MP3 Insider (MP3)

MP3 Insider Podcast 170: Holiday hullabaloo

mp3insider@cnet.com (CNET.com) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:23:00 PST

Jasmine and Donald discuss the implications of MOG's new $5 music service and lament Spotify's disappointingly slow start in the States. Also, Jasmine falls in love with a tiny speaker that is oh-so-wallet-friendly, and we give props to the Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide. You'll also get treated to some off-the-cuff gift suggestions from the esteemed audio editors. Finally, a listener tip on shaking up your iPod's Shuffle.

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EPISODE 170

MOG $5 monthly music service

X-Mini Max II Capsule Speakers

Holiday gift guide

Donald & Jasmine's top 4 gift picks

------LISTENER CALL------

MP3 Insider Podcast 169: On wood and water bottles

mp3insider@cnet.com (CNET.com) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:48:00 PST

This week, Donald and Jasmine discuss the addition of Last.fm, Facebook, Twitter, and Zune Video features on the Xbox 360. Then, fake water bottle MP3 players leave us totally baffled, Jasmine dishes up some iPod accessory suggestions, and we go ears-on with an inexpensive pair of wooden earbuds.

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EPISODE 169

Facebook, Twitter, Last.fm hit Xbox 360 today

Ear Pollution Timbre earphones don't save trees

Topping the list of weird MP3 players

iPod Touch accessories

iPod Nano accessories

Listener e-mail
---------------------------------------

Hi Jasmine and Donald, I use Itunes as my media player on my computer. Right now I don't have an iPod, and in the mean time I am using my music phone as one. My phone, the chocolate 2, wants all of the songs in one folder, but no subfolders. Itunes, on the other hand, keeps all of it's music in artist/album subfolders. I can't use a program like Itunes agent to sync, because the subfolders are transfered as well. How can I get the songs out of the itunes subfolders and into the phone without manually dragging and dropping?

Thanks, love the show,
-Ethan

MP3 Insider Podcast 168: Inspired by the uninspiring

mp3insider@cnet.com (CNET.com) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:45:00 PST

This week, Donald and Jasmine discuss the firmware fix to the Zune HD, which can now count itself a feature short of one-upping the iPod Touch, thanks to a new Gigaware remote that adds HD radio to the omnipresent king of MP3 players. We also get to spend a little one-on-one time with the slick-but-confusing Cowon E2 and the boring-but-shuffletastic Haier America Video MP3 Player. Plus, we direct you to a couple of how-tos you may find worth your while, and we address some listener questions about earphones, podcast management, and iPod speaker docks.

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EPISODE 168

Zune HD firmware fixes play-count issue

Gigaware remote adds HD radio to iPod Touch

Hands-on with Cowon E2

New Haier America Video MP3 Player all kinds of meh

Some handy how-tos:
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-12519_7-10031813-49.html?tag=mncol;title
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-12519_7-10393351-49.html?tag=mncol;title

READER E-MAIL
________________________________________

I listen to your podcast every week. You always talk about earphones & headphones, but hardly about speaker docks. Turns out I need some help in choosing a speaker dock for my iPod. I've looked at some on the web (and on cnet), but couldn't figure out which one I should choose.

To give you some idea at what I'm looking for, here's my criteria:
-Must support the iPod classic
-Doesn't have to be portable. In fact, I prefer something that is hefty.
Honestly, something like the iPod hi-fi is a good size for me.
-Video output is a plus but not required.
-Something below $400

I really love the look and size of the Bose SoundDock 10, the price is a bit too high for my budget. I'm planning to put it in my living room.

Appreciate some advise.

Love the show.

-Wan, from Malaysia

MP3 Insider Podcast 167: The munchies take over

mp3insider@cnet.com (CNET.com) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:38:00 PST

This week, Donald and Jasmine talk up the new iAudio players from Cowon and how they're going to have Apple shaking in its boots (not), and also take an inordinate amount of time to espouse upon something that has very little to do with digital music: a possible monthly subscription plan for online video from iTunes. Plus, some very unsubtle earbuds from Stonedcandy--er, Skullcandy--and some listener feedback on iPod usage.

