Sony closes down Connect download store
Sony is closing its Connect download store, ending its attempt to sell music in its proprietary Atrac format, with customers offered guidance on transferring libraries.…
Microsoft
176 posts
MTV ends Urge download service and partners with Rhapsody
MTV Urge is shut down and MTV US is partnering with Real's Rhapsody, which will relaunch as Rhapsody America with a mobile extension via Verizon Wireless.…
Zune might enable users to sell tracks to friends
Reports suggest Microsoft may expand the Zune player so owners can share limited previews of tracks with friends and earn a cut of any resulting sale.…
DRM-free EMI sign up to SnoCap
EMI has signed with SnoCap, enabling DRM-free downloads to be sold directly from MySpace pages and blogs of its artists, unlike Warner's DRMed deal.…
SonyBMG Germany chief talks up diversification into comedy
SonyBMG Germany chief Edgar Berger tells Der Spiegel the company will diversify into comedy through joint ventures with Microsoft and Brainpool.…
Microsoft to launch new cross platform music promotion
Microsoft is launching Ignition, a cross-platform promotion for emerging artists across MSN, Xbox Live and the Zune Marketplace, starting with Maximo Park.…
Zune passes a million sales
Microsoft has sold over a million Zune players, a month ahead of its original schedule, though a European launch may not come until next year.…
BBC appoint Virgin digital chief James Cridland to future media role
The BBC has appointed Virgin Radio's digital media director James Cridland as Head of Audio and Music, alongside two other appointments to its Future Media and Technology division.…
Microsoft chief disses iPhone
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has told USA Today that Apple's iPhone will not gain significant market share, and denied a Zune phone is in development.…
Warner sign up to MySpace downloads, but with DRM
Warner Music will sell downloads via MySpace's Snocap-powered platform, but its music will carry Microsoft's DRM, so it will not play on iPod or Zune.…
Paul Kantner sued by Grace Slick over Starship name
Grace Slick and Bill Thompson, through Jefferson Starship Inc, are suing Paul Kantner for $750,000, claiming his Microsoft-sponsored Starship dates breach a 1985 trademark agreement.…
Microsoft win latest patent dispute with Alcatel-Lucent
A San Diego judge has ruled that Microsoft did not infringe Alcatel-Lucent speech recognition patents, a win that may help its appeal over MP3 patents.…