Microsoft have tweaked their Zune Pass subscription service to include a number of free-to-keep tracks every month, which users can continue to play even if their subscription lapses. From today, Zune Pass users will be able to select up to ten tracks each month to be kept in DRM-free MP3 format; the music can come from studios including EMI Music, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group (UMG) and Warner Music Group.
It seems the Entertainment Retailers Association have come up with a new logo and campaign to make it easier for consumers to recognize cross-platform DRM-free MP3 offerings. This logo will bear the words “MP3 Compatible” and will let you know what digital downloads lack harsh digital rights.
If you’re just dying to get your hands on anything and everything having to do with the 2008 Beijing Olympics, perhaps a MP3 player will whet your appetite. At least, that’s what the makers behind the 2008 Beijing Olympic Stadium “Bird’s Nest” Style Design MP3 Player are hoping for.
If you feel like bringing a bit of discotheque style to your work space—do they even still call them discotheques?—you need to get your hands on the Encore Rockin Music Lamp.
Hercules have introduced the refreshed MK2 version of their DJ Console, intended to make editing and mixing digital music straightforward to even most amateur DJ. Bristling with controls, it features dual jog-wheel decks, independent volume and pitch control, a cross fader and 2×3 equalization buttons.
If you can’t fight them, join them! Rhapsody finally decided streaming model might not be making as much money as they think and were unable to compete with iPod, so they decided to adopt the download model. Rhapsody seems to understand that consumer hates DRM and made their service DRM-Free in MP3 format.
Hercules is now reaching out to all aspiring DJs of any age with its new DJ Control MP3. This is a great gadget for those of you who are want to try your hand at mixing and remixing tunes like a real DJ.
Alright, that’s it, MP3 accessories have officially gone too far. Overpriced t-shirts with built in gadgetry is just far too much. When will this madness end?!
It is rare that I find the portable speakers for iPods all that interesting, or even cool but this cute little amp is a nice change. It’d be great for any musicians, or those that wish they were, myself being one of the wishful many.
Numark have released their latest turntable, the TTi, which can not only play your vinyl but record it directly to either a docked iPod or any USB-connected PC or Mac. The docking station is compatible with the 5th-gen iPod video, iPod Classic and 2nd-gen nano, which seems a bit short-sighted, but even if your iPod is a different version you can still create digital copies of your records via the included EZ Vinyl Converter and Audacity software. No drivers are needed, which I presume means it shows up as a generic external soundcard.
SlashGear JP
