Showing posts with label internet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label internet. Show all posts

Monday, January 4, 2010

AD FAD? CBS Adds Ad Alternatives To Online TV Viewing

by Don Rose
------------

If you like watching TV shows online, you have probably encountered brief ads you must watch at the beginning and/or middle of episodes. Hulu.com does this when you watch shows from NBC or Fox, for example. Typically, you have no choice about what ad to watch, and you have to watch them when the site says so (in order to get to the content you desire).

But CBS is trying another way: decoupling the ad viewing from the show/content viewing. Each full episode posted online by CBS has a required number of "ad credits" you must accumulate before you can watch that episode. Just watch the number of ads required, whenever you have time, and then you can watch the ep. YOU decide when to watch the ads, and YOU decide which ads to watch.

In short, this method gives us all more choice and control. Such "ad hoc" ad viewing may be TV's first friendly trend for 2010. Learn more at http://cbs.ntorus.com/.

Now if CBS would only make shows I wanna watch, we'd really have something here.

Monday, September 21, 2009

SEP 22-23: 140 | The Twitter Conference (140tc) - Featured Event of the Week

Posted by Don Rose

It's finally here - the highest profile Twitter conference to hit LA. Nicknamed 140tc, "140 - The Twitter Conference (Tapping Into the Real Time Web)" takes place at the Skirball Cultural Center on September 22 and 23, 2009. Be there or be obsolete. 140 is the place where developers, business people, and enthusiasts converge to find innovative ways to use and benefit from Twitter, arguably the fastest growing Web phenomenon that exists today.

The two-day two-track conference focuses on professional uses of Twitter and is hosted by The Parnassus Group, which has done a stellar job attracting star speakers to the event. The A-list lineup includes Twitter co-founder Biz Stone, Tony Robbins, Dr. Drew Pinsky, actor/singer Tyrese and X Games superstar Tony Hawk as well as legendary lawyer Mark Geragos, Levar Burton, Guy Kawasaki and many more. To see who else is speaking at the event check out the 140tc speakers page.

But wait, there's more! As if all the celebs, keynotes and cool panels weren't enough, the hot LA band Hypnogaja (@hypnogaja) will be performing during the conference reception at the close of the first day, September 22. The party is open to conference attendees only, so there’s one more reason to register. Now that you're suitably wowed, proceed ASAP to buy a ticket. Register here!

SUMMARY OF CONFERENCE DETAILS

The conference is scheduled for September 22nd-23rd, 2009.
Location: Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles, CA:


View Larger Map

Registration opens at 7:30am each day, and sessions start at 9 am.
Sessions conclude at 5:30pm both days.
Lunch is scheduled between 12:30 and 2:00 each day.
The conference hashtag is #140tc.
Beverage breaks, breakfast, and lunch are included in the cost of your ticket.

tour_taper_exterior3

After the last sessions on day one (Sep 22nd)
there will be an open bar cocktail reception
in the Taper Courtyard, just outside the Magnin auditorium.

HOTELS

140tc arranged with Hotel Angeleno
for a discounted conference group rate
of $129.00 per night, which includes parking.

Hotel Angeleno
http://www.hotelangeleno.com/
4.0 miles from Skirball Cultural Center
170 N. Church Lane
Los Angeles, CA 90049
310.476.6411

Additional hotels near the venue (no conference rate):

Luxe Hotel
http://tinyurl.com/ldtezb
4.0 miles from Skirball Cultural Center
160 guestrooms
11461 Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA90049
(866) LUXE-411

Marriott Courtyard
http://tinyurl.com/njmbbk
2.7 miles from Skirball Cultural Center
196 guestrooms
15433 Ventura Blvd.
Sherman Oakes, CA 91403
818-981-5400


OFFICIAL 140tc WEBSITE:
http://parnassusgroup.com/twitterconference

If you have additional questions
contact Kim: kim@parnassusgroup.com.

Friday, March 21, 2008

APR. 11-17: ATTEND NAB EXPO FOR FREE - $150 VALUE (LAS VEGAS)

NAB - the National Association of Broadcasters Show - is the premiere show for Television Broadcast, featuring a huge expo filled with vendors showing hardware and software to create television content, as well as online content. The Conferences run from April 11-17, and the Expositions from April 14-17. You may attend the Exposition for FREE by going to www.nabshow.com, clicking on "Attendee" at the top of the page, and then "Register Now" at the right. Register by March 28 to have your credentials mailed to you.

