...from http://playlistmag.com/news/2006/01/24/itunesu/index.php/? lsrc=mwweek-0130 Apple's iTunes U puts school lectures and more online By Peter Cohen

Apple has expanded its iTunes U program, which allows colleges and universities to post audio and video educational content online using a content management system based on iTunes.

iTunes U is a hosted content management system that provides a way for colleges and universities to make both audio and video content from lectures, interviews, audio books and more available to students online. Students can download the content to their Macs and PCs, or take it with them using the iPod.

The system has been set up to allow instructors to post and change content themselves, so iTunes U won’t impact local IT staff. Students can also upload their own content to share with teachers and staff.

Apple’s already tested the waters for iTunes U with pilot programs at Stanford, Duke, the University of Michigan and other schools.

The technology that powers iTunes U is based on what drives the iTunes Music Store — in fact, students can also connect to the store to purchase and download music (Apple also makes available a “Volume Songs Program” for schools that ant to purchase songs at a discount on behalf of their students). In addition to their own content, schools can customize their iTunes U with school colors, logos and photography.

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...from: http://playlistmag.com/news/2006/01/30/myvu/index.php Watch video iPod on 25" virtual image By Peter Cohen

So you’ve invested in a video iPod, and it’s great to download television shows and rip videos and convert them to the iPod yourself. But it’s also a pain — literally — to hold your hand up a few inches from your face and watch the iPod’s display for an hour or two. The MicroOptical Corp. has developed a solution — the $269 Myvu, which debuted at Macworld Expo in San Francisco this January.

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Display Format Binocular Display Type AMLCD Video Signal NTSC/PAL (auto selecting) Resolution 320 x 240 Aspect Ratio 4:3 Focus Image Location 1 meter Field of View Approximately 13.5o horizontal, 16.8o diagonal Image Size 25" image (virtual screen) @ 2 meters Refresh Rate 60 frames/sec. Color Depth 24 bit Optical System SolidOptexTMtechnology Audio Integrated stereo sound via earbuds Viewer Weight 68 grams Nose Pad Adjustable Prescription Lens Snap-on option (integrated with nose pad) Power Supply 3 AAA batteries Power Consumption < 400 mW, <150 mW if integrated* Power Saver Auto shut off Battery Life Approximately 6 hours Operating Temperature 0 to 40oC Control Box Function Power on/off button Control Box Dimensions 56 mm x 90 mm x 19 mm SolidOptexTMassemblies comprise a patented optical system in which the optical path is inside a refractive optical polymer instead of free space. By being in a rigid form, alignment of the componentsurfaces is maintained, the intrusion of dust and moisture is prevented, and the optical path length is folded to move the displayand back light away from the eyes. The result is the thinnest, lightest and sturdiest viewer possible. *The myvu controls can be integrated into a video source with an OEM program.

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