Getting the Most out of iTunes

Photo Courtesy: MCExtender

RockBox
For readers who are struggling to hold on to that old iPod, there’s hope. Rockbox has come to the rescue. This open-source firmware allows user’s to edit the interface of their music player’s UI. This allows listeners to not only add something new, but also create something unique. Besides making music players look sexy, Rockbox brings other, more technical features to the table as well. One of the most useful features is the advanced playlist editing. No more will there be five different “On the go” playlists unnamed leaving listeners to guess what music is where. Other quality features include, high-resolution volume control, gapless playback and an unplayed music section.

Having editable playlists is nice, but there is another feature that blows the latter out of the water. With RockBox, listeners can load applications and plug-ins to there iPods. This puts games and other utilities putting the date you’ll need to buy an iPod Touch or iPhone back a few more years.

Mojo
Mojo gives people the ability to share music socially in a simple and familiar way. Setup in a buddy list style window, all a person’s friends are listed like they would be in AIM or Skype. The person can click on a buddy, then on the music note at the bottom of the page. Instantly an iTunes-esque window appears. From there the listener clicks what they want and then hits download. This isn’t limited to music either. Anything friends have in their library is game to download.

Socially there is a lot features. Mojo has basic chat for starters. People can subscribe to their friends playlists. Whenever they add something, it gets downloaded to your iTunes library.

iRemote and Sizzling Keys
Having a bunch of windows open is a common occurrence on any college students monitor. Let’s say your about to leave and go eat. It takes too much time to sift through all your window and find iTunes. What if you could just press three keys, pause it and be on your way?

Two applications iRemote (Windows) and Sizzling Keys (OSX) give users that ability. Other functions like volume control and skipping songs effortlessly. Both of these applications come with a heads up display that will show the next song playing. If there is album art then it shows that too.

Have any other ways to get the most out of iTunes? Email me at mike@hackcollege.com or comment below. 

Introducing the New HackCollege Writers

Over the past month or so, we have been hard at work to recruit more writers. We received over 50 submissions and carefully narrowed them down to these two young gents you read before you today. Since Rosario, Chris and I are getting old in our college careers, having new blood is a very important thing. It's with great excitement that we bring on board Mike Bertolino and Luke Turcotte.

About Mike

Mike is currently a sophomore at West Chester University in the cozy state of Pennsylvania. He's got an eye for gadgets and can be reached at mike [at] hackcollege [dot] com.

About Luke

Luke is currently a first-year student at the University of Waterloo up in Ontario, Canada where he's studying health and minoring in computer science. He can be reached at luke [at] hackcollege [dot] com.

College Admissions Hell

While HackCollege has an audience of (surprise!) college students, there are many readers of the site that are soon-to-be college students. Those students are probably just finishing up college admissions packets.

We haven't written much on college admissions much on the site, but it's definitely a significant part of the college process for those in and trying to get in to the school. Current students should be (slightly) concerned with the caliber of students admitted to their own school.

So today we're linking out to an article I found called the Dirty Secrets of College Admissions. It's definitely a good read.

For those that will be applying to college next year, try outsourcing your college applications (a la the 4-Hour Work Week). Let's face it, you've got better things to do with your time than fill out the same application a dozen times.

HackCollege Live at CES Day 2

In a last-minute and ad-hoc live show, Chris and Kelly broadcast straight from the show floor of CES on Saturday, January 10. Tune in as they review all of the schwag from CES and ask the most important question of all, "But will it open a beer?" The guys also have Diggnation producer David Prager on to interview him about his life as a student. Topics this week:

• The guys give a rundown of all of the schwag around the convention. Check out schwag from CNTRSTG, magicjack and more.
• Check an interview with Diggnation producer David Prager.

Special Thanks To:

• NBC Universal at CES

HackCollege Live at CES (Video)

Chris and Kelly broadcast live from Las Vegas at the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Check it out as they talk about hacking into conferences and review a boatload of new products. Products Reviewed:

• HP Mini Note 1000
• 15-inch MacBook Pro
• Sony Viao Lifestyle P
• The Peek
• Eye-Fi
• Monster Beats by Dr. Dre Tour
• Chumby

Special Thanks To:

• NBC Universal at CES

HackCollege LIVE (Again!) @ CES

You can't tell, but we had just peed our pants before this picture was taken. This image was stolen from the Revision3 flickr stream.NBC Universal liked us so much that they've invited us back to do another live show today. Talk about flattering. Unfortunately between the $3 craps tables and nights ending with the sunrise, this is a little tougher than usual. Regardless, we will be full bore this afternoon from the NBC main stage. When we were shooting yesterday's episode, Jimmy Fallon was being interview on said stage. Tune in!

What: HackCollege LIVE @ CES

When: 3 pm PST (6 pm EST)

Where: http://ustream.tv/channel/hackcollege 

NBC Universal at CES

Chilling in the NBC Universal Blogger LoungeI'm sitting here inside the NBCU Blogger Lounge at CES and I gotta say, NBC is really doing something amazing here. They've taken one part showing off and two parts new media and combined it into something remarkable.

NBC Universal is giving us space on one of their stages along with the likes of the MSNBC mainstays to do a live show here in 45 minutes. (Tune in at ces.revision3.com at 1 pm PST!) Needless to say, we feel a lot bigger than we actually are. But the fact that NBC as set aside a significant part of their floor space for new media makes me, personally, think of the company in a completely different light. NBC Universal is actually acknowledging the presence of new media independent producers and working with them. This is definitely a first.

So for those of you guys looking for jobs in new media come this summer, send a letter to NBC Universal!

HackCollege LIVE @ CES

Kelly and Chris at CES. Picture from Revision3's flickr stream.We are doing a complete LIVE show today at the NBC Universal stage at the Consumer Electronics show! We hope everyone can tune in. We'll see you on the interwaves!

What: Live HackCollege taping at CES

When: 1 pm PST (4 pm PST)

Where: http://ces.revision3.com