WEBPAGE OF THE WEEK: WIL WHEATON'S WORK (GOOL GAME REVIEWS FOR AV CLUB)

Yes, I said GOOL, not COOL, although it is really both. Let me explain...

So I happen to be browsing around one of The LA Report's favorite websites - AV Club (a sister pub of The Onion, another fave) - when I see a webpage devoted to games (GOOL - Games Of Our Lives). Then, I notice that EVERY review is by Wil Wheaton. I knew he was a gamer, but this is, like, total page domination. He clearly loves games, making his reviews fun to read.

See the AV Club's Games Of Our Lives page at http://www.avclub.com/content/gool.

Monday, March 17, 2008

TEXT TECH: ODIOGO CREATES AUDIO FROM TEXT; TURN BLOGS INTO PODCASTS, READERS INTO LISTENERS

Imagine you don't have time to read someone's cool blog (like, say, The LA Report Daily Edition), or some other website with text. Instead of driving and reading (a taxing test of your multitasking skills), imagine you can just get the audio version of that same text and listen on the go on your iPod (Apple didn't pay for the iPod plug, but we always accept donations, Steve Jobs).

Such is the promise of ODIOGO, a service that could just be what's next in text. I assume Odiogo is a play on the word AUDIO and GO (yes, we are sharp folks here). Bloggers or other webmasters may find this tool very useful indeed, to turn text readers into audio listeners without having to do much extra work (add an Odiogo button to a posting and visitors can get an audio version of that post's text). More info at http://www.odiogo.com/ -- where you can read text like this description excerpt:

Turn readers into listeners, and transform your blog into a high quality, ad-supporting broadcast that can vastly expand your audience reach!

Automatic podcast generation

“Near-human” quality text-to-speech


Listen Button feature deployed in next to no time for WordPress, Blogger, TypePad, BlogEngine.NET and Terapad platforms

Detailed download statistics

Make money from embedded ads

Learn More
FREE Sign Up

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

HULU DEBUT: WATCH FEATURE FILMS & TV SHOWS, FREE, AD-SUPPORTED (Digital Media Wire)

From Digital Media Wire:

Hulu, the online video joint venture between NBC Universal (NYSE: GE) and News Corp. (NYSE: NWS), will officially launch on Wednesday, ending 18 weeks of an invitation-only beta test. In addition to content from NBC, Universal and Fox, the company has announced new content partnerships with Warner Bros. Television Group, Lionsgate, and sports leagues NBA, NHL and NCAA.The site offers high-quality, advertising-supported streaming of both feature-length films and TV show episodes, both on a destination site and on a branded player through distribution partners AOL, MSN, Yahoo, MySpace and Comcast's Fancast service. Some of the content available for streaming on Hulu at launch will include movies like "Requiem for a Dream" and "The Usual Suspects," and TV shows including "House," "Studio 60" and "Saturday Night Live." Related Links: http://www.hulu.com

Published in DMW Daily, March 11, 2008

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

2008 OSCARS & STEVE JOBS MACWORLD KEYNOTE IN 60 SECONDS (THANKS, MAHALO DAILY!)

Mahalo Daily with Veronica Belmont presents Steve Jobs' Apple Keynote in 60 Seconds. Also recommended: Mahalo's "OSCARS in Sixty Seconds".

Some things (especially Internet inventions) have a habit of becoming instant essentials. Such is the case with Mahalo's "X in Sixty Seconds" feature (for various X's), my new fave video thingamabob! What a timesaver. And, another benefit: easier to remember the key points, since those are all you see! Think of it as a highlighter pen for video. Of course, editing is crucial for this to work, and Mahalo's editing is nearly perfect. Even humor gets injected in the mix with the Apple keynote video. First we see Apple CEO Steve Jobs hitting the main points of his 90 minute keynote (key new stuff: 1 terabyte AirPort+harddrive combo, $499, can backup all your Macs wirelessly; software upgrades for iPhone and iPod Touch; new Apple TV with no computer required to use and can rent movies in HD; iTunes movie rentals: 3 to 4 bucks each, you get 30 days to start, then 24 hours to watch; new ultrathin MacBook Air laptop, fits in manila envelope). Then we're treated to 2 seconds of Randy Newman (sings "You've Got a Friend In Me" - yes, just those words). Finally, the icing on the cake: a few seconds appending adoring Apple adjectives adjacently. Oh, if only life could be condensed like this sometimes.