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EPISODE 167

New Cowon players hit retail:
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-12519_7-10388888-49.html?tag=mncol;title
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-12519_7-10389728-49.html?tag=mncol;title

Apple to offer $30 iTunes video subscription plan?

Skullcandy gets subtle...not

More from Skullcandy (since people insist on buying them)

------VOICEMAIL------

------EMAIL-------

Hi guys, I love ya show to bits!!!!

What in your opinion is the best sounding audio player I could buy at the moment. I've been a musician all my life and I'm overjoyed by FLAC but discovered my iPod Nano (4th Gen) is not willing to play these files. Is there a way to hack my iPod? I'm thinking of upgrading to the iPod Touch, would you recommend this for better sounding audio?

I'd love to hear your thoughts & ideas

Your long term fan of the show

Paul

MP3 Insider Podcast 166: It's all digital

mp3insider@cnet.com (CNET.com) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:41:00 PDT

Donald and Jasmine discuss some iPod numbers as well as a troubling issue with the Zune HD that Microsoft appears to be ignoring, at least for the time being. Also on deck is a new music service from Google that's aiming to make your music hunting experience a little easier, and some first impressions on the DoubleTwist software, which has been making waves among Palm Pre and other music phone users. Plus, we have some listener curiosity and hit on the fact that we're not tech support for Dell.

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EPISODE 166

iPod Stats: New Customers Keep A-comin'

Zune Issues

Google Music Service

DoubleTwist First Impressions

New How Tos:
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-12519_7-10382466-49.html
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-12519_7-10378074-49.html

-------READER EMAIL & CALL-------

Hey, I have a question on a new ipod touch dock that came out. Have you guys of a new dock for the ipod touch that you can use in your car from XM Satellite radio called the skydock, which enables your ipod touch or an iphone to be an XM satellite receiver. It's available at best buy or from Amazon, and from XM directly as well. supposedly it uses this new technology that helps improve FM transmissions into your car from the dock that's plugged into your car outlet. As a satellite radio subscriber, it would help to have less equipment in the car to reduce the crazy thieves that run rampid in large cities. Supposedly this also would work as a regular ipod dock for broadcasting audio from your touch or iphone, or I guess even other ipods minus the shuffle since it doesn't have the apple connector on them. It also will charge the ipod as well. what's your thoughts on an item like this? Do you think combining satellite radio and ipod touches & iphones will make a good market?

James, Flora Illinois

NOTE: WE ARE NOT CUSTOMER SERVICE

MP3 Insider Podcast 165: Ears for music

mp3insider@cnet.com (CNET.com) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:56:00 PDT

Donald and Jasmine discuss potential issues with the Android-based Archos 5...namely, why does the sucker keep crashing on everyone? Also, a look at the freshly posted reviews for the Monster Turbine Pro and JayBird Tiger Eyes earphones, as well as the old-school appealing Altec Lansing inMotion Classic. Finally, big ups to SanDisk for its straightforward approach to an audio issue with the Clip.

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EPISODE 165

Cowon iAudio E2

Monster Turbine Pro earphones

JayBird Tiger Eyes earphones

Altec Lansing inMotion Classic

SanDisk puts value over sound

MP3 Insider Podcast 164: Opinionation

mp3insider@cnet.com (CNET.com) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:09:00 PDT

Jasmine's back, and she and Donald tackle the Android-based Archos 5 Internet Media Tablet that just landed in the office--with plenty of unboxing goodness. Also, a new Cowon player is teased in Asia, and Jasmine rants uncontrollably about the sweet new Japan-only Walkmans that she's dying to get her hands on. Finally, no MP3 Insider would be complete without a sojourn into iPod Touch/Zune HD territory, which is exactly where the updated CNET Prizefight comes into play.

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EPISODE 164

Archos 5 Internet Media Tablet in the house

Cowon teases iAudio 9

Sony lets down U.S.

