Social Networking News – 20 Billionth Tweet, 2012 Facebook Float, And 2010 US Spotify Launch

After a week of 3D over the last few days it makes something of a pleasant change (although we’re really not complaining about being indundated with 3D goodies) to write about something else. In this case, it’s all about social networking and the social web. Twitter has reached its 20 billionth tweet in excellent time while Facebook looks likely to postpone its float on the stock exchange until 2012 so it can further build its revenue base but Spotify has denied market rumours instead stating that they will be ready for a 2010 US launch date.

It took Twitter four years to reach its first 10 billion Tweets but having achieved that milestone in March, it has taken very little to double the figure and the Japanese designer that was responsible has virtually become a legend on the social network. Twitter has become increasingly popular in Japan with approximately 12% of all Tweets hailing from there. Some of this popularity is down to the fact that the Japenese language allows Tweeters to say a lot more in 140 characters.

Meanwhile, the biggest social network of all, Facebook, having recently reached its 500 millionth user mark, looks likely to stall its IPO until 2012. It is claimed that this will give the company more time to increase their revenue base and will allow founder Mark Zuckerberg time to build relationships with the investment market. It is near impossible to put an exact figure on the value of the company with one recent estimate at around $25bn.

Music streaming serviec Spotify, which offers an ad based free music sharing servec throughout Europe, has vehemently denied claims by Billboard stating that their negotiations have hit a brick wall and are back to square one. The comapny says that they still intend to launch by the end of this year and will offer a similar ad supported service in the US.

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BBC To Offer Mobile Content And HMV Offers Downloads

The BBC is just about everywhere you go and while there has been some controversy in the past regarding whether or not viewers should be charged to watch iPlayer content on the Internet the trust has decided that they will offer similar content via smartphone apps. This means that soon you’ll be able to watch catch up TV, read headlines, and view sports highlights directly from the BBC on your mobile phone or other mobile device.

When it comes to paying money in order to develop new channels and new methods of showing media, the BBC Trust must undergo a value test which essentially determines whether or not they are spending license payer’s money wisely and fairly. However if the move is seen as being an obvious one with obvious merits then this full review does not need to be undergone and that is the view of Diane Coyle, BBC Trustee.

Meanwhile, HMV is also trying to make its way into the digital music marketplace. HMVdigital is the name of the new music download service and to celebrate its opening, the British company is offering all top 40 singles at just 40p each. Although the company has tried to claim they aren’t an iTunes competitor it’s difficult to see exactly how they won’t be as competition between the two services will naturally emerge and further develop.

The two services do differ to some degree. HMV tracks are compatible with any mp3 player and with millions of tracks available many of them are available at the best quality of mp3 file. If you download a track and then subsequently lose it, you can even download it again which is not permitted with the iTunes service.

Will you be trying out HMVdigital instead of iTunes?

iPod Touch prototype snapped

A pre-release version of an iPod Touch has been showcased by a Vietnamese site, sporting the interesting addition of a two megapixel camera.

The images that were turned up by the Tinhte site clearly show that the iPod Touch in question is not a finalised version and given that it looks nothing like the iPhone 4G, but rather like the current generation iPod and iPhone, could indicate that Apple has some serious changes planned.

Keen observers have pointed out that the serial number displayed on the prototype marks it out as originating from the end of 2009. It is entirely possible that this is simply a design that was canned by Apple before it went into mass production.

Judging from the pictures, the two megapixel camera is accompanied by a small microphone, with the intention of allowing video capture. Inside is 64GB of storage space, which is not achieved using a single chip, but rather two Samsung 32GB chips.

The prototype iPod Touch has a slightly strange proprietary user interface, which lacks all of the traditional Apple polish, but apparently has apps, including the Nike+ exercise software.

All eyes will be on Apple when June 7th rolls around, as this is believed to be the date on which the new iPhone will be unveiled on the world. If it is planning to update the iPod Touch at the same time, then it would be sensible to assume that it will announce both at a single press event.

Amazon Download Sale – 39p Per Track

If you’re on the look out for cheap, popular music then the relatively fledgling Amazon download store is apparently the place to hit at the moment with the price of a single currently cheaper than that of a single more than 40 years ago (none of the “good old days” nonsense this time around, eh?). While the music industry at large might try to tell us that this is a bad thing, and it will certainly mean less and less royalties for the artists, what it means in real terms to you and I is that we can purchase singles from the top 100 download list for an impressively low 29p per track.

