Slim Devices Inc. on Tuesday introduced Squeezebox, a new wireless networked MP3 player with a built-in display. The company also introduced SlimServer 5.0, new open source software designed to work with Squeezebox and Slim Devices’ SLIMP3 player.
Squeezebox — wireless MP3/stereo connectivity
SLIMP3 was Slim Devices’ original MP3 interface. The device attaches to a home stereo using RCA plugs and connected to your computer through an Ethernet network. Sporting an illuminated LED display, SLIMP3 shows information about the track being played while your own stereo pumps out the music.
Squeezebox takes the SLIMP3 concept to a new level: It offers wireless networking capability (though Ethernet is still included), and also features digital audio output in addition to the standard RCA connector. The system also adds a 1/8-inch stereo mini-jack, so it can be connected to headphones or powered speaker systems, and supports not only MP3 but also WAV and AIFF-format audio.
Squeezebox is available from the Web site and from resellers for a suggested retail price of US$299.
SlimServer 5.0 extends iTunes support
SlimServer 5.0 is Slim Devices’ own open source software that powers both Squeezebox and SLIMP3. (Existing SLIMP3 customers can download the new version from the Slim Devices Web site.) SlimServer runs on Mac OS X, Windows, Linux and various flavors of Unix.
With SlimServer installed, music is streamed from your music library to Squeezebox or SLIMP3. The software supports Mac and Windows versions of iTunes. SlimServer supports iTunes’ Smart Playlists and automatically updated whenever you add new tunes to your music library.
SlimServer also provides a Web-based interface that lets you control the player and manage playlists; it automatically imports ID3 tags and supports browse and search capabilities. It’s been released as open source under the Open Source GPL license.
Some profits go to EFF
In related news, Slim Devices Inc. on Tuesday also announced that it will donate some of its net profits to the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a non-profit civil liberties organization that has taken an activist stance against the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), the music recording industry group.
Slim Devices Inc. plans to donate 10 percent of net profits generated from sales of Squeezebox made from its Web site. It also will insert information about the EFF in its product packaging and will promote the organization through its Web site.
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