News Archive for 05/02/10

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Napster challenges iTunes

02/10, 6:05pm

Napster hopes to steal market from iTunes

Napster has revealed an aggressive marketing campaign against Apple's iPod as part of its plans for a full launch of the Napster To Go portable subscription service later this quarter. The service is one of the first services enabled by Microsoft's Janus technology, which allows music files bought via subscription services to be transferred from a PC to a portable device. According to Napster CEO Chris Gorog, his company is betting heavily that the monthly 'all you can eat' subscription model will win customers over the download strategy currently pursued by iTunes. Gorog believes the best way to market the new service is to emphasise its advantages over iTunes. He's particularly keen to highlight iTunes' iPod-only compatibility. "We're going to be communicating to people that it's stupid to buy an iPod."

\"Soyuz\" iPod case

02/10, 5:40pm

"Space Case" for iPods and Cell Phones

Based on its 'Soyuz' messenger bags first introduced in April 2004, everQuest is offering smaller size holsters and cases specifically designed for cell phones, PDAs, digital cameras and iPods. The everQuest bags and holsters are made from swatches of space-flown parachute that returned astronaut Michael Foale and cosmonaut Alexander Kaleri from the International Space Station to Earth. EverQuest is selling two models: a cell phone holster and a wider e-device case. Both the holster and case are held closed with velcro; the case also has elastic side panels for a snug fit.

DRM-free music service

02/10, 9:25am

MP3Tunes.com service offers DRM-free music

A new online music store offers DRM-free digital music for $0.88 per song or $8.88 per album. MP3tunes, launched today, was started by Michael Robertson, founder and former CEO of MP3.com. All music sold at MP3tunes will work on any computer and with any portable player including the iPod. Consumers never run the risk of losing their music -- songs that have been purchased are permanently stored in a "music locker" and accessible from any Web browser. MP3tunes differs from other online music services including Apple's iTunes because it does not use digital rights management (DRM) technology, which restricts how a buyer can use the music. More than 22,000 artists are participating in the launch of MP3tunes, with 300,000 songs in high-quality 192 kbps MP3 format, although none of the major record lables have partnered with the service.

New ShuffleMate case

02/10, 6:25am

New ShuffleMate case for iPod shuffle

Bruddy Designs today announced ShuffleMate for Apple's iPod shuffle. The ShuffleMate is an accessory that combines the functionality of a case with clips and wire management. The small plastic device snuggly fits either the 512MB or 1GB versions of the iPod shuffle, offering protection and convenience... without hiding the design of the Shuffle itself. The ShuffleMate is currently in production and will be available mid-March for $17. It includes an industry standard "bull-dog" clip and is available for pre-order for $12.