Zune HD

[Dinner]

Alright. I just saw Imran's photo on his personal page. The man isn't just gay. He's a raging homo.

[Imran Siddiqui]

the "smart DJ mix" feature rocks, so I am happy.

That's true

[Dinner]

It's true that you have a loose buttocks? I'd expect that from one as gay as you.

[Nostromo]

That degrades the quality of the file. Unfortunately, Apple wants a fee per track to un-DRM them . Thankfully I decided I wasn't going to buy any files from an online store (I like physical media).

Link? First time I hear about that.

Even though I don't listen to CD's anymore, I also prefer physical media, since I can rip my CD's in FLAC. But since Apple removed the DRM and improved sound quality, I've been buying more and more music on iTunes and other online music stores. Some CD's are very hard to find or are too expensive for my taste.

[Nostromo]

There's also software that'll remove the DRM for you.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Link? First time I hear about that.

http://mashable.com/2009/01/07/apple-charging-drm-removal/

not many reporters pointed out (there are exceptions, of course) that Apple is actually charging 30 cents for DRM removal from old songs.

[Nostromo]

Any idea how much that degrades the file?

Try it out. If you can't hear the difference, it doesn't matter.

[Dinner]

Imran enjoys sticking waffles up his ass. The man farts blueberry syrup.

[Nostromo]

http://mashable.com/2009/01/07/apple...g-drm-removal/

not many reporters pointed out (there are exceptions, of course) that Apple is actually charging 30 cents for DRM removal from old songs.

That's a bit misleading. When you upgrade a track to its iTunes plus version, the new track is not only DRM-less, but it has improved sound quality (you go from 128 Kbps to 256 Kbps).

[Imran Siddiqui]

That's a bit misleading. When you upgrade a track to its iTunes plus version, the new track is not only DRM-less, but it has improved sound quality (you go from 128 Kbps to 256 Kbps).

But there was NO option to go from DRM 128 to DRM-less 128. That's kinda what Apple does. Charges a premium, but then says well you are getting something better so you have to pay more... instead of just getting what you want for less.

[Asher]

Ars reviews it: http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/news/...-hd-review.ars

[Lorizael]

I decided last year that there's no longer any reason to own both a phone and a music player. Others seem to be making this decision as well. What's going to keep these non-phone smartphones around longer?

[Imran Siddiqui]

The fact that I don't want to drain my phone battery on music?

[Lorizael]

That's why the Instinct comes with two batteries. I charge one while using the other. It's great.

[Q Classic]

I'm considering getting one, actually. Yes, the Zune pass is locked music, but y'know? If I don't have to use iTunes, it's a win.

Then again, I don't use iTunes, since I buy things from Amazon MP3 and use WinAmp.