Doubletwist – like iTunes, for non-Apple stuff

The age-old issue: you, like nearly everyone else, uses an iPod for music – be it Touch, Nano, Shuffle, or Classic — and you are very happy with using iTunes for syncing and so on. But unfortunately, unless you have an iPhone, the iTunes program is quite unhelpful when it comes to your phone. Unlike your iPod, you can’t just plug in to your computer and sync your music, and while phones have separate applications for syncing media, lets face it – getting everything to work, getting your music from iTunes…its annoying– especially every time you get a new phone.

Enter Doubletwist. iTunes for everything else- literally. Able to recognize and import your iTunes library (even playlists), Doubletwist is compatible with a whole slew of companies and devices – PSP, Zune, Nokia’s, LG’s, Motorola’s, etc. True, it’s not compatible with everything – but it’s certainly more then an iPod and it does a great job syncing. The interface is simple, and familiar to iTunes’, and features the drag/drop method we all know and love. Videos – provided they aren’t purchased (and therefore, DRMed) from iTunes – are converted into a suitable format and synced. Photos – same deal. (Note: iTunes Plus songs, without DRM, are fine)

Best of all – it’s not only a Mac application – Doubletwist is for Windows as well. It also has features for sharing – or “twisting” as they call it – media with friends and family, as well as integration with the Amazon MP3 store.

If you’d like Doubletwist, check it out on the site here to see if they support your phone or device. Also, you might want to check that you have a USB cable to connect your phone to your PC. Finally, if you’re looking to keep a fair amount of songs, look into getting a MicroSD card, so you have memory to store ‘em.

And next time your iPhone toting friend is bragging about having his music on his phone – you’ll have the last laugh.

Have you ever wanted your own DJ? One that is so smart that it can pick from literally thousands and thousands of songs, the perfect songs, customized to your music preferences? Imagine, a DJ that will create a whole playlist of songs based on songs you like, even comprehending the elements of the song that cause you to enjoy it so much. No I’m not talking about Genius, Apple’s attempt to create your own DJ, but something you can run entirely off the internet, for a mere price tag of $3 a month. I’m talking about Pandora One, which is an attempt to bring the very successful Pandora (known for their great iPhone, Android and other mobile apps), to your desktop.

A screenshot of Pandora's interface

In case you don’t know, Pandora is an online radio station and calls itself the Music Genome Project. Basically, you tell them one song or artist that you like, and based on the qualities of that artist, Pandora chooses the playlist. However when I say qualities, I don’t mean just the genre; I mean harmonization, vocals, riffs, and even the tone of the song. The best part of Pandora.com is that it offers two plans; a free plan and a paid plan which allows for more skips, and no ads.

Pandora One's interface

If you don’t like a song you can skip it or hit thumbs down to never hear that song again. However due to music license laws, there’s only a specific amount of skips you can get a day. Also, since this is a radio station, you get to make your own stations. However there is one catch to Pandora One, it costs $36 a year. But for the amount of variety you get in your songs, $3 a month is a steal. If you want to try out Pandora One for yourself, there is a free trial.

Very into Rock Band and are looking for some new classic songs to jam to? Well, if that’s the case, then today’s your lucky day: MTV Games, Harmonix (joint Rock Band founders) and Apple Corps LTD (copyright owners of the Beatles music; not the iPod company) announced today a whole new game for the Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii that features the legendary British rockers.

Arriving 9/9/09, it will be available as a stand-alone game for $60, and for $250, as a limited edition Rock Band set including the whole package– game, guitar, drums, mic– entirely designed to look like the instruments used by the Beatles. You can also get just the guitar for $100.

The game will also have 45 of the Beatles hits from 1962 through 1969 playable, though as of right now, not much is known about whether you can download those songs for play on your Rock Band 1 or 2 as well as if you can play other songs in this special Beatles version. We also know that fortunately, the 3 companies also said that the older Rock Band instruments will be able to work with the new game, so those of you who don’t wanna spend the extra $190 for more plastic instruments can just get the game and be all set

So you pumped for this new game? Will this make you hold off on that Rock Band 2 or Guitar Hero World Tour purchase and wait a few months to get a game based on one of the greatest bands ever? Sound off in the comments.

Info from Joystiq.com and pix from Rock Band Beatles preview page.

Garageband 09’s Lesson system (in shiny HD!)

Had some snow here last week, so I finally got the chance to try out the new iLife stuff. So here’s my take on the new Garageband features, and specifically, the Lessons system.

After installing the update, finding the digital keyboard, plugging it in, and re-acquainting myself with the piano (haven’t played it for a while), I went into the lesson, of which there are two already installed ones: Piano Basics 1 and Guitar Basics 1. Since I play piano, I tried the Piano Lesson.

After being greeted by a friendly person, I was introduced to the basics of piano. My instructor went through basic chord progression, the hold pedal, and, at the end of the lesson, played a simple song with me using the chords we learned. The interface, as you can see above, is nice, with HD video and a visual guide to help you, along with the instructor. While I haven’t had a chance to try the Artist Lessons, I’m assuming they work the same way, just with real musicians teaching you their songs instead of the Apple Instructor teaching piano basics. In theory, one could teach themselves an entire instrument using the system, which is quite cool.

