From Wired News: Apple on Tuesday will unveil a new portable electronic device that allows people to listen to digital music files away from the computer, according to sources familiar with the company. The device — called the iPod — can be synched with the computer using a high-speed cable connection that allows consumers to download their music into a portable system, which can then be accessed by either a car or home stereo system. Last Wednesday, Simple Devices released a wireless platform that allows users to stream MP3 files from a personal computer to home or car stereo systems. Motorola will roll out a wireless receiver for home stereos that runs on the new Simple Devices platform.Our Take: I am amazed that this was introduced as a “breakthrough device” by Apple’s marketing. I mean, I already use something oh-so-similar for a year now! This is “Be in your Stereo“, written by Stephen van Egmond, a BeOS developer, in his spare time. “Be in your Stereo” is a plugin to SoundPlay (an extremely advanced BeOS sound player) that scans BFS volumes for digital music files. It builds a cross-referenced index of collections based on Artist, Genre, Year, and Album mp3/BFS attributes, then serves up views of the track list and collection via HTTP. It is ideal for building a home audio server. With the plugin, you can park a BeOS machine with a modest CPU, quiet fan, networking, audio and storage hardware next to your stereo, and manipulate it from anywhere on your home network. The plugin plays nice with the LiveEncoder included with SoundPlay, so you can easily set up your own radio station. It lacks the additional hardware that Apple will provide but at least the application is a free, complete alternative to Simple Devices’ software platform. Or am I missing something?
Apple’s “Breakthrough Device”, Not So Revolutionary?
About The Author
Eugenia Loli
Ex-programmer, ex-editor in chief at OSNews.com, now a visual artist/filmmaker.
Follow me on Twitter @EugeniaLoli
Be-in-your-Stereo is possible on BeOS because of the very nature of the platform:
1. Fully attributed 64-bit file system (support for meta-data) that helps in the creation of such a product.
2. Great multitasking and responsive UI that can not be found in any other OS today. http://www.lebuzz.com/images/29mp3s.png“>Check of Soundplay for instance. Mp3s or video playback does NOT skip when the OS is under heavy load. This is why BeOS is called the “Media OS”.
Too bad that Palm/Be has decided to kill this beautiful OS though.
What if the Apple’s marketing department had said ‘this is just a regular device that has nothing outstanding’??? I would be even more amazed!
Hello!!! This is marketing, Eugenia!
And maybe Apple think it’s revolutionary because people will actually use it. I mean people, not only geeks like us 😉 If people use it, I would consider it kind of revolutionary.
Also, as we don’t know what this iPod device is exactly, why are you trying to compare it to something else today? Why don’t you wait till Tuesday when we/you have all the information?
Richard, it’s very hard to tell the mp3s don’t skip… on a screenshot 😉
Also, I don’t know if they were all decompressed as all but two are muted. Just to satisfy my curiosity, can anybody test this on a BeOS machine (what happens when volume is 0?)?
And, when something like 20 mp3s are decompressed at the same time, it’s very hard to tell if they don’t skip. Sorry, I have only two ears. Big, but only two.
Last but not least, Eugenia, you should replace ‘Our Take’ with ‘My Take’ when you give such an opinion (I mean, 100% pro-BeOS and anti-Apple 😉
Objectivity is very hard to reach, but one can try to get closer…
>Hello!!! This is marketing, Eugenia!
I don’t care. Objectivity is objectivity you know. You said it.
>why are you trying to compare it to something else today?
Wired News did that for me already.
>Just to satisfy my curiosity, can anybody test this on a BeOS machine?
If it counts for anything, I can testify that Richard’s claims are true. I remember, a year ago or so, I played back about 15 mp3s without skipping on my dual 533. I did not try for more, I don’t know how much my dual celeron can take.
>Last but not least, Eugenia, you should replace ‘Our Take’ with ‘My Take’ when you give such an opinion
The “Our Take” is there as a seperate piece of text in a news story for the OSNews editors to write their OWN opinion. True or false, right or wrong, if you don’t like reading the “Our Take” part please don’t, because we have it there in order to use it if we want.
