Roxio Labs

Roxio Labs http://blog.roxio.com/labs/ Roxio Labs Blog en-us Copyright 2008 Tue, 06 May 2008 18:27:11 +0000 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://docs.sonic.com/labs/lab_icon.gif Roxio Labs http://blog.roxio.com/labs/ Roxio Buzz graduates

You can continue to buy the full version of Roxio Buzz 2.0 on the Roxio eStore here: http://www.roxio.com/enu/products/buzz/standard/overview.html

Again, thanks for your support! ]]> http://blog.roxio.com/labs/2008/05/roxio_buzz_graduates.html http://blog.roxio.com/labs/2008/05/roxio_buzz_graduates.html buzz Tue, 06 May 2008 18:27:11 +0000 Roxio Buzz 2 released
http://www.roxio.com/enu/solutions/roxiolabs/products/buzz/default.html

The full version now also adds video capture from DV Camera and Webcam!

http://www.roxio.com/enu/products/buzz/standard/overview.html

Other new features include:

Upload to Roxio eWire – the digital media delivery service for sending large files to friends and family.
Improved interface for options and sign-up wizards, better handling of file size estimation and multiple target selection.
New home screen with recent videos and photos for easy access.

Unfortunately we had to remove support for the GoFish video service as they are no longer accepting video uploads of user-generated content.]]> http://blog.roxio.com/labs/2008/04/buzz_2_released_1.html http://blog.roxio.com/labs/2008/04/buzz_2_released_1.html buzz Tue, 29 Apr 2008 23:05:58 +0000 MediaTicker 3 released! MediaTicker 3 is available. Some of the new features...

Video file support! Now all your videos show up in the ticker, too.
Expanded RSS support. RSS (0.91, 0.92, 1.0, 1,1), Atom (0.3, 1.0), and iTunes extensions.
Windows Vista Aero support. Get the Vista look and feel.
RSS feeds images are now indicated with the RSS badge.
Save your feed list online with your free Roxio MyAccount.
New search options for Flickr tags, RSS feeds, and Google.
Share RSS items via email.
Only show the most recent feeds or photos automatically.

The benefits of storing your feeds on your Roxio MyAccount are pretty cool. You can use the same feed list to power MediaTicker running on several machines, and still use the options page to select which ones you want to see. Plus, you never have to worry about losing the feed list that took you months to build if you switch to a new computer or lose your hard drive. Just log-on with a fresh copy of MediaTicker and all your feeds will show up!

Check out the "10 Awesome things you can do with MediaTicker" list (on the MediaTicker download page) for more ideas on how to get the most out of MediaTicker.

]]> http://blog.roxio.com/labs/2008/02/mediaticker_3_released_1.html http://blog.roxio.com/labs/2008/02/mediaticker_3_released_1.html mediaticker Mon, 04 Feb 2008 18:46:54 +0000 MacWorld commentary
First, the iPhone update. Well, I'm a little disappointed that they didn't announce Flash support and Exchange support for Calendar & Contacts, but the features they did put in are pretty cool. Customizable home screen, locate current position in Maps, create Home icons for web pages, and send SMS to multiple people.

Amazingly, two new pieces of hardware - an ultrathin notebook called MacBook Air and a home backup server and wireless base station called Time Capsule. Time Capsule includes up to 1 terabyte of storage and uses the new, faster wireless standard 802.11n for typical speeds of 74 Mbps (about 3.5x faster than 802.11g). Combining the wireless with the hard drive is a bold move, but 802.11n will last for many years, so it's not as if you will be stuck with an outdated wireless device anytime soon. And guess what, AppleTV has 802.11n as well, and that's fast enough to comfortably stream really nice HD video around the house (802.11a/g can do it, but a low signal or other network activity can break performance), so Time Capsule + AppleTV = happiness for your HDTV screen.

For AppleTV, new features coming soon through a software update (you will be able to access all the store features without a computer!):

Movie rentals, both HD- and DVD-quality
TV show, music, and music video purchases
Photos from Flickr and .Mac web galleries
Direct access to over 125,000 podcasts

(BTW, if you are not already using Roxio Crunch (Mac or Windows) to prep your videos for AppleTV, you should get it - gives you a lot more to watch on AppleTV if you have a large collection.)

Apple finally got the message and is starting movie rentals on iTunes (I doubt any credit will go to Microsoft for offering this on XBox marketplace for the past 18 months). It's a mad dash for the OnDemand world as Comcast, AT&T, Apple, Microsoft and others fight for your "click to buy/rent" dollar.

