[Empeg-general] Newsletter 17

[Rob Voisey]

The newsletter is going out as I type.  Here's a copy for anyone not on the announcement list (or still waiting for our mailer to get to them):

Bulletin 17, 25-Sep-2000 

Contents

Shipping Queue Update
Top End Model Gets Larger
Tuner Module Update 
Forthcoming Software Releases
The Geek Site
Source Released for Emptool
Recruitment - C++ Programmers
Welcome Aboard
Useful Resources

Shipping Queue Update

It has been a long time since the last newsletter, partly because the new web site provides most of the information that we used to include with bulletins, and partly because we've been very busy shipping car players!

We have now reached up to position 15,250 in the queue - if you have a number lower than that but have not received an invitation, please go ahead and order at our online store whenever you're ready. If you're not sure of your number you can look it up at the web site. It's taken a long time to get there, but we're almost at the day we nolonger have to ask our clients to wait in line. For those of you who have been waiting, we thank you for your fantastic support and for the patience you have shown. We're sure you'll consider it worthwhile when you receive your empeg car player!

Top End Model Gets Larger

In line with our policy of continuous product updates, the top end model has now been increased from 36Gb to 40Gb. The price remains unchanged at US$1949. This gives a maximum music capacity of around 680 hours, using 128K/sec encoding. Outstanding orders for 36Gb players will be shipped 40Gb automatically.

A number of clients have asked why we don't use the new IBM 30Gb drives. The answer is simple - we can't yet buy them in quantity. We are working on that, but don't expect to have 30/60Gb models before the end of the year.

Tuner Module Update

In response to considerable customer feedback we have decided to drop the FM tuner module (before its launch) and replace it with a combined AM/FM module. The new module also has significantly improved reception, and some other features that we are keeping under wraps until the module is released. Of course RDS support will continue, with a more complete implementation of features.

Unfortunately this decision has caused further delay with the supply of the tuner module, and we are currently working hard to reduce the lead time for the new combined module. As soon as we have a firm delivery date we will post it to the web site.

Forthcoming Software Releases

Our programmers have been working hard on two forthcoming releases. The first, version 1.01, will be out within a few days and provides only bug fixes to Consumer release 1.0 (the version currently preloaded onto new players). Some of the fixes are important, and we strongly recommend upgrading to 1.01 which will be available from thesoftware download section at our web site.

A major release, version 1.1, is expected in October. This will include many new features, a faster MP3 decoder, and possibly support for WMA and WAV files. The latter are currently awaiting the completion of licencing, so if they don't make 1.1 they'll be included in the next minor release. Full details of this release will be sent nearer the time. As usual, the release will be free of charge.

The Geek Site

By now many of you will have found your way to our offbeat new web site, The Geek Site (geek.empeg.com). The Geek Site complements our main site with features and resources for our more technically orientated clients - people after our own heart, to whom we feel we owe much of our success. The site is informal and quirky but we think it's fun, and well worth a look if you have geek inclinations!

Source Release for Emptool

Last month we took the decision to release the source code for emptool, the empeg download tool for Linux, under the GPL. This means that anyone can work on emptool, port it to other platforms, integrate a GUI, or use the source in any way they find useful - within the terms of the popular General Public Licence. Clients have already reported success porting emptool to various unix variants, and projects are underway for other platforms including Macintosh. We'll keep you updated on these projects, primarily through the Geek Site.

The emptool source can be downloaded from the Geek Site, or from the Source section of our main download site.

Recruitment - C++ Programmers

We currently have the following vacancies:

Experienced C++/UNIX Programmer

Skills: Linux/C++, STL, multithreaded applications, OO design, TCP/IP networking
Advantageous: Linux kernel, CVS, ARM processor, Digital Audio (MP3/WMA etc) technology
Experience: Solid C++ experience and enthusiasm, degree in relevant field useful but not essential
Salary: 27,500 - 40,000 UKP according to experience

Experienced Visual C++ Programmer

Skills: Visual C++, MFC for Win9x, NT and 2000, OO design, TCP/IP networking, multithreaded applications
Advantageous: Knowledge of COM using ATL, CVs, Windows DDK, Digital Audio (MP3/WMA etc) technology
Experience: Solid VC++/MFC experience and enthusiasm, degree in relevant field useful but not essential
Salary: 27,500 - 40,000 UKP according to experience


Junior C++/UNIX Programmer

Skills: Linux/C++, OO design, concurrent programming
Advantageous: STL, Digital Audio (MP3/WMA etc) technology
Experience: Good degree in closely related discipline, alternative award or experience considered
Salary: 20,000 - 25,000 UKP according to degree or experience


These positions are based at our main site in Cambridge, UK and are available immediately. Due to the urgency of filling these positions we expect that they will be taken by UK or other EC applicants, or those who already have a long term UK work permit in force. These positions are not available to remote workers.

For more information please contact jobs@empeg.com.

Welcome Aboard

We have some new faces at empeg since the last newsletter:

Having worked as a contractor since the start of the car player project, Toby has now joined our in-house programming team. He wrote the empeg visualisations, and one of his first tasks will be to design an interface so that other people will be able to plug in their own visualisations.

Dave has joined the Dispatch Room, and will monitor our new dispatch@empeg.com mailbox to help expedite your deliveries. One of his tasks is to detect shipping/customs delays and try to solve them before the client even realises there's a problem.

Andrew has joined Sales, and will be the primary point of contact for sales@empeg.com enquiries. He will help with card authorisation and bank transfer problems, and answer any questions you may have about the sales process.

Useful Resources

Web Sites

The empeg web site at http://www.empeg.com/ 
The empeg Geek Site at http://geek.empeg.com/
The unofficial empeg BBS at http://empeg.comms.net/ 
The empeg developer's site at http://www.empeg.mars.org/ 


Email Addresses

General information info@empeg.com 
Sales enquiries sales@empeg.com 
Press enquiries press@empeg.com 
Mailing list announce@empeg.com 
Tech Support support@empeg.com 
Recruitment jobs@empeg.com

end

Rob Voisey
rob@empeg.com