British Government says no to digital music DRM ban
February 25th, 2007
Steve Jobs may want to scrap digital rights management (DRM) for digital music - or so he says - but the British government doesn’t agree.
Blogger Neil Holmes created a petition at the government’s e-petitions website asking Tony Blair to ban the use of DRM technologies for digital content, and gathered 1,414 signatures (admittedly, not quite as good as the 1.8m people who’ve signed one on road traffic pricing).
However, the government has now responded to the DRM petition, and it’s not encouraging.
“DRM does not only act as a policeman through technical protection measures, it also enables content companies to offer the consumer unprecedented choice in terms of how they consume content, and the corresponding price they wish to pay,” says the government’s response.
In theory, it’s true, and a similar argument is used by Microsoft when questioned about its DRM technology. But it kinda avoids the main point, which is that while the theory is all well and good, the practice for many firms is that DRM is used to restrict what we can do with digital content once we’ve bought it - controlling what devices we can play it on, for example.
The government response continues: “It is clear though that the needs and rights of consumers must also be carefully safeguarded. It is reasonable for consumers to be informed what is actually being offered for sale, for example, and how and where the purchaser will be able to use the product, and any restrictions applied. While there is good reason to expect the market to reach a balance as these new markets develop, it is important that consumers’ interests are maintained in the meantime.”
(via CNET)
This news story courtesy of: Stuart Dredge
Life Fitness exercise bikes get an iPod overhaul
February 25th, 2007
Fancy taking your iPod down the gym? Well, of course, you can already. But gym-equipment maker Life Fitness plans to introduce iPod features into its range of products, starting in March.
You’ll be able to synch your iPod with the equipment’s LCD screen to watch video and navigate through playlists, while recharging the device at the same time. It’ll also have a dock for the iPod, and allow you to listen to it by plugging your headphones into the bike itself.
The first Life Fitness product to include the iPod features will be available in March, with others following later this year.
This news story courtesy of: Stuart Dredge
Bubblegum colour co-ordinated FM transmitter for iPod nano
February 25th, 2007
FM transmitters are now legal - and indeed cheaper and less bulky. And the best example of the latter two points can be found on the Bubblegum FM transmitter.
It’s designed for the second generation nano, adding just 3cm to the size of your player. And even better - it’s available in a range of colours that can match your choice of nano shade. And if you have a different dock-connecting iPod, you can still use it - it just doesn’t look as sleek.
Frequency range is a healthy 87.9FM right up to 107.9, with nine presets that should help you avoid disruption. It’s available now, retailing for £9.95.
Find out more at the Blue Unplugged website
This news story courtesy of: modculture