At the Apple Keynote today, Steve Jobs pulled out the oft-rumored $99 Apple TV (finally) and the long awaited update to the Apple iPod Touch that brings the best parts of the Apple iPhone 4 to the music player. Think about all of the good parts of prior Apple iPhone 4 announcements:

• Facetime – forward facing camera
• Retina Display – 960 x 480 high-density pixel display
• 720p HD Video Recording via improved, 5mp back camera
• Apple A4 SoC chipset for improved performance and battery life
• 40 hours audio playback, 7 hours video playback
• 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi (802.11n 2.4GHz only)
• Bluetooth

And the inability to also make phone calls! har har

Showing up at 8, 32 and 64GB sizes, at $229, $299 and $399 respectively, the Apple iPod Touch just upped the ante for the mp3 players with extended abilities. Not bad at all Apple. More on the Apple TV later.

[ Links: Apple, Apple iPod Touch ]

Netflix this morning announced that they’ve developed an app that will allow both the Apple iPod Touch and Apple iPhone users to stream video selections from their instant queue. You’ll need to be a Netflix customer on a $8.99 or higher to use the free application, which will work over both Wi-Fi and AT&T’s 3G network (just in time to run smack into AT&T’s new 200 MB and 2 GB caps).

Progress made on movies or shows while at home is saved for use within the app, allowing you to finish watching your program while on the go. Users can also manage their instant queue from within the app, but only for streamed programs (not DVDs).

Link to the original article…

Last year, I reviewed the Eos Wireless iPod Speakers and Dock and came away impressed at the build quality, sound (from such small speakers) and the rather impressive wireless range. In fact, they gathered RTL’s very first 5 out of 5 score.

This summer, Eos Wireless sent their newer Eos Converge system that will connect a PC/Mac as well as just about any other music source. So for the 175 or so Microsoft Zune fans out there – I count myself as one of them – you can actually connect via the auxiliary input and share your tunes throughout the house without having to drill once. Just add music and power and you’re good to go.

Of course… I like to test things differently.

For my long-term test, I played with these things outside on my acre of so immediate backyard and used them to entertain folks during my July 4th weekend outside and during my recent birthday celebration last weekend. And each time, I’d plug into either my Zune, my Mac or once my own stereo without issue. Just take one of the black plastic wireless transmitters, plug in your audio source, and pair it with a wireless receiver, attach some speakers and play your music however you wish. With an effective range of 150 feet, I didn’t anticipate any problem given that I was limiting my area to one acre – which is 212 feet by 212 feet.

The setup… well, there isn’t really any. If you ever conquered the whole square peg toy when you were a kid, well you can handle this too. It’s simple enough to where this is the kind of gift that works well even with a luddite. On the back of the wireless transmitter, there’s an miniUSB connector, an audio in/out connector. On the back of the powered wireless receiver, there’s an RCA connector for some speakers and a power plug input alongside the power switch. Again, it’s so gosh darn easy to set up. And this time, Eos Wireless sent along their Eos loudspeakers that have a black ash finish and are made of solid wood with a 1 inch dome tweeter and 5.5 inch ported woofer. And the speakers do not feel cheap and light by no means. They’re solid enough to where you do not want to drop them on your foot – I did once, my toe still hurts.

So how does it sound? After connecting up everything, the transmitters, receivers and speakers all combine for an expandable – up to four wireless receivers – and spread your music to all around you with a solid, good sound that doesn’t sound out of balance and does not bottom out on bass-heavy music nor too bright on the highs. The Eos loudspeakers are studio grade in build and sound; balanced and nearly good enough to sit alongside my much more expensive Polk Audio and Paradigm speakers that I tend to us in the house. And that’s a good thing.

Are there any cons? Yes. The build quality, while great does leave a bit to be desired in the looks department. They’re functional, non-obtrusive, but are not as smooth or “cool” as the Sonos multi-room offerings. The speakers are $99.95 per pair – you can purchase Polk Audio studio speakers for cheaper if you’re watching websites like Dealnews.com or so. Beyond that, the system does what it says it will do and without fuss. And the cool part… I was using my Apple iPhone to connect and control my iTunes library from the patio via the Apple Remote app.

