MP3 Insider

Click for a slide show of the Apple In-Ear headphones w/ microphone.

(Credit: Donald Bell/CNET Networks)

I've only been listening for a few minutes, but so far, it looks like Apple has delivered a worthwhile pair of headphones. They don't quite have the crisp, high frequency detail of the Etymotic HF2 headphones I had at my desk, but they blow away Apple's stock earbuds (not too difficult a feat) with a buttery low end and pleasant mids and highs.

We're happy to see that the headphones work just fine with the iPhone, despite the fact that Apple's online store doesn't advertise the product as iPhone-compatible. More specifically, we found that the headphones and microphone are compatible with the iPhone 3G (we'll have to dig up a first-gen model), but the clicker and volume controls don't seem to cooperate.

(Update: On the iPhone 3G and first-generation iPhone, the headphone clicker seems to work fine for playing, pausing, and skipping tracks, as well as answering/ending calls, however, the headphone volume control clicker is unresponsive.)

We'll update this post after more testing and have our full review up by the end of the day. In the meantime, check out our Apple In-Ear Headphone photo gallery.

When two MP3 titans go head-to-head, only artsy black and white photos can do the moment justice.

(Credit: Donald Bell/CNET Networks)

This year, as we pit the second-generation iPod Classic against the Zune 120, I can assure you of another thing...in this prizefight, only one MP3 player comes out alive.

Will the iPod repeat the domination we witnessed in Nano vs. Zune 16, or will the Zune catch a break?

To find out, read CNET's five-round, no-holds, no-mercy, iPod Classic vs. Zune 120 Prizefight.

Lisa scores a MyPod--wackiness ensues.

(Credit: Fox Television)

Apple's new in-ear headphones are out, and Donald and Jasmine can't help but poke a little fun with the help of a recent Simpsons episode.

Also this week, the MP3 Insiders discuss Donald's favorite gadgets from 2008, as well as which portable audio gadgets make good gifts (and which don't).

Plus, things get a little heated when copyrights and the RIAA enter a conversation on digitizing audio.

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If there's a lesson to be learned from this week's MP3 Mailbox Monday, it's that flattery will get you everywhere. And that it's hip to be square. Oh, also, there's something about digitizing music and recycling CDs in here, too, though I like to delude myself into thinking you stop by for my self-indulgent-yet-somehow-still-witty intro chatter. What do you mean witty, you say? Ha! Good one. Read on for the skinny.

Q: I just joined CNET--great site, just love it! Here's the thing: I'm old, I'm out of it, and I need help. I only started downloading music a year ago, and now I'm hooked. Love having digital music and want to get rid of my physical CDs. I work non-stop and don't have time to do this myself. I've looked into ripping services and wonder if anyone can recommend one service over another? They all seem pretty much the same as far as cost so I'm looking for actual positive experience with a specific service. I'm in the New York City area but it's fine to ship to a distant location if it's a good service.

Also, what format should I convert to--MP3 or AAC? I have an iPhone, a Mac laptop, and external back up (a time machine). And what do people do with their old CDs? Are there places to donate, recycle, etc.? Thanks a ton!--Clare, via e-mail

One of many services that takes the work out of CD ripping.

A: We haven't done a comparison of CD-ripping services at CNET, but I found one over at Digital Trends that is nicely laid out and includes a wide variety of options. (As usual, I also invite other CNET users to leave feedback below.)

Now, the question of format is a good one, and I'm afraid the answer isn't entirely straightforward. What format to use depends on your purposes. If you're looking for archive-quality audio, lossless is the way to go. The most common lossless format is WAV, but in your case, I'd recommend Apple Lossless, which offers some compression while still preserving the data of the file. (This means the Apple Lossless file will be smaller than the WAV, but will arguably sound just as good.) Apple Lossless is supported by iTunes and most iPods, including the iPhone.

Click to see a slide show of my favorite portable audio gadgets of 2008.

(Credit: Donald Bell/CNET Networks)

As a music technology nerd who makes a living criticizing gadgets, I'm not an easy guy to shop for. You do this work long enough and you get pretty jaded about the tech in your personal life. Still, there's always a handful of gadgets each year that pierce the armor and nuzzle their way into my audio geek heart.

