Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Rhapsody officially acquires Napster International, eyes European launch]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/26/rhapsody-officially-acquires-napster-international-eyes-europea/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/26/rhapsody-officially-acquires-napster-international-eyes-europea/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/26/rhapsody-officially-acquires-napster-international-eyes-europea/#comments
After having already acquired Napster here in the US, Rhapsody has taken its expansion one step further, with the acquisition of Napster International. Under the deal, announced today, Rhapsody will continue to offer Napster-branded services across the UK and Germany, as promised, and will eventually migrate Napster subscribers to its own infrastructure in March, with existing personal libraries remaining intact (Napster is already live in the UK, but has yet to make its official German launch). The move will also bring changes to Napster users' mobile apps and web clients, with Rhapsody promising improved offline playback and enhanced library management tools "in the coming months." For more details, check out the full PR after the break.

Continue reading Rhapsody officially acquires Napster International, eyes European launch

Rhapsody officially acquires Napster International, eyes European launch originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionappbusinesseuropeGermanyindustryinternetlibrarymobile appMobileAppmoneymusicmusic streamingMusicStreamingnapsterplaybackrhapsodyservicestreamingUKwebThu, 26 Jan 2012 10:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Napster name will live on to irritate Lars Ulrich another day in UK, Germany]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/05/napster-name-will-live-on-to-irritate-lars-ulrich-another-day-in/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/05/napster-name-will-live-on-to-irritate-lars-ulrich-another-day-in/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/05/napster-name-will-live-on-to-irritate-lars-ulrich-another-day-in/#comments Those who declared the death of Napster have apparently underestimated the survival skills of the plucky headphone-wearing feline. The piracy-enabler-turned-legit-streaming-service will continue to live on under that moniker in the UK and Germany, in spite of its being swallowed up by the Rhapsody name here in the States, according to the company.

Napster name will live on to irritate Lars Ulrich another day in UK, Germany originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 05 Dec 2011 19:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionminipostmusicmusic streamingmusic streaming serviceMusicStreamingMusicStreamingServicenapsterpiracyrhapsodystreamingMon, 05 Dec 2011 19:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Napster uses up another one of its lives, now fully merged with Rhapsody]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/02/napster-uses-up-another-one-of-its-lives-now-fully-merged-with/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/02/napster-uses-up-another-one-of-its-lives-now-fully-merged-with/http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/02/napster-uses-up-another-one-of-its-lives-now-fully-merged-with/#comments
The last dozen years have been quite the roller coaster ride for the Napster crew. The service, which became synonymous with music piracy not all that long after its launch in 1999, made more than its share of high profile enemies, ranging from the RIAA to Metallica. It would soon shut its doors for a first time, thanks to a number of legal challengers. Napster was later reborn as a legit music streaming service, but the beginning of the end for that incarnation was marked earlier this year when Rhapsody, one of the company's chief competitors, announced plans to acquire the service. Yesterday marked the end of the road for Napster again -- the service now fully merged with Rhapsody. Why not pay your respects by breaking out some of the mislabeled, decade-old MP3s that are no doubt lurking on an unused hard drive in the back of your closet?

Continue reading Napster uses up another one of its lives, now fully merged with Rhapsody

Napster uses up another one of its lives, now fully merged with Rhapsody originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Dec 2011 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aquisitionmergermusicmusic streamingMusicStreamingnapsterpiracyrhapsodyFri, 02 Dec 2011 10:40:00 EST<![CDATA[STHoldings withdraws more than 200 record labels from Spotify, does so with gusto]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/21/stholdings-withdraws-more-than-200-record-labels-from-spotify-d/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/21/stholdings-withdraws-more-than-200-record-labels-from-spotify-d/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/21/stholdings-withdraws-more-than-200-record-labels-from-spotify-d/#comments STHoldings stormed its way out of Spotify this week, leaving only a trail of choice words in its wake. On Wednesday, the distributor boldly withdrew more than 200 of its record labels from Spotify, Rdio, Simfy and Napster, following the release of a study that cast the music subscription industry in a rather unfavorable light. According to the research, carried out by NPD Group and NARM, cloud-based services like Spotify and Rdio deter consumers from purchasing music via other channels. Amid concerns that these companies may "cannibalise the revenues of more traditional digital services," STHoldings decided to withdraw its catalogue of more than 200 labels. In fact, of the 238 labels consulted on the decision, just four expressed a desire to remain with Spotify, et al.

"As a distributor we have to do what is best for our labels," STHoldings explained, in a statement. "The majority of which do not want their music on such services because of the poor revenues and the detrimental affect on sales. Add to that the feeling that their music loses its specialness by its exploitation as a low value/free commodity." The distributor went on to quote one of its labels with a line that rhymes with "duck modify." In comparatively subdued response, Spotify said it respects STHoldings' decision, but still hopes that the labels "will change their minds." The Swedish company also contested STHoldings' study-backed arguments against it, claiming that it has "already convinced millions of consumers to pay for music again," and assuring that artists' revenue streams will "continue to grow." Read more about the study, the stats and the spat at the links below.

STHoldings withdraws more than 200 record labels from Spotify, does so with gusto originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 Nov 2011 06:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessdistributordownloadindustrylabelmoneymusicmusic labelMusicLabelnapsterNARMNPD GroupNpdGrouppiracyrdiorecord industryrecord labelRecordIndustryrecording industryRecordingIndustryRecordLabelrevenueSpotifySTHoldingsstreamingstudysubscriptionMon, 21 Nov 2011 06:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Engadget: best streaming music solution?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/29/ask-engadget-best-streaming-music-solution/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/29/ask-engadget-best-streaming-music-solution/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/29/ask-engadget-best-streaming-music-solution/#comments We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is coming to us from Katie, who is totally down with the stream. The radio stream. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

"Rdio, Spotify, Pandora, Rhapsody -- there are way too many streaming music services out there begging for my money. Which is the one I should spring for? I live in the US, but would love for whatever I choose to work when I travel internationally, if that's possible. Trying to keep it up under $10 per month, and looking for a large library and nice mobile compatibility. Thanks!"

So, streamers -- what's your go-to service? Tried a few of 'em? Let us know which you prefer, and why, down in comments below.

Ask Engadget: best streaming music solution? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 29 Oct 2011 22:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>askAsk EngadgetAskEngadgetaudioitunesmusicnapsterpandorardiorhapsodyspotifystreamstreamingstreaming musicStreamingMusicsubscriptionzunezune passZunePassSat, 29 Oct 2011 22:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Rhapsody announces plans to acquire Napster]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/rhapsody-announces-plans-to-acquire-napster/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/rhapsody-announces-plans-to-acquire-napster/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/03/rhapsody-announces-plans-to-acquire-napster/#comments Details are fairly light at the moment, but Rhapsody has just announced that it plans to acquire Napster, and that the deal is expected to be complete as soon as the end of November. In a statement, Rhapsody president Jon Irwin said that the deal "will further extend Rhapsody's lead over our competitors in the growing on-demand music market," and that "this is a 'go big or go home' business, so our focus is on sustainably growing the company." According to Rhapsody, the company will acquire Napster's subscribers and "certain other assets" under the agreement, and Best Buy (Napster's current owner) will receive a minority stake in the company. Press release is after the break.

