As part of its recent Zune update, Microsoft has revealed that it has sold two million of the music players since their launch in November 2006, revealing relatively flat growth for the device lineup. Although the company originally promised and slightly exceeded a target for its first million sales between the original launch date and June 2007, the company has largely remained silent on its data for its players in nearly a year.

The sales still give Microsoft a slight gain in overall US marketshare from three to four percent, according to figures published by the NPD Group.

However, the figures also indicate fragmentation in Microsoft’s sales in the wake of the company’s second-generation Zune players. The electronics maker had sold its first million using solely the pioneering 30GB model but since November has been selling two inexpensive flash-based models as well as two hard drive players, with the Zune’s slow growth indicating little effect on the market for its broader product range.

Such slowdowns have been partly attributed to current and predicted drops in spending on MP3 players triggered both by a US economic downturn as well as saturation of the market, as few purchases are being made by first-time buyers regardless of the brand. Continue Reading…

British gear maker Gear4 08.05. 2008. unveiled the DUO iPod speaker dock. Its design is built uniquely to double both as a portable system and as a higher-quality bookshelf stereo. While normally a full 2.1-channel system with a 20-watt subwoofer, the front satellite panel (18 watts) detaches completely from the bass unit to operate independently as a thinner, portable speaker unit with swivel-out stand. Gear4 also does away with the typical reliance on disposable batteries in favor of a lithium-ion pack that recharges whenever the front is reattached. The iPod cradle itself also folds into the center for carrying in a bag.

The DUO is said to work with all modern iPods, including the touch. A lone black-and-silver model ships as of Friday for Europe at a price of 200€ and the UK for £150. An Americanized version of Gear4’s dock is also planned for later this year and hasn’t received its official price, though these initial targets place the US cost at $300 or less.

Source: Gear4

Arcam is to unify its hi-fi separates ranges under the FMJ sub-brand, with two new amplifiers and two new CD/SACD players – priced from £450 – due by June. The newcomers promise to include “the company’s highest-performing music player to date”.

Arcam’s DiVA sub-brand, meanwhile, lives on for its AV products, with the Solo range continuing to cover music and movie systems duties.

First in the new player line-up will be the Arcam FMJ CD37 (pictured above), about which those ‘best ever’ claims are being made.

This £1000 CD/SACD player features the latest Wolfson 8741 DACs, using native DSD coversion for SACD discs.

Other features include a power supply with dual toroidal transformers (one each for audio and digital circuits) and some anti-vibration/interference aspects with names that seem straight from a comic book.

For example, Arcam’s proprietary “Mask of Silence” technology is designed to dramatically reduce electromagnetic interference, which is further foiled by the use of “Stealth Mat”, unique metal-fibre matting. These audio-loving superheroes are also on the case of the arch-villain vibration, deploying “Sound Dead Steel” – damped chassis construction – to “virtually eliminate mechanical influences on the electronics”. Continue Reading…

Best Buy, one of the world’s largest consumer electrical and electronics retailers, is heading for the UK next year.It’s just announced plans to buy a £1.1bn 50% stake in British-based retailer The Carphone Warehouse, and roll out Best Buy stores to Europe starting in 2009.

The US retailer, which is also one of four bidders chasing a 49% stake in Marantz/Denon parent company D&M Holdings, already has over 1300 stores in the USA, Canada and China, with a total of 150,000 employees and some 4.32m square metres of selling space.

The new company will expand The Carphone Warehouse’s business in Europe, and also aims to “build a significant market share in consumer electronics retailing in Europe, through the roll-out of Best Buy stores, services and websites in selected markets, beginning in calendar [year] 2009.”

The two companies “expect wireless information provision, mobility and broadband to create significant new consumer and business opportunities.”, adding that they “believe that no other European retailer offers the type of shopping experience the new venture intends to provide for consumers”.

For an idea of what might be on the way, take a look at the Best Buy USA website here.

Paradigm has introduced its 4th generation PDR subwoofers, the PDR-8 and PDR-10. Both models are reinforced polymer-composite cones on the 8.5″ and 10.5″ single forward-firing drivers. The new cone material ensures excellent rigidity and superb internal damping.