During the festivities, all of my guests asked where they could buy the Eos Converge system and how much it cost. The Eos Wireless Transmitter and Receiver sells for $99.95 each, while the powered version of the Eos Wireless Receiver costs $149.95. The Eos Loudspeakers are $99.95 for a pair. It sounds a bit expensive, but the fact that you can move, connect and never have to drill or worry about making holes in your walls. To me, that’s worth the level of entry. You can still order then from the Eos Wireless website and they’re still offering free shipping – which is a good thing, the speakers are heavy.

Yet again, Eos Wireless receives a 5 out of 5 (Highly Recommended) from Remove The Labels. Just sad that I have to send back the review system after using for so long. It works very well and I’m sure I inspired a few purchases.

[ Links: Eos Wireless, Eos Converge System ]

AVerMedia has shown off its Video Capture USB at CeBIT 2010, which allows users to watch and record digital TV on PC.

It can convert piles of video tapes and turn recordings in diverse analog devices into a comprehensive DVD format without a loss of quality. Plus, real-time Apple iPod and Sony PSP format recording allows you to take your favorite shows on-the-go. This USB device is Windows 7 certified. It can run on both AVerTV 6 and Window Media Center with superb reception ability even while commuting.

Link to the original article…

JVC is on a roll at the CES. They’ve introduced three AV Multimedia Receivers for home audio, six new CD Readers via JVC Mobile, five new Arsenal CD and Multimedia Receivers with matching Arsenal Series speakers among a slew of other offerings… but what caught my eye was the Double-DIN Multimedia Car audio JVC has announced at the CES, the KW-AVX830 Mobile Multimedia Solution.

JVC is introducing the KW-AVX830 double-DIN Bluetooth® Wireless Technology multimedia receiver, featuring built-in 7-inch widescreen touch panel monitor, Proximity Sensor, and a detachable face panel. The unit plays audio and video from iPod®/iPhone™ as well as USB devices. Other features include GUI and song information in 10 languages, advanced EQ settings, and various GUI selections. HD Radio® and SAT Radio are also available with optional tuners.

The built-in 7-inch widescreen monitor offers dynamic AV entertainment, while also functioning as a user-friendly touch panel. You can select from 4 GUI (Graphical User Interface) patterns in 12-color variations. GUI and song information are available in 10 languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese, Swedish, Danish, and Russian.

In addition to iPod®/iPhone™, the unit plays MP3/WMA/WAV audio files and JPEG/MPEG1/2 video files from USB flash memory or a digital audio player by USB connection.

It seems to have all of the bells and whistles, Apple iPod and iPhone connectivity, coverflow animations and the ability to play video even via USB. Due out March with an price of $659.95.

[ Links: JVC Mobile ]

Macally has introduced its portable stereo speaker IP-A111 designed for iPod products and other mini-audio players. This thumb-sized speaker supports up to 8 hours of battery life with an AA battery.

Link to the original article…

This review was a long time coming. I usually take my time to get to know exactly what I’m reviewing, and each and every review at RTL is a product that I stand behind. TuneUp has become that one app that simply became something that I didn’t know I needed until I got my hands on it.

Even before I bought my first portable mp3 player – I broke down and got the first generation, Firewire charging and syncing, shiny metal back with the actual moving click wheel, monochromatic screen 5gb Apple iPod – I was already converting all 900+ CD’s that I had in my possession and throw it onto a portable 40gb hard drive. Lugging around 900+ CD’s and buying more each month was beginning to become a nuisance.

Sometimes the software I was using, I wasn’t always using iTunes in the beginning, didn’t get all of the information or ID3 tags right. And with my current level of OCD, that annoyed me but having some almost 10,000+ songs to go through and correct… hell, I was just happy that I knew what the title was sometimes. Fast forward almost 9 years later, a quick stint using Napster, a full-blown switch to the Apple iTunes Music Store and a growing appetite for music I found myself having a music playlist with a lot of “Track 1″ and “Unknown Album” all over the place.