Continue reading Rhapsody announces plans to acquire Napster

Rhapsody announces plans to acquire Napster originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 13:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionbest buyBestBuybreaking newsdealmusicmusic serviceMusicServicenapsterrhapsodystreamingstreaming musicStreamingMusicMon, 03 Oct 2011 13:38:00 EST<![CDATA[Denon DNP-720AE does network audio and not much else for $660 (update: $500 in the US)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/23/denon-dnp-720ae-does-network-audio-and-not-much-else-for-660/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/23/denon-dnp-720ae-does-network-audio-and-not-much-else-for-660/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/23/denon-dnp-720ae-does-network-audio-and-not-much-else-for-660/#comments

The DNP-720AE has been hanging around at trade shows for a while, but it's only just been tagged up with a price. And boy, what a price: £429 ($660) for a stereo box that snatches AirPlay, DLNA, Internet radio, Napster and Last.fm off your WiFi or wired network and outputs to your amp. Sure, it packs a decent 24-bit DAC and will no doubt deliver that sweet Denon sound when added to your stack -- but if you don't already own a bunch of same-brand components then there's plenty of alternatives to consider. To pick a random example, even the ancient and infinitely cheaper Logitech Squeezebox Duet has similar functionality, without AirPlay or DLNA specifically but with basic iTunes compatibility and Spotify too. You could put those savings towards a networked AV receiver instead.

Update: We've just heard that the US price for this thing will be $499. The $660 we mentioned above derived from a straight currency conversion from the UK Sterling price.

Denon DNP-720AE does network audio and not much else for $660 (update: $500 in the US) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Sep 2011 05:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airplayapple airplayAppleAirplayDenonDenon DNP-720AEDenonDnp-720aedlnaDNP-720AElast.fmnapsternetwork audioNetworkAudionetworked audioNetworkedAudiostereowireless audioWirelessAudioFri, 23 Sep 2011 05:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Best Buy launches Insignia connected TVs with DVR-less TiVo]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/01/best-buy-launches-insignia-connected-tvs-with-dvr-less-tivo/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/01/best-buy-launches-insignia-connected-tvs-with-dvr-less-tivo/http://www.engadget.com/2011/08/01/best-buy-launches-insignia-connected-tvs-with-dvr-less-tivo/#comments Right on schedule, Best Buy's announced it's good and ready to ship two Insignia-branded connected televisions with TiVo's UI -- minus the whole DVR thing, that is. The two 1080p sets, available in 32- and 42-inch flavors, are landing months after the retailer said it was buddying up with TiVo to borrow its user interface -- and only that, there's no indication these will play nicely with Premiere DVRs and their multiroom streaming at launch -- for searching content and also just getting up and running easily. As you'd expect, folks perusing these sets can watch movies from Netflix, CinemaNow, and YouTube, as well as stream from Pandora and Napster. Rounding out the list of apps are Facebook, Twitter, Photobucket, and Chumby, with more to come, Best Buy tells us. In addition to the easy access to content, the story here is that the UI plays nice with existing cable boxes, making the installation easy even if the person holding the remote doesn't happen to have a lengthy serial number on hand. Look for the 32-inch number for $499, with the 42-incher fetching $699. Find the full PR and some b-roll video after the break, along with a smattering of hands-on shots of what should be an all-too-familiar interface.

Gallery: Insignia TVs with TiVo's UI

Continue reading Best Buy launches Insignia connected TVs with DVR-less TiVo

Best Buy launches Insignia connected TVs with DVR-less TiVo originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Aug 2011 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Best BuyBestBuyChumbyCinemaNowHDTVHDTVsInsigniaNapsterNetflixPandoraPhotobucketTelevisiontelevisionsTiVoTVUIuser interfaceUserInterfacevideoYouTubeMon, 01 Aug 2011 00:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Streaming music breakdown: how Google Music and iCloud will impact today's options]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/06/streaming-music-breakdown-how-will-google-music-and-icloud-impa/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/06/streaming-music-breakdown-how-will-google-music-and-icloud-impa/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/06/streaming-music-breakdown-how-will-google-music-and-icloud-impa/#comments Gone are the days of going to the music store, finding a vintage CD or cassette tape, happily unwrapping it and thoroughly perusing the cover art as you listen to your new album for the very first time. In a want-it-now world, that simply takes too long -- and we have the internet to thank for the change in pace. As preferences seem to shift in the music consumption universe, it feels as if tastes are centered around consuming the largest amount of music possible. And thanks to the sudden proliferation of online streaming services, satisfying those desires in record time has become a reality.

Unsurprisingly, competition is mighty fierce -- consumers have options for user-made radio stations, on-demand streaming content, and cloud-based multimedia. But if you've been hearing the word on the street, Apple and Google could soon make their way onto the scene by offering streaming music options of their own. Almost everything these two tech giants touch turns to gold (emphasis on almost -- we don't think Ping and Buzz built the best reputations), so there's reason to believe that these oft-rumored services will become automatic front-runners the day they're released. Head on past the break to see some of the lucky / unlucky contestants planning to give Google and Apple a run for their (near-limitless) money, replete with a breakdown of what they offer and how hard they hit the wallet.

Continue reading Streaming music breakdown: how Google Music and iCloud will impact today's options

Streaming music breakdown: how Google Music and iCloud will impact today's options originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 May 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonamazon cloudamazon cloud playerAmazonCloudAmazonCloudPlayerApplecloudcloud storageCloudStorageeditorialgooglegoogle musicGoogleMusicicloudmogmusicnapsterpandoraradiorhapsodyslackerstreaming musicstreaming radioStreamingMusicStreamingRadioFri, 06 May 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Napster app arrives on iOS, completes the circle of life]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/20/napster-app-arrives-on-ios-completes-the-circle-of-life/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/20/napster-app-arrives-on-ios-completes-the-circle-of-life/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/20/napster-app-arrives-on-ios-completes-the-circle-of-life/#comments Before the iPhone, the iPod, and iTunes, there was Napster. The original gangster of digital music distribution has undergone many changes since its heyday as a pirate's Shangri-La, though this latest one seems to be the most fitting. A new app for the aforementioned iOS devices as well as the iPad has been launched, giving you the full Napster experience in a more portable form factor. That means that for $10 a month you can stream and cache music from a library of 10 million songs -- yes, offline listening is available too -- essentially turning your iDevice into the Apple equivalent of a Zune Pass-equipped music station. Good times ahead, eh sailor?