Two RCA (L/R-Mono) line-level inputs have been added to accommodate L/R line or Sub-Outputs as well as LFE-Outputs for receivers, processors and other line-level sources. They also offer auto-On/Off, phase alignment switch for 0 degrees or 180 degrees and cut-off frequency control.

The Paradigm PDR-8 v.4 and PDR-10 v.4 have removable grilles (for customization) and will be available in black or silver color.

Panasonic have recently come with an exceptional piece of news for all those in search for the newest and niftiest trends in multimedia: the SC-BT100 home theater system, a full and rich package boasting a Blu-ray drive and wireless, surround sound architecture and a heap of other great features to integrate your multimedia needs. And if you think that such a contraption will burn a hole into your budget, you’d better think again, as the Panasonic SC-BT100 is one truly affordable thing to go for.

If you’re looking for a high-complexity multimedia system to offer you a great sound experience while at the same time bring the basic essentials of modern man, the Panasonic SC-BT100 might be one of the best choices available.

We’re talking about a 5.1 home theater in a box, ready to play from the moment you’ve finished installing it: with the wireless speakers, installing has never been easier, especially as the SC-BT100 comes with dedicated signal transmitters, making connecting everything almost a child’s play. And if you’re demanding something extra, upgrading to 7.1 has never been easier, with optional side-speakers widely available. Continue Reading…

MP3 players and DVRs could soon become more expensive in Japan, if the country’s government successfully introduces a levy on sales of these devices.

According to a report in the Asahi Shimbun newspaper, Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs wants to force MP3 player manufacturers to pay a royalty charge to copyright holders that may have lost out as a result of illegally recorded content.

An official tariff hasn’t been set yet, but it’s rumoured that manufacturers may be forced to pay several hundred yen per device – a cost that will no doubt be passed onto the consumer.

Since 1993, the Japanese government has placed a duty on devices and media capable of recording music, such as mini-disc machines and cassette players. This charge is usually several per cent of such a device’s retail cost.

The levy doesn’t cover digital media payers, which contain their own storage. Back in 2005, the Japanese government tried to extend the law to cover these devices, but it failed to do so. Continue Reading…

iLuv, a maker of audio systems, has announced that they have reached the market with two latest HD Radio units, the i168 and i169. The i168 is an HD Radio system that comes with Dual Alarm Clock, whereas the i169 is equipped with iPod dock station and Dual Alarm clock in addition to the HD radio device.

It is believed that HD Radio technology acquires both AM and FM broadcasting capabilities and delivers crystal-clear digital sound, text on the screen and hundreds of new digital FM channels. The common features of i168 and i169 are 30 programmable presets for radio stations (10 for AM / 20 for FM), an auxiliary line input for any audio devices with 3.5mm jack and analog AM and FM stereo reception with PLL tuning digital tuning technology.

On the i169’s display, users can view information such as song name, band and frequency amongst others. They can play and charge their iPod via the dock station. By using the dual digital alarm clock function, users can get freshened up with the iPod, AM/FM radio, or buzzer.

The i168 integrates station and song information display, the liquid-crystal display (LCD) and dual alarm clock to wake up by the AM/FM radio or buzzer. If this annoys you, then a mute function is to the secure.

The iLuv i169 HD Radio unit with iPod Dock and Dual Alarm Clock and the i168 HD Radio with Dual Alarm Clock carry retail price of $169.99 and $89.99 respectively.

Sony’s got some pretty big plans for Europe, as it has seriously increased its production capacities in this particular area. And one of the first series of models that will be rolled out from the new plant is the Bravia V4500, a family of LCD HDTVs that come packed with their own HD tuners right out of the box.

First and foremost, it’s interesting to note that the V4500 series showcases Sony’s innovative new draw the LINE design concept. This very special styling philosophy enhances the total TV viewing experience without distracting from what’s on the screen. Accented by a dark silver speaker, the set’s deep piano black finish creates an effortlessly contemporary look to flatter any living space. 26-inch, 32-inch and 37-inch models all feature a swiveling stand for comfortable viewing from wherever you’re sitting in the room. Continue Reading…