Casio sets DJs free

Casio Sets the Stage for High-Mobility DJ Equipment

New All-in-One VJ/DJ Controller and Tough Performance Headphones Kick Off Winter NAMM 2014

Casio America announced the launch of two new products in its XW series that were developed with the on-the-go professional DJ in mind. The XW-J1 is an all-in-one controller for iOS devices and PCs, while the XW-H1 are tough performance headphones. Both the XW-J1 and XW-H1 will be exhibited in Casio's booth (#5900) during Winter NAMM at the AnaheimConvention Center, January 23-26, 2014.

Check out the Apple app for controlling the devices HERE

"Casio is thrilled to offer innovative new products to support professional DJs and music enthusiasts with a mobile lifestyle," said Stephen Schmidt, vice president of Casio's Electronic Musical Instruments Division. "We are committed to providing advancements to the XW series, which is comprised of synthesizers, controllers and headphones that will enable DJs and musicians to create their own unique sound."
The XW-J1 is an all-in-one VJ/DJ controller for creating remixes of audio and video from music players, smartphones, and PCs that supports OS X, iOS, and Windows platforms. Musicians can mix music using the djay app, transforming their Mac, iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch into a full-fledged DJ application by using all the songs from their iTunes library to get ready to rock their next party with unprecedented ease.  In addition, musicians can mix videos using the vjay video mixing app from Algoriddim GmbH, transforming their iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch into a mashup application for their music and videos.

XW-G1 - Price $799.99

For on-the-go professional DJs, the XW-J1 allows for a cool club scene to be created in virtually any venue with minimal gear. The XW-J1 connects to a Mac with a USB cable or to an iPad, iPhone, or iPod device with a built-in 30-pin dock connector and features plug-and-play capability to instantly take control of the djay software or app. Musicians are ready to mix and scratch with no bothersome set-up procedure. The controller fully supports all djay platforms (Mac, iPod, iPad, iPhone) and seamlessly integrates with iTunes so musicians can mix music from their iTunes library. Along with instant access to their iTunes library, the integration also provides musicians with hands-on browsing, easy in-track searching and the ability to save unique mixes directly in their iTunes library.

Beats Music introduces app music service

For easy mixing, the XW-J1 delivers all the legendary quality of Vestax professional hardware. The mixer controls are built using high quality faders and rotary knobs. Additionally, the controller features sound blending with EQ and filters, Harmonic Match™ for in-key mixes and tempo detection. For easy remixing, the XW-J1 features advanced audio FX, auto-loop, a live sampler and scratch jogwheels.

XW-P1 - Price $699.99

Along with the XW-J1 controller, the XW-H1 tough performance headphones were also designed for theon-the-go professional DJs and music enthusiasts as they are tough, lightweight, and combine high audio fidelity with superb usability. The headphones provide balanced, clear sound and were designed by audiophiles to reproduce accurate, natural sound across the entire audio spectrum. From crisp, clear trebles to rich, deep bass notes, the headphones meet the most exacting standards of audio quality so musicians hear music exactly the way they intended. For encapsulated comfort and focused listening, the headphones feature comfort-fit ear pads that were selected through extensive testing to be comfortable to wear even during long mixing sessions. They also feature a detachable, tangle-free cable that makes it easy to store while on the move and a folding headband for easy portability and protection.

The XW-J1 retails for an MSRP of $399.99, while the XW-H1 retails for an MSRP of $159.99. Both products will be available in March online and through specialty music dealers. For additional information regarding Casio's portfolio of electronic musical instruments, please visit www.casiomusicgear.com .

About Casio America, Inc. 
Casio America, Inc., Dover, N.J., is the U.S. subsidiary of Casio Computer Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, one of the world's leading manufacturers of consumer electronics and business equipment solutions. Established in 1957, Casio America, Inc. markets calculators, keyboards, mobile presentation devices, disc title and label printers, watches, cash registers and other consumer electronic products. Casio has strived to fulfill its corporate creed of "creativity and contribution" through the introduction of innovative and imaginative products. For more information, visit www.casio.com.

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Apple American Made

from Greg

Apple has begun the process of hiring works for its' Mesa, Arizona plant where it will make parts for some Apple products. This is a big step forward for the company since sharp criticism of Apple for failure to produce goods in the USA.