[Thanks, Louis Choi]

Napster app arrives on iOS, completes the circle of life originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Sep 2010 03:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appappleapplicationaudioiosipadiphoneipod touchIpodTouchitunesmp3musicmusic appmusic softwaremusic streamingMusicAppMusicSoftwareMusicStreamingnapstersoundstreamstreamingsubscriptionMon, 20 Sep 2010 03:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Entelligence: Stream on]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/04/entelligence-stream-on/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/04/entelligence-stream-on/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/04/entelligence-stream-on/#commentsEntelligence is a column by technology strategist and author Michael Gartenberg, a man whose desire for a delicious cup of coffee and a quality New York bagel is dwarfed only by his passion for tech. In these articles, he'll explore where our industry is and where it's going -- on both micro and macro levels -- with the unique wit and insight only he can provide.
With the introduction of the iTunes Music Store, Apple brought the business model of buying music online to the masses at 99 cents a song. iTunes changed the dynamic of the music business: consumers re-discovered the single and no longer had to buy a whole CD to get the one song they might want. It's a model that's worked well: I've bought a lot of music from the folks in Cupertino over the years, and so has everyone else: Apple's one of the largest music retailers in the industry.

Having said that, Apple's model isn't the only one out there. Microsoft, Real, Napster and others have all tried to push the subscription model that allows users to consume as much music as they wish from a catalog of millions of songs for a monthly fee. Some services, such as Microsoft's Zune Pass, also allow users to keep a certain number of songs each month in unprotected format. Although subscription services will likely continue to need be protected by some sort of DRM I don't really have an issue with that. Technology like DRM should be used to create new business models, not protect old ones.

Continue reading Entelligence: Stream on

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Entelligence: Stream on originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 04 Sep 2009 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applecolumncolumnsentelligencefeaturedfeaturesmicrosoftnapsterportable audioportableaudiorealrhapsodyspotifystreamingsubscriptionsubscription musicSubscriptionMusiczuneFri, 04 Sep 2009 12:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Creative Sound Blaster Wireless 'for iTunes' works with other software too]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/22/creative-sound-blaster-wireless-for-itunes-works-with-other-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/22/creative-sound-blaster-wireless-for-itunes-works-with-other-so/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/22/creative-sound-blaster-wireless-for-itunes-works-with-other-so/#comments
You've known how to wirelessly connect the music on your computer with your massive hi-fi speakers since about the dawn of the caveman, but that doesn't mean Creative won't try to make it seem revolutionary. The company has this week announced immediate availability of its Sound Blaster Wireless for iTunes, which essentially functions as a wireless adapter for any pair of regular old speakeroonies. The name is a marketing-inspired misnomer as the device will work with all manner of software, including Windows Media Player, Napster, Rhapsody, LastFM and even YouTube. The relative straightforwardness of this unit is appealing, though we're skeptical about Creative's claims of zero signal drop-offs, given that transmissions are done via the already crowded 2.4GHz wireless frequency. If you just have to hear it for yourself, entry fee is $149.99.

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Creative Sound Blaster Wireless 'for iTunes' works with other software too originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Jul 2009 10:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CreativeiTunesLastFMmusicNapsterRhapsodySound Blaster WirelessSoundBlasterSoundBlasterWirelessstreamstreaming musicStreamingMusicWindows Media PlayerWindowsMediaPlayerwireless musicwireless streamingWirelessMusicWirelessStreamingYouTubeWed, 22 Jul 2009 10:03:00 EST<![CDATA[TiVo and Best Buy alliance to yield co-branded DVR, TiVo software on Insignia and Dynex TVs]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/09/tivo-and-best-buy-alliance-to-yield-co-branded-dvr-tivo-softwar/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/09/tivo-and-best-buy-alliance-to-yield-co-branded-dvr-tivo-softwar/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/09/tivo-and-best-buy-alliance-to-yield-co-branded-dvr-tivo-softwar/#comments It's all pending an official announcement later this morning but both the New York Times and San Jose Mercury News are reporting that Best Buy and TiVo are forming a "broad partnership." Under the multi-year alliance, Best Buy will "heavily" promote TiVo products at its 1,100 stores across the US. TiVo, for its part, will develop a special flavor of its set-top box that will be sold in Best Buy stores and lets the retailer advertise its products and services directly to TiVo subscribers -- items can then be purchased via the TiVo remote. The alliance goes even deeper as it will see TiVo's software and search tools added to Best Buy's own-branded consumer electronics (like Insignia and Dynex HDTVs) and Best Buy's Napster music service will become available to TiVo subscribers on their TVs. While this all sounds like a win-win for the two corporations, TiVo CEO Tom Rogers says that the Best Buy-customized TiVo with Napster won't likely arrive until "early next year" while the inclusion of TiVo's interface on Best Buy's Insignia or Dynex TVs is even "further out." Until then the benefits for us, the consumers, are less clear.

P.S. That's our mock-up above of what we imagine the Best Buy TiVo will look like.

Update: Aaaand, it's official.

[Via ITVT]

Read -- San Jose Mercury news
Read -- New York Times

Filed under: , , ,

TiVo and Best Buy alliance to yield co-branded DVR, TiVo software on Insignia and Dynex TVs originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Jul 2009 06:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alliancebest buyBestBuydynexhdinsigniainternetnapstertivoThu, 09 Jul 2009 06:17:00 EST<![CDATA[TiVo and Best Buy alliance to yield co-branded DVR, TiVo software on Insignia and Dynex TVs]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/09/tivo-and-best-buy-alliance-to-yield-co-branded-dvr-tivo-softwar/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/09/tivo-and-best-buy-alliance-to-yield-co-branded-dvr-tivo-softwar/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/09/tivo-and-best-buy-alliance-to-yield-co-branded-dvr-tivo-softwar/#comments It's all pending an official announcement later this morning but both the New York Times and San Jose Mercury News are reporting that Best Buy and TiVo are forming a "broad partnership." Under the multi-year alliance, Best Buy will "heavily" promote TiVo products at its 1,100 stores across the US. TiVo, for its part, will develop a special flavor of its set-top box that will be sold in Best Buy stores and lets the retailer advertise its products and services directly to TiVo subscribers -- items can then be purchased via the TiVo remote. The alliance goes even deeper as it will see TiVo's software and search tools added to Best Buy's own-branded consumer electronics (like Insignia and Dynex HDTVs) and Best Buy's Napster music service will become available to TiVo subscribers on their TVs. While this all sounds like a win-win for the two corporations, TiVo CEO Tom Rogers says that the Best Buy-customized TiVo with Napster won't likely arrive until "early next year" while the inclusion of TiVo's interface on Best Buy's Insignia or Dynex TVs is even "further out." Until then the benefits for us, the consumers, are less clear.

P.S. That's our mock-up above of what we imagine the Best Buy TiVo will look like.

Update: Aaaand, it's official.