Of course, another major loser from this is likely to be Apple’s iTunes service, who recently removed the rigidity from their own pricing to offer a sliding pricing mechanism between 59p and 99p per track. While that may work out cheaper in some cases than the previous flat 79p per track, it is still some way short of Amazon’s deflated prices.

As a legal music downloader, you’re far from short of options and the Times Online estimates that there are currently more than 50 websites and services where you can legally download tracks for a cost. Unfortunately, not all download sites are created equally and you may be hard pressed to find one that fits all of your needs. Itunes may have its knockers but the software is fairly intuitive and easy to navigate while the ability to now download mp3 files is also a vast improvement. However, Amazon’s own service is not that far behind in terms of ease of use or ease of navigation and with these prices it is certainly worth a try.

Source – Times Online

Sony X Series MP3 Player Released Today

The Sony X Series Walkman, the latest in what is becoming a reasonably long line of touch screen MP3 players, is released in stores today and on the face of it everything looks pretty good. It offers the functionality to, as we’ve come to expect from such devices, listen to music, view pictures, and watch video clips. However, Sony has opted to offer OLED screen and has digital noise cancelling technology as standard and includes an FM radio (for the majority that’s not likely to be a deciding factor, but for others it will ensure that the Sony stands out above the iPod Touch).

The OLED screen is an impressive addition and it will make video clips and high resolution pictures all the better to look at. What’s more, it boasts considerably less power usage and Sony even claim that you will be able to enjoy up to 50% more video playback when compared to the same device without an OLED screen.

The other big boast from the Sony X Series is that it offers noise cancelling technology. Sony mp3 players and audio devices generally pack an impressive audio sound as it is, but this added feature which claims to reduce up to 96% of background noise improves things even further. And while the FM tuner may not be a major selling point to all of us, it will almost certainly be popular with those of us that enjoy listening to the news, weather, and sports while we’re on the move. And, let’s face it, for the minimal cost and effort that it actually takes to add one, Sony has probably made the right move.

Available from pretty much all stores, the 16GB version of the X Series will cost a shade over £200 while the whopping 32GB version will be nearer £270.

The Archos Content Portal

The Archos Content Portal (ACP) is a content marketplace that enables Archos media player owners to download music, TV content, and video content directly to their portable devices. Partnerships with a number of content providers means that ACP users have quick and easy access to a varied range of media.

If you use a WiFi enabled Archos portable media player you can download content directly to your portable device without having to go through a PC or other device. The ACP website is designed especially for use by Archos WiFi owners and has been optimised to offer the best mobile experience.

New additions are being made to the service, which have recently included video games that can be downloaded and played either directly on the Archos portable device or on a Television using the PMP as a sort of mobile games console. According to one report, there are some huge names also being lined up to be a part of the Content Portal.

According to the Archosfans website several high profile names including Best Buy, Circuit City, Amazon, AOL, YouTube, and more are listed in a provider.xml file in the system folder of the Archos. These are obviously major content providers that would represent a huge amount of content to ACP users.

Pimp Your PMP

A PMP, or Portable Media Player, enables you to play all of your media while on the move. Video streaming, audio playback, and even TV recording offers portable media that is especially useful for those that lead hectic lives but still want to enjoy some of the finer things. The Archos line of PMPs represent some of the best that money can buy and now in their fifth generation, they are among the most advanced.

The 605 series features a 4.3” touch screen display offering 800 x 480 pixel definition. Depending on your own preference you can choose from a 4GB model with expandable SD memory slot, or a 30GB, 80GB, or 160GB model. By adding the DVR Station you can even record TV shows so that you can watch them back at a more convenient time.

The Archos 605 is also WiFi enabled so that you can connect directly to the Internet. As well as being able to stream content from your PC, using the ARCHOS Content Portal you can directly download music and video content or you can browse the Internet and share your content with friends and other devices.