Not to mention with the cover flow interface, I was greeted with a ton of blacked out images where colorful covers should go. What will a music lover do with such an ugly mess?

Get TuneUp [ site here ]. That’s what.

TuneUp is an add-on that sits on the side of the Apple iTunes application like some useful digital remora fish filled with ever-changing information that includes what concerts are going on around you, the ability to share what you’re listening to with others on Twitter, YouTube integration… and that’s all on the all-important Tuniverse tab. The real magic happens on the Clean tab.

On the Clean tab, you will drag and drop music from your iTunes library onto the TuneUp application and it will start to crunch through, grab covers, correct or add the album name. That’s on the songs with partial information. The cool part is that on some songs that were titled wrong – for instance my entire King Tubby dub collection has endured the years that I didn’t know which album they belonged to – I was too lazy to add the album name when I ripped the CD to MP3 and have since traded the CD for more CD’s.

Word of caution though. The Clean tab recommends dragging 500 songs at a time. Listen to the tab… I dragged 6000 songs over and had enough time to go make and eat a sandwich. But by dragging 500 songs, it was done before I had the time to reach over, grab a soda and open the top. Now, it’s not perfect. This is software that we’re talking about. But the good part… if TuneUp isn’t’ sure about a song, it’ll make a suggestion that you can either “aye or nay” and keep going. Same for covers too. You can sometimes be presented with multiple covers via the Cover Art tab.

Now… onto the Concert tab. I’ve not been to a concert in ages, but when The Who came to town, I knew about it regardless and was somewhat successful in avoiding some of that traffic. I’ve also been made aware neighboring cities and their happenings too… which since I’m in a very small venue is a good thing to know as well.

The cons are very few, but do not automatically let the Clean tab automatically clean and add covers to all of possible suggestions. I ended up having some odd MP3′s sent to me by friends or stuff I’ve actually gotten directly from the artist – such at L.E.G.A.C.Y. “Legclusives” – and they were renamed to something very odd… very German. In that case, you can make the Comments view within iTunes visible and look for “Cleaned Up by TuneUp” and see and go back to it and revert it by hand. Which is not as bad as having to redo some 6000 songs by hand. And sometimes, TuneUp can glitch a bit when you’re moving iTunes around… and I swear it will start on my second monitor and switch to the first monitor almost always. Slightly annoying…

With that said… the pros outweigh the cons. If you have a lot of music, if you love music, you simply need TuneUp in your life. You can download TuneUp and check it out for 100 cleanings as well as 50 covers. But who has a limited amount of music like that now!? Go buy it. It’s the best $19.95 (yearly) or $29.95 (lifetime) that you will spend. After a couple of months with TuneUp, I do not want to go back to life without it… you’ll see just how crappy your music playlist looked without it.

Rated: 5 out of 5 (A Must Buy)

[ TuneUp ] [ TuneUp Blog ] [ Releated: RTL Reviews ]

The original Bower & Wilkins Zeppelin iPod Dock – shown above in the back – was perhaps one of the few Apple iPod docks that probably came with a hernia warning in the instructions. It was huge.

So B&W has just released the Zeppelin Mini… which looks just fine as-is; even though it’s still a bit on the big side. But… it’s all the better to pump out your tunes in high-quality my dear!

Zeppelin Mini attains the same high standards in sound quality and design set by Zeppelin, but in a more compact form. It is reduced in size, not in sound, and has amazing volume levels for such a diminutive package. It’s ideal for lounges just like its larger sibling, but it can easily be slotted into a bedroom, kitchen, or student digs.

Key differentiating features include an updated docking arm. On the original this innovative solution worked incredibly well, allowing hassle-free mounting of any iPod, and easy access to Apple’s user-friendly interface. These qualities remain, but the addition of USB connectivity allows Zeppelin Mini to bypass the analogue output stage of any iPod, providing access to the very best digital sound an iPod has to offer.

Thanks Erika for the tip!

[ Bowers & Wilkins ] [ B&W Zeppelin Mini ]