An open letter to Steve Jobs, sponsored by DefectiveByDesign, an anti-DRM activist site, is asking Jobs to back his challenge to dump DRM with actions.

Jobs recently published a response to criticism Apple has received for its use of DRM. In a move that shocked some, Jobs suggested that the best way forward might be to abandon DRM.

Many feel that the Apple CEO hasn’t backed his words with actions, though. Apple uses DRM on every song it sells, even songs that are sold without DRM at other sites.

“It has been three weeks now since you published your pledge to drop DRM, and there have been many responses from commentators who have outlined actions you could take to back up your words. The fact that you have not taken any action leads us to ask the question: How genuine is your pledge?” asks the letter.

You can sign the letter at the DefectiveByDesign site.

Here’s the text to the letter:

Edirol has introduced two new models, in red and white, of its R-09 portable recorder. The R-09W (in white) and R-09R (in red) will both retail at the same price as the original black version (about $400). New accessories include a carry case for the main unit and an earphone set with carry case.

The R-09 won the Music Industry Association Award For Innovation last year, largely because of its design, which combines ease of use with advanced recording features.

The R-09 features built-in stereo mics and uses SD data cards (a 64MB one is included) to store your sound. All recordings can be backed up to your computer via USB. The unit features an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) screen.

March 07: It’s 31 Days of Free Music month at Podcasting News. Every day in March, we’re highlighting a free music podcast.

This week, we’ve looked at classical music for piano, dj mixes from DJ Steveboy, guitar music from Ottmar Liebert, soundtrack music from ReGenesis, Flyinshoes Radio‚Äôs free americana music, and the world of 8-bit music. It’s all music that you’re unlikely to ever hear on mainstream radio.

To wrap up the first week, we’ve got Mark Gunn’s Irish and Celtic Music podcast.

The podcast is a bi-monthly show that features independent Irish & Celtic music, including Irish drinking songs, Scottish folk songs, bagpipes, music from Ireland, Scotland, Brittany, Wales, Nova Scotia, Galacia, Australia, the United States, and around the world.

You can preview the Irish and Celtic Music podcast below. To subscribe, add this fead URL to your podcast client:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/mage/irish

Keyspan has announced updated firmware for its TuneView for iPod, a remote with color LCD screen and 2-way RF connectivity that lets you browse and manage an iPod throughout your house or office.

The update increases scrolling speed, adds an ability to jump to a specified first letter within a large list (e.g. in a collection of 8,000 songs jump directly to those starting with “L”), and improves overall wake-from-sleep performance.

“Unlike other iPod remotes, TuneView can be updated by connecting it to the USB port on a PC or Mac and loading new firmware onto the remote,” explained Keyspan president Mike Ridenhour. “This provides a way to easily add new functionality to the remote.”

Have you ever dreamed of being on public radio? Think you might be the next Ira Glass or Terry Gross?

If so, you’ll want to check out the Public Radio Talent Quest.

The Public Radio Exchange is giving away over $70,000 and a chance to create a new show for public radio. In other words – it’s This American Idol.

Public Radio Talent Quest contestants will compete in four rounds of auditions and on-air challenges. Thousands of public radio listeners will cast their votes online and a panel of public radio professionals and celebrity judges will help winnow the field from hundreds of entrants to the final group of three – each of whom will get to produce a pilot show for public radio.

Public radio stations around the country and major national shows will help spread the word about The Quest, encouraging contestants to enter and listeners to vote.

Terry Gross personally challenges you to enter, MP3 below.

A group of young people from West Lothian (in Scotland) have won a national podcasting competition.

The Free Ears team’s “Just Listen” podcast is aimed at raising awareness of mental health issues among young people.

The group was selected by judges from Young Scot, BT and Talk 107, and the youngsters will visit the radio station’s studio to air their podcast.

They will also receive their own outside broadcast unit kit.

Canadian business and financial news source Financial Post annouced today the launch of the Financial Post Daily Podcast, a concise summary of the day’s business and financial news, published at the start of the business day. The podcast is the latest in a series of new and enhanced offerings at financialpost.com, to coincide with the 100th birthday of the publication.

“These latest enhancements, including the Financial Post Daily Podcast, bring us to the next level, providing Canadians with reliable and in-depth financial tools and market data,” said Jonathan Harris, Executive Editor of the National Post.

The free Financial Post Daily Podcast offers a summary of current business news along with a look ahead at what will be making news in the business world, plus the opening market numbers from Europe and Asia. The podcast is available every weekday morning by 5am on financialpost.com, here at Podcasting News, and www.itunes.com.

Financial Post will produce the daily podcasts in concert with Daisy Media. Cisco has signed on as the inaugural sponsor, taking advantage of this unique opportunity to reach Canada’s business and financial audience.

Apple has introduced a new version of iTunes, version 7.1 for Macs and Windows:

Using iTunes 7.1, you can now enjoy your favorite iTunes movies, TV shows, music, and more from the comfort of your living room with Apple TV. iTunes 7.1 also supports a new full screen Cover Flow and improved sorting options to let you decide how iTunes should sort your favorite artists, albums, and songs.

You have to wonder if Apple is intentionally blowing off Vista users, though.

iTunes’ Windows system requirements make no mention of Vista, despite the fact that Vista had one of the longest beta testing periods of any operating system in history. These are the supported Windows systems:

• Windows XP with Service Pack 2
• Windows 2000 with Service Pack 4

In fact, Apple’s software compatibility list doesn’t list any applications as compatible with Vista. Not iTunes. Not QuickTime. Not AirPort. Not Apple Software Update for Windows. Not the iPod Updater.

If you want to risk it, though, Apple has some tips for Upgrading to Vista.

JobsinPods.com is a new service that advertises jobs through audio podcast interviews & via the site’s blog.

Podcasts start at $300 per podcast, with discounts for multiple podcasts.

“Recruiting is marketing,” says C.M. Russell, the founder of Jobs in Pods. “We allow employers to bring their jobs to life and connect with job seekers in ways the traditional job description can’t touch. This is a strategic marketing tool for forward thinking employers who want to stand out in the job market.”

The company conducts 15-20 minute interviews; participants are given an informal script to prepare. “We do all the work says,” says Russell. “All you have to do is pick up the phone and talk to us.”

Jobcasting is still relatively uncharted territory. While jobcasts may offer a more compelling presentation than text, they face major challenges in the areas of searchability and adoption.

Melodeo, Inc. today announced the availability of ‘Mobilcast Hi-fi’ to wireless operators. Mobilcast Hi-fi is a new patent-pending, low-bandwidth, hi-fidelity version of their industry-leading Mobilcast mobile entertainment service. Mobilcast Hi-fi allows wireless operators to offer hi-fidelity music and audio programs over existing mobile networks using standard codecs. Mobilcast Hi-fi automatically adapts to different phones and network speeds, resulting in a superior listening experience for wireless customers with minimal bandwidth use. Wireless operators are expected to make Mobilcast Hi-fi available to customers in the coming months.

Melodeo also announced today the addition of a2z, a set of original music channels exclusive to Mobilcast, which include Country, Hip-Hop, Rock of Ages, Top Hits and Dave’s Picks, a new music show hosted by Melodeo’s Senior Director of Music Content, Dave Dederer. Dederer is best known as a founding member of the multi-platinum rock band The Presidents of the United States of America. Each week, he will keep listeners tuned in to favorite tracks from his personal music library.