Another warning about iPod use

Representative Edward Mackey (D-Massachusetts) has asked the National Institutes of Health to decide on the health risks of listening to portable music players like the iPod. According to One News, Markey cited the fact that noise above 85 decibels can cause hearing damage if the noise persists for too long. Apple has declined to state the maximum decibel level of the iPod, and cautions about iPod with earbud use have been issued by various personas. Markey said in his letter that "people don't want to give up their portable music devices, however, they need to know whether they are at risk for premature hearing loss and how to protect themselves."

Belgian music service joins iTunes

A major Belgian music retailer announced a partnership with Apple's iTunes Music Store, and will offer its customers 20 free iTunes downloads to help introduce them to the service. "From now on, Belgacom and Skynet will be offering their on-line music services via the iTunes Music Store, which means that they will be working with iTunes, the driving force behind the digital music revolution," Belgacom said. Belgacom's Skynet Music Club has been available in Belgium since 2002, and sold 1.5 million tracks online in 2005 alone. The new partnership has resulted in Skynet halting the sale of music packages, but existing customers have until the end of March of 2006 to use up leftover credit. Belgacom also unveiled plans to allow customers to pay for their iTunes purchases through an ordinary phone bill by the middle of the year, according to Macworld UK.