Advice on the iPod touch and iTunes 7.7--Ask the Editors

After Friday's iPhone delirium, I'm going to take the helm of the iMania and steer it in a slightly different direction: Toward the iPod touch and the latest release of iTunes, Version 7.7. Namely, let's address whether there's a noticeable difference in screen and sound quality when it comes to the touch, other iPod models, and the iPhone. Also, should someone who has been using the same version of iTunes for five years upgrade to the latest software?

Q: I am thinking of buying an iPod touch but have a couple questions. First, I heard about the screen quality being lesser than the iPhone. Is this true and is it real noticeable? I mean if it still looks good compared to other MP3 screens then I guess I don't care. Also, I was using a Zune until now and I really liked having the subscription music. I heard something about Apple trying to get a subscription going--is there any new news about this? Finally I also have seen from reviews that the quality of the music is not as good as previous iPods were. Is this true and would it be noticeable to someone who will more then likely just use the earphones that come with the iPod touch or maybe slightly more expensive ones?--viper134, via CNET forums
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Samsung announces the U4 MP3 player

They just keep churning them out. Like Sony with the B-series, Samsung has also announced its new line of flash drive-like MP3 players, the U4. This model has a tiny OLED screen and comes in 2GB and 4GB varieties. The front surface of the U4 looks completely flush, which is possible thanks to the touch-sensitive buttons. Of course, the main draw of such players is the price, and the U4 is quite a steal at S$89 and S$129 for the 2GB and 4GB versions, respectively. The U4 will be available from August 7 throughout Asia Pacific, which coincides with the start of the World Cyber Games Asian Championships in Singapore.

Shiro's super-slim PMP measures just 7.2mm

While Shiro is not a brand you'd normally associate with MP3 players, or in this case portable media players, the company's latest MD offering actually caught our attention with its thin form factor and affordable price.

Measuring just 7.2mm, the Shiro MD is just slightly thicker than the Apple iPod nano (6.5mm) and weighs a featherweight 40g. We'd have preferred a better display than the 1.8-inch 128 x 160-pixel CSTN screen. But the MD does pack quite a fair bit of functions, from the standard music/video/image playback to .txt file viewing, FM radio and voice recording. As with most players in the market today, it also doubles as a USB flash drive. In fact, according to the company, the drivers and installation software are stored in the player, conveniently doing away with the need for a CD-ROM.

What will appeal to those on a tight budget is the price. With a 4GB onboard storage capacity, the Shiro MD retails for just S$109 (US$80.15) in Singapore. It was earlier showcased at the local PC Show in June and started selling in stores only recently. The Shiro MD is expected to be available soon in Malaysia as well as possibly other selected Asian markets such as Indonesia and Thailand. The player comes in white, black and pink, but only the black version will be offered in Singapore.

Gear4 shrinks BlackBox speaker to travel size

The cubist period for speakers seems to be alive and well, whether we like it or not. As a reflection of its widening influence, the latest example comes from the UK with Gear4's BlackBox Micro.

As the second half of its name implies, it's the little brother of Gear4's larger wireless BlackBox system. As the first half implies, it's a black box.

The smaller sibling isn't wireless, unfortunately, which is one reason the traveling speaker goes for about US$40, as quoted by Electronista. Gear4 claims the USB device has unusual quality for its size, thanks to an "SFX gel base driver" along with a standard one that improves its bass and high notes, respectively. Either way, it could be a perfect addition to a geometrically inspired decor, along with the Audio Cube ottoman.

Via CNET Crave

New Sony Walkman B-series landing in August

All right, Sony is launching its new Walkman NWZ-B130F series in Asia Pacific next month. The flash player will be available in 1GB and 2GB capacities in black, red, pink and blue shades for the colorful you. Features include direct USB connection, FM recording, one-touch Bass button, quick-charge function which gives you 90 minutes of music playback from 3 minutes of charging, and direct music recording and playback on supported audio systems. No pricing has been announced at the moment. Now, let's move on.

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