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iTunes New Music Releases

Release Date: September 29, 2009
Genre: Rock
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Discover New Music

  • 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

  • Aretha Sings the Blues

    • 6 out of 10
    • Aretha Franklin
    • While she didn't always have the best taste in song selection, Aretha Franklin is a must-study for anyone with interest in the human voice. She has the kind of powerful, recklessly passionate deliv

  • Cocked & Loaded

    • 8 out of 10
    • Revolting Cocks
    • It's hard to believe it's been more than a decade since Ministry founder and front man Al Jourgensen's side project Revolting Cocks released any new material. 2006 brings us Cocked and Loaded

  • War of the Worlds

    • 10 out of 10
    • Jeff Wayne
    • With the new movie adaptation of H.G Wells' classic Sci Fi invasion tale, War of the Worlds, currently on theater screens everywhere, there's new interest in Jeff Wayne's rock opera version, and it is
  • Quadrophenia

    • 10 out of 10
    • The Who
    • Quadrophenia is everything that Tommy wanted to be, a rock opera that told a story, but one where every song could still stand alone. It was also Pete Townshend's farewell tribute to the Mod

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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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