Donald Bell on December 9th, 2008

Photo of Numark TTi turntable with iPod dock.

Click for a slide show of the Numark TTi turntable.

(Credit: Donald Bell/CNET Networks)

Need a quick way to rip your vinyl collection to your iPod? Well, that’s exactly what the Numark TTi turntable is designed to do. Just plug in your iPod, get your vinyl spinning, hit …

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Donald Bell on December 8th, 2008

Photo of Cowon S9 user interface.

Is it just me, or does the user interface on Cowon’s S9 media player look a little familiar?

(Credit: CNET Asia)

CNET Asia’s DigiHunter recently published some user interface shots of the Cowon S9 touch screen media player. Considering that Cowon has been teasing the S9 since August, …

Continue reading about Sneak peek at Cowon’s S9 touch screen GUI

Donald Bell on December 8th, 2008

Photo of blue Zune 120.

You can now grab the Zune 120 in blue or red, but only by ordering direct from Microsoft's Zune Originals online store.

(Credit: Zune Originals)

If last week’s Zune vs. iPod Prizefight has you thinking about grabbing a Zune 120 for the holidays, you’ve now got …

Continue reading about Zune 120 goes red and blue (what, no white?)

Donald Bell on December 5th, 2008

Photo of apple headphones.(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks)

After 24 hours of playing with Apple’s latest In-Ear headphones, I’ve posted a full review over at CNET Reviews.

I empathize with the folks who are peeved that the remote control and microphone included on these headphones won’t work on older iPods.

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Donald Bell on December 4th, 2008

Photo of Apple In-Ear headphones.

Click for a slide show of the Apple In-Ear headphones w/ microphone.

(Credit: Donald Bell/CNET Networks)

Better late than never. Apple’s $79 in-ear headphones, promised back in September with a projected October release, showed up on my desk this morning with an apologetic look.

I’ve only been

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Donald Bell on December 4th, 2008

Photo of Zune MP3 player next to iPod Classic.

When two MP3 titans go head-to-head, only artsy black and white photos can do the moment justice.

(Credit: Donald Bell/CNET Networks)

Last year, our prizefight between the original iPod Classic and Zune 80 ended in the most upsetting verdict imaginable–a tie. I still get e-mails from disgruntled fanboys on …

Originally posted at MP3 Insider

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Donald Bell on December 3rd, 2008

Photo of Griffin Simplifi.

The Simplifi combines a bare-bones dock with a bare-bones-card reader.

(Credit: Griffin Technologies)

It’s hard to make an iPod dock sizzle, but Griffin’s Simplifi barely approaches room temperature.

By consolidating a memory card reader, USB hub, and iPod dock, the Griffin Simplifi has good intentions. Unfortunately, its card …

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Donald Bell on December 2nd, 2008

Image of Lisa Simpson holding an iPod.

Lisa scores a MyPod–wackiness ensues.

(Credit: Fox Television)

Apple’s new in-ear headphones are out, and Donald and Jasmine can’t help but poke a little fun with the help of a recent Simpsons episode.

Also this week, the MP3 Insiders discuss Donald’s favorite gadgets from 2008, as well as which portable audio gadgets make good gifts (and which don’t).

Plus, things get a little heated when copyrights and the RIAA enter a conversation on digitizing audio.

Listen now:

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Originally posted at MP3 Insider

Continue reading about MP3 Insider 126: MyPods from Mapple

Donald Bell on November 26th, 2008

Photo of Yamaha Tenori-On.

Click to see a slide show of my favorite portable audio gadgets of 2008.

(Credit: Donald Bell/CNET Networks)

As a music technology nerd who makes a living criticizing gadgets, I’m not an easy guy to shop for. You do this work long enough and you get pretty jaded …

Originally posted at MP3 Insider

Continue reading about Donald’s favorite things of 2008

Donald Bell on November 25th, 2008

Photo of Gears of War Zune.

Enter our MP3 Insider contest to win a new 120GB Zune (Gears of War 2 Edition), courtesy of Microsoft.

(Credit: Donald Bell/CNET Networks)

Donald and Jasmine discuss Zune price drops and a Zune Pass deal that may put some pressure on other subscription services.

Also on the agenda is the latest iPod Touch firmware, some products that failed to impress, iTunes alternatives, and a reader question about stripping audio from DVDs.

Plus, we’re giving away a 120GB Zune MP3 player from Microsoft (see contest details below). Not just any Zune, in fact, but the thoroughly bad ass Gears of War 2 Edition, which features an etched logo and comes loaded with Gears of War videos, photos and music.

Listen now:

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Originally posted at MP3 Insider

Continue reading about MP3 Insider 125: New Zune news