Prizefight: iPod Touch vs. Zune HD

-----------READER EMAIL----------

I'm bummed out that the Zune HD's browser apparently doesn't support flash video play, and I've rejected the new iPod Touch because of the awful user experience on iTunes.

I'm waiting for you guys to review the Archos Android Tablet (or have I missed it?)

a few things I'd like to know:

What do you think of its audio quality?
Does the internet browser support playing flash videos (ala youtube)?
What is battery life on the hard drive version?
Any "show stoppers" that I should know about?

-Rob from Sedona

MP3 Insider Podcast 163: Numbers don't lie (or matter)

mp3insider@cnet.com (CNET.com) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:46:00 PDT

With Jasmine out on vacation, Donald brings CNET Labs' Eric Franklin into the studio for an epic nerd session on audio quality measurements, including recent test data from the Zune HD and iPod Touch. We've got charts, folks!

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EPISODE 163

Audio Precision testing equipment

Audio system measurement

Inside CNET Labs

MP3 Insider Podcast 162: The Burnout

mp3insider@cnet.com (CNET.com) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:25:00 PDT

Jasmine and Donald are terribly tired of the Zune HD and iPod Touch, but there's nothing else to talk about (besides the wonders of fried food), so consider yourself warned. On the plus side, a cranky Jasmine is an entertaining one as she expounds upon the objectivity of spec-to-spec comparisons. Also up: Donald calls out some worthy Zune HD accessories, and several loyal listeners get to hear their musings read on the air.

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EPISODE 162

Zune HD accessories

Use Zune HD with a Mac

Zune HD versus iPod Touch

--------LISTENER E-MAILS--------

I have a question... WHY IS THERE NO CAMERA ON THE IPOD TOUCH? that was the reason i waited for 3 months after my birthday to wait for the 3g instead of the 2g.

I am so angry!

And the most annoying thing is that they put it on the nano!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FAIL!

why would they put it oin the nano witch doesn't have wi-fi or support for apps that can actually do stuff with the video? I want you guys to go up to Steve Jobs and ask him.

---Dina

What happened to the claim that the Zune HD was going to do 28 days of straight battery life? Was this a joke?

---Joseph

I'm debating between the ipod toutch 64 gig, a zune hd 32 gig or a zune 120. I would like to purchas a touch screen device because to me they are much easier to use and i like the features but i have alot of music so i need capacity. I want a zune hd because the device looks amazing, its cheaper than a touch and its not as bulky as a touch but it doesnt have the capacity i need. I was wondering if Zune was planing on releasing a 64 gig any time soon. Also i would like to know your opinion on if a touch would be worth the price or if i should just settle for a zune 120. My last question is if the zune hd's internet supports flash video or java.

---Eric

[Looking for headphones at Goodwill].. all of sudden I looked down on a shelf and all by themselves were an old pair of 1980's or early1990's Walkman type headphones. The type with the small chrome band that you pull on to adjust. The headphones looked so pathetic just sitting there no players no other headphones nothing but picture frames and old random items. The cord of the headphones were tied up by a rubber band I just couldn't imagine these things working much less blowing my mind...

...I went home plugged in my new headphones and listened to hours and hours of music. Old school meets new school, no one's going to believe me when I say how good these headphones sound and how I found them. If you come by a set of Aiwa HP-M16 headphones don't just walk by: stop, listen and enjoy. I listened for hours, these headphones fit perfectly sounded great and were in flawless condition. Next time you see an old set of headphones don't just dismiss them they may just blow you away!

---Jimmie

MP3 Insider Podcast 161: Zune-a-thon

mp3insider@cnet.com (CNET.com) — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 16:32:00 PDT

On this, the day of the Zune HD, Donald and Jasmine naturally talk about the now-available player and its updated Zune Software and Marketplace. But the day would not be complete without some love for the next-generation Archos 5, a super sweet Internet media tablet that includes everything but the kitchen sink.

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EPISODE 161

CNET Zune Central

Zune 4.0 software

Zune HD Originals designs

Archos 5 Android tablet