iAudio 10 Makes Official Debut

Mp3 players are no longer considered as the “cool kids on the block,” though many of us are still quite happily using them. But the reality is that most people don’t, atleast not any more. Still, there are plenty of them out there, and one of the latest machines on ground is Cowon’s iAudio 10, which was recently announced in South Korea, and said to include a 3-inch 240 x 400 display, along with an FM radio, a mic, an integrated TV output and 4GB to 32GB at your choice. Oh! And there’s this cool Color Therapy UI that will make your background look a lot more interesting, but it might take some time before it hits some of the European shelves or lands close enough to U.S national seashores.

Update: Cowon just started shipping the iAudio 10 across the States, with pricing starting at $159.99 for the I10-16WH (the 16GB version) which comes in White, and $199.99 for the ebony I10-32BL model (that’s 32GB of internal storage).

 

[Cowon]

IFA, Media Players, Music

Sony Android Walkman Makes Official Debut at IFA 2011 (Update: Now Official as Sony Walkman Z)

What we’ve got here is a new Sony Walkman Mobile Entertainment device running Android Gingerbread platform on board. Say that again? A new Sony Walkman? Sounds like a post from mid 2009, but apparently it’s truth. The Japanese corp has just announced at IFA 2011 a new 4.3-inch LCD toucscreen device, carrying the good old Walkman brand, and sporting an HDMI output, along with a bluetooth connectivity, a micro USB hub and Sony’s exclusive S-Master MX software suite which is supposed to improved your very favorite music when traveling on-the-go. Regretfully, there’s still no word about price or availability, but you can be sure you’ll hear more about it, in the coming future or so.

Update: Turns out this all new Android Walkman series from Sony is more fascinating than we had expected. According to the company’s official PR announcement, the  4.3-inch WVGA player (dubbed Sony Walkman Z) which runs an Android Gingerbread platform under the hood, is also said to sport a 1GHz Tegra 2 chipset, paired with 802.11 b/g/n WiFi connectivity, an HDMI output, 16, 32 or 64GB of storage capacities, red/black or black/blue flavors, and battery that delivers up to 20 hours of audio playback and 5 hours of video. And while price details are still vague at the moment, the Japanese are saying that the new Z PMP will probably go live in Japan on December 10th and not one day before. Wow!

 

[via techcrunch]

Continue reading Sony Android Walkman Makes Official Debut at IFA 2011 (Update: Now Official as Sony Walkman Z) →

Media Players

Microsoft Discontinues Zune

Microsoft is going to kill the Zune player, if a Bloomberg report is to be believed. According to “A person familiar with the decision” the Redmond giant will stop the Zune production entirely, and will put considerable effort into the Zune software that already has a good and seamless integration with the Xbox 360 and Windows Phone 7 platform. And while uncertainty remains regarding Microsoft’s final decision, the stakes unfortunately are extremely high. That being said, we’re definitely likely to see Microsoft keep on selling you their Zune product piece-by-piece until the stock runs out.

 

[Bloomberg]

Audio, Media Players, Operating Systems

Cowon D3 Plenue Is The New Android PMP On The Block

Say hi to the new Cowon D3 Plenue: At first sight, it looks like a basic mobile phone, same size, same shape, same overall appearance. But beneath the 3.7-inch, 800 x 480 AMOLED face lies an Android 2.1 PMP with 32GB of storage, SD card expansion, a built-in accelerometer and a T-DMB tuner. And if it wasn’t already cool enough, it also comes with an HDMI output, WiFi connectivity and Bluetooth 3.0 support. Sadly, we’re still not sure whether it is going to include an Android Market access at this stage – though we’re surely going to see some sort of applications on board – but one thing’s for sure, you can definitely expect to hear more about it in the coming months, weeks or perhaps in early January, at the 2011 CES show. Stay tuned.

Update: Amazon has just now listed a pre-order page for Cowon’s latest and greatest Android D3 Plenue player, priced at $370 and set on an undetermined release date. Is it just us that think this is way too much for a player, at this point?

[Cowon]

Audio, Media Players

Samsung to Officially Announce a 4-inch Galaxy Player at CES 2011

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Rumor has it that Samsung is planning to showcase a new Galaxy Player at CES 2011, early next month. The player, which purportedly boasts a 4-inch Super Clear LCD display with 800 x 480 screen resolution, is said to run a Google android 2.2 platform, together with Samsung’s most efficient TouchWiz layer, right on top. Additionally, it’s also been reported to pack a 1GHz processor, along with a 1200mAh removable battery, WiFi connectivity, Bluetooth 3.0, 8GB, 16GB or 32GB storage capacities and a rear 3.2 mexapixels camera plus another one (VGA), conveniently located up front. Software-wise, we’re looking at SoundAlive audio enhancement technology which Samsung has wisely embedded inside along with GPS navigation capabilities, HD video playback and T-DMB support. Unfortunately, there’s still no official announcement about price, full specs and release date from Samsung, but you can be sure we’ll be on-hand to bring you all the details as soon as they come out. The only question that left: Can Apple maintain the iPod’s relevance? The only answer we can come up with is: Only time will tell.

