In some ways this is awfully similar to the Radiohead model, with a few improvements. First of all, the higher baseline kpbs encoding is nice, but I really like the fact that if you pay, you can get the download in whatever format you’d like on up to FLAC.

Secondly, I don’t think this is physically coming out, so it won’t be viewed as a leveraging ploy / future CD-sales tactic. In fact it’ll probably give Williams more recognition than he’s (ever?) had. This is not just due to the sales model, since obviously Reznor’s involvement is pretty noteworthy … especially given his own recent outspoken disdain for the Major Label model of distributing music.

I’m liking these changing times.

BuyMyBrokeniPod.com wants to buy your used, new or broken iPod or iPhone today! We offer a fast, simple, and eco-friendly way for you to get money for used, new or broken iPods and iPhones. We accept Classic, Touch, Video, Photo, Nano, Mini, iPhones & Generation 4 to 1 iPods. We don’t care if your iPod has a cracked screen, the a busted hard drive busted, or shows a sad face, has buttons that don’t work, is acting weird, is old and creepy, has water damage, or if the battery is dead. We will pay you top dollar for your unwanted iPod MP3 Player or iPhone guaranteed! Keep your old iPod out of the landfill and you get cash in return!

[credz techcrunch]

- MP3 format, 256 kbs
- No DRM
- Individual songs priced at $0.89
- Albums priced between $4.99 – $8.99

The store has albums available from locals like Miranda Sound, Megan Palmer, Eric Metronome and Jon Chinn. Indies like Spoon, The New Pornographers and Grizzly Bear. And major label artists like Kanye West and Radiohead.

This definitely isn’t going to be an iTunes killer – nothing will ever “kill” iTunes.. but I think it’s the first legitimate competition Apple has ever had. And competition is always a good thing.

So you’ve no doubt seen this story or one like it explaining that Universal Music Group won’t renew its iTunes deal. And you’ve seen people saying that the majors are trying to “recalibrate” their relationships with us. Actually what’s happening is they’re crapping in their pants. They woke up one day and realized that we’ve got 80% share of digital downloads. Suddenly all the power in the value chain resides in one player. Oops.

Read his full blog post here.

EMI will offer songs without DRM, iTunes is first partner. Songs will be encoded at 256k and sold at $1.29 per song, $0.30 more per song than the current price. These will be offered along side the existing lower quality, DRM tracks, and consumers can choose.

Your reactions in the comments.

At the MidemNet conference this weekend, Will.i.am from Black Eyed Peas talked about working with Michael Jackson on his new album, and how he is pushing him for a digital only release:

[Will.i.am] is currently working in the studio with Michael Jackson on the veteran singer’s forthcoming album, raising the prospect of an exclusive online release.

“I dream how he could be the first major artist to release a record through this platform without a record company,” Will told paidContent.org. “Groups that I work with in the future that don’t want to go the traditional route with the record company but want to use this independent route and make money, I would do that with them.” He said Jackson was in “great shape” and the two are working on “strong melodies that affect people emotionally and rhythms that make people dance. I think he’s probably the only person that doesn’t need a label and, through social networking, be able to release his album and be successfully independently … straight from the studio onto the web for people to purchase. I hope he uses the Musicane thing—that would be fresh.” (full story)