Monday, January 28, 2008

MOLI.COM LAUNCHES TODAY AT DEMO 08 CONFERENCE

A PRNewswire news release states that Mainstream Holdings, Inc., an Internet technology and digital media company, announced today that it entered into an agreement with private investors to receive $29.6 million of funding for the company. The funding will be used to accelerate the international expansion and enrich membership development programs of its subsidiary MOLI. MOLI will be launched today at the DEMO 08 conference.

What is MOLI, exactly? Here are some excerpts from a press release on their website:

Addressing the market need for better privacy and control of social networking member data, MOLI launched at DEMO today, its next-generation community site based on a robust patent-pending platform that allows users to have significantly greater control over their privacy than current options in the market. Designed by financial transaction veterans who understand the need for secure transactions, MOLI's members, consisting of enterprising individuals, groups and small businesses, can control their privacy by managing multiple profiles in one account. Members can then segment their social, business and family relationships as well as attain more control using three levels of permission - public, private and hidden - to determine who can and cannot access their profile information. In addition, members can add low-cost, online store capabilities to sell their products and services within the global community. MOLI membership is free as are most of the interactive tools; MOLI communities are located in the U.S., U.K. and Ireland.

"MOLI has implemented its social networking community in an inventive way to create a new approach to the online social market," said Chris Shipley, executive producer of DEMO. "MOLI will be a company to watch as the market continues to unfold."

MOLI is an online community designed for enterprising individuals and small business owners - a segment of users just beginning to explore the power of social networking. The site uses Web 2.0 capabilities that are ideal for multimedia interactive collaboration and visitors and members can view both professionally created original content (text and high definition video) and user-generated content that appeals to the MOLI community.

Founded by Dr. Christos M. Cotsakos, ...MOLI is the flagship subsidiary of Mainstream Holdings, Inc., a company that focuses in four industry segments: e-commerce, behavioral marketing, high-definition video production, and software and infrastructure development. "We are very excited for the opportunity to launch MOLI at the critically acclaimed DEMO 08 conference," said Dr. Cotsakos. "We have listened to users, marketers, advertisers and industry experts during our beta, to create and build MOLI into the next-generation social media platform..."

"MOLI is a next-generation social media community allowing members to manage multiple profiles from one account. It is designed for enterprising individuals entering that next major lifestyle change, beginning in the late twenties, when control over personal privacy is a more compelling issue," said Judy Balint, President and COO of MOLI. "MOLI is a diverse, sophisticated site where professionally produced content coupled with interactive e-commerce features enable members to connect and conduct business with other discerning individuals, groups and businesses..."

MOLI produces and publishes high quality features about the community's multi-faceted members and stories that appeal to the discerning MOLI community. For advertisers, the appeal of professionally created content in specific channels provides a higher degree of confidence that their message will reside within an appropriate context for their brand.

MOLI offers three types of content for visitors and members to enjoy:
1 - user-generated content created from members in the community

2 - content selected by MOLI from third-party agreements suited for the discerning MOLI community
3 - compelling professionally created original content developed in-house and published in two forms: articles (MOLI View) and high-definition videos (MOLI Video).

- MOLI View is a daily collection of blogs written by well-known freelance writers appearing in various categories: Arts and Entertainment; Fashion and Design; Life and Love; Sports and Fitness; Travel and Leisure; Business and Technology; and Worthy Causes.
- MOLI Video is a compelling video showcase featuring two-minute magazine-style vignettes about MOLI's members. Called "MOLI Rollers" the high-definition, short-format video clips are created and produced in-house by Mainstream's subsidiary, Tertiary Productions. MOLI Video also features Tertiary's first original offbeat episodic series called Park Bench. Easy-to-Use Tools and E-commerce CapabilitiesMOLI provides its members with access to many free and low-cost features as well as premium-customized tools so their image on the site can look "polished and professional" or "cool and modern".