Because Archos PMPs are now in their fifth generation of production, they do everything well. They support the greatest number of formats and include some unique features. As well as being able to view photographs and images you can edit them, add music, and create slideshows to share with others or transfer to another device. A huge collection of accessories and plug-ins can also be used to further extend the device’s functionality.

If you have particularly itchy feet and are constantly moving from one place to another then the Archos 605 GPS combines all of the above features with state of the art GPS software.

While the 4GB version does include SD memory, it also costs about £125. The 30GB model, which obviously offers a lot more on board storage, costs £160. You will need to fork out £200 or more for the 80GB and about £250 for the largest 160GB model. For the GPS model with 30GB of storage you should expect to pay £300.

Our advice if you want one of these is to really shop around because online prices can fluctuate ridiculously with a disparity of as much as £100 in the mid range categories, and more in the high end range.

Sony SRS-Z510 Speakers

Sick of the tinny sound emanating from your computer? Want to watch YouTube videos with clear audio? You need to get hold of a set of desktop speakers. They don’t need to be expensive but you can bet your onboard soundcard that they will improve the quality of the audio on your PC. Upgrade your sound card as well and you can blast your neighbours with heartfelt Celine Dion choons all day long.

For less than £40, which is still in the budget range of speakers, you can buy a set of Sony SRS-Z510 desktop speakers. 2 way audio input enables you to plug your PC and your mp3 player in at the same time so you can enjoy 7W total output from any music source. Detachable guards enable you to choose between the industrial natural look, and the desktop look while the Mega-Bass provides you with a powerful bass sound and improved overall sound quality.

If you’ve been relying on your tower speakers and you want a little more richness from your audio then buying an inexpensive set of speakers is the way to go. Alternatively, upgrade to 5.1 or 7.1 sound card and buy a multi-channel set of surround speakers to get an even heavier, crisper, and neighbour-annoyingly loud experience. The Sony SRS-Z510 speakers offer a sensible and affordable solution.

R2-D2 DVD Projector

Aside from being based on one of the greatest movie characters of all time, the R2-D2 movie projector represents a serious piece of home entertainment kit. Artoo combines the features of a DVD projector with a DVD and CD player and an iPod docking station. It also offers an integrated speaker system with 2 10W speakers, a fully featured remote control designed like the Millenium Falcon, and sound and light effects similar to those belonging to the “real” R2-D2.

The Millenium Falcon remote control can be used to move Artoo in any direction and will even tilt his head backwards and move his legs so that you have complete control of where to project your DVD images.

Clearly the Artoo isn’t likely to appeal to anybody but the most ardent of Star Wars fans especially with a price tag of nearly £2,500 attached to it. However, when you actually consider the equipment you’re getting the price tag isn’t as high as it perhaps could have been. DVD projectors certainly aren’t the cheapest home cinema accessory.

Next, we just need to find a life size model of C3P0 holding a white projector screen and it would be the Star War fanatic’s idea of heaven. One point of note is that Nikkon (the manufacturers) are “only” planning to create and release 4,000 of these in the UK so you may need to order soon to avoid disappointment.

Baylis Eco Media Player – Not Just For Tree Huggers

It’s hardly a secret that we should all be doing our bit to save the environment, but that doesn’t mean we have to be eco-warrior tree hugging hippies does it? The Eco Media Player offers a vast range of functions, a slightly odd design, and dual charging methods. OK, so we doubt it’ll ever be quite as popular as the iPod, but its ingenious nevertheless.

Treover Baylis has designed and developed this impressive bit of personal audio kit so you know that it’s going to do its job and more. Among its prestigious fans, Stephen Fry wrote a glowing review in his Guardian column last year.

First, to the features and functions it offers. The Media Player, as you hopefully guessed, is predominantly a media player. It doesn’t just play mp3, though, and can be used to playback video, view photographs and even store your vinyl music collection. An FM Tuner rounds off a solid display of media functionality.

As well as providing media playback, the Eco Media Player can also be used as an emergency charger for mobile phones, a flashlight, sound recorder, and data storage device.

There’s no disputing the fact that the Eco Media Player is pretty handy but how does it warrant the tags of Eco and ingenious I hear you ask. As well as offering USB charging through your PC it also features an ECO-Dynamo system. For every 1 minute of winding, you gain 40 minutes of playback time up to a maximum of 20 hours playback.

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