Update: And looks like Samsung’s 3.2-inch Galaxy Player has just made it into the pre-orders section at Amazon UK with a January 7th shipping date, full Android Market access, and two capacity flavors to choose from: 8GB that will run you for £150 (about $235), and 16GB that costs only £30 more (or about $280).

[via Samsung Hub]

Audio, Media Players

Iriver U100, P100, and D2000 Media Players Sprout Out In Korea

It’s nice to know some companies still believe in portable media players, these days. One of them is Korean giant, iRiver that is teasing us with a new line of top-notch media players which come in a series of fancy colors and intriguing rectangular looks. And while details are scarce at the moment, the only thing we can all be sure about is that the new series will offer three different models, U100, P100, and D2000, which are likely to be out sometime at the first quarter of 2011. Meanwhile, while we’re gathering more details, make sure to checkout the video after the break.

Update: You can watch the video here.

[Akihabara News]

Continue reading Iriver U100, P100, and D2000 Media Players Sprout Out In Korea →

Media Players, Music

Cowon To Release a 4.8-inch 3D PMP Device In South Korea

Do you think that wearing 3D Glasses to watch TV is silly? Well, how about ditching the discomfort of wearing over-sized plastic 3D shades but watching the third dimension over a 4.8-inch media player, eh? No, we’re not kidding. Want more proof? make sure to check out Cowon’s latest 3D PMP revelation – the world’s first official device ever to support non-glasses 3D visualizer in portable players. 3D on-the-go, can you believe it? Of course you gonna get an HDMI output with it, and up to 64GB to store your high-def videos, but most importantly (at least for some of you), it has WiFi within, and its battery can deliver up to 10 hours of continuous video playback. Sweet!  Interested? You may want to start saving the pennies for this high-end number; we’re adamant it won’t be cheap. In fact, it’s gonna cost you (when it gets out in south Korea on December 10th) KRW499,000 (around $430) for the 32GB flavor or KRW589,000 (around $510) for the 64GB version.

[Cowon]

Media Players

Creative’s Android-powered Zen Touch 2 PMP Officially Out

What do you think the new trend in media players? For those of you who answered “Android OS“…you were right. First it was Archos who wisely added Google’s burgeoning platform into its latest PMP series, and now it’s Creative’s turn to do exactly the same. The new model on stake is the Android 2.1-based Zen Touch 2 player which packs a 3.2-inch resistive touchscreen on top along with WiFi, Bluetooth, an accelerometer module and inbuilt speaker under the lid. In addition, there’s also a 2 megapixels camera, an FM radio, GPS, digital compass, and microSD slot. Storage wise, you get to choose between 8GB and 16GB capacities while the smallest one runs for £149.99 and the bigger edition is priced only £10 more. Let’s go Android! let’s go.

[Creative]

Media Players, Mobile, Operating Systems, tablets

Greenpois0n iOS 4.1 Jailbreak For Windows Users Released

It looks like jailbreaking season has finally started folks, with Apple’s iOS 4.1 most anticipated hack tool, “Greenpois0n”, officially been announced and released to the pond. And while still available just for Microsoft Windows users at the moment (Macs should wait or use VMware/VirtualBox apps to install), this latest update, courtesy of Chronic Dev Team labs, will shine only with Cupertino’s iPhone 4 / 3GS, iPod touch (3rd / 4th generations), and iPad 1st gen devices, already preloaded with iOS 4.1 firmware which turns to be vulnerable to George “geohot” Hotz recent limera1in USB boot ROM jailbreak exploit, that Steve Jobs is likely to block. On his next firmware roll out, that is, of course.

Update: Well…it didn’t take long for both Geohot and the guys at Chronic Dev Team to introduce their own proprietary Mac format into the market (limera1n and greenpois0n), each with varying degrees of advantages and disadvantages of its own. As always, proceed with caution and back up your stuff first, you just never know where troubles might come from.

[Chronic Dev Team]

Media Players

Cowon’s 4.3-inch X7 PMP is Now Out in Korea (Update: Also in Europe)

While some folks strangely cling to the belief that PMPs have gone obsolete, others hold on to the idea there is still a lot of untapped potential with this specific department. Well, mainly strong names like Cowon, that has recently launched a brand new player of its own. And it’s been pre-named for your convenience as Cowon X7, so if you’re planning on getting one, mind you it’d cost 339,000 KRW in local currency or about $304 in US silver coins. The 4.3-inch player which was designed explicitly to consume audio and video content will pack 160GB of storage and is allegedly capable of playing up to 10 hours of video playback or 103(!) hours when switched to audio mode. Besides that it will also include a Bluetooth 2.1 connectivity, and is said to deliver a very wide range of codecs support. Availability wise, the South Korean users will probably be able to get one immediately, but Western fanboys will likely have to wait just a little bit more.

