News Archive for 06/05/04

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Apple, MS, labels partner for DDEX

05/04, 8:15pm

Digital Data Exchange

Apple, Microsoft, the big four music labels, and five others have joined together to form a new organization dedicated to developing and maintaining a robust framework of communication standards to support the digital distribution of digital content. Initially, the Digital Data Exchange ("DDEX") will focus on music and music-related assets; DDEX hopes to improve the efficiency of information sharing and transaction processing in the music supply chain through use of Standards. The membership organization will include EMI Music, Sony BMG Music, Warner Music Group, and Universal Music Group as well as music rights societies from the US, UK and Spain, The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), The Harry Fox Agency, The MCPS-PRS Alliance Limited, Sociedad General de Autores y Editores. It will also be joined by the French society SACEM. Apple along with Microsoft and RealNetworks are the music service providers that have signed up.

Apple patents iPod audio navigation tags

05/04, 7:35pm

iPod audio navigation

In another filing revealed today, Apple patented a system for automatic generation of audio navigation tags for an iPod. The tags would provide audio cues to navigating and selecting songs without viewing the iPod display. The tags could be used while driving, jogging, or during other activities when the iPod is not easily or conveniently accessible. According to Unwired View, the tags are generated from the metadata of music or video files. Appended automatically by many music services and audio programs, metadata contains the text-based informaion such as author, song name and duration, film director or lead actor name, etc. This text information is then converted using text-to-speech software into a small audio files--audio navigation tags--on your PC.

Apple patent covers wireless iTunes

05/04, 7:20pm

Wireless iTunes patent

A newly uncovered patent application by Apple appears to cover wireless iTunes distribution. It covers a method of buying a song, ring tone or music video from an online store over a wireless network, according to CNET News.com. Published on Thursday, but filed in December of 2004, the Apple patent describes an invention that allows cell phone or wireless handheld users to interact with an online music store--such as iTunes--and mark a song or video file that can be downloaded to a computer at a later time, according to the report. "The invention appears to be a way for Apple to capture revenue from music fans with short attention spans. For example, cell phone users on the go who hear a song might want to purchase that tune right away, but by the time they get back to their PC, they've forgotten the name of the song or the artist. According to the application, the invention would allow cell phone or wireless-PDA users to essentially bookmark a song or video on an online music store. Then, they return to their PC, they could download it over a fast network. If bandwidth permits, they might be able to download the song or file directly to their phone."