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Your Old School Audio Can Now Join the Digital Age

Long ago back in the day before CDs, we had records and cassette tapes to listen to music on. What? You say before CDs? Yes there was something to listen to music on before the invention of the compact disc.

If you still have a collection of cassette taps or records sitting in the basement or garage you can now get them out and relive the old days or turn them into mp3’s to put them on your new iPod.

The nostalgic gadgets from Firebox will allow you to turn some analog tunes into some digital mixes. The USB Cassette Deck will run you $149.95 and the USB Turn Table (iTTUSB05) retails for $99.95

USB Cassette Deck:

The USB Cassette Deck has slow-opening doors (the slower the better back in the day) a tape counter and metal/CrO2 tape selector. And with two decks you can record from tape to tape for additional retro reminiscing.

Features:

• Quickly transfer music on your tapes to MP3 format on your computer!
• Dual dubbing cassette deck
• Plug & Play USB audio interface - no drivers needed!
• Metal and CrO2 tape selector
• PC and Mac compatible
• Audacity (Mac and PC) and EZ Tape Converter (PC) recording software included!

System requirements:

• PC running Windows XP, Vista or Mac running OS9 or higher
• One available USB1.1 port or higher

USB Turntable:

Featuring adjustable gain, anti-skating control and high-speed vinyl recording function, the belt-driven USB Turntables can also be connected to any home stereo with CD or auxiliary inputs. This means you can spin your records through your regular system when you’re not converting them. You can even don a big pair of tinted glasses and pretend you’re the house DJ.

Please Note:

• Windows Vista and Windows Media Centre compatible.
• PC and Mac compatible. Linux software available online.
• Requires one available USB1.1 port or higher.
• Compatible with any recording software that supports USB Audio devices.
• Free software is included for both Windows (98 and greater) and Mac OS (X and 9.2+).
• Linux version and latest Windows/Mac builds.

Features:

• Plug & Play USB.
• Adjustable anti-skating control.
• 33.3 / 45 RPM.
• 78 RPM records can be transferred by recording at 33.3 / 45 RPM and using software to restore to original speed.
• Line level RCA outputs (with built-in pre-amp).

Extra Features of iTTUSB:

• 3.5mm stereo line input for other audio sources, including cassette tape.
• Automatic Play/Pause button
• Modern styling

All New iPods Are Locked Into iTunes

Not long ago Apple introduced the new iPod touch, and reports have sent in that Apple has also managed to slip in some code that locks all new iPods to only work with iTunes.

After doing some research it looks like Apple has chosen to lock out all other iPod tools by adding “SHA1 hashes” to the iTunesDB file, the database file which keeps track of all items stored on the iPod. The changed code locks the iTunes database to one specific iPod and prevents any modifications to it. If an attempt is made to either change the database file to a different iPod or to modify the file, the iPod reports “0 songs” are stored on the device. What this means is that only iTunes can add or delete content from an iPod.

The most credible reason for locking the iPods to iTunes is that Apple is becoming mindful of other music services. Since more than a few music services are dumping DRM making it easier for music services like Rhapsody to load non-DRM music directly to iPods.

Locking iPods to iTunes successfully stops 3^rd party tools from handling content for iPods. This move also prevents other music services from threatening the iTunes store and to try to maintain Apple’s dominance is the market.

If you have an iPod and don’t run Windows or Mac but run Linux, well your just SOL. Windows users who prefer to use other iPod tools, such as Winamp, will also be required to use iTunes now as well. I have refused to use iTunes from day one and strongly disagree with people telling me what I can and can’t do with the hardware I buy. I use a little program called SharePod, I hope they can find a way around this infringement of my user rights.

Apple Unvails The New iPod Touch

Apple today introduced the iPod touch. The iPod touch is really an iPhone stripped of its GSM and phone capabilities.

The device features the same 3.5-inch screen as the iPhone with an 8mm thickness. Two hard drive sizes are available – 8GB and 16GB. Apple also employs the same multi-touch user interface as the iPhone in the new iPod touch.

The iPod touch retains the 802.11b/g Wi-Fi capabilities of the iPhone. Users can connect the iPod touch to home and public wireless networks. The iPod touch also features a couple of built in applications, as with the iPhone.

Safari and YouTube applications are preinstalled for wireless web browsing and video watching. Apple also installs the calendar, contacts, clock, calculator and photo applications. Essentially, the iPod touch is what the iPhone is without a SIM card inserted. With a Street Price starting at $299 for the 8 GB and 399 for the 16GB it’s not a bad deal. Expect the new iPods to show up in retail stores this week.