Samsung sounds off with Galaxy Music smartphone
Samsung today kicked off the launch of the Galaxy Music smartphone, an Android 4.0 device with special audio and music features.The new phone comes with dual stereo speakers in the front along with built-in FM radio and such features as Sound Alive and SRS. Sound Alive pumps up the bass, tone, and clarify of the sound and automatically adjusts the quality based on the type of music. SRS (Sound Retrieval System) adds certain effects to music and tries to reproduce 5.1 surround sound with just two speakers.Related storiesEntry-level Samsung Galaxy Music due in OctoberPerfect for music lovers, Samsung announces Galaxy Player 4.2, 3.6AT&T's Samsung lineup: Note 2, Rugby Pro, Express, Tab 10.1 2Samsung revs up iTunes rival with new Galaxy S IIIThe Galaxy Music also offers a dedicated Music key so users can quickly access the audio player.Designed as an entry-level model, the phone itself sports a 3-inch QVGA 240x320 pixel display. Internal memory weighs in at 512MB. Internal storage maxes out at 4GB, but the included microSD slot can hold up to 32GB. A 3-megapixel camera graces the back. Samsung has added its usual array of features, including Touchwiz, Samsung Apps, Samsung Hub, and Music Hub. The phone will also come in a dual-SIM version packaged as the Galaxy Music Duos.Samsung's press release gave no hints as to pricing or availability. A Samsung representative told CNET that the company has not yet announced whether the Galaxy Music will reach the U.S.Updated 8:25 a.m. PT with response from Samsung.
Monday, March 23, 2015
Psystar launches Open Computer software updates
Psystar launches Open Computer software updates
In our review of the Psystar Open Computer, a non-Apple-sanctioned desktop that ships with Apple's OS X pre-installed, we reported that Psystar planned to issue an ongoing series of software updates to address any incompatibilities that might arise. As reported by Information Week, those updates are now live, and available from Psystar for download.Among the updates, you'll find fixes for iLife stability, an iTunes update, and a patch that lets you share the Open Computer's CD or DVD drive with a MacBook Air. Each comes as a straightforward download, hosted directly by Psystar, which also says that it will ship all new OS X-based Open Computers with these updates preinstalled.We're sure anyone who purchased an Open Computer is glad to know that Psystar remains committed to its maverick desktop. But although they offer excellent price-performance compared to any other sub-$1,000 Apple system (basically just the Mac Mini), these systems are not for the technically faint-of-heart due to their continued potential to lose functionality themselves or to stop working with your Apple-made accessories via an errant software update. That said, we also still think that the Open Computer must look very enticing to tech savvy enthusiasts looking for a more affordable OS X-based system.
In our review of the Psystar Open Computer, a non-Apple-sanctioned desktop that ships with Apple's OS X pre-installed, we reported that Psystar planned to issue an ongoing series of software updates to address any incompatibilities that might arise. As reported by Information Week, those updates are now live, and available from Psystar for download.Among the updates, you'll find fixes for iLife stability, an iTunes update, and a patch that lets you share the Open Computer's CD or DVD drive with a MacBook Air. Each comes as a straightforward download, hosted directly by Psystar, which also says that it will ship all new OS X-based Open Computers with these updates preinstalled.We're sure anyone who purchased an Open Computer is glad to know that Psystar remains committed to its maverick desktop. But although they offer excellent price-performance compared to any other sub-$1,000 Apple system (basically just the Mac Mini), these systems are not for the technically faint-of-heart due to their continued potential to lose functionality themselves or to stop working with your Apple-made accessories via an errant software update. That said, we also still think that the Open Computer must look very enticing to tech savvy enthusiasts looking for a more affordable OS X-based system.
iTunes overestimating audio sizes for down-converted songs
iTunes overestimating audio sizes for down-converted songs
MacFixIt reader Jon wrote in with such a situation, and referenced this thread at the Dslreports forums where users were experiencing this issue, which has persisted even after people have removed their music and reset their phones.This problem appears to be rooted in iTunes itself and not with the phone. It may be that some corruption occurred when applying the latest iTunes update, but regardless of the specifics, some people are finding that if they download the iTunes installer again and run it, the problem seems to go away.People started noticing this issue with iTunes 10.5.1; the latest version of iTunes is 10.5.2 so if you are running 10.5.1 then be sure to update. Additionally, if you are experiencing this problem, try removing the iTunes preferences file from your system by choosing Library in the Finder's "Go" menu (in Lion hold the Option key to show this in the menu), and then go to the preferences folder and remove the file "com.apple.iTunes.plist." After doing this, download iTunes again from Apple's iTunes Web site and reinstall it.Questions? Comments? Have a fix? Post them below or e-mail us!Be sure to check us out on Twitter and the CNET Mac forums.
MacFixIt reader Jon wrote in with such a situation, and referenced this thread at the Dslreports forums where users were experiencing this issue, which has persisted even after people have removed their music and reset their phones.This problem appears to be rooted in iTunes itself and not with the phone. It may be that some corruption occurred when applying the latest iTunes update, but regardless of the specifics, some people are finding that if they download the iTunes installer again and run it, the problem seems to go away.People started noticing this issue with iTunes 10.5.1; the latest version of iTunes is 10.5.2 so if you are running 10.5.1 then be sure to update. Additionally, if you are experiencing this problem, try removing the iTunes preferences file from your system by choosing Library in the Finder's "Go" menu (in Lion hold the Option key to show this in the menu), and then go to the preferences folder and remove the file "com.apple.iTunes.plist." After doing this, download iTunes again from Apple's iTunes Web site and reinstall it.Questions? Comments? Have a fix? Post them below or e-mail us!Be sure to check us out on Twitter and the CNET Mac forums.