Most headphones are a dime a dozen. Some headphones, however, make your ears feel like they're being hugged by a sonic teddybear.

(Credit: Donald Bell/CNET Networks)

A lot of mediocre products spent some time on my desk this year, but some of the gizmos I got to play with really raised the bar on my expectations. In fact, some products (like the Yamaha Tenori-On pictured above) downright blew my mind.

If you're shopping for an audio geek for the holidays, or if you're an equally tech-obsessed audioholic compiling your wish list, here's the portable audio tech that put a smile on my face for 2008. For another take on the year's top portable music gadgets, read Senior Associate Editor Jasmine France's top picks.

Check out Donald's favorite tech of 2008.

The ultimate ultracompact MP3 player.

(Credit: SanDisk)

Awhile back, SanDisk released some fairly major firmware for both the Sansa Clip and the Sansa Fuze. Well, technically, the update for each is a different piece of software, but most of the fixes and enhancements are similar, so I'm treating the two as one here.

I finally got around to installing the new firmware on the Clip and I have to say that it's definitely a worthwhile install (most firmware is). If you haven't done it already, make sure you do--I've included some basic steps for updating Sansa players below.

Perhaps the most exciting thing for audio format nerds is the addition of support for both Ogg Vorbis and FLAC file types. This added feature certainly gives the Sansas a leg up on the competition, as only a handful of other MP3 players offer such playback. (Cowon is a notable example.) In addition, the players now support the most advanced Audible AAX format (type 4), and they include enhanced control over audiobooks and podcasts.

For more information on features and bug fixes offered by the firmware, head to SanDisk's Web site to read all about Sansa Fuze Version 1.01.15 and Sansa Clip Version 1.01.29.

Now with more features and a brighter screen.

(Credit: SanDisk)

Read the SanDisk Sansa Fuze review.

Read the SanDisk Sansa Clip review.

Updating the SanDisk Sansa player's firmware

• Download and install the Sansa Firmware Updater.
• Attach your player to the computer and open the app.
• Check the Firmware box and click Download Now.
• Unplug the player when prompted to finalize the upgrade.

The entire process should take under 10 minutes. Be aware that at least 6MB of free space is required for the Clip's firmware.

Enter our MP3 Insider contest to win a new 120GB Zune (Gears of War 2 Edition), courtesy of Microsoft.

(Credit: Donald Bell/CNET Networks)

Donald and Jasmine discuss Zune price drops and a Zune Pass deal that may put some pressure on other subscription services.

Also on the agenda is the latest iPod Touch firmware, some products that failed to impress, iTunes alternatives, and a reader question about stripping audio from DVDs.

Plus, we're giving away a 120GB Zune MP3 player from Microsoft (see contest details below). Not just any Zune, in fact, but the thoroughly badass Gears of War 2 Edition, which features an etched logo and comes loaded with Gears of War videos, photos and music.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

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So secretive, that Apple. In its typical fashion, the company coyly declined to answer our initial inquiries about the production force behind its branded In-Ear Headphones, and now the earbuds' product page seems to be indefinitely marked with "Coming Soon." What gives, oh purveyor of iPods? Also this week: MP3 players with customizable interfaces.

Donde esta el Apple In-Ear Headphone?

(Credit: Apple)

Q: I just bought a new iPod Touch, which is fantastic, but I have been waiting a while for Apple to release their new In-Ear Headphones, the ones announced in September for $79. The audio quality seems like it would be fine for me, and I would really like to have the microphone and playback controls on the wire. I had read that Apple would release them in October, but it is now November 6 and they are still listed on Apple's Web site as "coming soon." I have been completely unable to find any info on this mystery. Do you know when or if they will be released? Thanks very much for your help.--Aleck , via e-mail

A: Unfortunately, Apple is being rather tight-lipped about this product. The company's rep asserted that Apple will not be releasing review samples until the earphones actually hit shelves, and she was unable to provide an estimate as to when that might be--no doubt because the headphones are being manufactured by an unknown third party. The best thing I can say is just keep an eye out at the Apple Store, although the fact that the product is this late to market is rather uncharacteristic of Apple and raises some concern regarding the production of the line. If they're not available by Black Friday, I'd consider looking at alternatives. Radius has a $50 pair that I found to be suitable, the Atomic Bass for iPhone. There's no integrated controls in those, though.

