Report: Sony is first major label to renew YouTube deal

Sony Music Entertainment has become the first of the four largest recording companies to renew a music licensing deal with YouTube, according to a published report.

The deal ensures that Sony artists, who include Bruce Springsteen and Beyonce, will remain on the Web's most viewed video site, according to the blog All Things Digital, which broke the news late last week. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

A Google spokesman declined to comment and a Sony representative was not immediately available. The initial deals with the labels enabled YouTube to showcase music videos and also allowed site visitors to include the label's songs in their clips.

Last week, sources told CNET News that Sony was near to finalizing an agreement. On Thursday, they said Universal Music Group is near to striking a final deal with YouTube.

If Universal does sign, that would leave only EMI and Warner Music Group.

The latter label may take some time. Warner Music and YouTube's talks broke down last month and Warner's content has been removed from the video site.

Via Crave CNET

Report: Apple to stream video to iTunes users

Apple is preparing to allow iTunes customers to stream video from the company's servers to any Web-enabled device, according to a film industry source.

The source declined to provide details but did confirm a report published Wednesday by the blog AppleInsider, which broke the news.

An Apple spokesman declined to comment.

According to the report, Apple is working on a feature for iTunes 8 that will enable users to stream movies and TV shows "for playback anywhere," and in this way help them avoid having to store large video files on their hard drives.
Read more »

Acoustibuds improve fit and sound of stock earbuds

Stock earbuds are the nasty surprise that come packaged with almost all MP3 players. Sure, they let you listen to your new purchase, but they're not particularly comfortable and they certainly don't sound all that good. The best solution for this problem is to upgrade to a pair of decent headphones, but if you're one of many people who balks at the idea of dropping even more cash when you've just purchased a new gadget, there is now another option.

Acoustibuds snap on to the ear pieces of stock earbuds and purport to offer improved fit and sound quality due to the flexible, hypoallergenic fins and the twin-cone core design. All that for just US$13--a lot less than most replacement 'buds are going to cost you. We're not sure about the comfort and audio response, but they do look kinda cool.

The same company also makes a funky-looking cable wrap called the Acoustigrip. The itty-bitty clip provides cord management and will clip to your shirt or keep your earphones wrapped near your MP3 player. This accessory goes for US$5.99.

Via Crave CNET

Turn your iPod touch into an iPhone

If you think this will involve some serious modification on your precious iPod touch, that's where you are wrong.

JAJAH, an IP telecommunications company based in Mountain View, California is offering a white label solution that will let carriers and non-carriers provide their customers the ability to make low-cost phone calls and send text messages directly from their iPod touch.

All they need is a software which can be downloaded from the Apple App Store, a working Wi-Fi connection and, of course, an external microphone. JAJAH, on the other hand, will provide the necessary backend infrastructure and management services including quality control and billing arrangements.

The US outfit is targeting its VoIP solution at students who usually have ready access to Wi-Fi networks in schools, thereby helping them to save costs. According to JAJAH, international call charges can be up to 98 percent cheaper compared with a regular cell phone service.

VoIP solutions like what JAJAH is offering aren't new. Take for example, the Truphone app for the iPhone and Skype. What it essentially does is ride on a local carrier, route international calls via its internet protocol network where it's deployed and, reconnects to a local phone network on the other end of the line.

The company also announced last December a new office branch which will serve as the hub for its global customer support and Asian operations in the Philippines.

Archos working on Android Internet tablet/phone

Thanks to a lovely little press release from Texas Instruments, we now know that Archos is working on a new product line of ultrathin Internet Media Tablets (IMTs) with voice functionality provided by the Google Android operating system.

The release highlights the fact that the new series will use TI's OMAP3 processor and goes on to detail the features of the product, stating that Android will contribute the smartphone and applications environment while Archos will bring the multimedia and Web capabilities.

Given that the company is known for its portable video players, it's no surprise multimedia plays a prominent role. Just take a look at these specs:

• High-resolution 5-inch screen with full-width page viewing
• Adobe Flash and Flash video support
• TV recording and HD playback, all formats
• Up to 500GB storage
• Battery life: seven hours video playback

Texas Instrument said the Android-based IMT would be available during the third quarter of 2009, but there's no word on pricing.

Via CNET Crave

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