Rhapsody to challenge iTunes by embracing the iPod

Digital music seller Rhapsody is launching a $50 million marketing assault on Apple's iTunes, offering songs online and via partners including Yahoo Inc and Verizon Wireless, Rhapsody said on Monday, reports
Reuters.

"The songs will be sold in MP3 format, which means users of the Rhapsody service will be able to play them on iPods and cell phones.

... Rhapsody will be available on mobile phones via the Verizon Wireless VCAST Music service. Buyers of a song over-the-air directly from phones also will be able to download that song to their computer.

‘Vulva String Orchestra’ ringtone

toneShared bills itself as “The world’s most interesting collection of mobile phone tones” and features downloads in MP3 format from a selection of alternative/electronica artists. Pocket Picks reports.

"Best of all, you can afford to experiment - all the tones are downloadable for free. Now you have no excuse for not trying out a tone by the wonderfully named ‘Vulva String Orchestra’."

US sprinter, Olympics hopeful as voice tone

A sign of things to come: Olympic hopefuls and winners voice tones.

Tyson Gay, the 25-year-old sprinter and first-time US Olympic hopeful is everywhere: his face plastered on McDonald's bags and cups; his voice available to Alltel Wireless customers as a ringtone for their mobile phones.

[via Boston Globe]

Protest against use of national anthem ringtones

People who have downloaded the Indian national anthem ‘Jana-gana-mana-adhinayaka, jaya he’ as their caller tune or ringtone may be in trouble, following an objection alleging disrespect, reports the Deccan Chronicle via the ITExaminer.

"Patriotic tunes are widely used in India without causing offence. ...However, rules state that when the national anthem is being sung, all present must stand up and remain so until it is over.

India has always been conservative about the use of its national emblem and flag and other symbols. It is only recently that India allowed the public to use its flag. However it cautions that such use should not amount to disrespect."

EFF attacks foundation of entire RIAA lawsuit campaign

In a filing in the Jammie Thomas file-swapping case in Minnesota, the Electronic Frontier Foundation argues that the entire basis of the RIAA's legal campaign is fatally flawed.

[via ars technica]

Ringtones for dogs coming to Japanese cellphones

After the Mosquitotone, a ringtone heard only by the under 20 crowd, now a Tokyo-based content provider Dwango has announced that it would start selling specialized ringtones which can be heard only by dogs.

It's not clear why this is a good idea. Hmm, Maybe Japanese dogs answer cell phones?

[via engadget:mobile]

iTunes sells five billionth song

Apple announced it has sold over five billion songs through iTunes, making it the biggest US music retailer.

[via 9to5Mac]

CD sales falling faster than digital music sales rise

Music sales fell to their lowest level in at least 10 years as an increase in digital content sales failed to make up for declines in compact discs and the effects of piracy, reports the IHT.

Global music sales dropped 8 percent to $19.4 billion in 2007, according to a report from theInternational Federation of the Phonographic Industry.

Kid Rock boycotts iTunes over pay

US music star Kid Rock is refusing to put his albums on iTunes because he says artists do not get paid enough for downloads from the Apple store. The BBC reports

"Kid Rock is one of the last few acts not fully signed up to the service.

He said it was based on "an old system, where iTunes takes the money, the record company takes the money, and they don't give it to the artists". "

Average teenager "steals" 800 songs

A survey by the music lobby group British Music Rights shows that 95 per cent of teenagers and young people copy music in some way, with half the average 1770 tracks on an MP3 player being stolen.

The good news: 60 per cent of respondents said they would carry on buying CDs, and the survey states that 80 per cent of current P2P users would be interested in a legal file-sharing service, and would even be willing to pay for it.

[via TechRadar]

Thumbplay GET goes

Thumbplay has launched the beta version of an SMS-based search app called Thumbplay GET.

The service allows mobile users in the US to instantly search for and purchase ringtones, games, videos and wallpapers when they send a text message with the word "Get" plus any artist or song name to THUMB 84862.

[via Mobile Entertainment]

Ring of confidence for Operator Please

Operator Please will provide the soundtrack to a major mobile phone campaign in Britain, thrusting the band's music into millions of British households, reports The Sydney Morning Herald.

"Motorola will use Just A Song About Ping Pong for a worldwide campaign launch of a new mobile phone, and advertisements will begin airing in Britain this week and Australia later this year.

The news has caused excitement among record-label bosses here and overseas, because of the exposure it will give to the Aussie band.

"Global television campaigns are playing an ever-increasing role in launching new artists," said a spokeswoman from Scorpio Music, who emailed S to reveal the band's exciting news."

Tough stance

The music industry responds to criticisms of their anti-piracy policy.

On 9 June, BBC commentator Bill Thompson wrote a critique of a joint venture between the BPI (British Phonographic Industry) and Virgin Media to write to customers whose net connection may have been used to download unlicensed content.

Here, BPI chief executive Geoff Taylor responds to his comments. ....

