May 09 - 06:10pm EDT   TapeDeck is an new audio recording application written exclusively for Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard that is designed with a quick-capture workflow. New recordings called "tapes" can be started with a single mouse click (or keystroke); the software records directly to compressed MP4-AAC audio, making it useful for a variety of applications including simple high-fidelity recordings of a band, practicing speeches, and capturing hours of lecture. The application was designed to emulate a real cassette tape recorder with a few key differences, the company explained. [full story]

May 08 - 07:50pm EDT   Resellers in the US today began stocking the PSP Headset Kit for Skype, the earpiece and remote combo designed to take advantage of the VoIP service on the handheld console. Sony's American release follows just days after the Japanese launch and mirrors its functionality, with both street-style earphones, an adjustable boom mic, and a remote control for managing volume without reaching for the PSP itself. [full story]

May 08 - 02:50pm EDT   British gear maker Gear4 today unveiled the DUO iPod speaker dock. Its design is built uniquely to double both as a portable system and as a higher-quality bookshelf stereo. While normally a full 2.1-channel system with a 20-watt subwoofer, the front satellite panel (18 watts) detaches completely from the bass unit to operate independently as a thinner, portable speaker unit with swivel-out stand. Gear4 also does away with the typical reliance on disposable batteries in favor of a lithium-ion pack that recharges whenever the front is reattached. The iPod cradle itself also folds into the center for carrying in a bag. [full story]

May 08 - 02:45pm EDT   Panasonic on Thursday unveiled its latest home-theatre-in-a-box, which features a built-in Blu-ray player. Gearlog writes that the SC-BT100 also features an iPod dock that allows users to play both video and audio content through to the system, while displaying menus on the TV screen, and the included remote can be used to control the iPod. Panasonic will ship the SC-BT100 in the spring for $1000. [full story]

May 07 - 05:35pm EDT   Tivoli on Wednesday announced that the NetWorks – the company's mono digital music player – will ship within a few weeks. The unit is capable of streaming internet radio over WiFi or Ethernet, and also includes a USB port and audio input port for connecting to a number of different portable music devices. The player is expandable, with options for stereo output, CDs, a subwoofer, or surround sound setup. The Tivoli NetWorks starts at $600 for the monaural unit. [full story]

May 07 - 02:05pm EDT   Native Instruments on Wednesday introduced Guitar Rig Session, a new recording solution for guitarists, bass players and songwriters that provides studio-quality results at an entry-level price as well as announced Guitar Rig 3 XE, a new version of its entry-level software for computer-based guitar recording. Equipped with a specially designed audio interface and additional recording software, Guitar Rig Session is a versatile toolkit that can be used to create guitar-driven music of any style. The solution features the new Guitar Rig 3 XE software -- also available as a standalone solution -- which delivers a selection of five true-to-life tube amplifier models and ... [full story]

May 07 - 12:10pm EDT   As part of its home theater product launch on Wednesday, Pioneer USA introduced four new A/V receivers to its Elite line. The SC-07, SC-05, VSX-03TXH and VSX-01TXH feature 7.1-channel surround sound connections and support DTS HD Master Audio, DTS-HD High Resolution, Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Digital Plus lossless audio formats. The SC-07 and SC-05 benefit from the same Direct Energy HD amplifier with ICEpower analog class D technology Pioneer uses in its flagship SC-09TX receiver. [full story]

May 06 - 04:45pm EDT   Musician Neil Young today said he would take the unusual step of releasing his entire music catalog on Blu-ray discs, making him one of the few artists to make the jump to the standard so far. The extra space on each disc will let the rock musician both boost the sound quality above CDs and downloads but will also give room for extra material such as videos and previously unpublished material. The discs will also be some of the first music-focused Blu-ray titles to use BD-Live and will let users download extra tracks and photos to PlayStation 3s and other players that support Internet access and storage for Blu-ray titles. [full story]

May 06 - 12:00pm EDT   Microsoft this morning at last confirmed the launch information for the Zune in Canada, the first launch of its music players outside of the US. The devices will be available as of June 13th and will include a slightly different lineup than in the Zune's home country: while keeping the new red Zune 80, the Canadian catalog will drop the less popular green Zune 4 and 8 models. Microsoft also has no immediate plans to launch the Zune Marketplace in the region but has not provided an explanation. [full story]

May 06 - 09:45am EDT   Microsoft Auto software will find its way into Hyundai and Kia vehicles in North America, the South Korea-based automaker announced on Tuesday. The news came during Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates' trip to meet South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and will involve the two companies develop and integrate infotainment systems for the vehicles. The deal was two years in the making, and would result in a system similar to the one Microsoft developed for Ford, where it is dubbed Sync. [full story]