Load your own music is now a thing of the past

KRISTIN AGOSTINELLI STAFF WRITER KMA724@CABRINI EDU

Appealing to college students and, well, to put it bluntly those who are into nifty gadgets and music, iPod has put together a clever little way to make life easier for those who run a busy lifestyle. Apple iPods has concocted an idea that if consumers bring them their iPod and CDs, iLoadiPods will rip all of your songs from those CDs onto your iPod for only $1 per CD.

The idea of loading all these songs onto an iPod sounds great, and ideally is convenient for almost everyone who can afford one. Yet, for the person who is electronically savvy, their problems were most likely already answered by themselves. This also does not appeal to everyone. “I would not like someone else messing around with my iPod, personally.” Cristina D’Amelio, a sophomore, said. While the idea of one transporting the soundtrack of your life from your CDs to your iPod may be nice, most do not want someone else to do it, for the mere fact that their iPod might be damaged.

On the other hand, there are those that feel it is a bright idea. The iLoadiPods will also include five free downloadable songs for free if spending over $200 when applying for the service. While this may seem like a perk, its actually only to lure an unsuspecting consumer into buying into it so they can get something for “free,” when in reality, they are paying cold hard cash for it.

Another downside to it is that if you own an enormous amount of CDs, say maybe 500, then you are paying $500 and only getting five songs for free. In this aspect you are paying more and only getting a limited amount back in return.

All in all if interested in using the service, then visit iloadipods.com and register with your name and e-mail. You will receive an e-mail back for confirmation along with information about iLoadiPods and the service.

The Expo offers an opportunity for Mac users, as well as those pondering entrance into the MacWorld, to ‘test-drive’ and purchase the new products and accessories at the many vendor tables. Cathy Yungmann, associate professor of communication, has been attending the MacWorld Expo for 10 years. “We are on a cusp of whole change of media and it’s getting cheaper and cheaper,” Yungmann said.

Mac mini

The new 2.9 lb. Mac mini allows PC-users to slowly and affordably slide into the world of Mac usage. It gives iPod owners an opportunity to further their Apple product ownership. Starting at just $499, PCusers don’t have to worry about purchasing any needed accessories. The 6.5-by-2 inch Mac mini will accept PC-users already owned monitors, keyboard and mice.

The mini features a G4 processor, dedicated graphics processor, up to 1 GB memory, 40 or 80 GB hard drive, slot loading CD-R/DVD-ROM drive, built-in Ethernet and modem as well as USB and Firewire expansion. As with most products, extras are indeed offered. ASuperDrive can be added for those wanting to burn DVDs, an AirPort Extreme Card can be installed to surf wirelessly and an internal Bluetooth can be used to configure the mini with wireless keyboards and mice. In addition, the Mac mini comes with iLife ’05, Mac OS X v10.3 “Panther,” Quicken 2005 for Mac and various games. iPod Shuffle

Uniqueness is the new tune. Apple recently introduced another personal DJ- the iPod Shuffle. Smaller than a pack of gum, the Shuffle allows users to add variety to life. If you’re tired of the same CDs or order of them, the Shuffle will randomly Autofill and any 240 songs from iTunes each time you plug it into your USB port. If you decide a day of order is needed, users can drag and drop specific songs from iTunes. Feeling undecided? Flip the Shuffle over and select a Shuffle or Play in Order mode. Weighing in as little as a car key, the skip-free 512MB or 1G Shuffle models start at $99. At the Expo, visitors could wander through the exhibits, and plug their headphones into the Shuffles hanging on a line. After ‘test-driving’the Shuffle, Yungmann said, “They are cool. I am going to get one.” Yungmann “stood in line for an hour and they sold out.”

Growing Pod trends iPod and iPod Shuffle users can also become part of a growing trend- PodCasting. Podcasts can be downloaded and “anyone can be a creator and a castor,” Yungmann said. Adam Curry, entrepreneur and late‘80s MTVveejay, says, “Like all good things on the Internet, you can do it yourself.” “A podcast is a radio show that listeners subscribe to online. Every time a new program is posted, it automatically feeds into the subscriber’s computer,” according to Brian Brailker of Newsweek.

Upcoming Concerts

Feb. 11 – This Radiant Boy/ Palomar/ The Perfectionists/ The Lot Six – The Khyber

Feb. 12 – Bowling For Soup/ American Hi-Fi/ Riddlin’Kids/ MC Lars – Trocadero Theatre

Feb. 14 – The Polyphonic Spree/ Mike Doughty – TLA

Feb. 15 - Northstar with Lucero/ The Honorary Title/ Circa Survive – The North Star Bar

Feb. – Goldfinger/ The Start/ Bottom Line – TLA

Feb. – Otep/ American Headcharge/ Candiria/ The Autumn Offering/ Blood Simple –Trocadero Theatre

Feb. 19 – The Music/ Kasabian/ Morningwood - TLA