> (I mean, 100% pro-BeOS and anti-Apple 😉
That’s bullshit. I always write and speak up my mind. As I said, right or wrong, true or false, I write what I believe, and I write things as direct as possible. Some people hate me for that, they believe that I am simply rude. Others like my honesty. But one thing is for sure: You are only going to hear from me what comes out of my head, without filters and nice wrapped words.
I always used to say that Diplomacy is only for use in Christmas time, or when my parents in law are around. For all other times, I speak up my mind.
I have NOTHING against Apple (read my last reply to the macosx review comments section) or any other OS or company. In fact, I have a problem with darned Be’s management department. You probably haven’t followed “my case” close enough and you judge me prematurely.
I rest my case. 😉
Well, on a single P3-700 I can play around 7-8 MP3’s before they start skipping, and on the linked screenshot you can see that Richard has a dual CPU rig, so playing 14-18 MP3’s without skipping shouldn’t be impossible. The reason why almost all MP3’s have minimum volume except for one is that thats the only way to verify if skippage occurs. Impressive, but not mindblowing.
Something even more impressive (which is what I showcase when friends come over) is playing 4 songs from the same CD simultaneously. When their jaw drops, I then reverse the order of one of the tracks (3 playing forward, one backwards – all without skipping). Its a pity that the mainstream OS’s hog resources the way they do.
Eugenia,
First, I must echo McFly’s sentiment that it is quite futile to review a product that hasn’t been released. I read that Wired News article as well, but it’s all speculation until Apple officially releases the thing and lets us have a look. Until then, there’s no point making any comparison.
Second, I notice that your defense for both this review and your review of MacOS X 10.1 has been that you just print your opinion and speak your mind. Now, perhaps I’m misunderstanding the purpose of this site, but it is titled “OS News.” This leads me to believe that reviews posted here should be limited to news and objective fact reporting. There is a site called “OS Opinion” which might be a better forum to offer your personal take on the whole Mac vs. Wintel (vs. Be vs. Linux) debate. I also find myself at a loss as to why someone so clearly anti-Mac should continue to be the one charged with reviewing Apple products, but that’s another can of worms. I haven’t read the response to which you refer, but to say that you have nothing against Apple seems problematic at best, and outright false at worst; your reviews are clearly negative and indicative of a definite bias against Apple. I have no problem with people who don’t like the MacOS, but don’t hide behind mealy-mouthed excuses of having nothing against the company that produces it.
do you really know that is what Apple really going to launch? That device still not something Wired really “know”…
How about wait till Tuesday? Then we can start to talk about it as a real thing.
The “Our Take” part is *like* (but not quite) a mini-editorial. It is the OPINION of the editor who writes the story. The first part of the news story IS objective news, the “Our Take” part is the Opinion. Put that in your skull. The site is indeed called OSnews, and it DOES deliver OS News. Why are you people always knitpicking everything? Why should I call my site osnewsopinion.com in order to run the web site the way I want it to run? I CLEARLY seperate the news with the opinion to any news post. Why http://www.Kamidake.org has atheos software? Does Kamidake has anything to do with… Atheists? C’mon people!
>First, I must echo McFly’s sentiment that it is quite futile to review a product that hasn’t been released.
I DID NOT review the product. I merely added my opinion (on the *dedicated*) “our take” section of the news story, on the facts so far, based on the Wired article. For God’s sake people, it is 12:25 AM over here, stop playing with my nerves! These things should be self explanatory.
If the whole argument is about: “Eugenia, please cut the ‘our take’ section, we don’t want to hear it”, then my friends go elsewhere and play. OSNews is going to keep its “our take” section LIKE IT OR NOT. It was here from day one, and it is here to stay. Why? Because editors are also people with their own opinions and they want to be heard, no matter if these opinions are True or False. All we should do is that we make sure the “our take” section is clearly seperated from the “objective” news item, so it won’t get all messed up.
>but to say that you have nothing against Apple seems problematic at best,
What THE FUCK are you talking about? I was merely replying to McFly’s comment who said that I am anti-apple!!! What should I have done? Leave people un-answered? Kill comments that don’t make me look good? Ban users? Or what?