Apple never ceases to impress, and even with all the noise from CES last week, they put on a good show. ]]> http://blog.roxio.com/labs/2008/01/much_to_write_about_today_1.html http://blog.roxio.com/labs/2008/01/much_to_write_about_today_1.html AppleTV flickr iPhone Tue, 15 Jan 2008 22:35:54 +0000 Virgin America's RED entertainment
But the real fun begins when you have to turn off your electronic equipment, because Virgin offers a complete interactive media experience right in front of you. "RED" is Virgin America's in-flight digital media experience, and wow, does it make those 6-hour flights pass quickly.

A touch-screen interface lets you play movies, TV, music videos, video games, and radio. You can order food and drinks anytime during the flight (even pay for meals by sliding your credit card through the device). A remote controller found in your seat-arm includes a full QWERTY keyboard and gaming controls. The email feature wasn't ready yet, but was supposedly rolling out shortly.

To top it off, you can text chat with other people on the flight simply by picking a seat number. You can even chat while watching TV, along with other people watching that channel. Leave it to Virgin to make flying a social opportunity.

So if you're lucky enough to have VA as a flying option, take it. It's just more fun.

]]> http://blog.roxio.com/labs/2007/12/virgin_americas_red_entertainm.html http://blog.roxio.com/labs/2007/12/virgin_americas_red_entertainm.html airline Thu, 20 Dec 2007 17:55:57 +0000 QuickReview: new Zune software
First of all, this is probably the most beautiful app Microsoft has ever released. It's simplicity belies its functionality. We all love Apple stuff, but IMHO it leap-frogs the iTunes design. It's clean, sexy, modern, and easy to use.

The integrated Zune Marketplace has tons of podcasts now, including video podcasts. Yes!

The marketplace also uses the points system employed by XBox 360. So you can spend your dough easily in Zune or XBox using the same .NET Passport account, credit card, and purchased points. Brilliant. Makes it very easy to empty my wallet and get my digital media fix with minimal hassle.

The Zune device software isn't much different, but it's got a nice modern interface update, better scrolling dynamics, and wireless sync to your Zune PC.

Now, as with any app, you really don't get to understand it's shortcomings until you've used it for at least a month, so we'll see if it holds up, but I am very encouraged by the direction.

One little nasty: Even though I have a subscription account for unlimited downloads to my Zune, they still make you pay for new releases. WTF? Well, at least they now offer DRM-free (not copy-protected) MP3s to make up for this travesty.

Microsoft is trying to develop more of the "social" promise by letting you publish your tunes list on the Zune network, so you can show everyone how cool (or geeky) your music collection is.

Overall: a significant upgrade with no discernible drawbacks.

]]> http://blog.roxio.com/labs/2007/12/quickreview_new_zune_software_1.html http://blog.roxio.com/labs/2007/12/quickreview_new_zune_software_1.html Zune Tue, 04 Dec 2007 11:42:39 +0000 DiscPainter spins & prints your discs
Anyhoo...

Just found this really cool looking product from Dymo called DiscPainter, for printing images onto your burned CDs and DVDs. I don't know if it's been tested with Creator yet, but we do support label making and this is essentially a printer driven interface, so it should work just fine. Let us know on the forums if you've tried it.

I just want to print so I can watch the pretty colors spin. Woooow, man.

]]> http://blog.roxio.com/labs/2007/11/discpainter_spins_prints_your_discs_.html http://blog.roxio.com/labs/2007/11/discpainter_spins_prints_your_discs_.html disc labels Fri, 30 Nov 2007 21:36:38 +0000 This month's Roxio newsletters
Mac: http://docs.sonic.com/labs/dwnld/mac_nl_oct.html

PC: http://docs.sonic.com/labs/dwnld/pc_nl_oct.html

]]> http://blog.roxio.com/labs/2007/10/this_months_roxio_newsletters_3.html http://blog.roxio.com/labs/2007/10/this_months_roxio_newsletters_3.html newsletters Thu, 25 Oct 2007 19:04:11 +0000 MediaTicker 3 beta available
Get MediaTicker 3 (Beta)

Video file support! Now all your videos show up in the ticker, too.
Expanded RSS support. RSS (0.91, 0.92, 1.0, 1,1), Atom (0.3, 1.0), and iTunes extensions.
Windows Vista Aero support. Get the Vista look and feel.
Faster startup performance. Images start showing up fast regardless of how many feeds you have.
RSS feeds images are now indicated with the RSS badge.
Save your feed list online with your free Roxio MyAccount.
New search options for Flickr tags, RSS feeds, and Google.
Share RSS items via email.

]]> http://blog.roxio.com/labs/2007/10/mediaticker_3_beta_available_1.html http://blog.roxio.com/labs/2007/10/mediaticker_3_beta_available_1.html mediaticker Wed, 24 Oct 2007 06:41:09 +0000 Roxio Easy Media Creator 10 Wins PC Magazine Editors’ Choice Award Complete press release here...

A cross section of reviews in U.S. trade, daily and online publications, including PC World, The Jersey Journal and TechNews World, echo PC Magazine's praise of Easy Media Creator's ease of use and comprehensive feature set. The headline of PC World’s recently published review states: “…when it comes to ease of use, Roxio is king,” while The Journal’s technology editor writes, “I have both on my Windows computer, but I find myself reaching for Easy Media Creator more often. I prefer that it’s simpler to get in and out of, so I can do my work quickly.” Those sentiments were also shared by TechNews World technology columnist who could not think of “a video – or image –related project this thing won’t handle”, and made a fair analogy that Roxio Easy Media Creator 10 is “like the Swiss army knife of audio, video, backup, copy and photo tools.”

]]> http://blog.roxio.com/labs/2007/10/roxio_easy_media_creator_10_wi.html http://blog.roxio.com/labs/2007/10/roxio_easy_media_creator_10_wi.html creator Mon, 22 Oct 2007 04:15:12 +0000 Roxio Launches Breakthrough Media Protection Suite Roxio®, a division of Sonic Solutions® (NASDAQ: SNIC), the leader in digital media software, today launched BackOnTrack™ 3, a comprehensive suite of applications that provide consumers a straightforward way to safeguard their irreplaceable personal media and critical documents. BackOnTrack uses a unique three-level protection strategy that includes instant system restoration in the event of a major system crash, disaster recovery in case of a lost or damaged hard drive, and automated data backup to secure important files such as treasured family photos, videos and financial records. BackOnTrack 3 Suite is available today directly from Roxio at www.roxio.com for $49.99. Complete press release here...

]]> http://blog.roxio.com/labs/2007/10/roxio_launches_breakthrough_me_1.html http://blog.roxio.com/labs/2007/10/roxio_launches_breakthrough_me_1.html BackOnTrack backup Mon, 22 Oct 2007 04:10:28 +0000 Buzz 2 alpha available
So now you can start from scratch and record a video right within Buzz, then send the full-size video directly to a list of email address using Roxio eWire. It's a great way to leave video-mail, or share a clip from your DV camera.

Get it free here.

]]> http://blog.roxio.com/labs/2007/10/buzz_2_alpha_available_1.html http://blog.roxio.com/labs/2007/10/buzz_2_alpha_available_1.html buzz Mon, 08 Oct 2007 22:43:49 +0000 New Zune models and software
http://www.zune.net/en-us/meetzune/holiday2007.htm

"The new Zune models will feature the new Zune Pad, an innovative touch-sensitive button for navigating on the device, and a wireless sync feature that allows Zune devices to automatically sync over the device owner’s home wireless network when connected to an AC adaptor, dock or speaker dock accessory. Existing Zune owners will automatically receive all new software features, the redesigned PC and device software and access to the new Zune Marketplace when everything is released to the public in mid-November."

"Launching first in beta, Zune Social, a beta online community Web site, gives people a place to share their music tastes, knowledge and experiences with others. Anyone can create a free, customizable Zune Card that automatically updates to reflect the music they are listening to on their Zune or with Zune software on their computer. Other members of Zune Social can play samples of the songs a user has been playing directly from a friend’s Zune Card or link to Zune Marketplace, where they can buy or download the music."

]]> http://blog.roxio.com/labs/2007/10/new_zune_models_and_software.html http://blog.roxio.com/labs/2007/10/new_zune_models_and_software.html Zune Wed, 03 Oct 2007 19:49:30 +0000 Pioneer and Sonic Initiate Joint Licensing Program for CSS Recording To respond to consumer and industry interest in “electronic sell-through” of video content and to facilitate the adoption of secure download and burn applications in accordance with the approved industry specifications for recording downloads set by the DVD Forum and the DVD Copy Control Association, Pioneer and Sonic have established a royalty-bearing licensing program that will be administered by Sonic under the Qflix™ name.
http://www.sonic.com/about/press/news/2007/10/pioneer.aspx]]> http://blog.roxio.com/labs/2007/10/pioneer_and_sonic_initiate_joi_1.html http://blog.roxio.com/labs/2007/10/pioneer_and_sonic_initiate_joi_1.html Qflix Tue, 02 Oct 2007 18:54:20 +0000 PR: Sonic Ignites DVD-On-Demand Industry Qflix-Ready Products Define New Entertainment Sell-through Businesses; Enable Companies to Apply Approved CSS-Recordable Format

Novato, CA (September 27, 2007) — Sonic Solutions® (NASDAQ: SNIC), announced today its technologies and intellectual property are behind a range of products being introduced to establish new businesses for the digital distribution of video entertainment that can be burned on demand to protected discs. Sonic’s DVD On Demand™ software platform and Qflix™ recordable CSS program - based on the recently approved industry specifications for recording electronic downloads set by the DVD Copy Control Association (DVD CCA) - are being used in new products from DVD media makers, optical drive manufacturers, retail kiosk vendors, and duplication system suppliers. These products, combined with services and solutions being delivered by additional Sonic partners in the consumer electronics, entertainment distribution, and PC industries provide content owners new, secure platforms to digitally distribute their broad entertainment catalogs.

Full Text http://www.sonic.com/about/press/news/2007/09/qflix.aspx?source=mtblog

Movie DVDs Sold At Kiosks Get a Boost
By SARAH MCBRIDE for the Wall Street Journal
September 27, 2007; Page B4

A change in copy-protection rules governing DVDs is likely to quickly unlock a new market for selling movie discs via kiosks, where digital copies can be burned onto blank DVDs on the spot. Retailers have been hoping to roll out such operations, giving instant access to thousands of movie titles that otherwise might be impractical to stock. But such plans have been tripped up by restrictive copy-protection guidelines. Some "on demand" burning is currently available, but it mostly involves independent titles.

Now, an organization called the DVD Copy Control Association -- a consortium including movie studios and hardware makers that oversees the copy protection system known as Content Scramble System, or CSS -- says it will allow its technology to be licensed more broadly. That opens the doors for DVD-burning kiosks.

One of the earliest licensing programs will come from Sonic Solutions Inc., of Novato, Calif., which is offering a copy-protection program called Qflix designed for burn-to-order DVDs. They are working to license it to DVD kiosk makers such as Polar Frog Digital LLC, which makes MediaIgloo kiosks. MediaIgloo in turn hopes to make deals with the major studios to acquire rights to their films. Retailers including Walgreens already have plans to install in-store movie kiosks.

Having the big-studio content should help drive traffic to the kiosks, says Jim Taylor, senior vice president and general manager of Sonic's advanced technology group. "You need more compelling, topical studio content to get eyeballs there in the first place," he says.

For studios, embracing the kiosks allows them to tap into their back catalog without having to produce and physically store DVDs.

"We've been pushing for years for people to be able to burn legitimate DVDs," says Michael Arrieta, executive vice president for digital distribution and mobile entertainment at Sony Corp.'s Sony Pictures. He adds that the company has about 500 movies already formatted for digital distribution, with new releases added as they come out on DVD and about 10 movies a month added from the catalog.

Similarly, at Time Warner Inc.'s Warner Bros., a spokesman says the company supports the instant-DVD technology.

Stores, meanwhile, are eager to considerably broaden the movie titles they offer without taking up valuable shelf space.

The copy-protection technology will also work with at-home downloads, albeit only on designated blank discs and disc drives. While some studios had been experimenting with allowing consumers to burn DVD copies of movies they bought online, most played only on the computer; they didn't work in most DVD players because the movies come with a different type of copyright protection.

The studios' insistence on CSS protections might seem fruitless since the software was cracked by hackers years ago; programs to circumvent it are widely available on the Internet. But Sonic says it's an important first line of defense "from casual disc copying."

]]> http://blog.roxio.com/labs/2007/09/pr_sonic_ignites_dvdondemand_i_1.html http://blog.roxio.com/labs/2007/09/pr_sonic_ignites_dvdondemand_i_1.html DVD-on-demand Qflix Thu, 27 Sep 2007 18:15:37 +0000