Update: While still unavailable Stateside, the new 4.3-inch Cowon X7 player has apparently begun to show up in some European countries. With a built-in bluetooth connectivity on board but NO WiFi at all (shame), the 480 x 272 screen resolution PMP will run you in France for €299 (120GB) or €329 (160GB). Wanna see more? Check out Le Journal du Geek hands-on cover before you buy your own.

[via Akihabara News]

Media Players, tablets

Archos 32 Android Internet Tablet Officially Breaks Cover

2 Comments

So Archos has a new “internet tablets” lineup, and the first model to roll out in the coming days will be the 3.2-inch Archos 32 – a mini tablet and a media player hybrid which runs for $149.99 and offers a 400 x 240 touchscreen display (resistive) that packs underneath an 800MHz ARM Cortex A8 processor, along with 802.11b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, G-sensor, and Android 2.2 for the OS. Formats support is apparently pretty impressive and battery is claimed to deliver up to 24 hours of audio and 6, in case you’re just interested in watching videos. stay tuned for more updates from Archos.

[Archos]

Media Players, Music

Samsung’s Android Galaxy Player 50 Unveiled

Everywhere I turn it seems I hear about Samsung’s portable media devices, these days. And now that the South Korean electronic giant has officially launched its most hyped 7-inch Android Galaxy Tab at the IFA show in Berlin, there are numerous other cool products in Samsung’s Galaxy lineup one could definitely see them coming. One such example is the new Android-powered Galaxy Player 50 that Sammy has just announced – which looks pretty much like a mobile smartphone at first glance – But it’s not. As a matter of fact, this small whitish bad boy is actually a 3.2-inch WQVGA LCD player, which boasts an Android 2.1 OS, 8GB or 16GB of storage, a microSD slot expansion (up to 32GB), a 2 megapixel camera, 802.11n WiFi connectivity, and the ice on the cake – multitouch screen support. Regretfully, at this point there are no pricing or availability details to share with the world, but the full PR is just around the corner, so hit the break and read the note.

[via Android Center]

Continue reading Samsung’s Android Galaxy Player 50 Unveiled →

Media Players, Music

New iPod nano MP3 Player Announced, Comes With a Revolutionary Multitouch Display

One of the most interesting products that Apple has just rolled out at the Music event yesterday morning is the new iPod nano device which the company has completely revamped and transformed it into a nice squarish touchscreen player. Yes, the 6th generation iPod nano is actually equipped with a neat multi-touch user interface, while the body itself is now 46 percent smaller and 42 percent lighter than previous models. In addition to that, the Cupertino guys have also added couple of hard volume buttons on top and a tiny clip on the back (no more armbands needed). And despite the fact that Apple has officially ditched cool features like the integrated camera or video playback support, It would be still reasonable to shell out $149 for 8 gigs or $179  for double the storage in order to get yourself one, especially now when the new nanos boast a 24 hours battery pack, along with a pedometer, FM radio tuner and even Nike+ support. Full PR and a quick hands-on video (courtesy of Engadget) after the break.

Continue reading New iPod nano MP3 Player Announced, Comes With a Revolutionary Multitouch Display →

Audio, Media Players, Music

New iPod Touch Players Get iPhone 4 Features Without The Phone

Apple has just updated its iPod Touch PMPs lineup with a new slick model which apparently includes iPhone 4 stunning Retina Display screen, together with a 3-axis gyroscope and that strong Apple A4 chip that will easily support all those brand new features inside such as the great Game Center and the Face-time capabilities which can now be used on iPod Touch players thanks to the latest rear and front-facing camera additions. Cupertino will start taking your pre-orders today as prices start at $229 for 8GB and climbs to $299 for 32GB, and $399 for 64GB. Full PR after the break.

Update1: We’ve just added a quick hands on video, courtesy of Engadget, so check it out after the jump.

Update2: And looks like the iFixit team has done it again and managed to nab one of Apple’s latest and greatest 2010 Apple iPod Touch player in order to tear it apart and eventually expose its inner parts to the world. First results indicate that the new 640 x 960 LCD touchscreen is actually fused to the external glass, while the area between the front end and the battery is protected by an 11-gram EMI shield. Other than that, you’ll find a 3.44Whr Li-Pol cell, firmly soldered to the board, but the headphone jack isn’t. There’s plenty more info at the iFixit website and one image that says it all right after the break.

