Tag Archives: audio

iTunes Match desktop playback bug hits, may clear up

Posted on February 4, 2012 by admin

iTunes Match subscribers late Friday reported a problem with iTunes Match playback failing. Anyone on a desktop, whether Mac or Windows, couldn’t play cloud-stored songs unless they were already matched with the iTunes Store. The problems didn’t appear to be limited to particular app or OS revisions, and iOS users could still access the service…. Continue reading →

Posted in Apple, CES, Inside Apple, iPad, iPhone, iPod nano, Mac News, Mac Rumors, Other | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Creative sounds off with two noise-canceling headphones

Posted on February 3, 2012 by admin

Creative has introduced a pair of noise-canceling headphones. The HN-900 integrates an in-line microphone with the over-the-ear headset. The Aurvana X-Fi 2 is a pure headphone, but supports a multi-dimensional surround-sound effect…. Continue reading →

Posted in Apple, Apple News, CES, Features, iPad, iPhone, iPod nano, Mac News, Other | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bug in iTunes Match may switch ‘explicit’ and ‘clean’ songs

Posted on February 3, 2012 by admin

A flaw in iTunes Match may inadvertently replace “explicit” tracks with “clean” versions for some users, according to reports by Cult of Mac reporters and corroborated by users elsewhere. A later update on 9to5Mac indicates that at least one user has heard back from Internet Software and Services head Eddy Cue’s office that acknowledged the issue and said the company is working on on a fix…. Continue reading →

Posted in Apple, Apple Rumors, CES, iPad, iPhone, iPod nano, Mac News, Mac Rumors, Other, Technology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Coldplay returns to Spotify, more streaming after standoff

Posted on February 1, 2012 by admin

Spotify scored a more symbolic win Wednesday after checks found that Coldplay had put its latest album, Mylo Xyloto, back on Spotify (link). The appearance, which includes other streaming services like We7, follows after the rock band kept its whole album off of streaming music services for fear of losing album purchases at iTunes and elsewhere. The decision was unusual as it came just weeks after the band’s manager David Holmes had reiterated his objections to what he saw as lost revenue…. Continue reading →

Posted in Apple, Apple News, Apple TV, CES, Inside Apple, iPad, iPhone, iPod nano, Mac News, Other, Technology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Apple Had ‘Worked On’ Offering a High-Definition Music Format

Posted on February 1, 2012 by admin

In an interview with AllThingsD, recording artist Neil Young revealed that he had discussed high definition music formats with Apple’s Steve Jobs prior to his death. The interview is summarized by CNet, in which Young claims that MP3s have just “5 percent of the data present in the original recording.” Young is concerned that there is no suitable high definition available to consumers. Higher definition music, of course, would require much larger files. Young reportedly approached Apple and specifically Steve Jobs about it: When asked if Young had approached Apple about the idea, Young said that he had, in fact, met with Jobs and was “working on it,” but that “not much” ended up happening to the pursuit. Of note, Young made mention that Jobs was a vinyl fan, despite having helmed the company that would spearhead the way people listened to and purchased digital music. Apple presently offers their iTunes Music store at a quality of 256 kbps AACs. Apple does support a lossless audio format that can be used on their iPods and iPhones, but these files take up considerably more space than standard AAC files, and are not sold on the iTunes store. Based on the interview, it seems there is no present interest from Apple in such an offering. Continue reading →

Posted in Apple, CES, Front Page, iOS Blog, iPad, iPhone, Mac Blog, Mac News, Mac Rumors, Other, Technology | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

iCade slims down, now also fits in your hand

Posted on January 9, 2012 by admin

Ion Audio releases two new versions to the iCade mini-arcade system for the iPad that are slimmer and trimmer–and slightly less retro than the original. Continue reading →

Posted in Apple, iPad, Mac Rumors | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

CES 2012: iCade iOS Game Controller Expands to iCade Jr., iCade Mobile, and iCade Core