[Via ITVT]

Read -- San Jose Mercury news
Read -- New York Times

Filed under:

TiVo and Best Buy alliance to yield co-branded DVR, TiVo software on Insignia and Dynex TVs originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Jul 2009 06:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alliancebest buyBestBuydynexinsignianapstertivoThu, 09 Jul 2009 06:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Napster relaunching, again: $5 per month streaming plus five free downloads]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/18/napster-relaunching-again-5-per-month-plus-five-to-download/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/18/napster-relaunching-again-5-per-month-plus-five-to-download/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/18/napster-relaunching-again-5-per-month-plus-five-to-download/#commentsLike subscription music services? You know, like Microsoft's Zune Pass where you pay $14.99 monthly and keep up to 10 tracks each month forever. Sure, renting music at $180 per year can be a drag for those stuck in a Classic Rock phase, but for those who like to explore, what if we told you that Napster was about to cut that price to $60 per year and let you keep a handful of tracks forever on the side? Well, it's true. Starting tonight, Napster will unleash its new $5 per month deal that gives subscribers unlimited, on-demand streaming access to Napster's full library of music stuffed with 7 million tracks from major and independent publishers. To sweeten the deal, Best Buy's music service will even let you keep up to five unrestricted "CD quality" MP3 tracks each month. Honestly, what's keeping you? Wouldn't you rather have this than a $5 Mocha Frappuccino? Full press release after the break.

Continue reading Napster relaunching, again: $5 per month streaming plus five free downloads

Napster relaunching, again: $5 per month streaming plus five free downloads originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 May 2009 04:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mp3musicnapsterstreamingsubscriptionMon, 18 May 2009 04:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Best Buy acquires Napster for $121 million]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/15/best-buy-acquires-napster-for-121-million/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/15/best-buy-acquires-napster-for-121-million/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/15/best-buy-acquires-napster-for-121-million/#comments
It's been a long, tumultuous road for Napster, but the music service once loathed by James Alan Hetfield will soon be property of Best Buy. Announced this morning, the retail giant has agreed to buy Napster Inc. for a staggering $121 million, $67 million of which will be cold, hard cash. The deal is set to close in Q4 of this year, and it will include Napster's "700,000 digital entertainment subscribers, web-based customer-service platform and mobile capabilities." According to Best Buy president Brian Dunn, it intends to use "Napster's capabilities and digital subscriber base to reach new customers with an enhanced experience for exploring and selecting music and other digital entertainment products over an increasing array of devices." We're still remaining calm for the moment, but if Best Buy starts buying up unprecedented amounts of dark fiber without explanation, we'll go ahead and assume it really is trying to take over the world.

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Best Buy acquires Napster for $121 million originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 15 Sep 2008 10:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acquisitionaudiobest buyBestBuybusinessdigital downloadsDigitalDownloadsindustrymusicnapsterportable audioportableaudioretailMon, 15 Sep 2008 10:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Napster unleashes a-la-carte, DRM-free MP3 store]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/20/napster-unleashes-a-la-carte-drm-free-mp3-store/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/20/napster-unleashes-a-la-carte-drm-free-mp3-store/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/20/napster-unleashes-a-la-carte-drm-free-mp3-store/#comments
Heads up, MP3 lovers, because Naptser launched its DRM-free music store today. As promised to throngs of fans, the historical pirate network has converted its entire music catalog of an impressive six million songs into MP3s to be sold at $.99 each or $9.95 for albums. Subscribers will remain in DRM land, however, so don't go getting any crazy ideas.

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Napster unleashes a-la-carte, DRM-free MP3 store originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 May 2008 10:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>drmmp3napsterportable audioportableaudioTue, 20 May 2008 10:48:00 EST<![CDATA[Napster going DRM-free]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/07/napster-going-drm-free/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/07/napster-going-drm-free/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/07/napster-going-drm-free/#commentsThey had already been considering it and now it's official -- Napster will be converting its entire downloads catalogue to 100% DRM-free MP3s (innit funny how things come full circle?) in Q2 of this year. With all track and album sales offered exclusively in MP3 format, the company obviously hopes to attract a certain crowd heretofore locked out of its business model. While the subscription service will remain a core focus, Napster execs are surely hoping to see an uptick in their direct download sales when those teeming iPod and iPhone hordes come knocking second quarter.

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Napster going DRM-free originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 Jan 2008 21:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digital musicDigitalMusicDRMiPhoneiPodMP3music subscriptionMusicSubscriptionnapsterportable audioportableaudioMon, 07 Jan 2008 21:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Samsung P2 touchscreen DAP hits the States]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/01/samsung-p2-touchscreen-dap-hits-the-states/http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/01/samsung-p2-touchscreen-dap-hits-the-states/http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/01/samsung-p2-touchscreen-dap-hits-the-states/#comments
After a month or so of delays, Samsung has finally launched its P2 media player in the States; and it's not putting the 3-inch touchscreen sporting, flash-based, Bluetooth-enabled DAP out there all by its lonesome. Today Samsung announced MPfreedom, a website with info and customization doohickeys, and of course content partnerships with the likes of CinemaNow, Rhapsody and Napster. As we heard before, Samsung is also going to be supporting the player through "Blue Wave" firmware upgrades, the first of which is due for December, and will include Bluetooth phone call and file transfer integration, along with AAC compatibility -- currently only WMA and MP3 are supported -- and some other frills. Samsung is emphasizing its 3-inch, 16:9 display that can run video at 30fps (WMV and MPEG-4), and of course the touchscreen "EmoTure" tap 'n slide interface. The player is available in 2GB, 4GB ($199) and 8GB ($249) capacities, in your choice of black, white or red. There's 35 hours of music playback or 5 hours of video on the battery, and Samsung tossed in an FM radio for good measure.

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Samsung P2 touchscreen DAP hits the States originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Nov 2007 14:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blue wavebluetoothBlueWavecinemanowdapnapsterp2portable audioportable videoportableaudioportablevideorhapsodysamsungThu, 01 Nov 2007 14:43:00 EST<![CDATA[Hands-on with Sonos ZoneBridge BR100 and 2.5 firmware]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/23/hands-on-with-sonos-zonebridge-br100-and-2-5-firmware/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/23/hands-on-with-sonos-zonebridge-br100-and-2-5-firmware/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/23/hands-on-with-sonos-zonebridge-br100-and-2-5-firmware/#comments
There's really not much to say about the new simple-as-could-be ZoneBridge BR100, but it's got a pretty specific function and seems prepared to carry that out. Sonos primarily sees the BR100 as a range extender, specifically solving the problem of some households wasting a ZP80 or ZP100 locked away in a closet with their router due to the requirement of at least one Zone being hard plugged directly into the network. The unit itself is smallish, light and of quality construction -- and that's really all there is to it. As for firmware 2.5, Napster is obviously the primary addition, but we're pretty partial to the new search function; text input is a chore, but there's really no better way to locate your own music or track down new tracks on the multiple music services available to the system.