Continue reading New iPod Touch Players Get iPhone 4 Features Without The Phone →

Media Players, Mobile, Operating Systems, tablets

Apple iOS 4.1 For iPhone / iPod Touch and iOS 4.2 For iPad Announced (Update: Now Available)

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Apple’s just announced iOS 4.1 for iPhone and iPod Touch devices, coming up free of charge via iTunes sometimes next week. According to Steve Jobs, the new update is going to fix a few bugs (including Bluetooth, proximity sensor and some iPhone 3G issues) along with some pretty neat add-ons such as High Dynamic Range photos, HD video uploads over WiFi, TV show rentals and the most anticipated Game Center which proved to be very impressive and will match you up with other players on the net.

Next on Apple’s future plans is the iOS 4.2 version, which was specifically designed for iPad devices and is supposed to bring in the entire iOS 4.1 features along with additional dedicated capabilities including the AirPlay feature which lets you stream music and video content over WiFi, or the wireless printing option that enables to remotely manage your entire print jobs. This new iPad iOS edition is claimed to go live somewhere around November.

Update: iOS 4.1 is officially live n kickin’ through your iTunes. That’s of course in case you own one of the following devices: iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPod touch 2nd gen, iPod touch 3rd gen, or iPod touch 4th gen.

Media Players, News, tablets

Archos To Officially Release a New Android 2.2 Tablets Lineup

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We’ve already seen a bunch of Archos Internet tablets based on Android 1.6 landscape, in the past. Thankfully, the next wave, which will happen this year, will focus on Google’s upcoming Android 2.2 platform (Froyo), as the upper level models will also include multitouch capacitive touchscreens inside. We’ll see a mix of 5 different Android versions getting unleashed – some are more of media player devices and some will likely go live as tablet machines.

Archos 28 ($99.99) – A budget version. Comes with a 2.8-inch, 320 x 240 resistive touchscreen which packs underneath 4GB of storage along with a pretty impressive 800MHz ARM Cortex A8 processor and a wide range of audio / video codecs support. It also boasts an Android Froyo operating system and a new Archos music app that will display your album art in the most convenient way. Regretfully it won’t have Market Apps access nor Google apps preloaded, but fret not, you won’t be left with nothing inside. Get yours, starting this September.

Archos 32 ($149.99) – Another basic PMP version. This one, however, comes equipped with a 3.2-inch touchscreen display, boasting 8GB of storage and a rear 720p camera to catch your very precious moments. In addition, if you want this one you can get it somewhere around mid-September with a slew of touch buttons down the lane and a composite port for TV connection.

Archos 43 ($199) – Up next in this new lineup is the Archos 43 which looks like a new Archos 5 version with a much slimmer design and a more powerful 1GHz ARM Cortex A8 processor. In addition to the 4.3-inch touchscreen you’ll also get (somewhere around mid-October) that rear 720p camera, along the Android Froyo platform and an integrated screen accelerometer.

Archos 70 ($274.99) – A 7-inch Android Froyo tablet that is supposed to go live somewhere around mid October and replace the previous Archos 7 flavor, yet again with an Android 2.2 OS running inside and a slick capacitive multitouch display placed on the top. This one has a mid-October availability dates as well.

Archos 101 ($300) – The most interesting member in that gang, probably because of the 9.7-inch Apple iPad analogy. Comes fully equipped with a 10.1-inch 1024 x 600 capacitive touchscreen, along a slim .5-inch thick chassis and only .93-pound of weight. It houses that same strong 1GHz ARM Cortex A8 processor and runs Google’s latest Android 2.2 platform onboard. In addition you get a front facing VGA camera for video conference chats and in term of ports it is said to include an HDMI output, a microSD reader and one single USB host. It’s going live somewhere around mid-October as well, but at the meantime you can checkout the full PR, specs chart,and  Engadget’s Johanna Stern quick hands-on video right after the break.

[via Engadget]

Continue reading Archos To Officially Release a New Android 2.2 Tablets Lineup →

Audio, Media Players, Operating Systems

Philips’ GoGear Connect PMP Goes Live In Europe With Android 2.1 Platform Already Preloaded Onboard

Android media player – that apparently looks like the latest greatest trend among audio-video gadgets across the pond, and the new joiner within that sphere is Philips and its most awesome GoGear Connect PMP. The slick silver device which you can find listed in online retailer store Argos, priced at €264.99 (about $340), boasts a 3.2-inch 480 x 320 display, running Android 2.1 platform and tucked with 16GB of flash storage, an integrated GPS navigation system, an FM tuner, a microSD, a 3.5mm headphone jack and battery pack delivering up to 25 hours of audio playback and 5 hours of continuous video work. It should already be available throughout the European continent while US release is yet to be determined.

