Category: Tech

Looks like EMI Music, a huge huge label, is going to be selling MP3s without any DRM restrictions. Details 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.

I think a big theme of 2007 in the media is going to be the “death of the compact disc.” We’ve heard this a little bit throughout the last few years, but this year it’s gonna get loud.

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)

Here’s some nerdy websites and applications that I ran across on Lifehacker recently that might be fun for you:

– iConcertCal: This is a fun extension to iTunes. After you install it, go to the “Visualizer” window of iTunes and this application will show you a calendar of upcoming concerts in your area by bands that are in your music library.

– Zontune: At this website, you enter in a band/album title and it will display the track listing of the record and then will let you know if there’s any videos for the songs on Youtube. Kind of a novelty. Example: “I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One” by Yo La Tengo

– Jajuk: For Mac or Windows, another program to play and manage your mp3s. The player provides a lot of interesting ways to cut up your data, but I wasn’t that impressed with the Mac version. (plus no iPod support that I could see.)

DIRTY DIRTY MP3 player…

Yesterday, Microsoft agreed to share revenue from Zune sales with record labels and artists. Forcing the issue was Universal Music Group, which at deadline is the only label named in the program. UMG refused to license its music to the Zune unless it could receive a percentage of each device sold, in addition to standard music licensing fees for downloads and subscriptions.

“These devices are just repositories for stolen music, and they all know it,” UMG chairman/CEO Doug Morris says. “So it’s time to get paid for it.” (full story)

A nice, friendly Sunday reminder for those of you who’ve not upgraded yet:

Go on and download, dude. And if you are a nerd like me, these Firefox tweaks are really helpful.

Here’s my two favorite music-related addons: Foxytunes lets you control iTunes from Firefox and Download Them All will download all mp3s linked off of a webpage.

“The Digital Freedom Campaign holds as its core value the recognition that new technologies are essential to the creativity and innovation that have allowed this nation to thrive. Digital technology enables anyone and everyone to be an artist and an innovator – to produce music, to create cutting edge films and videos, and to reach new audiences. For consumers, it allows individuals the ability to enjoy these new works when they want, where they want, how they want and to participate in the process. These are basic freedoms that must be protected and nurtured. The Digital Freedom campaign is dedicated to defending the rights of artists, innovators, creators and consumers to use lawful technology free of unreasonable government restrictions and without fear of costly lawsuits.”

Old school:

Today:

Mmmmmmmm, cake:

The story so far, from the Apple Music event:
At some point, a video stream of the announcement will be available here.

Upgraded iPods
_60% brighter with brighness control,
_improved battery performance video playback
_new headphones
_cheaper pricing, increased capacity:
$249(30GB), $349(80GB)

Software upgraded:
_new games-Apple partnering with EA, selling games in the iTMS for $4.99
_”instant” searching

New Nanos, in colors, aluminum added
_2, 4, 8 GB capacities
_$149/$199/$249

New iPod shuffles
_Metal, 1GB $79

Also updated, iTunes app/store, with several interface improvements.
_TV shows are now encoded at 640×480 (h264), up from 320×240
_sync between multiple computers using an iPod, as long as both are authorized on the same account
_iPod sync/updating improved
_download manager

“The iTunes Store”:
_content from Disney, Miramax, Pixar, Touchstone
_75 releases today
_$12.99 preorder/first week, 14.99 after
_progressive download (i.e. watch as it downloads)
_640x480 resolution, with Dolby Surround
_movies have same DRM/terms as TV shows-no rentals- supposedly the sticking point with the major Studios.

Announced for 1st. Quarter 2007: iTV

_Wireless, set-top box.
_USB/Ethernet/Wireless connectivity
_optical audio and HDMI
_half the size of the Mac Mini
_works with Apple Remote
_next-gen FrontRow Interface
_access trailers and content from the iTunes Store
_cross-platform compatibility with iTunes
_$299

People put up with a lot of clunky Myspace coding, but I can’t see them putting up with it when it comes to financial transactions, but I could be wrong.

Small bands will be selling straight MP3s, and they’re going to try and sell DRM flavored MP3s for major label bands. Read about the plans on Yahoo.

(thx jawbreaker)