Overall, it’s a cool concept, that works just as well as one would expect. Definitetly a worthwhile feature for anyone who has iLife 09′ to try out.

For me, the most often used application on my computer is my iTunes controller. Now there are several of these applications that basically, as the name would suggest, allow you to control iTunes and since I listen to music on an almost never-ending basis, I find a good controller to be the most useful application I have. For some of my top picks, read on!

Here are some of the best:

TotalTunes Control ($8, Mac Only) – this is my current favorite application. Coming up at a series of hotkeys, the controller fades in and allows me to change songs, search, change playlists, and do basically anything i could do in iTunes. Unfortunately though, at some point between when i first got it and now, they updated that application with additional features — and an 8$ price tag. So the most up to date version has more features then listed here. But the design is simple, efficient, and is very compatible with Spaces and everything else.

FluidTunes – This is both the coolest and least useful of the apps listed here. Fluidtunes is basically a Cover flow interface, with forward, back, play, and pause buttons on the side. So, what’s the feature? It overlays the cover flow onto your webcam, allowing you to flip through the cover flow interface with your hands. Quite cool.

Bowtie – This is actually my newest controller, and i happen to also really like this. Bowtie is an iTunes controller, but is highly customizable, and extremely versatile.It comes with several skins, which allow you to display at most song info, and basic control buttons, or just have a small blurb telling you what song it is. Already plenty more online. Also highly recommended.

Moody – An interesting little app, Moody lets you tag your music by mood, and then you can just select the mood your in and get those songs. A simple, color-coded interface, I had 2 complaints – 1. I don’t have 16 separate moods. May just be that I’m a guy, but still. There are 16 moods you must set (its not even optional), and each one needs a name. 2. I couldn’t get the auto-tag thing to work, so I’d have to mark each song by hand. Also, most of my music isn’t in the database. But if you can figure it out, moody is cool and does what it says well.

Keyboard – I use a Macbook. Macbooks have iTunes controls in the function keys. Probably the most used of all the controllers mentioned.

What you think- are you gonna go for one of these controllers or stick to the controls you already have on the keyboard? Let us know in the comments.

In the asthetics department, it mostly remains the same, with a new album view (see above pic) and an absolutely psychedelic new visualizer (displays your music in a 3D explosionly of light thing, in time with the song). The main addition to the new version, Genius — the intelligent playlist maker– really is excellent. I select a song i like, such as Welcome to the Black Parade, and iTunes takes my music and makes me a playlist based on it. It happens to work really well and i’ve gotten some sweet playlists. It’s super fast, (like half a second to make it), and is just excellent.

An option that tags along with that — similar to the mini-store in previous iterations of iTune — suggests additional songs for that generated playlist which you dont currently own and takes you directly to the iTunes store to purchase them if you choose. You can also decide to hide the playlist maker, and reconjure it by clicking a button on the right side of the bottom taskbar. After running it through several songs, I find it works quite nicely, though some songs inexplicably refused to work, most notably Disturbia by Rihanna.

Also in the new version is NBC’s return to iTunes, (Heroes is back! Woo-hoo!) the result of a settlement after a lawsuit with Apple several months ago, and the addition of TV shows in Hi-Def, although like the HD movies, they cost more — $3.00 as opposed to $2.00 for standard definition. To download iTunes 8, click here.

ooooooo – Colorful.

Alrighty everyone, the biggest news of the week just landed. As Apple tends to do around the pre-holiday season (like now), they announced today the new updates to their iPod lines.

Nano:

Among the several updates to the product line is the heavily rumored 4th generation Nano, which I think is awesome (Orange iPods = Awesome). With a screen long enough for wide screen video and photo playback yet a continuing the slender design of the 1^st and 2^nd Gen Nanos, it looks really good– and ridiculously thin, as in paper thin.

It turns on it’s side to watch movies, using an  accelerometer (like the Touch/iPhone) that senses when you turn the Nano on it’s side for features like Cover Flow. The accelerometer also brings a “shake to shuffle” feature that shuffles your music when the iPod is shaken (very fun and cool). The software remains mostly unchanged from last year’s iPod Classic/Nano software, with the exception of a new “Genius” playback software, which automatically generates iPod On-the-Go playlists based on similar types of songs found on your iPod. And not to fear: all the old games from the last Nano still work on this model.

Prices were changed as well.  For $150, instead of a 4 GB of the 3rd gen, your money now buys an 8 GB version, and a new 16 GB version goes for the extra $50 ($200 total), that previously would’ve gotten you an 8 GB. Both are available in an astounding 9 colors. (Once again, Orange iPods = Awesome!).

Touch:

Also coming out today is the new iPod Touch. Since Apple’s spent the past year or so developing the software ecosystem for the Touch and iPhone, obviously it stays the same. However, new features were added with built in Nike+ iPod Touch support– no little plug on the bottom of the iPod needed though you still must purchase the shoe receiver separately. The Touch also received physical volume control buttons similar to the iPhone, receiving speakers (FINALLY!) and an even thinner design then ever (yes, appearently thats possible).