Why did they locate the plant in Arizona and not California? Taxes, Taxes, taxes.

from 9to5

Read the full story HERE

Back in November, the State of Arizona announced that Apple had chosen the city of Mesa to create a new manufacturing facility and in the process 700 new permanent manufacturing jobs. Some had speculated it could be part of CEO Tim Cook’s plan to bring manufacturing of Macs back to the US (Cook previously stated some parts will come from Arizona), but a supplier later revealed it would be providing equipment for the production of sapphire material at Apple’s new plant. Apple never confirmed what the plant would actually be used for, but we’ve discovered through a new job listing that Apple will indeed use the facility for manufacturing iPhone and iPod components.

Apple is looking for iPod/iPhone Manufacturing Design Engineers for a position based in Mesa, Arizona that will “provide end to end manufacturing and process solutions for key design features” for iPhone and iPod. Specifically, Apple is looking for someone to focus on development of equipment and process setup for surface finishing, glass processing, automation of iPhone/iPod manufacturing, CNC machining, and more.

Apple adds that the iPod/iPhone Manufacturing Design Engineer would have “direct frequent communication and collaboration with Apple Industrial Design, Product Design, Manufacturing Design partners and worldwide suppliers.”

The company has been hiring for an increasing number of positions at its new Mesa, Arizona facility in recent weeks, including several positions for mechanical supplier quality engineers that also mention iPod and iPhone manufacturing. Apple currently uses the sapphire crystal material in its Touch ID buttons on iPhone and lens covers, but the job listing above seems to indicate there will be more than just sapphire manufactured at the plant.

Example job description:

from Mac Rumors
Read the full story HERE

Apple yesterday posted a trio of job listings (via 9to5Mac) for positions located in Mesa, Arizona where the company is building a sapphire manufacturing plant. The facility is to be owned by Apple and run by sapphire producer GT Advanced Technologies, although the new job listings confirm that Apple will have some of its own staff on hand as well. 

Sapphire is currently used to protect the cameras on several recent iPhone models, as well as the Touch ID fingerprint sensor on the iPhone 5s, with the material's high durability and resistance to scratching making it a key component for those applications. Apple's commitment to the new sapphire production facility has led to speculation that Apple is preparing to significantly expand its use of sapphire glass, perhaps for the company's rumored iWatch or to protect iOS device displays. 

Among the three Apple job listings for Mesa, one is for a facilities manager to oversee operation of the facility, while the other two positions relate to design and quality engineering with iPhone and iPod products specifically mentioned in the listings.
The iPod/iPhone Manufacturing Design Engineer is accountable for driving the development of key mechanical manufacturing processes across Apple’s worldwide supply base. In this highly visible hands-on role as the expert technical member of the Manufacturing Design Team you will have direct frequent communication and collaboration with Apple Industrial Design, Product Design, Manufacturing Design partners and worldwide suppliers.

Apple's mention of the positions relating to iPhone and iPod manufacturing of course does not indicate whether or not the company may have broader plans for sapphire such as an in iWatch.

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Google to acquire Nest

from Greg
Google to acquire Nest for $3.2 billion in cash. This is a great buy for the tech giant. Nest makes the best thermostat control you have ever seen. They allow you to adjust the temp with a smart phone.

Nest Labs is a home automation company that designs and manufactures sensor-driven, Wi-Fi-enabled, self-learning, programmable thermostats and smoke detectors. Co-founded by former Apple engineers Tony Fadell and Matt Rogers in 2010, the start-up company quickly grew to more than 130 employees by the end of 2012.


The company introduced their first product, the Nest Learning Thermostat, in 2011. In October 2013, Nest Labs announced the Nest Protect smoke and carbon monoxide detector.

from Reuters
Read the full story HERE
Google Inc on Monday announced plans to acquire Nest Labs Inc, a maker of smart thermostats and smoke alarms, for $3.2 billion, signaling the Internet company's intention to expand into a broader array of devices and bringing valuable hardware design expertise in-house.

Nest, which was co-founded by one of the creators of Apple Inc's iconic iPod music player, will continue to operate as its own distinct brand after the all-cash deal closes, Google said.

The deal is the second-largest in Google's history, after the $12.5 billion acquisition of mobile phone maker Motorola.

"Nest Labs appears to be focused on thermostats and smoke alarms, but it's not far-fetched to see Google expanding this technology into other devices over time," said Shyam Patil, an analyst at Wedbush.

(Reporting by Alexei Oreskovic with additional reporting by Noel Randewich and Poornima Gupta; Editing by Jonathan Oatis)

from The Verge
Read the full story HERE

Google has just purchased Nest Labs, the maker of the Nest Learning Thermostat and Protect smoke detector, for $3.2 billion in cash. According to a Google press release, Nest will continue to operate independently under the leadership of co-founder and CEO Tony Fadell; co-founder Matt Rogers will also make the move to Google. While the transaction is subject to the usual regulatory review, Google says it expects the sale to close within the next few months. Google Ventures had already invested over $100 million in Nest, so the company has been on Mountain View's radar for some time now.

