DRM close to extinction on iTunes?
One of my key predictions for 2009 was that Apple’s iTunes store would go DRM-free. There are always a lot of Apple rumors out there, but I was so confident in this one that I actually made the prediction twice. It turns out that may have been a good call, as Apple and the major music labels have come to terms on a deal, reports CNET’s Greg Sandoval.
Sandoval’s source is very specific on the details… Continue Reading
SanDisk and record companies launch slotMusic, or albums on flash cards
SanDisk and the record companies are launching a new music format today dubbed slotMusic. The company hopes music companies will publish entire albums on SanDisk flash memory cards that are smaller than a postage stamp and are expected to replace the music CD.
In an age of downloadable music, the new slotMusic format for distributing MP3 songs is a long shot. But it has heavy-duty support. SanDisk has been trying out the idea for a number… Continue Reading
iTunes Unlimited has a limited chance of happening for now
The rumor of Apple unveiling an “iTunes Unlimited” option for its popular digital music store always gets people in a tizzy. After all, who wouldn’t want to have access to large chunk of the service’s library of music anytime they wanted for a flat fee?
After laying dormant for several months, the rumor popped up again yesterday when messages from anonymous sources went out to a few Apple blogs claiming to have details about the service… Continue Reading
MySpace Music days away from an assault on iTunes
Social networking site MySpace and music have worked well together in the past. New bands got recognition, popular bands gained new fans. Now MySpace is looking to extend that relationship by launching a full-scale music store. This launch will be happening sometime within the next 5 days, according to Reuters.
The service will be appropriately titled “MySpace Music”, and is said to have the support of at least 3 of the major labels. Sony BMG Music… Continue Reading
Are Sony BMG and Apple aligned in music subscription plans?
Today, music label Sony BMG’s chief executive, Rolf Schmidt-Holtz, spoke about the possibility of an online music subscription service that would work with all digital music players, according to Thomson Financial. Yes, all — including Apple’s iPod, a device Schmidt-Holtz specifically mentioned.
Talk of Apple looking into a new, unlimited music subscription plan for its iTunes music store garnered a lot of attention last week (our coverage). The company was said to be in talks with unnamed… Continue Reading
Sony and Warner take mobile music to Asia
Sony BMG and Warner Music are working with Seattle-based Melodeo to take mobile music downloads to cell phones in Asia.
Here is the full statement. John Cook has more here.
Sony BMG Music Entertainment and Warner Music Group are tossing their weight behind Access China Media Solutions, a joint venture formed last year by Melodeo and Tokyo-based Access Co. As part of the deal, the joint venture will receive an undisclosed investment from Sony BMG and… Continue Reading
Video is hot — YouTube vs. Soapbox and Everyone else
YouTube, the two-year-old San Mateo start-up that raced ahead to become the leader of online video sharing, is facing the fight of its life.
Microsoft’s launch of its YouTube clone, called the Soapbox, made official today — see announcement with an offering of a way to sign up for a beta account, is only the latest challenge. (The dancing man with MSN colors strikes us as somewhat unhip, but then what can we expect a… Continue Reading