Posts by: Greg Sandoval, CNET News.com

Microsoft to announce flash-based Zune

Greg Sandoval, CNET News.com | Oct 02, 2007

Microsoft plans to announce the second generation of Zune digital music players on Tuesday, according to a source close to the company.

Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates is supposed to take part in the formal announcement of the new music player, the Web site BetaNews reported on Monday. A source with knowledge of the announcement confirmed the report when contacted by CNET News.com.

The upcoming player, which will be available in November, will be the first Zune to feature flash-based memory, BetaNews reported.

The site also said Zune's flash-based players will measure 3 inches (76.2mm) by 1.25 inches (31.75mm) and the device will look very similar to the iPod Nano.

A Microsoft spokesman did not immediately reply to an interview request.

Filed under: Music & Play
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Michael Robertson launches new DRM-free music service

Greg Sandoval, CNET News.com | Apr 23, 2007

Entrepreneur Michael Robertson is yet again launching a new online music service--one that offers digital albums stripped of security software that can be played on any music device, including iPods.

Robertson, the founder of MP3.com and MP3tunes.com, announced the launch of Anywherecd.com.

Unfortunately, his customers are required to buy complete albums without the option of buying individual songs, have such a tiny music library to choose from, and must often pay more for an album than they do at the top online music stores.

Executives are trying to figure out how much more they have to offer before music fans once again pay for music.

"Last year, I decided it was time to revisit selling music in the MP3 format," Robertson said in a statement. "I reached out to many labels and all were polite... my message was to use the MP3 format to boost sales by offering a new buying option for online music fans. If they purchase an album, they immediately get high quality MP3 files which they can own forever with the confidence that they'll work on any music device available."

It's trendy right now to attempt to offer music unrestricted by Digital Rights Management software. Two weeks ago, EMI and Apple announced that the music label would offer DRM-free songs on iTunes offer starting in May.

Soon after, Microsoft announced that it too planned to sell unsecured songs from EMI but has yet to say when.

Unprotected MP3 files will cost more. For example, Elephant by the band The White Stripes sells for US$11.95 on Robertson's new site, but costs only US$9.99 on iTunes. A customer on Anywherecd.com can also choose to buy a digital album as well as a CD version for US$14.95.

As for the small music library, Robertson said in the statement that "AnywhereCD will continue to grow and new content will be added in the near future."

Via CNET News.com