I like democracy. And in a fair society, every one gets to write Freely its own opinion. I do it, and I will continue doing it. And please, you do it as well, in the comments section provided. But trying to kill my right to write my opinion, especially because this is how OSNews operates with the use of “our take” section, it is plainly wrong. We are not ZDNews or News.com here. We are doing OSNews for fun. And I can tell you that OSNews takes a whole lot of my every day. And I will make sure that it won’t be another faceless news web site. I want it to have some kind of personality. And that’s a reason why you should love it. Or hate it.
Thank you.
ps. I just realized. You know what is the most intriguing thing over here? That NONE of these comments tried to prove that Apple’s device (with the information we got from Wired) is a breakthrough indeed and none that I am wrong about the BeOS product I presented that does pretty much the same and it is out in the “market” for *free* for so long already.
Instead, you are trying to make me shut up and you editorialize about my right or not to add my opinion on an already DEDICATED for it section of a news item.
You know what that tells me people? That you don’t want to hear what you don’t want to hear.
Interesting… Hah!
>How about wait till Tuesday? Then we can start to talk about it as a real thing.
Sure, I ‘ll give in. Sounds like a deal.
I just want to add a little more on what I said. That in the last few years, ZDnet and Cnet (these consider the source as solid as CNN, LOL) print several Apple software that would be launch and state that as if it’s really going to happen… but then they’re all wrong orthey just don’t know…
That’s why it’s better to wait just a few days…
About objectivity… hmm… this is the most difficult part to handle. I have no objection to anyone speak their mind as long as they speak their mind with some idea about what it’s going to looks like after it show in the public. I mean, a sad lesson we learn in September 11 is how we can exploit freedom, and freedom turn out to be the problem lead us to extreme trouble. The only way we can preserve this precious virtue is knowing how to deal with freedom and also how to deal with it without being self-sensor.
Yes, I’m sure some like your honesty. But frankly, in America, no matter what you do, there’s always someone think you’re right. You choose to listen to people who like you, that’s fine, but as I remember another poster point out in the last article on your reply, what’s the point to discuss if people do not prepare to be criticize and might change their position if something become even more clear?
I think what you write in your article could be much more objective if you just add one word: if. You could say “if Apple’s breakthrough device is … then…” then you can retain your objectivity as well as criticize the “breakthrough” statement. That’s what I mean by balance and objective. That still speak your mind, you still get in trouble with people do not like what you said, but you’re still objective and balance.
In this case, it’s obvious that nobody know what that device is. This is the position everybody should take at this point unless you can really verify your source of information while Apple sealed the information channel so carefully this days even sueing their own employee for leaking info…
I believe you’re not anti-any OS but Be, I appreciate a frank and honest atitude from you, but just as I said before, is this really honest? It’s only honest to your opinion on something, but not hinesty to the fact itself… that product is… nobody know… what it is…
I’m so sorry that I might seem harsh, but I think this is the way I try to be honest and respectful.
> I don’t care. Objectivity is objectivity you know. You said it.
the difference is that I do expect objectivity from a review, not from a marketing announcement…
> If it counts for anything, I can testify that Richard’s claims are true. I remember, a year ago or so, I played back about 15 mp3s without skipping on my dual 533. I did not try for more, I don’t know how much my dual celeron can take.
What I meant was: as only two mp3 are not muted, how can we be sure all the other (muted) ones are actually decompressed? Maybe Marco decided not to decompress muted mp3.
I remember I launched many mp3s on my dual p2-266 (not a that powerful machine nowadays), but I don’t remember if they skipped or not…
> I always write and speak up my mind
I know, I remember some e-mails back to the BeUnited time…
I’ve been following your ‘case’ for longer than you think, even if I did not realize there were a ‘case’ 😉
> if you don’t like reading the “Our Take” part please don’t
you’re extrapolating.
what bugs me is that it sounds like YOUR opinion is the opinion of ALL the OS’news’ staff, the same way YOUR opinion is fooling anybody who thinks it’s an ‘objective’ review.
> I have NOTHING against Apple
honestly (yes, I also speak my mind, you are not the only one), it’s hard to believe.
Eboy,
thank you for your comment. It is really appreciated. You wrote wisely, in contrast to some people over here who are getting worked up over nothing.