Update: Philips just went official with its brand new 3.2-inch GoGear Connect PMP which apparently supports a very wide range of audio and video formats, including mp3, wma, .m4a (AAC), ogg, and flac audio; wmv, mp4, H264, and avi video; or JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, TIFF images. It is also said to have a built in camera inside, paired with microSD slot, android 2.1 for the OS and an integrated GPS platform to navigate your way on the go. Worldwide release (including the US) is scheduled for October of this year, with prices at €249 (about $315) for the 16GB flavor.

[Argos via Engadget]

Media Players, Operating Systems

Samsung’s YP-MB2 Android PMP Pops Up In The Wild

Hey! What’s this…A new Samsung PMP running Android OS inside? Though not official yet, it still looks and feels like the real thing for us, and judging from the rumors, it’ll probably make an official debut soon – South Korean style. For a nondisclosure price you would get yourself a 4-inch Super AMOLED display, paired with 1GHz processor, WiFi, Bluetooth, 3mp camera and last but not least – Google’s Android OS platform swiftly running inside. The name is YP-MB2, in case you wondered, and y’all should stay tuned  for more juicy details to come.

[via Samsung Hub]

Audio, Media Players, Video

Sony NWZ-E350 Walkman Lineup Announced

Do they still create mp3 players these days? Apparently yes. Take a look at Sony for example. The company has recently announced a new E350 Walkman lineup, and reportedly plans to sell it around the globe either on Red, Blue or Black flavors at your choice, priced at merely $70 for the 4GB model or double the size for only 10 bucks more. Battery wise, you get to play up to 50 hours of music playback with this gadget, or up to ten hours, in case you prefer the video mode. Full PR is just after the break while the official release is due to September.

Continue reading Sony NWZ-E350 Walkman Lineup Announced →

Media Players, Music, Video

Cowon’s New V5W PMP Gets a WiFi Connectivity Upgrade

Korean audio giant Cowon has just relaunched its good ‘ol V5 media player, this time in the form of a V5W PMP. And while most specs remain the same – a 4.8-inch 800 x 480 touchscreen, running Windows CE 6.0 with one HDMI output, one USB 2.0 slot and 16/32/64GB storage capacities at your choice –  that little “W” letter tabbed to the name, apparently represents the new WiFi connection capabilities the company has added to its frame. Regretfully, both price and availability are yet to be determined at this stage, but just to give you a sense of direction, you guys should be ready to spend somewhere around 250 bucks if you want the V5W so bad.

[Cowon]

Media Players, Mobile, News, Phones, Video

iPhone 4 Officially Announced, Due Out June 24th For $199 With 3.5-Inch Retina Display, FaceTime Video Chat And OS4

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Apple has just introduced its brand new iPhone 4 at the WWDC 2010 event in San Francisco, CA, with CEO Steve Jobs telling the open-eared crowd “Now, stop me if you’ve already seen this” and adding “This is one of the most beautiful designs you’ve ever seen.” But we’ve already seen it before, due to recent unpleasant leaks, and all that left is for Cupertino to finally make things official.

Basically, the new iPhone 4 is firmly constructed from a stainless steel band, used for structural support and works as dual-antenna, while both front and back are coated with real glass cover. The screen is sized at 3.5-inch, with 960 x 640 points of high resolution (x4 more) and 1:800 contrast ratio – Apple calls it “Retina Display” for its super-sharp display, boasting 326 pixels per inch. The good news is that Apple has apparently added that strong A4 processor it first planted inside the iPad, into the new iPhone. Despite its 9.3mm thick, Apple has somehow managed to stuff up the iPhone 4 with a pretty impressive battery which can literally deliver 7 hours of 3G talk, 6 hours of 3G browsing, 10 hours of WiFi browsing, 10 hours of video, 40 hours of music, and up to 300 hours of standby – did we say impressive already? Connectivity wise, you get a 802.11n WiFi, paired with Bluetooth and equipped with GPS capabilities.

Beyond that, one of the things that is talked about a great deal  is the FaceTime video calls feature that Apple has finally tossed into the four-gen iPhone, with future plans to make it an open industry standard. In general, there are two different cameras onboard – the rear one, is at 5 megapixel with a backside illuminated sensor, x5 digital zoom, and a LED flash, featuring 720p HD video recording at 30FPS (Portrait or landscape), while the second is a front facing camera that lets you conduct smooth video calls through your iPhone – the suspense – it can only be made over wifi networks at the moment. At that note we should mention Apple’s new iMovie app that gives any iPhone user the opportunity to edit his/her video content without the need to leave your mobile device in favor of your desktop platform. iMovie is said to be available at the App Store right away for a small $4.99 price tag.