Each account has access to free features and tools, for example, blogs, message boards, RSS feeds, video players, audio players, games, media slideshows, and event calendars. The site uses Ajax technology, so members can customize and personalize their pages with drag-and-drop ease. On MOLI, small businesses can create a free public website to showcase their products and services, and use MOLI's multiple profiles with permissions to communicate in private with customers, employees or suppliers all from the same account. MOLI can be both an extranet and a private intranet.

Also, without doing any programming, members can easily add a fully-functioning store with a multi-media catalogue allowing video, audio, or text, shopping cart, and payment mechanism through PayPal or Google Checkout, for a simple, flat-fee of only $3.99 a month.

More robust than earlier-generation social networking sites, MOLI is built on a patent-pending technology platform designed for scalability and easy global deployment developed by CoVibe TECH, a sister subsidiary of MOLI. This platform has the ability to accumulate and analyze aggregate member data, and facilitate targeted behavioral marketing while protecting the member's personally identifiable information. For example, all members receive a basic version of this aggregated data called "CoVibe Live" for free. CoVibe Live is a real-time snapshot that highlights interesting tidbits of information about the people who visit a member's profiles, such as age, gender, and geographic location. More sophisticated renditions of this aggregated psychographic and demographic data will also be available for purchase in various cost-effective packages designed for individuals, groups, small businesses and advertisers.

MOLI members can access its knowledge-based customer support system that is similar to those found in consumer and financial industries. Members have two ways to obtain information: using the knowledge-based system for text-based and video answers as well as by live chat with MOLI customer support representatives. Live chat hours are available 9 to 5 p.m. U.S. Eastern. MOLI's customer support solution is a first in the social networking industry.

Summary: MOLI is a next-generation social networking site where members can manage multiple profiles in one account. Members can separate their social, business and family relationships and keep control over their privacy. Targeted at both enterprising individuals over 18 and small business owners, MOLI provides an easy to use, content-rich, multimedia interactive platform ideal for both community collaboration and e-commerce. MOLI sites are currently located in the U.S. (www.moli.com), the U.K. and Ireland. MOLI membership is free. Additional pricing for account customization: $1.99 per additional personalized URL after the first one that is free; $2.49/month for MOLI ad-free; $3.99/month to add store capabilities.

Sunday, January 27, 2008

FREE LEGAL UNLIMITED MUSIC DOWNLOADS: SPIRALFROG

by Don Rose

Yes, free music via the Internet is a reality. We're talking good stuff, hits, high quality tunes, not just unknowns and/or unlistenable junk. Go to http://www.spiralfrog.com/ and register (for free, NO credit card needed). Confirm your membership and start getting songs and videos, FREE.

How can they do this, you ask? Yes, ads. A recent Spiralfrog press release explains:

SpiralFrog allows music enthusiasts to feed their addiction to music through free, legal and unlimited downloading. SpiralFrog enables anyone to access and download files from a library of 1 million songs and 3,500 music videos, with new content added frequently. To access the free content, users must only fill out a simple and quick registration form. As part of the SpiralFrog experience, users see relevant, targeted advertising that does not interfere with their enjoyment of music. Songs and videos downloaded on SpiralFrog will play on Windows PCs running XP and Vista. Members can download to their PCs and synchronize their music with up to two portable music players or music-enabled phones that support Windows Media digital rights management.

We knew this would happen eventually. If TV can be free via ads, why not music? Spiralfrog simply serves you advertising as you do things on the Spiralfrog site (like downloading), and they in turn give part of the ad revenue to the music publishers and musicians who provide the music on the site. Sounds good to The LA Report. Yes, it really sounds good! Go get your free tunes!

I can hear you thinking, "Okay, but is there a catch?" The only one I see so far: you may not find certain bands' music that you really want. In other words, if you want a one-stop shop with ALL major acts' music available for download, some for free and most for a fee, then iTunes is still king. Or you can go with Napster, Yahoo! Music, Best Buy's digital music store, and more stores. But SpiralFrog is just getting going, so give it time. And give it a whirl.