I think the whole problem of “how I write” has its roots in two things:
1. I really don’t care what people think, I write and speak what I think.
2. Because english is not my native language, I write the way I would write in Greek – Greeks are direct in the way they talk – maybe that’s the problem.
The thing is though that:
1. I ain’t gonna go to any journalist’s school (so stop asking). I am preparing to be a mother in the near future, I don’t have time or interest in anything else.
2. That’s how I am. If people ask me to leave, OSNews will still fall to 1 news story per week ratio. I am here because I get the job done, not because I am a nobelist or something.
> I did not realize there were a ‘case’ 😉
The ‘case’ started recently, when Be’s management put my family into a great deal of unesessary trouble while we have served them for so long loyally.
>what bugs me is that it sounds like YOUR opinion is the opinion of ALL the OS’news’ staff, the same way YOUR opinion is fooling anybody who thinks it’s an ‘objective’ review.
Sweetheart, the “Our Take” is taken from http://www.LeBuzz.com
Make a search there, this is where I got it!
I can always change the wording to “Editor’s Note” but then you will find something else to bitch about again.
> > I have NOTHING against Apple
>honestly (yes, I also speak my mind, you are not the only one), it’s hard to believe.
I am sorry, but I have no intention to have sex with Steve Jobs just to prove you otherwise. You have to take my word for it.
I am not going to take off my wallet $1300 USD to buy that iMac I have glimpsed for months now, just because.. I hate Apple, would I?
> Sweetheart […]
now you’re talking my language 😉
> I am sorry, but I have no intention to have sex with Steve Jobs just to prove you otherwise. You have to take my word for it.
hopefully, Steve does not have to get an intercourse with all the apple ‘lovers’ (I cannot imagine the orgy after the apple store opening down here 😉
Personally, (speaking as a woman right now
I like Wosniak better. I mean, Jobs is prettier, but Wosniak is like a big kid somehow. Very innocent and sensitive. Women like that.
It is similar to “Men fall in love with blondies but they are getting married to brunnetts” of some sort.
Jobs is suitable for sex as a lover, Wosniak is better for a husband and a father.
See? I do like Apple. In fact, they could provide some good use.
[kidding – maybe
]
Eugenia,
It’s great that you make yourself clear (at least to me). I guess the “problems” is very much because of what you mentioned. And that will need people really understand you so as to read the article in a understandable way.
Hmm.. preparing to be a mom is certainly an exciting thing, will you still write when you became a mom?
I think the most important thing is that if you are direct enough to write what you think, you only need to polish and listen carefully to feedbacks so you’ll improve bit by bit. (I’m not going to ask you to study journalism 🙂 ) Afterall this is a place you can try and error, right? (well, I’m not sure you really want to write columns though… )
I don’t know how Greek communicate to each other, different culture have different way to express themselves, nothing against it, I’m sure you could be a pleasure to exchange opinions, all the criticisms are not personal.
I’m new to this web site, and I know this site is for fun (in a way), I told myself I’m not going too waste time on this site last time I read your article (I guess I state my reasons why in my post last time), but turn out I’m curious about what you might have said today and found this one … probably I don’t believe you’re really trying to anti anything here… and you know what? at least here I don’t need to worry about the author (like those in ZDnet) who try to use their personal bias to archieve something else, that kind of hyprocrisy is even harder to stand.
sincerely,
eboy
>Hmm.. preparing to be a mom is certainly an exciting thing, will you still write when you became a mom?
I will try to, but I won’t be having lots of time I guess. But I will try to stay in touch as much as I can.
<BR>
Hey, we have more than 9 months of time to be around here and chat. There is no baby yet, but a baby is welcome to both of us (not me and Wosniak, but Jbq
<P>
As for learning through trial and error I think it is a good idea. I have done some progress the last 2 years. In the beginning, as far as I can remember, I was just, terrible.
Note for everybody: as we have to wait till Tuesday to discover the breakthrough-or-not new device from Apple, we will spend the next 3 days talking about the most handsome executives, and what (you think) women like/dislike about them.
We want objective comments, no rumor about B***’s tattoo on his left buttock, ok? 😉
>> As for learning through trial and error I think it is a good idea. I have done some progress the last 2 years. In the beginning, as far as I can remember, I was just, terrible.