As expected, the new phone is going to run on Apple’s latest OS4 (AKA: iPhone OS 4) that includes all the good stuff we’ve already written about, such as folders, multi-tasking, iBook, iAds and more.

Other than that, the iPhone 4 also houses a microSD slot and a a three-axis gyroscope.

The new iPhone will be available in June 24th, both in white and black flavors, running for $199 (16GB) and $299 (32GB), with Pre-orders start a week from tomorrow in 5 countries: US, France, Germany, UK, Japan, and 18 more following in July. The 3GS, on the other hand, will now be $99 only. PR and videos after the break.

[Apple]

Continue reading iPhone 4 Officially Announced, Due Out June 24th For $199 With 3.5-Inch Retina Display, FaceTime Video Chat And OS4 →

Audio, Media Players, Music, Operating Systems, Video

Viliv’s Prime P3 Media Player To Run Google’s Android 2.1 Inside

With the growing prosperity of netbook devices from one side, and rapid increase in tablet consuming from the other, one should be questioning himself/herself  if there’s enough room for any type of media player to fit today’s market. Korean company Viliv, still thinks positively regarding this matter, and rolls out its latest Prime P3 PMP, which packs a 3.7-inch AMOLED touchscreen on top, and dual booting platform, running both Android 2.1 and Windows CE 6.0 for the OS. The new player also packs up to 32GB of internal storage, while CPU wise you get the 800 MHz ARM Cortex flavor, capable handling your entire 720p content, stutter free. Other than that, for a non-disclosure price or availability, you get a built-in accelerometer, paired with WiFi connectivity, TV out and microSD slot expansion – all offered in variant of colors to choose from. a quick video demo is right after the break.

[Viliv via I4U News]

Continue reading Viliv’s Prime P3 Media Player To Run Google’s Android 2.1 Inside →

Audio, Media Players, Video

Another iPod Touch Prototype With 2 Megapixel Camera Shows Up In The Wild

We already know that future iPod Touch devices, powered by a two-megapixel camera, are planned to come out later this summer – that’s not a secret anymore – a few of them, marked as “design verification test” versions have previously appeared on eBay auctions, one month before. But given the fact those random prototype photos were too misty and blurry to convince, a concrete evidence, the kind that would eventually make us believe this rumor is real rather than a hoax, was desperately needed. Luckily, the good Vietnamese guys from Tinhte (same guys that got exclusive footage of Apple’s iPhone 4G), somehow miraculously managed to get their hands on Cupertino’s presumable third-gen player,  and were kind enough to fill us in with some of the details, suggesting it would pack up to 64GB of flash storage, paired with that rear 2mp camera, placed right next to an illuminated sensor backside. Regretfully we are unable to officially confirm any of these images at this stage, however, you gotta admit – they look real, especially in that tangible video, right after the break.

[via Tinhte]

Continue reading Another iPod Touch Prototype With 2 Megapixel Camera Shows Up In The Wild →

Applications, Audio, Computers, Music

11 Most Awesome iPad Apps That Will Make You Feel Like a DJ

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Since its launch two months ago, Apple’s iPad sales has already reached over one million units (in the US alone), with users downloading over 12 million apps from the App Store and over 1.5 million ebooks from the new iBookstore. As of today, there are almost 200,000 apps available on iTunes for all Apple devices, while more than 10,000 apps of them were written or redesigned for the iPad platform itself. Steve Jobs says “Demand continues to exceed supply and we’re working hard to get this magical product into the hands of even more customers…” – and he does, as Apple already announced its next stage of global roll out, which is allegedly slated to start on May 28. In this post, we have rounded up 11 great (free/cheap) iPad music apps that will let you feel like a pro DJ when using. You can scratch, create loops, remix your audio files, insert samples, play, produce and record your very own audio stuff on-the-go.  Check out each app, download it and you’ll be off and running with some great DJ tools in no time. Considering some of this apps can cost dozens, if not hundreds of dollars in desktop/laptops markets, paying a few bucks is a sound investment, in our humble opinion.

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Audio, Media Players, Video

Archos Vision 3 Gets a VGA Camera, Due Out Later This Summer

We’ve already seen a glimpse of the Archos vision 3, when first announced by the French corp, couple months ago. Back then, we have hold the very basic information about internal parts and specs, but now, six months later we know a handful of details about this “under $100” media player that should be out somewhere this late summer boasting an integrated 640×480 VGA camera inside, tucked with a 3-inch resistive touchscreen display and 8GB of internal flash drive. The new name it was given is Vision A30VC, and the new camera it packs allows both taking stills photos, and recording reasonable video footage in a matter of seconds. Other than that, it’s just a nice usual audio device with well known ingredients such as micro SDHC card slot, FM radio tuner, a 14 hours of battery workout, and a built-in voice recorder – the price, however, is very attractive, considering what you get. One more image after the break.