Gallery: Hands-on with Sonos ZoneBridge BR100 and 2.5 firmware

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Hands-on with Sonos ZoneBridge BR100 and 2.5 firmware originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 23 Oct 2007 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Busy morning for Sonos so let's just get to it. First, the ZoneBridge BR100 is out and official for $100 just like we expected. It features a pair of Ethernet ports to link your Xbox 360, TiVo, etc. into the Sonos network and onto the nets. It'll also extend coverage to network dead spots without having to unload $350 for another Zone. The free 2.5 firmware update brings direct, PC-less access to Napster's new 4.0 Web platform and Best Buy's Digital Music Store. The update also tweaks features and zone management while adding a new search function which spans both premium services and your home music library. Available now at Sonos which sits just beyond that little read link.

[Via PC Magazine]

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Sonos' hat-trick: Napster/BestBuy, ZoneBridge BR100, and 2.5 firmware updates originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 23 Oct 2007 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bddmsbest buyBestBuybr100napsterportable audioportable videoportableaudioportablevideosonoszonebridgezonebridge br100ZonebridgeBr100Tue, 23 Oct 2007 08:01:00 EST<![CDATA[AT&T teams with Napster (again) for wireless downloads]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/22/atandt-teams-with-napster-again-for-wireless-downloads/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/22/atandt-teams-with-napster-again-for-wireless-downloads/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/22/atandt-teams-with-napster-again-for-wireless-downloads/#commentsWe suppose the third time's a charm. AT&T and Napster have quite the history of offering up lackluster deals to customers -- first with that $14.95 Napster To Go scam on Cingular, then the free Napster To Go on AT&T -- but they're finally doing it up right and offering wireless downloads from Napster's 5 million strong catalog to AT&T's music-starved subscribers. Right now your options with the carrier are eMusic for some spendy wireless downloads, or the iPhone. Unfortunately, while Napster bests eMusic on selection, the price remains the same at $7.49 per five songs, and these ain't no DRM-free affair like eMusic. The Napster service will also allow for $1.99 a la carte purchases, something eMusic lacks, and with every purchase you receive an email on your PC to help you download a copy of the track. Verizon and Sprint have quite the jump on AT&T when it comes to over-the-air music downloads, but we'll see if AT&T can start to gain some ground starting early next month when the service launches. Oh, and before you ask: no, Napster won't work on the iPhone.

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AT&T teams with Napster (again) for wireless downloads originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Oct 2007 09:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>attnapsterportable audioportableaudiowireless musicWirelessMusicMon, 22 Oct 2007 09:35:00 EST<![CDATA[AT&T teams with Napster (again) for wireless downloads]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/22/atandt-teams-with-napster-again-for-wireless-downloads/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/22/atandt-teams-with-napster-again-for-wireless-downloads/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/22/atandt-teams-with-napster-again-for-wireless-downloads/#commentsWe suppose the third time's a charm. AT&T and Napster have quite the history of offering up lackluster deals to customers -- first with that $14.95 Napster To Go scam on Cingular, then the free Napster To Go on AT&T -- but they're finally doing it up right and offering wireless downloads from Napster's 5 million strong catalog to AT&T's music-starved subscribers. Right now your options with the carrier are eMusic for some spendy wireless downloads, or the iPhone. Unfortunately, while Napster bests eMusic on selection, the price remains the same at $7.49 per five songs, and these ain't no DRM-free affair like eMusic. The Napster service will also allow for $1.99 a la carte purchases, something eMusic lacks, and with every purchase you receive an email on your PC to help you download a copy of the track. Verizon and Sprint have quite the jump on AT&T when it comes to over-the-air music downloads, but we'll see if AT&T can start to gain some ground starting early next month when the service launches. Oh, and before you ask: no, Napster won't work on the iPhone.

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AT&T teams with Napster (again) for wireless downloads originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Oct 2007 09:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atandtattmobilemultimedianapsterwireless musicWirelessMusicMon, 22 Oct 2007 09:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Napster relaunches, shifts focus from hardware to web]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/16/napster-relaunches-shifts-focus-from-players-to-web/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/16/napster-relaunches-shifts-focus-from-players-to-web/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/16/napster-relaunches-shifts-focus-from-players-to-web/#commentsAccording to news out today, Napster is attempting a fevered slide back into the game with a relaunch of its music-download service, featuring a heavier emphasis on web-based streaming capabilities. The new "4.0" platform the company is touting boasts improved compatibility, as playlists and content and be accessed from any computer, without the use of additional software -- though if you want to get that music onto a player, you're still stuck with Napster's proprietary application and list of compatible players. In addition to the accessibility revamp, the company says it has further plans to embrace DRM-free music in 2008, which makes sense, as the portal's music has heretofore been unplayable on Apple's products -- which have the largest market share. Can that rascally cat pick up the pieces? Only time will tell.

[Thanks, Jon]

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Napster relaunches, shifts focus from hardware to web originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Oct 2007 10:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The iPod and iTunes haven't ostensibly suffered for (and have arguably gained from the) lack of a subscription music service. However, while such services have proven a tough sell to consumers at large, they have their benefits. One is the general liberation from the 30-second sample, a tiny prison of time that makes it difficult to engage in meaningful music discovery, the silver lining in the digital cloud that has been raining on the music industry for so many years.

In contrast to Rhapsody, Napster and Microsoft's Zune Pass, which offer several ways within their software for subscribers to hear full tracks in which they might be interested, Apple has recently turned "out of band" for music discovery. The high-profile announcement with Starbucks at the introduction of Apple's latest round of iPods brings the portable devices to where the free music is rather than vice versa. Among Apple's portable music players, the automatic track identification works only with the iPod touch and the iPhone. However, the flat-panel televisions in New York City Starbucks locations also note PCs and Macs as suitable (and prevalent) clients for purchasing music played at the popular coffee retailer.

An encouraging aspect of the collaboration between Starbucks and Apple is that the right company is making the brown product. However, one hot spot of trouble brewing in this Half-n-Half is that one can listen to the music only at a Starbucks location. This begs whether Apple would continue such a partnership when the iPhone finally gets access to 3G (perhaps to the scandalous exclusion of AT&T) or whether it or another device such as the iPod touch embrace WiMAX. But extending access to Starbucks' percolated playlists need not wait for such wireless advances. The two companies could enable access via a simple option in iTunes that would stream Starbucks' Hear Music XM station -- or an equivalent -- via any broadband connection.

