News Archive for 05/08/05

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Real, Apple dispute

08/05, 1:30pm

Real disputes Apple's Rolling Stones catalog claims

RealNetworks, which runs the Rhapsody music service, is reportedly disputing Apple's claim that iTunes is the first digital music service to offer the Rolling Stones' complete back catalog. Apple yesterday said that the iTunes Music Store is "the only online music service in the world to feature the complete digital music catalogue of the Rolling Stones." According to Macworld UK, Real yesterday contacted the publication to dispute Apple's claims; however, the publication found that only Rolling Stones' EMI Virgin release--18 albums in total--were available for purchase and download. The remaining portion of the Stones' catalogue was only available to streaming Rhapsody customers.

HouseParty for iPod

08/05, 11:10am

Podgear launches HouseParty speaker system for iPod

UK-based iPod accessory maker PodGear today announced the launch of HouseParty, a mini stereo speaker system designed to work with Apple's iPod. It features synchronization and charging functions for the entire iPod range. “The HouseParty is compact and beautifully designed with feather touch volume controls and funky blue LED lights to make any iPod look at home when docked. The HouseParty is equally at home in the living room, kitchen, bedroom or by the computer where anybody can simply dock their iPod to charge and share their music collection.” The HouseParty speakersystem can turn "any recent iPod" into a mini stereo system, delivering out 2x6W of stereo sound. The HouseParty will charge any iPod with a dock connector (3G, 4G, Photo and mini) or iPod Shuffle, and also enables synchronisation with a computer over USB. It will ship on September 1 for £$50.

iTunes prices going up?

08/05, 11:00am

Apple to raise iTunes prices in 2006?

Apple may be forced to raise song prices at the iTunes Music Store next year, according to a report from Japan. "Japan's Nikkei recently reported that record labels have been 'abuzz with talk about Apple's 2006 problem'. That refers to label licensing renegotiations scheduled for next year... Specifically, labels have been pushing Apple to increase its current fixed a-la-carte pricing structure in the US, Canada and Europe." Apple's two-tiered approach used in Japan may foreshadow possible increases, while at the same time bolstering the labels' case for higher pricing; however, for now, Apple's lower pricing in Japan has forced some of its main competitors in the region--Sony's Label Gate, Yahoo Japan and Excite--to lower pricing. The report says that Apple's licensing of its FairPlay DRM will also be an issue, as labels have recently begun shipping copy-protected CDs that are not compatible with the popular iPod.

Amazon joins the game

08/05, 10:45am

Amazon may launch digital music service

Internet retailer Amazon.com may be preparing to launch its own digital-music service by the end of the year, according to a report in The Wallstreet Journal. The new service would bring yet another player to an already crowded that includes Apple, Microsoft, Yahoo, Napster, and RealNetworks. "Amazon has held talks with record-label executives in the past two weeks about licensing music, according to people familiar with the discussions. Amazon of Seattle has discussed a music offering that would include options such as song-by-song downloads and a monthly subscription service, those people say. Amazon has discussed tapping MusicNet, a New York distributor of digital music, to support the service, people familiar with the talks say. Amazon indicated that it is interested in launching a digital-music service in the fourth quarter of this year." [subscription required]