Indulge yourself with a high-end desktop audio system
Indulge yourself with a high-end desktop audio system
I listened to the Decco with a pair of compact Era Design 4 Satellite speakers. Hook up chores via USB were dead simple, and I had iTunes up and running in just a few minutes.I love the look of the Decco's curvy cabinet and satin-finished aluminum front panel, decked out as it is with a row of five input buttons and a silky feeling volume control. Trust me, you won't ever need to consult the owners manual to play the Decco; you select a source, say, USB, and adjust the volume to your liking, that's it. Oh, and sitting behind the little "window" next to the volume control you can't miss the vacuum tube. Its golden glow is a welcoming beacon to audiophiles, a visual conformation that the Decco means business. The tube handles preamplification duties while the built-in solid-state power amplifier pumps out 50 watts per channel. The rounded casework is distinctive and Peachtree's build standards are comparable to high-end components selling for more than double the Decco's MSRP of $799; the speakers run $599 a pair. Era's D4 speakersPeachtree AudioThe Decco/Era system produced a remarkably spacious, yet nicely focused soundstage behind my iMac. That's what first caught my ear, but then while listening to folk singer Teddy Thompson's meditation on fame, "Shine So Bright," the sound was disarmingly natural. Thompson's soaring vocals and sumptuous string arrangements erased any thoughts of evaluating the sound as mere computer audio. No, this is high-end audio, albeit shrunk down to fit on my desktop. You can read my full review on the Home Entertainment magazine site.
I listened to the Decco with a pair of compact Era Design 4 Satellite speakers. Hook up chores via USB were dead simple, and I had iTunes up and running in just a few minutes.I love the look of the Decco's curvy cabinet and satin-finished aluminum front panel, decked out as it is with a row of five input buttons and a silky feeling volume control. Trust me, you won't ever need to consult the owners manual to play the Decco; you select a source, say, USB, and adjust the volume to your liking, that's it. Oh, and sitting behind the little "window" next to the volume control you can't miss the vacuum tube. Its golden glow is a welcoming beacon to audiophiles, a visual conformation that the Decco means business. The tube handles preamplification duties while the built-in solid-state power amplifier pumps out 50 watts per channel. The rounded casework is distinctive and Peachtree's build standards are comparable to high-end components selling for more than double the Decco's MSRP of $799; the speakers run $599 a pair. Era's D4 speakersPeachtree AudioThe Decco/Era system produced a remarkably spacious, yet nicely focused soundstage behind my iMac. That's what first caught my ear, but then while listening to folk singer Teddy Thompson's meditation on fame, "Shine So Bright," the sound was disarmingly natural. Thompson's soaring vocals and sumptuous string arrangements erased any thoughts of evaluating the sound as mere computer audio. No, this is high-end audio, albeit shrunk down to fit on my desktop. You can read my full review on the Home Entertainment magazine site.
How to get the weather forecast on your iPhone's lock screen
How to get the weather forecast on your iPhone's lock screen
After installing the app, launch it and you will see the Enabled switch turn on by itself. You can then set your location either by city name or current location, turn off the five-day forecast or change from Fahrenheit to Celsius. You will also notice at the bottom of the screen the option to play a sound in the background. You can pick between silence, meadow, jungle, lake and ocean sounds. These sounds will continuously play as long as the app is enabled.Screenshot by Jason CiprianiYou may notice while the app is enabled, the icon which normally indicates the media player is being used and something is currently playing will be present. This is due to the way Lock Screen Weather interacts with iOS 5, displaying the weather forecast as cover art on your lock screen. Screenshot by Jason CiprianiAs long as the app is enabled, you can view the weather forecast on your lock screen at any time. To turn off the background sounds as well as the lock screen weather display, launch the app again and toggle the Enable switch to off. Turning the display back on is as simple as launching the app and allowing it to enable itself again. Lock Screen Weather is compatible with an iPhone (3GS, 4, and 4S) or iPod touch (3rd or 4th gen) running iOS 5.Source: TUAW
After installing the app, launch it and you will see the Enabled switch turn on by itself. You can then set your location either by city name or current location, turn off the five-day forecast or change from Fahrenheit to Celsius. You will also notice at the bottom of the screen the option to play a sound in the background. You can pick between silence, meadow, jungle, lake and ocean sounds. These sounds will continuously play as long as the app is enabled.Screenshot by Jason CiprianiYou may notice while the app is enabled, the icon which normally indicates the media player is being used and something is currently playing will be present. This is due to the way Lock Screen Weather interacts with iOS 5, displaying the weather forecast as cover art on your lock screen. Screenshot by Jason CiprianiAs long as the app is enabled, you can view the weather forecast on your lock screen at any time. To turn off the background sounds as well as the lock screen weather display, launch the app again and toggle the Enable switch to off. Turning the display back on is as simple as launching the app and allowing it to enable itself again. Lock Screen Weather is compatible with an iPhone (3GS, 4, and 4S) or iPod touch (3rd or 4th gen) running iOS 5.Source: TUAW
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