For better or worse, buying an iPod also means committing to Apple's iTunes software. Apple's seamless combination of hardware, software, and online store has made it many fans, but for some folks, the iTunes way of doing things feels unbearably confining.

If you love your iPod, but can't stand being tied to iTunes, there are some compelling and capable Mac and PC iTunes alternatives that can sync with your iPod. Depending on your iPod model, you'll probably still need to keep iTunes around for firmware updates, video purchases, games, and some advanced features (calendar syncing, for instance), but there's no reason you can't sync your music and podcasts using a different program.

Each of the following media jukeboxes has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. This list isn't meant to be comprehensive (by all means, add your own suggestions in the comments section), I'm just taking an opportunity to highlight my personal favorites. Also, every application listed here is free, so there's no reason not to try them all and see what sticks.

Media Monkey is a control freak's dream come true.

Media Monkey
http://www.mediamonkey.com/
(Download Media Monkey from Download.com)

Ideal user: File hoarders, control freaks, meticulous taggers, boutique format users (FLAC, Ogg), people with messy collections.

Pros
• Ideal for large, scattered collections
• Advanced tagging features and auto tagging
• Supports iPhone 3G and iPod Touch 2G
• Copy songs from iPod to computer
• Album art lookup
• Skinnable
• Podcast catcher... Read more

Last night, Microsoft upgraded its Zune Pass music subscription service, allowing users to pick 10 songs each month that get permanently added to their music collection. Along with significant price drops across its Flash-capacity line of Zune MP3 players, it looks as if Microsoft is making a serious push to compete with the iPod this holiday season.

Will Zune's 'Keep 10' program force the hand of Napster and Rhapsody?

Apple isn't the only one who should be looking at Zune with some trepidation. Subscription music providers such as Rhapsody and Napster will now be expected to match Microsoft's value proposition by giving their users a mixture of purchased and subscription tracks for a comparable monthly fee. The move toward an allotment of monthly DRM-free music downloads (Zune's download catalog is about 90 percent MP3) shouldn't come as a surprise to the subscription music industry, who've tossed the idea around before. While Napster and Rhapsody needn't worry too much about losing customers to Microsoft's Zune-only music subscription service, I wouldn't be surprised to see a similar program rolled out from them before the year is out, if for no other reason than to curb the wave of criticism they are likely to hear from their user base.

The larger question collectively faced by Microsoft, Rhapsody, and Napster, is whether or not the increased value of hybrid subscription services will finally pave the way to widespread adoption of the subscription music model. The math seems to check out from the consumer perspective, considering that when you subtract $10 worth of DRM-free music downloads from the Zune's $15 monthly subscription, you end up paying just $5 a month for unlimited downloads of DRM content and on-demand streaming of full songs.

Folding "permanent" music downloads into a subscription music service also helps chip away at consumer fears of watching their music collections brick upon missing a monthly payment. If subscription providers can successfully convince people they're paying $5 each month for their subscription and $10 for 10 permanent song downloads, the proposition sounds less risky. If users ever decide to opt-out of their subscription, at least they get to walk away with some of their favorite songs.

Online music retailer eMusic may also be feeling some pressure from Microsoft's infringement on its monthly MP3 download subscription model. eMusic's indie-heavy catalog offers substantially better prices (as low as $0.33 per track) for its monthly download allotments; however, it still doesn't have the major label content and full song streams of Napster, Rhapsody, and Zune. If the hybrid model offered by the Zune Pass finds traction, it may force MP3 retailers such as eMusic to retool their plans, as well.

What do you think? Does an unlimited subscription music plan with 10 DRM-free monthly downloads hit the sweet spot? Will this finally give Zune the advantage it has been looking for?