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Is it an iPod? Is it an old-fashioned transistor radio? These are the questions the Slacker portable digital music player will have to answer when it hits U.S. stores this month. NEW YORK–Is it an iPod? Is it an old-fashioned transistor radio? These are the questions the Slacker portable…
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Japanese news site Nikkei Net is reporting that the time has finally come for Nintendo to roll out another new DS video game system, complete with a camera and music playback. Earlier this year, Nintendo projected hardware sales of its DS handheld system to total 28 million…
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MySpace, the world’s largest social networking site, unveiled a long-expected joint venture with all four major music companies in a bid to compete with Apple’s market-leading iTunes store. NEW YORK–News Corp’s MySpace, the world’s largest social networking site, on Wednesday unveiled a long-expected joint venture with all four major…
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The music player which Dell has been testing features a small navigation screen and basic button controls to scroll through music play lists, according to reports. BANGALORE–In recent months, personal computer maker Dell, has been testing a digital music player that could go on sale as early as September,…
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What if you’re stuck in the middle of nowhere and your mobile phone’s battery is about to run out? Thanks to a new gizmo, you now just need to face the music and dance. LONDON–What do you do if you are stuck in a field at a pop festival…
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A growing number of indie rock labels begin to answer the prayers of fans who would love to hear long-out-of-print singles on their iPods or other mobile devices.(From Reuters) With their digital download sites, a growing number of indie rock labels have begun to answer the prayers…
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Assemblyman wants state to consider a sales tax on music purchases from online stores like iTunes and Amazon’s MP3 store. (From Reuters) A California bill that could lead to a tax on Internet music downloads faces slim odds of success, but the Democrat who wrote it says a…
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At South by Southwest, Velvet Underground co-founder calls for better digital-sound standards than what current MP3 tech provides.(From Reuters) AUSTIN, Texas–Lou Reed is lashing out at new modes of audio technology, saying “people have got to demand a higher standard” than current MP3 music files. The…
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Music Copyright Society and distributor R2G call for site to immediately halt copyright violations and offer compensation. Two industry groups representing China’s local musicians and songwriters have filed a lawsuit against the country’s Web search leader, Baidu.com, accusing it of copyright violation. The move signaled that domestic…
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The U.K. is close to stepping into the ongoing dispute between Internet service providers and the creative industries over curbing piracy. Britain will impose legislation on Internet service providers by April 2009 if they do not work with the music and film industries to curb illegal…
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Instead of a CD or digital version of the Universal album, fans are buying a $30 USB drive designed like a Ouija board planchette. When the Mars Volta put out its latest album, The Bedlam in Goliath, in January, the act gave its hard-core fans an option…
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Escalating its rivalry with Baidu, Google and Chinese download service Top100.cn to offer free licensed downloads. Google plans to enter the online music market in China for the first time, as it steps up its battle with local incumbent Baidu.com, media reported on Thursday. Google is expected…
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PlayDigital will sell DRM-free music from EMI and indie labels that be played on all digital devices including iPods. Online retailer Play.com is to launch a new UK download store called PlayDigital, offering music from EMI and independent labels as MP3 tracks which could be played on all…
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Universal, Sony BMG, and Warner ask a Beijing court to order China’s top search engine to remove all links to copyright-infringing tracks. Three global record companies have launched legal proceedings against China’s top Internet search engine Baidu.com, accusing it of violating copyright by giving access to music…
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Paul McGuinness says it’s time for artists to stand up for themselves and calls on ISPs and governments to stop illegal music downloads. Paul McGuinness, longtime manager of rock band U2, has called on Internet service providers to immediately introduce disconnection policies to end illegal music downloads and…
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Online retailer says it will begin an international roll-out this year of its digital music store. Online retailer Amazon.com said Sunday it will begin an international roll-out this year of its digital music store that offers songs without copy-protection technology known as digital rights management. Amazon…
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Qtrax says it will launch with 25 million to 30 million copyrighted tracks with backing from major labels. Qtrax, a new legal online file-sharing service that allows fans to download songs for free, said Sunday it will launch with 25 million to 30 million copyrighted tracks with…
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Last.fm got a lot of ink for what really was a half step, says CNET News.com’s Charles Cooper. Digital music consumers are still waiting to see the real deal. Wall Street’s been manic and office pools are springing up around the country wagering when CNBC pitchman Jim Cramer…
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Worldwide digital sales grow by 40 percent in ‘07, an international trade body says, but the total market is down around 10 percent. Sales of music fell at a faster rate in 2007 than 2006 despite digital sales soaring, and the Web’s gatekeepers must act if the…
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Offerings could include MP3 files for sale or for free as part of an ad-supported service, news report says. Web portal Yahoo is in early discussions with major record labels to offer an online music service, the Associated Press reported. The report, dated late Wednesday, quoted two…
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