Continue reading Switched On: The DAP, the Frap, the pap and the gap

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Switched On: The DAP, the Frap, the pap and the gap originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2007 17:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It seems like everyone wants to get a piece of the Apple pie this week -- even old, crazy Napster. According to an article in InformationWeek, Napster has issued a damning statement to investors "warning" them of the "possible" impact the iPhone might have on its business, due to the incompatibility of the online distributor's WMA formatted music and the Apple device. "Our software is not compatible with the iPod," the statement included, thus noting one of the more obvious aspects of the company's dilemma, and went on to proffer that it does not expect the Napster service to be compatible with the iPhone either. Of course, Apple has never been overflowing with hospitality towards non-Cupertino-blessed formats, but it seems like Napster may have shot itself in the foot by attempting to position themselves as direct competition to the juggernaut. The rest of the statement didn't comment on Napster's apparent confusion concerning its own business practices (whether it wants to compete with Apple, or play nice), or question if not selling iPod/iTunes compatible music had contributed to their fiscal year losses of $36.8 million. When reached for comment, a spokesman for the company said emphatically, "we just can't stop doing this to ourselves, whatever it is that we seem to be doing, and we're worried it could affect sales."

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iPhone makes Napster sad originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Jul 2007 10:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleiphoneipodnapsterportable audioportableaudioTue, 03 Jul 2007 10:03:00 EST<![CDATA[NTT DoCoMo gets flat-rate Napster music downloads]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/26/ntt-docomo-gets-flat-rate-napster-music-downloads/http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/26/ntt-docomo-gets-flat-rate-napster-music-downloads/http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/26/ntt-docomo-gets-flat-rate-napster-music-downloads/#commentsTry as they might, over-the-air music downloading services have generally been received with tepid responses from many wireless subscribers. That may change in Japan soon, as wireless carrier NTT DoCoMo will be offering the "Napster To Go" wireless music downloading service. While this sounds uneventful, the awesome detail here is that for a flat monthly fee (¥1,980, or about $16.70), NTT DoCoMo customers can access a wireless on-demand download library of over 300,000 tunes -- and download said tunes to their heart's content (the PC music download service from Napster features about 3,000,000 titles by comparison). Although NTT DoCoMo customers will see a 300,000-strong library of 3GPP-encoded titles, but we're not sure if file expiration or anything as heinous as that will be in effect here. Let's hope not.

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NTT DoCoMo gets flat-rate Napster music downloads originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Apr 2007 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mobilemultimediaMusic downloadsMusicDownloadsNapsterNapster serviceNapster to goNapsterServiceNapsterToGoNTT DoCoMoNttDocomoOver the air music downloadsOverTheAirMusicDownloadsWireless music downloadsWirelessMusicDownloadsThu, 26 Apr 2007 11:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Circuit City, Napster team up for subscription-based music service]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/20/circuit-city-napster-team-up-for-subscription-based-music-servi/http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/20/circuit-city-napster-team-up-for-subscription-based-music-servi/http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/20/circuit-city-napster-team-up-for-subscription-based-music-servi/#comments
Following Best Buy's move to team up with SanDisk and Real for an online music service, Circuit City has now conjured up a deal of its own as it works with Napster to provide yet another subscription-based solution. The simply-titled Circuit City + Napster seemingly won't deviate from what Napster's current service already offers, but the partnership does tease "access to exclusive songs and new releases on a weekly basis" when it launches on April 29th. In what appears to be little more than a marketing effort to get the $14.95 per month service into more retail space, the low-key offering will give new customers their first month gratis, five free song downloads (you know, the ones you "keep"), and the ability to purchase individual song downloads at 99-cents apiece. Furthermore, prepaid download cards can be snapped up in bundles of 15, 25, or 60 tracks, and we can only assume the playback restrictions from the current Napster service will carry over into this.

[Via Yahoo]

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Circuit City, Napster team up for subscription-based music service originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 Apr 2007 10:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This rumor is just about as old as iTunes itself, and while it has remained fairly dormant due to Steve's insistence on maintaining the oh-so-lucrative existing model, the subscription-based iTunes question has somehow surfaced again. According to Les Ottolenghi, CEO of INTENT MediaWorks, Apple could be leaning towards implementing such a service "within the next six months," and even went so far as to suggest we not believe any Apple-based denials that could potentially follow. Interestingly, several analysts even suggested that subscription-based systems haven't garnered much fanfare simply because the head honcho in digital music distribution isn't playing along. Unfortunately, no hints were dropped in regard to future pricing schemes, but you'll only be waiting about half a year to find out, anyway.

[Via Digg]

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iTunes to get subscription service by year's end? originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Apr 2007 16:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleaudiodrmintentitunesjobsmediaworksmusicnapsterp2pportable audioportableaudiorealrhapsodysubscriptionyahooThu, 12 Apr 2007 16:21:00 EST<![CDATA[AT&T teams up with Napster, again]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/atandt-teams-up-with-napster-again/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/atandt-teams-up-with-napster-again/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/26/atandt-teams-up-with-napster-again/#commentsAT&T and Napster have joined hands to offer customers access to some three million songs for a year via Napster To Go. This 180 dollar freebie -- if, of course, you have the right plan -- will allow subscribers to download, organize, and create playlists on a PC and then sync them to their handset or compatible music device. This offer is a bit of a rehash from back in November 2004 when Cingular owned AT&T, but this time instead of 14.95 a month, it's free (and we love free). Reading through the list of qualifying plans is a bit of a daunting affair, so our advice is to hit up your local bricks and mortar AT&T shop on or after the April 1st launch for the lowdown.

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AT&T teams up with Napster, again originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Mar 2007 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atandtattcingularmobilemultimediamusicnapsternapter to goNapterToGoMon, 26 Mar 2007 16:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Napster's microSD Napster To Go kit for Japan]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/24/napsters-microsd-napster-to-go-kit-for-japan/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/24/napsters-microsd-napster-to-go-kit-for-japan/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/24/napsters-microsd-napster-to-go-kit-for-japan/#comments
Think Napster isn't serious about being big in Japan? Well check this from the former P2P darling. No, it's not tradeshow shwag -- it's microSD storage (and USB cable, a couple of adapters, and Napster logo stickers) that will cost ya a big fat ¥10,000 (about $82) premium for the privilege of advertising their service on Hagiwara Sys-Com's 1GB card, or ¥5,000 ($41) for the 512MB model. Apparently, Napster won't be pulling punches in support of their recently launched direct-to-mobile download service with NTT DoCoMo. The new cards and adapters allow select handsets from the FOMA 902i and new 903i series of devices to get in on Napster to Go which requires a microSD card for syncing. Of course, any microSD card will work but why cloud the issue with facts? Still, having recently boosted revenue guidance for the quarter, perhaps Napster just like Big in Japan has to exit their home turf to get super... once again.