It's not yet clear exactly how Google plans to use Nest, but the company obviously sees it as an important part of its future. A combination of Nest's home solutions coupled with Google's language recognition could give Google its strongest path yet into your home. "Google will help us fully realize our vision of the conscious home and allow us to change the world faster than we ever could if we continued to go it alone," writes Fadell on the Nest blog. "We've had great momentum, but this is a rocket ship."

from Tech Crunch
Read the full story HERE

Google is acquiring connected device company Nest for $3.2B. Google sent out an email to employees noting the acquisition today and later issued a press release.

In the release, Google noted that Nest has been offering its best-selling thermostat since 2011 and recently began offering the Protect smoke alarm, which networks with its other devices.

Nest Founders Tony Fadell and Matt Rogers will both join Google. Rogers, pictured above, was one of the first engineers on the iPhone team at Apple.

“They’re already delivering amazing products you can buy right now–thermostats that save energy and smoke/CO alarms that can help keep your family safe,” said Google CEO Larry Page in a statement. “We are excited to bring great experiences to more homes in more countries and fulfill their dreams!”

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App Store Sales Top $10 Billion in 2013

Apple announced today -

Record-Breaking December with Over $1 Billion in Sales

CUPERTINO, California―January 7, 2014―Apple® today announced that customers spent over $10 billion on the App Store℠ in 2013, including over $1 billion in December alone. App Store customers downloaded almost three billion apps in December making it the most successful month in App Store history. Apple’s incredible developers have now earned $15 billion on the App Store.

“We’d like to thank our customers for making 2013 the best year ever for the App Store,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services. “The lineup of apps for the holiday season was astonishing and we look forward to seeing what developers create in 2014.”

With the introduction of iOS 7, developers were able to create stunning apps that took advantage of the redesigned user interface and the more than 200 new features and APIs. Developers such as Evernote, Yahoo!, AirBnB, OpenTable, Tumblr, Pinterest and American Airlines re-imagined the user experience, bringing content to the forefront while increasing the overall efficiency and performance of their apps.

2013 saw surprise hits like Ellen DeGeneres’ Heads Up, ProtoGeo’s Moves, Simon Filip’s Afterlight and Kevin Ng’s Impossible Road. Many of the year’s biggest successes like Candy Crush Saga, Puzzles & Dragons, Minecraft, QuizUp and Clumsy Ninja were created by international developers, while Duolingo (United States), Simogo (Sweden), Frogmind (UK), Plain Vanilla Corp (Iceland), Atypical Games (Romania), Lemonista (China), BASE (Japan) and Savage Interactive (Australia) emerged as developers to watch in 2014.

The revolutionary App Store offers more than one million apps to iPhone®, iPad® and iPod touch® users in 155 countries around the world, with more than 500,000 native iPad apps available. App Store customers can choose from an incredible range of apps in 24 categories, including newspapers and magazines offered in Newsstand, games, business, news, sports, health & fitness, travel and kids.

Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices with iPad.

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Audible

By Amazon

Price - Free - Must buy books individually or subscribe to service.
Buy it from Apple!

Category - Entertainment

Greg's Review
When I was in the corporate life working for THE MAN I drove a bunch. Some times it felt like I was in the car more than I was at my desk. An insane amount of my time was behind the wheel of a car. In order to keep sane I started listening to audio books. I would stop by a local Cracker Barrel and get a couple of books on tape or CD. It really helped with the monotony. 

I listened to hundreds of books on tape over the years. The biggest problem was hauling around all the tapes and CDs as well as returning them to Cracker Barrel. As a tech junkie I was always searching for a way to reduce the cost, storage, and logistics of books on tape. My research took me to Audible.

Audible does for audio books what Kindle does for print. It is owned by Amazon. It lets you download audio books to your tablet or smartphone then play them via Bluetooth or aux cable. The selection of tittles is extensive. The audio quality is the best. Downloads are surprisingly fast.

If you love the Kindle I think you will love Audible.


From Developer
Not enough time for all the books you want to enjoy? Download the app by Audible, an Amazon company, to listen to books on the go.

Immerse yourself in a great story anytime, anywhere, by downloading from a breathtaking range of 150,000+ titles to your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad—from best sellers to classics, and everything in-between.