For ten MORE free websites to consider, see the fine post that lists 10 Sites for Free Legal Music, at www.last100.com.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

JAN.16: TWIISTUP 3 AT AIR CONDITIONED SUPPER CLUB, VENICE

The LA Report ranks Twiistup in its Top Ten Events of the year. Why, you ask? Well, for one clue, here is a description of the event, from the colorful Twiistup website:

Twiistup connects people from technology, media and entertainment. Held at a nightclub, our quarterly events feature several startups chosen to 'showoff' their products & services to influential bloggers, fellow tech-heads, investors, the media and those interested in learning about what's hot in tech. An alternative to traditional networking events, Twiistup mixes it up with tunes, video, bites, beverages, prizes, swag and the unexpected . Details for Twiistup 3

As you can see, Twiistup combines all the elements we love at The LA Report: intelligent stimulating attendees, fun (there was a dead-ringer Bono lookalike at Twiistup 2!), tech, entertainment and serendipity! We highly recommend this event.

Editor's Update: due to its popularity, Twiistup 3 is either sold out, or almost sold out, but their site does indicate a way you can win 2 tickets; visit http://www.twiistup.com/ for more details. If you are not able to get tickets, then bookmark their site and make sure to make plans early for Twiistup 4.

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

BEATLES PODCAST! "HELP!" IS ON THE WAY

To hear the first ever Beatles podcast, narrated by Monty Python's Michael Palin, do the following steps (all free):

1. Go to your favorite podcast reader program -- for example, Google Reader, at:
http://reader.google.com
2. Add a new subscription/feed, using this link:
http://www.thebeatles.com/help/assets/downloads/rss.xml
3. As new episodes of the podcast are delivered to you, play them!

So far, there are 2 episodes available. Taken together, they form a nice audio documentary about "Help!" -- shedding light on the making of the Richard Lester film, the Beatles' second movie, with many of the film's participants recalling how the motion picture was merrily made. Highly recommended by The LA Report (we can't wait for episode 3, coming soon).

About "Help!"

Directed by Richard Lester, who also directed the band’s debut feature film "A Hard Day's Night," "Help!" made its theatrical debut in 1965. Two new "Help!" DVD sets were released on November 6, 2007: a 2-disc set (featuring the restored film, a disc full of bonus material, and a booklet), and a deluxe edition (with 2 discs, a book, a replica of Dick Lester's working script, and reproductions of the film's poster and theatre lobby cards). In addition, the FIRST EVER Beatles podcast is now available for free online -- a multi-part "Help!" documentary.

The film follows The Beatles as they become passive recipients of an outside plot that revolves around Ringo's possession of a sacrificial ring, which he cannot remove from his finger. As a result, he and his bandmates John, Paul and George are chased from London to the Austrian Alps and the Bahamas by religious cult members, a mad scientist and the London police. In addition to starring the Beatles, "Help!" has a witty script, a great cast of British character actors and features 7 classic Beatles tracks, including:

‘Help!’
• ‘You're Going To Lose That Girl’
• ‘You've Got To Hide Your Love Away’
• ‘Ticket To Ride’
• ‘I Need You’
• ‘The Night Before’
• ‘Another Girl’

Monday, November 5, 2007

OPRAH CHANNEL COMES TO YOUTUBE; WINFREY TO BE GUEST EDITOR AND VIDEO PICKER

From "Cynopsis: DIGITAL" 11/05/07:

...Here are two great brands that should go great together. Harpo Productions launched an Oprah channel on YouTube featuring exclusive behind-the-scenes and backstage footage. YouTube founders Chad Hurley and Steve Chen will make appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show tomorrow to help promote the launch, along with a selection of YouTube amateur "stars." Oprah will also serve as guest editor for the site over the next couple of days; look for some of her favorite video picks on the YouTube homepage...

Saturday, October 27, 2007

1965 BEATLE FLASHBACK: GEORGE GETS GUITAR!

024-GH3-Large.jpg
Beatle fans, get thee to the cool website of Bill Carlson. Bill was there way back when to cover the Beatles' tour as it steamrolled across America and into the upper Midwest, where Bill captured images that are just now getting exposure, pardon the pun. The LA Report just caught Bill on one of the fine Los Angeles Beatle shows (KRTH 101.1 FM, which broadcasts two shows back to back on Sundays, 8am to 10am). Mr. Carlson told his tale of the Fab Four in Minnesota, where among other things, lead guitarist George Harrison received a brand new Rickenbacker guitar (see photo above).

