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Release Date: August 05, 2009
Genre: Games
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iTunes New Music Releases

Release Date: September 29, 2009
Genre: Rock
Release Date: September 20, 2009
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Genre: Rock
Release Date: August 25, 2009

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Discover New Music

  • The Life Pursuit

    • 8 out of 10
    • Belle & Sebastian
    • The Life Pursuit is a sort of Reeses Peanut Butter Cup. You get Belle & Sebastian's peanut butter (its wistful, often irresistible pop) dipped in a 'Have A Nice Day!' and glam 70s chocol

  • Chicago Transit Authority

    • 10 out of 10
    • Chicago
    • For those of you who don't know, Chicago didn't always suck, and everyone in the band didn't always play a keyboard. When the band started off they were pioneers of rock and jazz fusion, and guita

  • Spilt Milk

    • 10 out of 10
    • Jellyfish
    • The second and final album from this power-pop group makes me wish Jellyfish had been able to make just one more record together. The album is best enjoyed as a whole piece, flowing from one track to
  • Supermodified

    • 10 out of 10
    • Amon Tobin
    • The genius is in the beats. Amon Tobin creates fantastic, groovy beats behind beats. "Supermodified" rolls through your expectations of breakbeat music, and turns them up a bit. It's a mellow album, p
  • Now Here Is Nowhere

    • 10 out of 10
    • Secret Machines
    • The Secret Machines' inaugural album, Now Here is Nowhere is both old and new in its sonic assault. The trio's surprisingly big sound evokes Pink Floyd (without ever sounding like any Pink

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News

Apple Patent Blends External Sounds into Headphones

Apple has applied for a patent in which a mechanism is proposed that would allow external sound, for example traffic noise that would otherwise be blocked by headphones, to pass through to the listener.

The patent application says, in part, "This external sound can be presented to users via the same interface, channel, or audio-output device used to present audio-media. External sound can be blended ... with audible media and/or it may be presented as it occurs (live) and/or stored so that it can be subsequently presented as recorded. External sound can be stored independent of the media presentation in accordance with, for example, various events, user input, or any other programmable criteria."

Various methods of manipulating and controlling this external sound source are described. For example, the external sound could be recorded and replayed.

The motivation may be hinted at in this part of the patent description: "As a result, users of the audio devices can conveniently switch between external sound and audible media ... without having to take headphones off."

Some states in the U.S. prohibit driving while wearing dual headphones. This patent could lead the way to a technical solution in which drivers can become aware of external sounds and, eventually, via revised legislation, become exempt from removing their headphones/earbuds while driving.

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