Now you can turn on a good book even when you can’t pick one up—on your way to work, at the gym, while folding laundry, or any other time your eyes and hands are busy.

Features:
• Transfer books to your device over wi-fi
• Chapter navigation, bookmarking, sleep mode, variable narration speed, button-free mode 
• Multitasking for background downloading and listening
• Earn badges and keep track of your listening habits 
• NEW! Switch between reading and listening with Whispersync for Voice (compatible Kindle app or device required) 
• Connect to Facebook and Twitter to let your friends know what you’re listening to
• Get insider information about author events and more with the Audible Newsfeed

Listening with Audible is always time well spent. Download the free app now and discover a smarter way to use your smartphone.

Let us help you at www.audible.com/help or get in touch on Twitter @audible_com

History of Audible

Audible was founded in 1995 by Donald Katz. The company invented and commercialized the first digital audio player in 1997, four years before the introduction of the iPod. One of the few startups to survive the dot-com bust, Audible was designed to be a destination and a daily literary service for serious readers who wish they could read more—and for the huge population of would-be serious readers who don’t have the time to read what they want or need to read.

Audible has been headquartered in Newark, New Jersey, since 2007, and social commitment to the city and participation in its renaissance has become a centerpiece of company culture.


Audible was publicly traded on Nasdaq until acquired by Amazon in 2008, and is now an Amazon.com subsidiary. Today, Audible is the world’s largest producer of audiobooks in the world; it has served millions of listeners and continues to move literate listening closer to the media and entertainment mainstream.

2012

• 9/6/2012 Audible introduces Immersion Reading and Whispersync for Voice, two momentous steps forward for reading.
• 4/15/2012 Audible announces Audible Author Services, a program to encourage authors to connect directly with the rapidly growing audience of audiobook listeners, and backed by a $20 million fund.
• 3/8/2012 Audible launches ‘The A-List Collection,’ an audiobook series showcasing tour-de-force performances by Hollywood’s biggest stars, including Anne Hathaway, Kate Winslet, Samuel L. Jackson and Susan Sarandon.
• 2/28/2012 Audible Studios, the production arm of Audible.com, secures a record 36 nominations for the 2012 Audie Awards, which honor outstanding audiobooks and other spoken-word performances.

2011

• 10/25/2011 Audible announces the launch of “Neil Gaiman Presents,” an exclusive line of audiobooks personally selected by Neil Gaiman and produced on the Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX).
• 5/12/2011 Audible launches the Audiobook Creation Exchange, the first online platform that connects rights holders with producers to enable any book to become an audiobook.

2010

• 9/22/2010 Audible.com launches new mobile store for iPhone and Android platforms.

2009

• 8/13/2009 Audible announces new Modern Vanguard line of audiobooks; launches with 34 acclaimed titles from literary masters.

2008

• 01/31/08 Amazon.com Acquires Audible.com

2007

• 09/25/07 Audible.com Launches The Chopin Manuscript: The First Audio-Only Original Fiction from the World’s Top Thriller Writers
• 09/05/07 Audible.com Partners With XM, Laura Bush and the National Endowment for the Arts for ”The Big Read On XM”

2006

• 10/11/06 Audible, Inc. to Relocate Headquarters to Newark, New Jersey
• 07/31/06 Audible Extends Availability of Exclusive Audio Content on iTunes Music Store
• 02/21/06 The Ricky Gervais Show Now Available exclusively Through Audible and ITunes

2005

• 12/06/05 Audible Unveils New Web Site and Membership Programs; New Roll Over Credits, Free Audio Subscriptions, Streamlined Check Out, and Improved Merchandising Promises to Make Shopping at Audible.com More Enjoyable Than Ever
• 09/27/05 Audible Announces the Launch Of AudibleAir(TM); Groundbreaking Technology Bypasses the Desktop and Allows for Automated Wireless Downloads of Digital Audio To Smartphones
• 06/28/05 Digital Audio Edition of The New Yorker Now Available from Audible; Audible Provides Exclusive Subscriptions to the Digital Audio Version of the Legendary Magazine at http://www.audible.com/newyorker
• 06/15/05 Audible Launches UK Web Site; Following its Huge Success in the US, Audible Launches the UK Web site for British Lovers of Digital Audio Information and Entertainment
• 06/01/05 Audible and Harlequin Enterprises Announce an Exclusive Marketing and Licensing Partnership
• 03/21/05 Audible.fr Internet Audio Service Launched and Available for French Language Spoken Audio Downloads

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