[Archos]

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Audio, Media Players, News, Video

Apple iPod Touch Prototype Surface On eBay With a Rear Camera

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It’s been a while since we’ve last heard anything new from good ol’ iPod Touch player, but if we are willing to take these two eBay photos (recently popped in the wild for a second) seriously, then Apple’s future alleged audio lineup  – expected to be announced this summer –  is likely to include rear facing cameras – about time, isn’t it? Apparently, there seem to be two different versions of Cupertino’s next-gen players, both marked with this “DVT” caption which presumably stands for “design verification test”, an Apple production milestone.  And while both devices are said to house 32GB of storage each, the “DVT-1” model hints for that back top camera, at the time where that “DVT-2” boasts an “Apple Development Team” label, stamped behind. Other than that, they both wear that same chrome-case cover we’ve already seen on previous generations, only this time adorned with that shiny rounded camera, that somehow keeps resurfacing on Apple’s leaked images time and time again – which might indicate the authenticity of the data contained in it, but we’re just speculating here. Another image after the break.

[via 9to5Mac]

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Applications, Audio, Games, Media Players

Zune HD Now Has Doom

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It was just a matter of time before someone would eventually come up with a crazy first-impression shooting game for Zune HD players, and make it live for everyone to snag – especially now, when Microsoft’s iPod killer has been officially hacked and the OpenZDK toolkit that grants access to game developments, has finally become available. Now frankly, what good is a portable gaming console without the option to play Doom with it? The answer to this cardinal question is literally similar to a well known campaign slogan – Yes We Can! At least that’s what ZuneBoards forum member, Netrix, says and you can get the impression yourself in his video, right after the break. You see, It’s very simple to execute, as long as you run those Doom WAD gaming files through the app itself.

[via ZuneBoards]

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Media Players, Mobile, News, Phones

Apple’s Next Real iPhone 4G Images Revealed

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It was just a matter of time before someone would act on the unthinkable and nab Apple’s fourth-generation iPhone prototype, few months before its time. And the one missing piece, reported by Apple to be lost (or stolen), has found its way to Gizmodo that took photos from every possible direction, examined and even shot some videos – and if they were to be real (and we have no way to verify them at this stage), they sure look amazing. On the positive side, the new phone does show up in iTunes, Xcode, and System Profiler, not to mention the original Apple components found inside. Regretfully, it wasn’t possible to activate the device itself and get impressions of how the pre-loaded OS4 actually works – someone remotely destroyed it before Gizmodo guys first started tackling with it. Nevertheless, there’s plenty of detail to suggest this device is the real deal and not just a hoax.

For the time being we’d settle with the exterior, which unveils a thinner device version compared to the iPhone 3GS, but at the same time 3 grams heavier, thanks to a 5.25 WHr at 3.7V battery which is 16 percent larger than the one you’ll find inside the predecessor. Other than that, the 4G prototype (AKA: iPhone HD) boasts a front-facing camera and a bigger back camera tucked with a flash kit, while screen size remains unknown at this point but said to deliver higher resolution – about 960×640 if you really must know (3GS’s stands at 320 x 480 only). Besides that it packs a second mic for noise cancellation, dual volume buttons to the left and a Micro-SIM slot, similar to the one included in the iPad, placed to the right side of the box. Next, we have the flat back surface that appears to boast either glass or ceramic coat (instead of the 3GS’s rounded plastic cap) and a lavish Aluminum stripe surrounding the elegant squarish edges of Apple’s new phone. Storage capacity is yet to be determined, as etched caption indicates “XX” at the back of this premature model. Hit the break to check Giz hands-on video or go through the link for plenty more additional shots. You can also check out the list of 29 things we personally think that Apple should add to its coming four-gen iPhone.

Update1: Apparently it’s the real deal and the prototype has been confirmed to be original Apple device, lost by one of its talented iPhone Baseband software engineers, 27 years old Gray Powell, who lost the phone on the night of March 18, at Gourmet Haus Staudt, a nice German beer garden in Redwood City, California. The person who found the desirable gadget handed it over to another person and weeks later Gizmodo acquired it for an undisclosed price (rumors say that Gawker, the mother company of the tech blog paid either $10,000 or $5,000 plus percentage from revenues).

Update2: Apple’s legal department has filed a claim to receive the lost iPhone 4G , and Gizmodo guys now say they’ve handed it over, back to the place it really belongs.  End of chapter 1.

