The MP3 Players

New firmware for Zen Micro

Jun 8, 2005 Creative, Software

The users may upgrade that Zen Micro players that have the firmware v1.02.05 or earlier, or Zen Micro PlaysForSure firmware 2.00.12 or later.

The new firmware fixes:

• Prevents battery drain when the player is charged with an AC adapter already plugged into a live power outlet
• Restores proper functionality after disconnecting the power adaptor or transferring content using Zen Media Explorer
• Redirects playback properly when skipping to the beginning of a WMA track
• Allows you to quickly charge your player from your computer’s USB port when player drivers are not installed. Slide the Power switch towards the Lock icon before charging your player.

The enhancements of this version are:

• Improves the look of the volume control bar
• Improves the appearance of the Lock icon
• Adds a 4GB option in Removable Disk Mode (for 5 or 6GB players only)
• Adds support for the Russian language

{ Info; Download }

Popularity: 18% [?]

iPod Photo running arcade games?

Jun 1, 2005 Apple, MP3 Players, Software

A new version of system software for Apple’s iPod Photo line of digital music players will add a slew of new image transitions in addition to a popular arcade game.

The rumors said that Apple will deliver a new system software of its iPod Photo, named “iPod Photo Software 1.2“, to be available for download sometime this month.

The update will pack a color version of the classic arcade game: Tetris. Users will be able to use the iPod photo’s click-wheel to move the tetris blocks horizontally while the iPod click-button performs block rotation.

{ via Apple Insider }

Popularity: 5% [?]

PalmPod – Palm for iPod

May 31, 2005 Software

Now you may have all your data with you wherever you take your iPod. The PalmPod allows you to export your Palm Desktop Calendar Events & Todo’s, Contacts, and Memos to your iPod.

Someone may think that this is unneccessory. But an extra copy of back-up for your palm doesn’t harm, right? Moreover, this small application is free! It is distrubuted as donation-ware. Feel free to donate if you think the piece of application is useful.

{ Download }

Popularity: 13% [?]

Your next media application – musikCube

May 29, 2005 Software

musikCube is much more than an “mp3 player,” it is a music “library.” musikCube currently supports mp3, ogg, flac, and cd audio file formats. It also features an integrated cd ripper helping you take control of your music from the start.

musikCube supports windows 2000, XP, 2003 Server only. Support for Windows 95, 98, or ME are not available. Its features includes:

• very low memory footprint
• clean and intuitive user interface
• blazing fast navigation
• fully drag and drop compatible
• powerful batch tagging
• an integrated cross fader
• an integrated cd ripper

I’d just downloaded this small application. It’s really impresses me! It only consume very low memory resources, about 7580k when running in full and 2560k when minimize to system tray. A very good replacement for Windows Media Player and Winamp. The interface is better the foobar 2000. It is recommended to install the WMA and AAC plugins.

{ Download here }

Popularity: 5% [?]

iPod Plug-In Sets Music Free

May 25, 2005 Apple, Digital Music, Software

The plug-in, called ml_iPod, allows iPod users to bypass iTunes and manage music collections in Winamp instead. The iPod is supposed to work with iTunes only. A new version of the software was released Monday.

Justin Frankel, creator of Winamp and the open-source peer-to-peer software Gnutella, initially developed ml_iPod, but programming was taken over by Will Fisher, a computer science student in the U.K.

Fisher and other developers programmed a slew of features, including the ability to synch multiple iPods with Winamp, create smart playlists and — the most useful option — the ability to copy songs from an iPod onto a hard drive.

{ via Wired News }

Popularity: 12% [?]