[Via Impress]

Napster's microSD Napster To Go kit for Japan originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Jan 2007 09:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>docomojapanmobilenapsternapster to goNapsterToGoWed, 24 Jan 2007 09:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Napster's microSD Napster To Go kit for Japan]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/24/napsters-microsd-napster-to-go-kit-for-japan/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/24/napsters-microsd-napster-to-go-kit-for-japan/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/24/napsters-microsd-napster-to-go-kit-for-japan/#comments
Think Napster isn't serious about being big in Japan? Well check this from the former P2P darling. No, it's not tradeshow shwag -- it's microSD storage (and USB cable, a couple of adapters, and Napster logo stickers) that will cost ya a big fat ¥10,000 (about $82) premium for the privilege of advertising their service on Hagiwara Sys-Com's 1GB card, or ¥5,000 ($41) for the 512MB model. Apparently, Napster won't be pulling punches in support of their recently launched direct-to-mobile download service with NTT DoCoMo. The new cards and adapters allow select handsets from the FOMA 902i and new 903i series of devices to get in on Napster to Go which requires a microSD card for syncing. Of course, any microSD card will work but why cloud the issue with facts? Still, having recently boosted revenue guidance for the quarter, perhaps Napster just like Big in Japan has to exit their home turf to get super... once again.

[Via Impress]

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Napster's microSD Napster To Go kit for Japan originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Jan 2007 09:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>docomojapannapsternapster to goNapsterToGoportable audioportableaudioWed, 24 Jan 2007 09:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Apple, Google and Napster named in video download patent suit]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/03/apple-google-and-napster-named-in-video-download-patent-suit/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/03/apple-google-and-napster-named-in-video-download-patent-suit/http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/03/apple-google-and-napster-named-in-video-download-patent-suit/#commentsApple just can't catch a break this week, what with all those backdating shenanigans and lawsuits galore. Now it's been lumped with such ilk as Google and Napster in a patent lawsuit regarding online video distribution. What Napster has to with this is anyones guess, but Apple and Google seem appropriate (and well enough funded) targets for the suit. The patent, owned by now-defunct online movie service Intertainer, was filed in 2001 and granted in 2005, and apparently outlines the business model for providing video from multiple providers to consumers on the TV and the Internet. Sounds rather vague to us, and it's apparently vague enough to encompass Napster, so we're not quite sure how this one will hold up in court -- probably a lot better than we would figure. Intertainer was an early entrant into the online movie biz, but got beat out by Movielink, and now makes a living licensing its patented technology and bothering other companies that are apparently better at profiting from its ideas than it is.

[Thanks, Mike]

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Apple, Google and Napster named in video download patent suit originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Jan 2007 22:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applegoogleintertainerlawsuitnapsterpatentportable videoportablevideoWed, 03 Jan 2007 22:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Nayio Humming Search tries to recognize tunes, doesn't know the Beatles]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/15/nayio-humming-search-tries-to-recognize-tunes-doesnt-know-the/http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/15/nayio-humming-search-tries-to-recognize-tunes-doesnt-know-the/http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/15/nayio-humming-search-tries-to-recognize-tunes-doesnt-know-the/#comments We don't know how well a humming-based song recognition online service would do, given that we're unsure which we distrust more, people's ability to hum on-key or software's ability to recognize it. Still, that hasn't stopped Nayio from trying to build such an application. The idea is that if you hum a few bars into your computer via its online "Humming Search," Nayio should be able to recognize the tune and then take you to Napster to buy it. However, one blogger, Rafe Needleman, says that his experience with the site isn't so positive, given that it couldn't recognize his humming of a Nirvana tune nor his Juliard-trained wife's humming of the Beatles' "Yellow Submarine." And if you can't recognize the Fab Four, Nayio, it's so over between us.

[Via digg]

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Nayio Humming Search tries to recognize tunes, doesn't know the Beatles originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 Dec 2006 01:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beatleshummingmp3napsternayioportable audioportableaudiosong-recognitionFri, 15 Dec 2006 01:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Napster spreads its wings and goes to Japan, DoCoMo style]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/11/napster-spreads-its-wings-and-goes-to-japan-docomo-style/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/11/napster-spreads-its-wings-and-goes-to-japan-docomo-style/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/11/napster-spreads-its-wings-and-goes-to-japan-docomo-style/#comments Just as those of us stateside are getting our initial glimpse into music download service like SYNC and Vcast, NTT DoCoMo and Napster are expanding their mobile music offerings to all 52 million mobile customers. For a nominal $3.00 a month service fee, customers receive 300 (yes that's right) credits towards full length tracks and ring tones that are available via over the air downloading and always have the ability to purchases more credits if need be. With fourteen devices being supported off the bat there is no doubt that the Japanese are in a downloading frenzy.

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Napster spreads its wings and goes to Japan, DoCoMo style originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 11 Nov 2006 21:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Culturemobilemultimediamusic downloadsMusicDownloadsnapsterntt docomonttdocomoSat, 11 Nov 2006 21:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Cingular launches "Cingular Music"]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/02/cingular-launches-cingular-music/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/02/cingular-launches-cingular-music/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/02/cingular-launches-cingular-music/#commentsWell, it looks like that WSJ rumor we ran yesterday was pretty much spot on. Cingular is indeed launching a music service today, and we must say the scope of their undertaking is quite impressive: integration with three separate music stores, along with supplemental content aplenty. For starters, a Cingular Music phone can work with Napster to add subscription tracks from your computer with a $15 a month Napster To Go account, and you can also access the new Napster Mobile, which allows 30 second previews and song purchases, but it looks like the songs are only downloaded to your PC, and will be transferred to your phone later. The good news is that those tracks only cost $0.99, quite a bargain compared to most current mobile services, but of course you're not paying for those hefty data charges, and you're not getting the track right when you want it. The Yahoo! Music offering is quite similar to that of Napster, with $12 a month buying unlimited subscription track usage, but phone-based song purchases still being downloaded to the PC, for syncing with your phone later. There doesn't seem to be much of a mobile slant to eMusic's DRM-free MP3 offerings, just added integration with Cingular, and 50 free tracks with the purchase of a W810i or W300i. A free 60-day trial of Napster is also available to Cingular customers. Cingular says all of this music store integration is "allowing consumers to extend their existing music libraries not rebuild them," but the lack of mobile song purchasing straight to a handset seems to sort of miss the point. But wait, there's more! Cingular is also announcing 25 channels of XM radio for $9 a month, that MusicID song identification service we mentioned yesterday, Music Videos, and all sorts streaming music and music related content. Cingular music will be supported by the upcoming Cingular SYNC (Samsung A707), along with the LG CU500, Cingular 3125 and those two Sony Ericssons we already told you about. All this should be going down November 6-ish.

