Brian Seitz of Microsoft’s Zune team demonstrates the Zune HD on Microsoft’s Redmond campus.

via TechFlashVideos:

Online creative tools site Aviary has introduced Myna – free browser based music software that’s sort of like Garageband for the web.

Here are the highlights of Myna’s features:

• Powerful Clip Editing – Trim, Loop, Stretch and Reverse your audio clips, width editable loop points, and interactive time stretch capabilities.
• Automation – Easily add fade-ins, fade-outs, pan from left to right, and modify gain over time, with editable control points.
• Effects – Add non-destructive effects to your audio clips including Pitch Change, Reverb, Delay, Parametric EQ, and more.
• Import / Export – Import your own audio files, or search one of our provided libraries. Mix it down and export directly to your desktop or publish back to your account.
• Share and learn – Collaborate with other users. Follow step-by-step tutorials to learn new skills.

Myna’s not as sophisticated as even a low-end digital audio application like Garageband.

However, it’s free and puts your work “in the cloud”, which could be a great combination for some users, like podcasters. If they added an iPhone client, it could put the service over the top.

Check it out and let me know what you think of Myna!

Rogue Amoeba has released updates for Audio Hijack Pro (v2.9.3) and Airfoil (v3.3.3). These updates bring Rogue Amoeba to full compatibility with Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard).

Hijack Pro is popular with podcasters because it makes it relatively easy to capture and record audio from applications, such as Skype.

Both updates feature a new version of Instant Hijack, version 2.2.1, for grabbing audio from already-running applications. Also included is a Snow Leopard-compatible version of SoundFlower.

Changes in Audio Hijack Pro v2.9.3:

• Audio Hijack Pro is now fully compatible with Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard).
• Audio Hijack Pro now uses Instant Hijack 2.2.1 to capture audio from already-running applications.
• The Soundflower Extra, used to power System Audio capture, has been updated to version 1.5.1.
• Software update check now sends the processor architecture to the server.

Microsoft today released the Zune HD touch-screen media player.

The Zune HD features an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) multitouch screen, an NVIDIA Tegra HD processor and HD Radio capabilities, with software advancements such as the new Quickplay menu and an advanced Web browser.

With Zune HD, users now have the ability to store and play back 720p HD video files to an HDTV using the new Zune HD AV dock accessory. You can buy or rent HD content from the Zune Marketplace, sync that content to a Zune HD device, and take it with you to play back on a large-screen HDTV in the home or on the road.

Every Zune device currently includes a built-in FM tuner, and now the Zune HD device offers the first portable HD Radio receiver on a Wi-Fi-enabled device. With HD Radio, listeners get more than 2,000 stations in the U.S. and have access to more than 1,000 stations that simulcast content in a variety of formats, from adult contemporary to news talk. Zune HD users can also tag songs they hear on supported HD Radio stations for purchase immediately if in a Wi-Fi hot spot, or complete the purchase later when using the Zune PC software.

Zune HD also features new casual games and non-gaming functionality such as a calculator and an MSN Weather application. Later this year, Zune plans to release free applications such as Twitter for Zune and Facebook for Zune, in addition to fun 3-D games such as “Project Gotham Racing: Ferrari Edition,” “Vans Sk8: Pool Service,” and “Audiosurf Tilt. TM” Games can be added to Zune HD via Zune Marketplace over the Wi-Fi connection or when connected to the Zune PC software.

Zune HD is available from major retailers with a black 16GB version for $219.99 (estimated retail price) and a platinum 32GB version for $289.99 (ERP).

iPod upgrade & repair gurus iFixit have done a tear-down of Apple’s latest portable media players and revealed some Apple iPod touch secrets:

• It’s got a Broadcom BCM4329FKUBG wireless chip, so the hardware appears to support 802.11n.
• There’s also Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR and an FM receiver and transmitter on this chip.
• Apple left in room for a camera in the top of the device. There is a 6mm x 6mm x 3mm space between the Broadcom chip and the wireless antenna. There isn’t enough depth for an iPhone-style autofocus still camera, but just enough room for the camera that Apple used in the 5th generation iPod nano.