I like this atitude, thanks
How about you give us a list of hondsome executives to talk about? 🙂
>We want objective comments
Love me or hate me, I like how Gates looked like 10-15 years ago. He was pretty cute and I know that he is a bit shy with women. But today, he looks like a big potato bag. Like a fat rat or something… 😮
hmm, who else? let’s see.
Linus is not bad, but he has gain some weight as well lately.
RMS, Cox and Raymond they are all looking horrible. Jesus, these long dirty beards… Ewww…
I would pretty much agree with the following:
http://www.geekculture.com/geekycomics/Aftery2k/y2Karchives/237.htm…
(well, in my opinion, Ballmer is not that hot)
Jobs is definitely handsome, and he looks like a very cool guy.
As far as Ballmer is concerned, I already said what I think.
Gassee looks cool too, and would fit Eugenia’s criteria (husband and father). He seems to be very smart as well. Maybe JBQ can arrange something… 😉
Robert Young? Don’t really know. Any opinion you guys?
I’m kinda geekish……: http://miragemedia.tripod.com/shadows/page1.html
I’m the one with the beard!
You made the best sense all day and I commend you for that!
Well done my old chap!!!
I know that it is fashionable now days for people to express themselves, especially when angry, by resorting to creative metaphors. For example, using words that describe another’s opinion as the rectal projectiles of varying animals (in today’s example, that of a male bovine).
Another popular phrase is the nonsensical and derogatory version of, “what the lustful, wanton, forbidden copulation!”. I’m not exactly sure what this means, but see it used all the time.
Anyway, I come to OS news for just that; news. I don’t think there is a reporter or an author in the world that can accommodate and please the entire populace. However, I think most publications, whether they be paper or web based, adhere to a higher standard of communication.
When I see the author of this article groveling in the depths of ignoble communication with displeased readers, it cheapens the experience for me. It destroys the professionalism of this web site.
I can understand foul retorts from cretinous readers in an unedited forum such as this, but I expect more out of those writing articles and managing the site.
I like OS News for the most part. Eugenia is prompt with her articles and usually beats bigger news sites to the stories. As a non-native speaker of English, I think she does very well and commend her efforts. I wish I was as talented in my second language.
I would simply make the humble suggestion that the authors of this site ignore the personal attacks on their stories, and realize that most of their readership appreciate what they do. When a responses to the readers is necessary, do it with dignity.
Thank you.
I can’t believe how this discussion has degenerated into talk with some of the uglier people on the planet. Everyone knows I’m the hottest Be, Java, and Mac developer around. Come get me, geek chicks. ;o)
First of all, I have at least 7 words in your comment that I do not understand and I had to get a dictionary.
Second, you are right for the most part and I am sorry if I offended you.
But there is another problem with the F* word and the Bullsh*t word. I do not “feel” its offensiveness when I am talking or writting because this language is not my native one. For me, these words is like saying “milk” and “hello” (but used in a way that can express anger).
I know Americans are getting easily worked up from false language, but some times I have to deal with brain dead people around here and that really is not my favourite thing to do at 2 AM.
The whole point should not have been “Eugenia do not use offensive language”, but instead “Eugenia please do not reply to any of these people on a web board – just do your job and let them bitch”.
Still, I can’t restrain myself from replying to you. Why? Because I like communication, I like having a “relationship” with our visitors. I am not a far reached person, I want to be close to everyone and discuss or… bitch about things. People are ICQing me all the time, people I don’t know, but they do know me. I always reply to them, I always have a conversation about things on the icq or irc, even if I don’t really know these people. I guess, that’s the way I am. When I am happy or angry, I am just myself. I am not trying to hide behind the golden mask of the “editor in chief” and snobbing replying to people or try to restrain myself FROM myself just to make happy the other part of the readership that does not like false language, when false language is what I feel like using at times when people are sticking into my nose for NO valid or good reason.
First I am a person like everyone else around here and THEN I am the editor. Some may think that I should re-prioritize for OSNews sake, but how can I re-prioritize my own very nature?
Yes, having false language on a forum, may make OSNews look “cheap” as you said. But it also makes it more direct and real. As for utter, cruel professionalism and sensored forums, News.com and ZDNews.com are good places to go.