Price here was cut to $230 for 8 GB, $300 for 16 GB, and $400 for 32 GB. The iPod Touch and iPhone also get the 2.1 software update, available free for iPhone owners and purchasers of the 2.0 update (C’mon Apple, stop charging for software updates already–its just plain ridiculous.), which adds the new Genius feature (see above) to the Touch and iPhone, as well as fixing numerous bugs, especially those regarding applications and dropped calls on the iPhone (we know you iPhone users must have had some of them).

New iPod Touch, with Nike+ Application on left, but notice the thinness!!!!

iPod Classic:

The iPod Classic was also updated today with a bump in storage for the old 80 GB, now boasting 120 GB for the same price as its predecessor– $250. Attention all Storage Lovers: the 160 GB model has been discontinued– buy them while they’re still in stock (at a lower clearance price too ).

Itunes:

You wouldn’t think good ‘ol iTunes would be left out in the ‘Let’s Rock” event would ya? iTunes also received an update with iTunes 8, which includes the “Genius” playlist generator (see above) that in addition to making entire playlists in iTunes based on a specific song, it will recommend similar songs from the iTunes Store (nice way to make a sale Apple ). iTunes also gets a new visualizer and a different album view called Grid (similar to Cover Flow except better formatted for non-touchscreen devices. Instead of scrolling horizontally, you just go through a list by the Album art). Also, NBC returned to iTunes (Heroes and the Office are back. Woohoo!) and HD TV shows were added as well.

For some hands-on reviews of all these Apple announcements, see here.

WOW!! Lot of stuff here. Anyways, stay tuned for our own review of iTunes 8 (which is available now- click here), and feel free to sound off in the comments on what you think of these new Apple announcements, as well as if you’ll be springing for one of these new iPods.

Pix and Info from Apple.com

Now that Madden 09 is out in the wild (see our review on it here), lets turn back to the ever popular Rock Band 2. The news we got here is not going to be the most pleasant for fans of the “old” game (and those wanting to get in on the new one), but we’ll give it to you anyways. For those who wanna know more on this, hit the More link.

Let’s start this with a little recap: Rock Band 2 will launch first for the Xbox 360 on September 14, with a one month exclusivity till the other systems (PS3, PS2, Wii) get their respective versions of the game. Now while the stand alone game itself will not be delayed, according to Gizmodo.com the bundle of all the instruments and the game will be delayed until October 19- the same day it launches on the other systems. This is not the end of the world by any means, but with Guitar Hero 4 expected to come out on October 26, this could be a real problem for Harmonix- makers of Rock Band-  along with anyone looking to buy this and show it off to all their Guitar Hero loving friends before they get their hands on Guitar Hero 4

What you think- are you still gonna wait for the bundle, is this delay in the bundle gonna make you switch to Guitar Hero 4, or are you perfectly happy with your current music games (Rock Band 1, Guitar Hero 3 and Aerosmith) and Madden 09? Let us know in the comments.

You think your pretty good at Rock Band, love music and bands such as Panic At The Disco, The Cab, Plain White T’s and Dashboard Confessional? Well then today’s your lucky day because MTV Games has announced a new REAL (not video game) 29 city tour of those bands across the US (with one stop in Toronto, Ontario in Canada). And since this is a Rock Band tour there has to be some stuff for all the fans and players right? Well, as part of the tour there will be Rock Band competitions on the main stage in between the acts- giving you a real test to see if your skills can match up to being a “real rocker” for a night and playing in front of thousands of people

Anyways, all the info- cities, buying tickets (starting next Friday- August 8), etc. is over here at the Rock Band Live site.

Info from Gamedaily.com

This is great news for anyone out there looking for a car with some really good satellite radio to listen to, or are one of the 18.5 million people who have either Sirius or XM. Today, after months of legal talking, Sirius and XM completed their planned merger and formed Sirius XM Radio (great name huh- wonder who thought of that). For more details including what some of the new radio packages will look like, hit the More link.

In order to fully benefit from this “new” radio company- and not just XM or Sirius respectively, you’ll need to go for one of the new packages that are coming out this fall. Those packages are: the “Best of Both” package which gives subscribers access to programming from the other network (now you get the “Best of Both” Sirius and XM), the cheaper Family Friendly packages- probably things that younger kids would be interested in, and special packages such as “Mostly Music” and “News, Talk and Sports” (I personally love this because now you get all the sports- MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, College Sports on one service).

There are also some benefits to for those of you who have XM or Sirius and what to get in on this new service. Current subscribers can  either upgrade to the new plans, or even leave their existing XM or Sirius plans alone and not make the new jump (which will also probably be a little more expensive). Those who do decide to upgrade can also do so without having to go out and buy all new radios- which can cost a lot of $$$. Pricing by the way for both the new plans and for those who are upgrading from existing subscriptions have not yet been announced, but we can expect it to come out soon.

What you think- you gonna now go and get yourself some new satllite radio if you don’t have it already, and if you do have Sirius or XM- are you gonna upgrade to these new plans in the fall? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.