USB Sound Blaster + iTunes = Wireless Audio Streaming

Sound Blaster perhaps isn't what Creative wants it to be anymore. A new USB dongle from the two decade-old product line now bears iTunes' name to appease the 100 million iPod fans and 10 million iPhone owners out there. The Sound Blaster for iTunes is technically a USB sound card (e.g. Asus Dolby U1), but pairs up with some proprietary wireless transmitter to stream lossless audio to either a Creative Wireless Receiver or the new GigaWorks T20W speakers, saving you from the hassle of figuring out the correct network setting. The technology reportedly has to do with neither Bluetooth nor Certified Wireless USB, yet it boasts an effective range of 100 ft. or 30m.

The tiny audio dongle comes built-in with none other than X-Fi processing to 'enhance' any MP3s, AACs (even the DRM-protected ones, not that it matters anyway now), and anything streamed from the web which includes content from Napster or Rhapsody. The Creative Sound Blaster for iTunes is likely to be treated as a USB audio device as the Creative will work under Mac or PC. When it hits retail this Spring, expect this to be significantly lower than the MSRP of $99.99.