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Cingular launches "Cingular Music" originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Nov 2006 11:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>atandtattcingularcingular musiccingular syncCingularMusicCingularSyncemusicmobilemultimedianapstersamsung a707SamsungA707yahooThu, 02 Nov 2006 11:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Cingular launches "Cingular Music"]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/02/cingular-launches-cingular-music/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/02/cingular-launches-cingular-music/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/02/cingular-launches-cingular-music/#commentsWell, it looks like that WSJ rumor we ran yesterday was pretty much spot on. Cingular is indeed launching a music service today, and we must say the scope of their undertaking is quite impressive: integration with three separate music stores, along with supplemental content aplenty. For starters, a Cingular Music phone can work with Napster to add subscription tracks from your computer with a $15 a month Napster To Go account, and you can also access the new Napster Mobile, which allows 30 second previews and song purchases, but it looks like the songs are only downloaded to your PC, and will be transferred to your phone later. The good news is that those tracks only cost $0.99, quite a bargain compared to most current mobile services, but of course you're not paying for those hefty data charges, and you're not getting the track right when you want it. The Yahoo! Music offering is quite similar to that of Napster, with $12 a month buying unlimited subscription track usage, but phone-based song purchases still being downloaded to the PC, for syncing with your phone later. There doesn't seem to be much of a mobile slant to eMusic's DRM-free MP3 offerings, just added integration with Cingular, and 50 free tracks with the purchase of a W810i or W300i. A free 60-day trail of Napster is also available to Cingular customers. Cingular says all of this music store integration is "allowing consumers to extend their existing music libraries not rebuild them," but the lack of mobile song purchasing straight to a handset seems to sort of miss the point. But wait, there's more! Cingular is also announcing 25 channels of XM radio for $9 a month, that MusicID song identification service we mentioned yesterday, Music Videos, and all sorts streaming music and music related content. Cingular music will be supported by the upcoming Cingular SYNC (Samsung A707), along with the LG CU500, Cingular 3125 and those two Sony Ericssons we already told you about. All this should be going down November 6-ish.

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Cingular launches "Cingular Music" originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Nov 2006 11:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cingularcingular musiccingular syncCingularMusicCingularSyncemusicnapsterportable audioportableaudiosamsung a707SamsungA707yahooThu, 02 Nov 2006 11:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Cingular teaming with Napster and Yahoo to roll its own music service?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/01/cingular-teaming-with-napster-and-yahoo-to-roll-its-own-music-se/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/01/cingular-teaming-with-napster-and-yahoo-to-roll-its-own-music-se/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/01/cingular-teaming-with-napster-and-yahoo-to-roll-its-own-music-se/#commentsAccording to The Wall Street Journal, those in the know are predicting Cingular to announce a music service for its cellphone network as early as tomorrow. It seems that despite rampant rumoring of an iPhone and related wireless iTunes service, Cingular is taking things into its own hands -- with a little help from Napster, Yahoo and eMusic. Initially the service will just involve rolling out PlaysForSure functionality to handsets so that they can play subscription tracks from the major non-Apple music services, but Cingular is also planning a wireless music store with pay-per-track and all-you-can-eat offerings. The phones will also purportedly feature Cingular's "Music ID" tech that will allow a user to hold the phone up to a speaker and have the song playing automatically matched with the Napster database and available for purchase. Of course, there's enough room in the world for more than one music service, and right now it appears Cingular is fine with squeezing both Apple and the PFS onto its network. The word is that (as rumored) Apple and Cingular have signed a deal to co-develop an iPhone, and the same article predicts a January launch at the Macworld Expo. Apple also has recently been awarded a phone-related speech recognition system that adds even more fuel to the fire. Being the seasoned iPhone rumor-mongers we are, we'll take all of these reports with a few grains of salt and sit back to see what actually happens.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Read - Cingular to announce music service [Thanks, Maurice]
Read - Apple and Cingular forge iPhone deal [Thanks, Ben]

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Cingular teaming with Napster and Yahoo to roll its own music service? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Nov 2006 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applecingularemusiciphonenapsterplaysforsureportable audioportableaudioyahooWed, 01 Nov 2006 10:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Cingular teaming with Napster and Yahoo to roll its own music service?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/01/cingular-teaming-with-napster-and-yahoo-to-roll-its-own-music-se/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/01/cingular-teaming-with-napster-and-yahoo-to-roll-its-own-music-se/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/01/cingular-teaming-with-napster-and-yahoo-to-roll-its-own-music-se/#commentsAccording to The Wall Street Journal, those in the know are predicting Cingular to announce a music service for its cellphone network as early as tomorrow. It seems that despite rampant rumoring of an iPhone and related wireless iTunes service, Cingular is taking things into its own hands -- with a little help from Napster, Yahoo and eMusic. Initially the service will just involve rolling out PlaysForSure functionality to handsets so that they can play subscription tracks from the major non-Apple music services, but Cingular is also planning a wireless music store with pay-per-track and all-you-can-eat offerings. The phones will also purportedly feature Cingular's "Music ID" tech that will allow a user to hold the phone up to a speaker and have the song playing automatically matched with the Napster database and available for purchase. Of course, there's enough room in the world for more than one music service, and right now it appears Cingular is fine with squeezing both Apple and the PFS onto its network. The word is that (as rumored) Apple and Cingular have signed a deal to co-develop an iPhone, and the same article predicts a January launch at the Macworld Expo. Apple also has recently been awarded a phone-related speech recognition system that adds even more fuel to the fire. Being the seasoned iPhone rumor-mongers we are, we'll take all of these reports with a few grains of salt and sit back to see what actually happens.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Read - Cingular to announce music service [Thanks, Maurice]
Read - Apple and Cingular forge iPhone deal [Thanks, Ben]

Filed under: , ,

Cingular teaming with Napster and Yahoo to roll its own music service? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Nov 2006 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleatandtattcingularemusiciphonemobilemultimedianapsterplaysforsureyahooWed, 01 Nov 2006 10:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Napster Japan goes live]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/03/napster-japan-goes-live/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/03/napster-japan-goes-live/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/03/napster-japan-goes-live/#commentsAfter making big plays in North America and Western Europe, former P2P piracy powerhouse and current legitimate download service Napster has finally set up shop in Asia, bringing its war with iTunes to the world's second-largest music market: Japan. Although the Japanese store is actually owned more by Tower Records Japan than Napster itself (53.5% versus 31.5%, but considering that Tower.com/Digital hasn't exactly made a huge splash, the branding choice seems to be right on), the services offered are distinctly Napster, with the tried-and-true basic, Napster To Go, and a la carte models having been ported over for this implementation. The initial cache of 1.9 million tracks will come from a mix of Japanese and foreign artists, with domestic tunes costing 200 yen ($1.70) and Western songs going for 150 yen ($1.27) -- the same price that Apple charges for its wares. Besides the all-you-can-eat PlaysForSure subscription option not available from iTunes, the real draw here will supposedly come from Napster's partnership with NTT DoCoMo, which will eventually result in direct-to-mobile downloads (hear that, Apple / Softbank?). Overall the move seems like a good one for Napster -- which may or may not be seeking suitors to help buoy its stock price -- and for fans of Japanese music as well, because now we know that our Kahimi Karie and Pizzicato Five albums deserve to fetch much more on eBay than the usual crap we try to unload.

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Napster Japan goes live originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Oct 2006 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>digital downloadsDigitalDownloadsjapannapsterplaysforsureportable audioPortableAudiosubscription servicesSubscriptionServicesTue, 03 Oct 2006 13:59:00 EST