Posted on January 9, 2012 by admin

Ion Audio’s original iPad iCade started life as a ThinkGeek April Fool’s joke but has since become one of the most well supported iOS game controller accessories. If you aren’t familiar with it, it was a small arcade cabinet stand that allowed you to prop your iPad up and play games using a real joystick and buttons. The company behind the iPad gaming accessory has now announced that they have expanded to three new models to service a broader range of iOS devices. iCade Core – Pictured on the top right, the iCade Core offers a stripped down version of the original iCade cabinet and supports the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch. Like the original iCade, the iCade Core lets you play your iOS games with a real joystick and buttons. Communication is done through Bluetooth, but a 30-pin connector is included to allow for charging while playing. No pricing yet for this slimmed down version. iCade Mobile – Pictured top left, the iCade Mobile is a device that wraps around the iPhone or iPod Touch to give you more of a mobile handheld gaming experience. Again, using Bluetooth alone for the communication, it offers a swiveling landscape or portrait orientation. This one will cost $79.99 when it becomes available this spring. Engadget took this video showing it in motion. iCade Jr. – Pictured below, the iCade Jr. is a shrunk down version of the original iCade. This version is made specifically for the iPhone or iPod Touch and lets you prop up your device in this miniaturized arcade cabinet. It comes with an arcade joystick and 4 front facing buttons a 4 rear facing buttons. It also offers a dock connector for charging. This one is expected to cost $49, again coming in spring. There have been other similar mobile gaming accessories for iOS devices, but the iCade seems to be the one that has garnered the most support amongst gaming developers. The new devices will likely be directly compatible with the existing list of iCade compatible games. The most notable titles include Atari’s Greatest Hits , Pac Man for iPad , Temple Run and iMAME (no longer available). Continue reading →

Posted in Apple, Apple Rumors, Features, Front Page, iOS Blog, iPad, iPhone, Mac Blog, Mac Rumors | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Apple Releases iTunes 10.5.2 [Mac Blog]

Posted on December 12, 2011 by admin

Apple has released an update to iTunes, bringing it to version 10.5.2. The prior update, 10.5.1, was introduced in mid-November with the launch of iTunes Match . iTunes 10.5.2 includes several improvements for iTunes Match and fixes an audio distortion problem when playing or importing certain CDs. The software is available via the iTunes download page and should be available via Software Update soon. The 10.5.2 iTunes update totals 257MB. Continue reading →

Posted in Apple, Apple News, Apple TV, Front Page, iOS Blog, iPad, iPhone, Mac Blog, Mac Rumors, Technology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Apple Releases iTunes 10.5.2 with iTunes Match and Audio Distortion Fixes

Posted on December 12, 2011 by admin

Apple today released iTunes 10.5.2 , an update bringing improvements to iTunes Match and fixes for an audio distortion issue experienced with certain CDs. About iTunes 10.5.2 iTunes 10.5.2 includes several improvements for iTunes Match and fixes an audio distortion problem when playing or importing certain CDs. The download is currently available via Apple’s downloads page and the dedicated iTunes download page . It should begin rolling out to Software Update shortly. The full download weighs in at 102 MB for Mac, 66.13 MB for 32-bit Windows, and 68.01 MB for 64-bit Windows. Apple launched iTunes Match in the United States with the release of iTunes 10.5.1 in mid-November . Continue reading →

Posted in Apple, Apple News, Front Page, Inside Apple, iOS Blog, iPad, iPhone, Mac Blog, Mac News, Mac Rumors | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Logic Pro 9 ($199.99) and MainStage 2 ($29.99) Debut in Mac App Store

Posted on December 8, 2011 by admin

Following our report from earlier today regarding Apple having discontinued the boxed versions of Logic Studio and Express, Logic Pro 9 and MainStage 2 have now appeared for sale in the Mac App Store. Logic Pro [ Mac App Store ] is priced at $199.99 and arrives as version 9.1.6 in a 413 MB download. Logic Pro 9 is a complete set of creative tools for any musician who wants to write, record, edit, and mix music. It comes with a massive collection of instruments, effects, and Apple Loops, making it easy to get amazing sounds and create amazing-sounding songs. Made for musicians – Get up and rolling fast with production-ready templates and one-step track setup – Work fast with easy access to all tools and editing areas using a single-window interface – Enhance your songs with over 15,000 Apple Loops in a wide range of instruments and genres MainStage [ Mac App Store ] arrives as a 303 MB version 2.2 priced at $29.99, making for a low-cost add-on for managing live performances. MainStage 2 lets you take your Mac to the stage with a full-screen live interface, unmatched hardware control, and a massive collection of plug-ins and sounds. The ultimate live rig – Perform live with 120 instrument and effect plug-ins or work with your Audio Units plug-ins – Import settings from Logic Pro and GarageBand to bring your studio sound to the stage – Combine instruments and live audio, such as keyboard and vocals, in a single patch – Seamlessly switch between patches without stopping sound output or cutting off held notes – Design rich keyboard patches using splits and layers With the release, Apple now offers 17 different applications in the Mac App Store, including OS X Lion itself as well as iLife, iWork, Aperture, Final Cut Pro and now Logic apps. Continue reading →

Posted in Apple, Apple News, Apple Rumors, Features, Front Page, iOS Blog, iPad, iPhone, Mac Blog, Mac Rumors, Technology | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment