You’ve probably noticed it in the navigation bar at the top of the iTunes Store—sandwiched between Podcasts and the much-maligned Ping—but have you ever clicked on the iTunes U link? Millions of people have, and iTunes U has seen more than 600 million downloads since its inception in 2006.
An integral part of the iTunes Store since May 2007, iTunes U is an extraordinary repository of educational content from more than 1000 universities around the world. Here’s how it works.
On Tuesday, Roku introduced a new entry-level model to its streaming video player lineup, and announced the imminent addition of an HBO Go channel for all Roku devices.
The $50 Roku LT is the least expensive Roku model, and comes in a special edition purple color. Like the $60 Roku 2 HD, the LT supports 720p video and has built-in wireless networking. But unlike the members of the Roku 2 family (), the LT forgos Bluetooth and a microSD card slot (which also means it can't enjoy the Roku 2's new gaming options). The Roku LT should be available in early November.
Kindle buyers no longer have to decide right away whether they want the ad-free or ad-subsidized version of the e-reader, because Amazon is including an option to remove Kindle ads later.
Removing ads from the fourth-generation Kindle with Special Offers costs $30—the same premium that users would pay up-front for an ad-free model. The latest Kindle, which removes the keyboard of previous generations in favor of a directional pad, launched last week for $79 with ads, or $109 without them.
When last we met to discuss the fate of the iPod I suggested that the majority of the iPod line would live on and, in describing the shuffle, summed it up with “There just isn’t a good reason to not sell the shuffle.” If only I’d written “not sell the current iPods just as they are” and stopped, I would have been hailed as The Great Prognosticator.
But no. I had to keep my big yap flapping and imply that the 2010 nano was no great shakes and needed some kind of design change, that the iPod classic was finally going to meet its maker, and that the next iPod touch would be best served with 3G circuitry and a pay-as-you-go plan. Because that’s the way it always goes, right? New year, new iPod line.