Even the Slashdot editors (I have respect for Hemos and Timothy, don’t know CmdTaco enough though, so I can’t say) are writting their opinions as a byline or remark in a number of submissions (without even using the “Our Take” seperation mark as we do to avoid confusion as to which part is the news and which one is the opinion), but people still bitching here for no good reason. And that, is REALLY unacceptable for me. Really is. It makes me think that people are just not fair, they are just blind and that they want to hear only what they want to hear. And that makes me angry. And I do want justice, I have to defend myself and my opinions (with dignity or not — depends how you see it).
The problem is that communicating electronically only accounts for around 7% of the human communication process!
Easy for people to get confused and offended, you lot need to get out more
>ps. I just realized. You know what is the most intriguing thing over here? >That NONE of these comments tried to prove that Apple’s device (with >the information we got from Wired) is a breakthrough indeed and none >that I am wrong about the BeOS product I presented that does pretty >much the same and it is out in the “market” for *free* for so long already.
None of these comments CAN prove that Apple’s device is a breakthrough since none of us has seen it. It was irresponsible of Wired to print that article in the first place, and pointless for you to offer an opinion on what amounts to rumor. McFly’s point, well observed, was that there is no point to any argument or speculation over a product that nobody knows anything about.
Eugenia is there a reason why a post of more than a few words gives an error? its getting real anoying
hmm.. I have never experienced that error!!
Please give me the exact text you are trying to post and I have a look.
Error
An error has occurred trying to access http://www.osnews.com/comment2.php?news_id=190. Sorry that we’re not more
specific about what the error is.
To have no errors
Would be life without meaning
No struggle, no joy
Brad, please email me with the following information:
1. Are you behind a proxy or firewall.
2. Does the error happen with another browser and/or OS, on the same connection.
3. Your OS and browser version.
Thanks.
Eugenia,
I sincerely enjoy the personality that you give this web site. I always appreciate the fact that you comment right along with your readers. I don’t always agree with some of your reviews, but who cares? What kind of a moron would I be if I believed opinions could be right or wrong. Opinions are just personal beliefs based on experience, there can be no right and wrong. Many readers, however, seem to forget that fact and resort to publically judging your mental capabilities.
I guess the point of my last post was that I come here to see what you, and the other staff members, have to say. I don’t come to watch verbal eye poking just because some of your readers aren’t secure enough in their own opinions to allow you to have opinions that differ.
My thoughts are that if people don’t like the site, they don’t have to visit. I also wonder how many of the people who complain, such as myself today, are authoring and managing a high traffic news site (or any site for that matter). None is the first answer that springs to mind.
Anyway, I’m rambling so I’ll shut up. It’s 2:00am for me too. Keep up the good work and take all us whiners with a grain of salt. You’ll probably live longer if you do.
By the way, good luck on becoming a mother. It’s a great thing to be.
http://www.benews.com finally dead?
> But there is another problem with the F* word and the Bullsh*t word. I do not “feel” its offensiveness […]
Well, American is not my mother tongue either, but I do consider the expressions offensive or at least impolite.
I don’t really care about the grammar and orthography, but I do care about courtesy.
As you know ‘there is a problem’ with the F* and Bullsh*t words, don’t use them, or think twice before you do.
> I know Americans are getting easily worked up from false language, but some times I have to deal with brain dead people around here and that really is not my favourite thing to do at 2 AM.
Calling people ‘brain dead’ is offensive. See comment above.
I do not know who you were talking about (me?), but it simply shows a lack of consideration.
SimBad made a good point in his/her “Electronic Communications” message.
Turn out the device is really a MP3 player. That’s it.
To call it breakthrough is kind of too much. But for a MP3 device, it’s something I like to have.
I have a Rio 500, not good enough for me since I had to listen to the same songs repeatedly… then those have big storage is too big and heavy to carry around…
this is just right.
But yeah… it’s not a breakthrough in any sense…
Nice look, small enough, nice features, quite big disk… Not sure it’s enough to call it breakthrough, but it’s definitely a cool product. Maybe a bit expensive, but who said Apple is cheap?
Not really oh-so-similar to “Be in your stereo” though.
Funny that now the device is out, there is no real review of it 😉