[via Gizmodo]

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Audio, Media Players, Video

Onda VX560 Touchscreen PMP Introduced, Bares Noble Aspirations To Be a Tablet

It’s been a while since we’ve last heard from Onda, but it seems like the Chinese brand has now managed to return to business, this time on a new shape and form embodied in a 7-inch slate/PMP device, known as the VX560, and might (just might) remind you of quite another tablet machine on another world entirely. But it’s not. In fact, it’s just a natural evolution of the product, that now boasts a 800 x 480 touchscreen display, stuffed with an ebook reader (supporting PDF, PDB, and CHM files), and outputs 1080p videos via HDMI, along some other common formats such as H.264-MKV, AVI, MOV, MPG, and FLV. Still no word about price or availability for our Western audience across the globe, but looks like Eastern chaps will get their chance to add one to the cart in the not too distant future.

[viaIMP3]

Audio, Media Players

Sony’s Waterproof NWZ-W250 Walkman Series Announced

Here’s where your brand new tablet won’t be helpful – under the water. Which might explain why Sony has recently launched a new water resistant Walkman series, the NWZ-250, which offers either 2GB or 4GB of internal capacities at your choice, along  four kinds of flavors, including silver, black, lime green, and magenta, with battery that can handle up to 11 hours of  audio playback and minuscule weight of 43 grams only. Count 60 bucks for this little fellow when picking it up, later this month. Full PR after the break.

[Via SonyInsider]

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Audio, Media Players, Video

Creative To Release ZEN X-Fi Style and ZEN Style Portable Media Players

It seems as we have almost forgotten about this PMPs phenomena, in light of recent excessive talks about sleeky slates and quirky tablets. Even though, Singaporean company, Creative has vowed to convince us they’re still here – live and kickin’. In fact, the company has just announced its new ZEN X-Fi Style and ZEN Style lineup, in a desperate effort to win our hearts again. The first of the two, ZEN X-Fi Style, boasts a 2.4-inch non-touchscreen display, with your choice of  8GB/16GB/32GB capacities, FM radio, built-in speaker, microphone, TV out, RSS reader and X-Fi sound enhancement support – with prices range from $80 to $170 at most. The second, ZEN Style 100 and 300 models, both to endorse a 1.8-inch display and 4GB, 8GB or 16GB capacities to choose from, with the 300 version to include an FM tuner as well as a built-in speaker on top – starting at $50 and up to $80, respectively, with shipping to take place from April 14 and on.

[Creative]

Applications, Audio, Media Players

Zune HD Firmware v4.5 Goes Live

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Well folks, looks like Redmond has just released the latest Zune HD firmware update v4.5 to the pond, which adds some cool features to your portable Microsoft multimedia players, including Smart DJ mix that will let you do exactly what Apple’s iTunes Genius does, personalized recommendations, TV Marketplace support, and more video codec support such as Xvid files and MPEG-4 part 2 format. Like always, plug your Zune HD player to the Zune PC software and get this latest update right away.

Update: Apparently, the Zune HD (and probably previous Zune players as well) just got hacked – for real! So now, you literally have access to Microsoft’s XNA game development platform, which means you can practically load inside everything you’ve ever dreamed about, including games, apps, fun emulators to play with and more. But that’s not all, because according to Zuneboards a group of hackers has just released what they call the OpenZDK toolkit that allegedly, lets you develop lots of stuff for the Zune through their software. In other words, get ready for a whole new range of games and apps withing this exciting sphere.

Audio, Media Players

Coby’s MP570 Looks Like a Mouse, Serves As an MP3 player

Alright, enough with all those tablet verbiage for the next…5 minutes. Media players, remember? Coby, remember? Well here’s a new and stylish mp3 player, courtesy of the US company, which carries the most forgettable name – Coby MP570. With no price or availability dates, at this point, this Red flavored audio gem is claimed to carry only 2GB of flash storage, without any slot extension attached, but a basic range of codecs support including MP3 and WMA formats that will run for up to five hours of audio playback at a very uncertain quality. At least we like the color, and that’s probably a lot these days, isn’t it?

[Coby]

Audio, Media Players, News, Video

Zune HD 64 Sprouts Out In The Wild (Update: Confirmed)

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Well, look what do we have here, a 64GB Zune HD player, sneaking out on Microsoft’s Zune official website just like that, out of the blue, boasting twice the size of an ordinary 32 gigs version and maybe with some other interesting treats hidden under the lid. Regretfully, it’d be hard to tell right now since most details are slim or missing. So meanwhile, ’till it gets tangible, you can hit the bottom link  and hope for juicy info like price and availability to show up as soon as possible.

Update1: The new 64GB Zune HD is now confirmed and due out on April 12th for $349.99 and myriad of colors including Platinum, Black, Blue, Red, Green, Purple and Magenta, while both 16GB and 32GB versions to get a price reduction, that will set prices at $199.99 and $269.99, respectively. Press release after the break.

Update2: Apparently, it’s now available for your orders, at $349.99, as predicted, but won’t include the v4.5 firmware update preloaded, so you’ll have to upgrade on your own.

[Zune]

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