March 2001

New MP3 Features
March 31, 2001 - Clarence

InterVideo, makers of WinDVD, and MP3.com introduced the InterVideo Data Injection (IDI) technology to allow the inclusion of information like text and lyrics into a MP3 file. These files will be adorned with the "Enhanced MP3" logo at MP3.com. Check out the press release.

Windows Media Audio and Video 8
March 31, 2001 - Clarence

Microsoft has released the final version of Windows Media 8, which claims to give "CD quality" audio at 64kbps and "near-DVD" quality video at 500kbps. Unbelievable? Grab it from the here and try it out.

EAX Beyond The PC
March 30, 2001 - Clarence

Creative's Kurt Heiden does a short writeup of EAX technology available in other products like the Nomad Jukebox and BlasterKey products, besides the PC.

Creative Chief: Crisis Is Worst Ever
March 30, 2001 - Clarence

Yahoo! Finance has a short report on Creative's recent layoffs, with founder Sim Wong Hoo saying that the crisis was the worst he's seen.

E-mail Account Is Up!
March 29, 2001 - Clarence

Finally, after a long wait, the e-mail account service that I am using has been restored after they had some problem with their RAID disk systems. I have lost all my emails and newsletters since Friday, 16th March. My apologies if you have tried to contact me during this time. If you have sent me any mails or filled in the forms located throughout the site during that time period (until 28th March), please send them again. Thanks.

Sound Blaster Support in Mac Games
March 29, 2001 - Clarence

This article at MacCentral reports that there will be more games like Deux Ex and Unreal Tournament that supports the SBLive! for Mac, through the OpenAL library.

Interview with Keith Charley
March 29, 2001 - Clarence

The EAX web site has an interview with Creative's Keith Charley, who sheds some light on the EAGLE 3D Audio Modeling tool used to add EAX in games like Soldier of Fortune.

Microsoft's "Secure PC"
March 29, 2001 - Clarence

This report at The Register suggests that Microsoft is researching on a Secure PC that prevents copying of copyrighted material, including plans to market the PC platform as a "better CD player".

New PlayCenter 2
March 26, 2001 - Clarence

Creative released PlayCenter 2 Version 2.50. It includes new features like integrated recording, drag-and-drop functionality, user interface improvements, CDDB proxy support and fixes issues with certain SCSI CD drives.

OpenAL Support
March 26, 2001 - Clarence

Creative will be supporting OpenAL, a cross-platform sound API for open-source 3D positioning and environmental effects. The recently announced 5.1 support will also be incorporated in OpenAL. We'll most likely see OpenAL supported in Linux and Mac OS X (for the SBLive! Mac edition). This article at GameSpot has more information.

Creative Cost Cutting Press Release
March 26, 2001 - Clarence

Creative has also issued a press release regarding their cost cutting and write down of investments. The Americas and Asia press releases are similar.