The new iPod touch hardware seems to confirm that a video camera, Wireless networking and a built-in FM transmitter/receiver are on in the works for the iPod touch, but may have been nixed in this rev because of technical issues.

Chris Albrecht (NewTeeVee) made this side-by-side comparison of the video quality of the iPod nano vs the Flip SD.

“Overall — the Flip offered a MUCH better picture both indoor and out, providing way more detail in the image,” notes Albrecht. “The Flip microphone was also a little more discerning in our test, able to distinguish our subject’s voice in a crowded room much better than the Nano.”

The video quality of the new iPod nano is clearly inferior to the Flip, but it may not matter. With 8GB Nanos starting at $149, buyers are likely to see the Nano’s video camera as a freebie.

Here’s another preview of Microsoft’s Zune HD.

This one offers the briefest glimpse of 3-D gaming on the device, which means Microsoft’s intending to go mano a mano against Apple in the portable gaming space.

Think gaming will help improve the Zune’s lot?

The Zune HD will be out Tuesday, Sept 15th.

via zunited, engadget

Podcasting network Wizzard Media has announced Usher’s Top 100 (App Store link), an iPhone app featuring 100 of the pop superstar’s favorite songs in a streaming playlist.

The App will sell for $2.99 and the deal calls for a revenue share between the parties.

Usher is a Wizzard Network podcaster.

“iPhone apps are exploding, including for musical artists, but nobody’s done anything like this,” said Dave Dederer, VP of Business Development at Melodeo. “This is the first app that combines a major recording artist, podcast marketing to iTunes consumers and a new model for selling music. Hopefully, this will show the music industry that there are options beyond the old product units of songs, albums and ringtones.”

Wizzards’ announcement is part of their larger push to license iPhone applications and promote them via Wizzard network podcasts.

Ars Technica reports that Microsoft currently has no plans to sell the Zune HD outside the US.

Snarkier readers may wonder if Microsoft currently has any plans to sell the Zune HD inside the US, after Apple’s recent iPod introductions and price cuts.

“For the time, being the Zune HD device will remain US only,” a Microsoft spokesperson told Ars. “Right now we are focused on deploying an exciting service in the form of Zune Video to 18 markets. We are looking at potential future hardware experiences for these markets, but do not have anything to announce right now.”

The Zune HD is expected to launch next week priced at $220 for the 16GB model and $290 for a 32GB model.

Apple‘s announcements today held few surprises, but the company’s updates to iTunes and its iPod lines keep the company far enough ahead of competitors to keep them at bay for the next year:

• Apple introduced its new iPod touch lineup, starting at just $199, giving users an iPod, a pocket computer, a game player and access to Apple’s App Store with over 75,000 applications. The 8GB iPod touch is now available for $199, along with new models which deliver twice the capacity for the same price, with the iPod touch 32GB model for $299 and 64GB model for $399.
• Apple introduced the new iPod nano, adding a video camera, mic and speaker.  iPod nano also features a built-in FM radio with live pause and iTunes Tagging, as well as a built-in pedometer. The new iPod nano is available today in an 8GB model for $149 and a 16GB model for $179, and comes in nine colors, including silver, black, purple, blue, green, orange, yellow, (PRODUCT) RED and pink.
• Apple also introduced iTunes 9. New features include iTunes LP, Home Sharing and Genius Mixes, as well as a redesigned store and improved syncing. Home Sharing lets you  transfer music, movies and TV shows among up to five authorized computers in your home. iTunes 9 offers better management features for iPhone/iPod touch apps and downloadable ringtones.
• The iPod shuffle is now available starting at just $59 in five colors. The iPod shuffle is available in a new 2GB model for $59 and a 4GB model for $79, and both models come in silver, black, pink, blue and green.

The highlight of the event was probably Steve Jobs’ participation, which, for many, bodes well for Apple’s future.

Here’s what today’s announcements mean for new media: