Pandora

6 High-Tech Tips for a Fun, Frugal and Fearless Halloween


Halloween

If pumpkin carving and paper mache is becoming too old-fashioned for your tech-savvy tykes, fear not. Dressing up like an iPhone 4 might be a bit much (that's a real touchscreen, folks!), but there's still plenty of ways to plan a Halloween that's cool for the kids, fun for the family, provides parents some piece of mind and most of all won't break the bank. Here's six great options - all treats, no tricks!

FUN

Make a Zombie App
Sure, the "undead" are all the rage these days, but what if your kids are too young for such flesh-eating fare? These cuter, animated versions should provide some more age-appropriate frights. Customize your creature's body, background, clothes and more, then share them via email, post to Facebook or save to a disk.

Hallowindow
If you're planning a haunted house, this website can help you increase the fear factor with a digital twist. Download images and animations that can be projected on windows or displayed on TVs, or spooky sound effects for creeping out oncoming candy-seekers. And if this all seems a bit complicated, the good folks at Geek Squad (www.GeekSquad.com or via any Best Buy store) are available to help you set up.

FRUGAL Read more

Sony Connects Drivers with SiriusXM and Pandora on New Car Stereos

New models integrate exciting connectivity features at lower price points

Aug. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony is expanding its mobile audio lineup with eight new in-dash CD receivers. The new models range from entry-level units to advanced receivers and digital media players that offer SiriusXM satellite radio and Pandora internet radio connectivity in the car.

"Consumers want their audio choices personalized to match their individual needs and preferences, especially while they are in their cars," said Mike Kahn, director of the Audio Product Division at Sony Electronics. "Sony is redefining content selection in the car. Whether someone wants convenient access to commercial-free music and sports, news, talk and entertainment from SiriusXM, music discovery services like Pandora or iPod and iPhone compatibility, we now have a solution at lower prices than ever before: We now offer SiriusXM compatibility from as low as $90 SRP and Pandora compatibility from as low as $130 SRP."

Universal SiriusXM Satellite Connectivity

Four of the new models (CDX-GT565UP, CDX-GT660UP, CDX-360MP, CDX-GT56UI) feature SiriusXM compatibility, using the new SXV100 SiriusXM Connect Vehicle Tuner Kit (sold separately, XM subscription required). The compact SiriusXM vehicle tuner has a simple connection, providing integration of SiriusXM in an inexpensive and easy-to-install package. The SiriusXM vehicle tuner also provides numerous new features including the ability for listeners to pause and rewind live SiriusXM satellite radio.Read more

2013 Chevy Malibu Gets MyLink

by jessica on Wed, 2011-07-27 10:07


Chevrolet MyLink in 2013 Malibu

When the all-new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu hits dealerships in early 2012, it will be one of the first vehicles to offer Chevrolet MyLink – an in-car infotainment package that integrates online services such as Pandora internet radio and Stitcher SmartRadio using hands-free voice and touch-screen controls via Bluetooth-enabled phones.

MyLink features a seven-inch, high-resolution, full-color touchscreen display and also includes AM/FM/Sirius XM tuners, CD player with MP3 playback, and auxiliary and USB inputs.Read more

Music's Demise

Artists, Music, Audiences Change Labels Find it Tough


The Buddy Holly Story, ECA Productions (1978)

"Hey, Riley, we're all plugged in and checked up... yeah, we're ready." – Buddy Holly, The Buddy Holly Story, ECA Productions (1978)

Music is dying if you believe the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America).

Music is a growing business if you believe Apple, Google, Spotify, Yahoo Music, Artist Direct, My Space Music, Pandora and hundreds of other options.

They're right … all of them.

The "good ol days" are gone.

Everything lives in phases … music is no different:

  • 8-tracks had their peak in '78 of $3.1 B according to the RIAA
  • LPs had their peak in '78 of $8.1B
  • Cassettes had their peak in '88 of $6.1B
  • CDs peaked in '99 with $16.4B
  • Albums began their rise with downloads of $1B in '10
  • Singles jumped out with downloads of $1.6B in '10
  • Mobile "sales" is going to be huge but….
Read more

WD TV Live Hub: Your Own Personalized Media Jukebox

by jessica on Tue, 2010-11-02 10:47


WD TV Live Hub Media Center

Last week WD unveiled the WD TV Live Hub media center, a Full-HD 1080p media player featuring a 1TB network hard drive. The device allows you to rent movies through Blockbuster On Demand, as well as offers Netflix streaming, Pandora, YouTube, Flickr photo sharing, AccuWeather.com, and MediaFly video podcasts from CNN, NBC, MTV and ESPN. You can also upload photos and videos to Facebook, share your status, view your wall and read newsfeeds from your friends - all on your TV.

In addition, HD video, music and photos can be streamed from the hard drive to any DLNA/UPnP-compatible TV or multimedia device on the home network, including the WD TV Live Plus HD media player, connected TVs, Blu-ray players, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3 game consoles. You also can stream content from your WD TV Live Hub media center to iPads, iPhones or Android smartphones (using third-party apps). Read more

Grace Digital Unveils Tabletop Internet Radio with Pandora

by jessica on Tue, 2010-10-26 10:24


Grace Digital GDI-IR2550p

I am a huge fan of Pandora Internet radio, so I was happy to hear that Grace Digital Audio has a new tabletop Internet radio with one button music control of Pandora. It has all the same features that Pandora listeners (like me) use on computers and smartphones, including 1-button access to the thumbs up/down song selection and play/pause functions. You can also skip, play, pause, and even bookmark songs directly from the remote and front control panel.

Grace Digital's Wi-Fi Internet Radio featuring Pandora (model# GDI-IR2550p) also has access to over 50,000 radio stations, podcasts, and on-demand content including NPR / NPR on-demand, FOX News, CNN, BBC, CBS, iheartradio, NOAA Weather Reports, Live365, KROQ, and Sirius Premium Internet radio. It will also connect and play music direct from your iTunes library stored on your PC or MAC. Read more

Media Interface Plus Allows Pandora Streaming in Mercedes Vehicles

by jessica on Tue, 2010-10-19 11:42


Media Interface Plus

Mercedes-Benz USA has a new accessory that lets drivers retrofit their Mercedes to play and control Pandora (as well as other streaming audio) from their smartphone, using the vehicle's audio system. The Media Interface Plus (MIP) is a plug-and-play device and requires no installation. Simply connect MIP to the existing Media Interface outlet (in the glove compartment or center armrest) of the vehicle to enjoy the new features.

The MIP provides an easy-to-use interface with the Pandora app running on an iPhone 3G, 3GS or iPhone 4. For BlackBerry devices, the MIP enables Bluetooth audio streaming of Pandora. Bluetooth is also used to stream and control audio tracks from iPod, iPhone or any other consumer electronics devices supporting Bluetooth audio streaming.

Also, when connected using a special video cable, the Media Interface Plus allows customers to play iPod or iPhone video content on the vehicle display when the vehicle is at a standstill.

The Media Interface Plus is available now for $298 at Mercedes-Benz authorized dealers.

Roku's New HD Streaming Players Start at $59.99

by jessica on Mon, 2010-09-27 16:05


Roku XDS

Roku announced three new streaming media players, all with better performance and lower prices than the previous models. The new players feature up to 1080p HD streaming support, Instant Replay, and start at just $59.99. The new Roku models are the entry-level Roku HD at $59.99; the Roku XD with Wireless-N and 1080p, and the Roku XDS, which adds dual-band wireless and more connectivity options.

All Roku players deliver over 100,000 movies and TV shows from Netflix and Amazon Video On Demand; live and on-demand sports from MLB.TV; music from Pandora, MP3tunes, MOG, and RadioTime; photo and video sharing from Flickr and Facebook; plus news and entertainment.

The new $59.99 Roku HD streams video in high-definition at up to 720p, and features built-in wireless and Ethernet. The Roku HD is measures in at only 1 inch tall and less than 5 inches wide. Composite A/V cables are included, and it has an HDMI port for playback on HDTVs. Read more

Orb Music Player Streams iTunes, Pandora to Your Home Stereo

by jessica on Mon, 2010-09-27 12:14


Orb Music Player

A new smartphone-controlled and Internet-connected music system was announced today. The Orb Music Player lets you listen to your iTunes music library, Pandora, Sirius Radio and a variety of Internet music services, in any room in your home. Priced at an affordable $69, the Orb Music Player turns your home music system into an Internet-connected stereo that is controlled via iPhone or Android smartphones, as well as iPad and iPod Touch.

The system can be set up in three simple steps. First, download the free Orb Caster software to your computer (PC or Mac); next, plug the Orb Music Player into your home stereo; and finally, download the free Orb controller app from iTunes to your smartphone, iPad or iPod Touch. It is as easy as that!

To use, select the music you want to listen to on your smartphone and then choose any home stereo for instant playback. The smartphone music remote control lets you pause, playback, change the volume, or skip around your playlist. Not limited to just one smartphone, everyone in your home can have their own Orb-enabled smartphone remote to play their music collections.Read more

Pandora Now Available on TiVo Premiere Boxes

by jessica on Wed, 2010-09-22 05:00


TiVo Premiere

TiVo this week announced that Pandora Internet radio is now available on all broadband-connected TiVo Premiere boxes.

On TiVo, you can create a new free Pandora account, or sign-in with your existing Pandora account to enjoy your favorite stations on the television set. You can also access Pandora stations created on TiVo on any other platform where you listen to Pandora, including PCs and smartphones and other connected devices.

"Just as TiVo revolutionized your television and personalized your viewing content, the Pandora application brings additional music customization to the all-in-one TiVo box," said Jim Denney, VP and GM of Product Marketing for TiVo. "With Pandora now available on TiVo Premiere, we offer customers even more options when it comes to music including personalized on-demand radio, audio podcasts, music videos, music from your PC, and more through the TV and with just one remote." Read more

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