[via BBC]

AOL Turns the iPhone into an Expensive Radio

A new AOL Radio application will connect to AOL’s servers by way of the cellular network, reports Bits.

"The phone’s GPS system will monitor signals from satellites orbiting 12,000 miles in space in order to determine your location. This will automatically determine your location and tune to the digital stream from the nearest CBS station.

... The AOL service lets you listen to some 200 stations, including CBS radio stations and others programmed to 25 genres.

The AOL application will work over a Wi-Fi connection and the cellular data network with both the original iPhone and the faster 3G iPhone. Kevin Conroy, an executive vice president of AOL, said in an e-mail that the application offers sound quality as good as listening to a CD."

Who is behind your (ringtone) choices?

Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein in a new book, Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness, are interested in how "choice architects" influence the decisions we make in our daily lives and how the cumulative weight of those decisions impacts society. The Philidalphie Inquirer reports

It's a very interesting article, and ringtones are only used as one of many examples, but it's such a good read I've included here.

"Who is a "choice architect?" Anyone in government or the private sector who establishes the context in which we encounter decision-making moments. For example, while it's easy to customize the ringtone on your cell phone, many people don't bother, opting to simply use the default tone. Thus the person who created the default setting is a choice architect and was subtly influencing ringtone choice.

... The theory of Nudge is that consumers aren't perfect economic engines and that they will often make choices that aren't necessarily good for them - buying the cookie right next to the cash register in the cafeteria, for example. But Thaler and Sunstein argue that systems can be designed where people still have freedom of choice, but context nudges them into making better decisions. And these better individual choices can add up to better societal outcomes."

Pearl Jam and Verizon go mobile for live bootlegs

PearlJamConcerts.com Pearl Jam has struck a deal with Verizon Wireless' V Cast service to sell select tracks from the authorized live bootlegs that will be available in conjunction with the band's upcoming summer tour, which begins Wednesday (June 11) in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Under this extension of PearlJam's long-running live bootleg program, three tracks from each show (excluding Bonnaroo) will be available immediately afterward via V Cast and PearlJamConcerts.com -- one as a free mobile download and two others for purchase.

Reuters

iPhone 3G

iPhone 3G coverage. Where are the ringtones?

Camila Goes Mobile With Verizon Wireless

Camila, the hottest group in Latin music right now, is launching their first headlining U.S. tour with a 17-city schedule that kicked off in Miami, on June 6. This Latin sensation, whose albums have sold in excess of 800,000 units worldwide, has joined forces with Verizon Wireless to further connect with fans via mobile technology.

Verizon Wireless customers who download Camila's content via their V CAST-enabled handsets will have a chance to win a pair of tickets sent directly to their phones. These mobile tickets will be their entry into the show. Others may purchase tickets at traditional outlets. For more information go to www.camilaenconcierto.com.

And Verizon Wireless will deliver six Camila songs exclusively to V CAST Music customers. These songs are not available anywhere else in the U.S. and can be downloaded over-the-air directly to fans' phones as a full-song download, a ringtone or ringback tone.

[via Fox Business]

Madonna’s New Album To Come Pre-Packaged On Sony Ericsson Phones

Sony Ericsson and Warner Music International are partnering to bundle Madonna’s latest album, Hard Candy, on handsets in 27 countries.

Starting this month, the bundles will come in two versions - one with five tracks from the album, another with the full release plus extra wallpapers and ringtones.

[via Moco News]

Google Sued For Tricking Ringtone Seekers

Ads that trick consumers into signing up for subscriptions by promising "free" ringtones have sparked a wave of enforcement actions in the last year and resulted in large fines for companies like AzoogleAds and AT&T.

Now such ads have landed search giant Google in federal court in California, where it's facing a lawsuit for allegedly showing users pay-per-click ads that tricked searchers into signing up for paid subscription services.

[via Mediapost]

Street-smart MP3 Music T-Shirts

Spotted on Popgadget, The MP3 Music T-Shirt by Music and Sons, ingeniously designed for you and your music player.

Radiohead songs finally on iTunes

Radiohead's back catalogue has appeared on iTunes, making them one of the last high-profile bands to put their body of work on Apple's leading download store.

The band's first six studio albums are now available alongside their latest, In Rainbows, which appeared in January. Radiohead previously wanted fans to download only full albums.

... The Beatles are now the only remaining major British band whose music is not on the service."

[via the BBC]

AT&T settles cell phone fee suit

AT&T wireless subscribers who were hoodwinked into signing up for recurring charges for ringtones and other content will receive refunds as part of a class action settlement.

Customers will get refunds for charges that appeared on their bills between January 1, 2004, and May 30, 2008

[via News.com]

LiveWire Mobile’s Ringtone Service Launches on 3 UK

The 3MusicStore currently features more than 1.5 million tracks and 10,000 music videos. LiveWire Mobile’s service will add an additional 25,000 ringtones -- all available for purchase on customers’ mobiles or online.

Press release