Bill also referred fellow Beatlemaniacs to his website, where he sells his fine photos. In the case of the George guitar gift, Bill gives some context to the above photo with this quote:

“...Yeah, I got number two. This friend in England who takes care of guitars, Alan Rogan, found out that that Rickenbacker 12-string of mine is the second one made. The first they gave to a woman, and the second one I got. I got another one with the rounded cutaways, but I’m glad to say that the one that went missing - I got a lot of stuff stolen or lost - wasn’t the original one.” --George Harrison in “Guitar Player” interview

Monday, October 8, 2007

STARBUCKS OFFERS NEW MUSIC DOWNLOAD PRODUCTS: DIGIALBUMS AND FREE SONG OF THE DAY CARDS

What's part trading card, part music download card, part marketing genius? The new free Starbucks "Song of the Day" card, which lets you download a single song from iTunes, if you ask your barista at Starbucks for one. Cool idea. (I mentioned trading cards because an image of the artist appears on the front of each card, so they may have some collector value and tradeability one day.)

Starbucks now also provides customers with the 21st century digital equivalent of albums, too -- and they're square, not round, this time around. (They may look square, but they're hip.) This other new marketing thing is a "digital release" which enables the buyer of said square thing to download a whole set of songs; the "digialbums" I saw at Starbucks were by Eddie Vedder and KT Tunstall.

Both of these developments should be watched closely; they could be the future of the music business. (As if you haven't heard that phrase before.) Just remember: Song of the Day - free, for a limited time, every day (just ask); digialbum - ask your barista for cost.

Saturday, October 6, 2007

DEAL: CONVERT $30 OF COINS INTO AMAZON GIFT CERTIFICATE, GET $10 AMAZON BONUS GIFT CERTIFICATE

Receive a $10 Amazon.com gift certificate by mail when converting $30 of coins into an Amazon.com gift certificate at a Coinstar® Center. It's as easy as 1-2-3:

1. Bring $30 of coins to the Coinstar Center.
2. Cash it in for an Amazon.com gift certificate and get free coin counting.
3. Mail in the printed receipt to receive your $10 at Amazon.com gift certificate.

Offer details

Thursday, October 4, 2007

WEBSITE: "SELECT A CANDIDATE 2008" - THE ELECTRIC COOL AID ASK-IT TEST

Website we find intriguing: "SELECT A CANDIDATE 2008." As they put it, "Answer the 11 questions below to find out which candidates are most aligned with your views and opinions." It's an electric (all online) cool (new approach to finding the best politician for your beliefs) aid (to the Presidential selection process and learning about candidate positions) via an ask-it test (they ask questions in multiple-choice test fashion).

http://www.wqad.com/Global/link.asp?L=259460

I like the idea behind this bottom up approach: start with your beliefs/goals/needs, as determined by your answers to certain questions, then let that determine what candidate would be the wisest choice for you. (Note: best for you, not necessarily for the entire country. But this is the "You" decade, right?)

The cool innovation here, I think, is that tests like this enable you to get around the PR-spin/image/emotional factors surrounding each candidate -- along with any preconceived or ill-conceived prejudices -- and get right to the heart of what really matters. What is really exciting is that a more advanced version of this test should not be that hard to build (e.g., imagine 100 carefully crafted questions, not just 11, etc.), which would presumably provide an even more accurate recommendation. At the very least, taking this test can help make folks more knowledgable about the issues being raised by various candidates.

Saturday, September 29, 2007

WEBSITE: a.placebetween.us - FIND THE MIDDLE, MAN

Yes, the website a.placebetween.us finds a place between us -- that is, a place between you and someone else on a map. And you can tell it what kind of place you want to find that lies between us. Going on a date with someone geographically undesirable? Find a coffee place halfway between you and your GU. Or, if several pals want to get together, find a place equidistant from each person. With gas at record levels, why make one person drive too far when you can each meet in the middle?

Thursday, September 27, 2007

DRaMa-FREE MP3? AMAZON? AMAZING! E-TAILER LAUNCHES SONG SELLING SERVICE

Yes, Amazon has entered the fray, in direct competition with iTunes and other music download services. However, what people are abuzz about are reports that Amazon's mp3 downloads will let you play purchased music on any device, free of digital rights restrictions. eMusic's service already lets you buy and download such DRM-free mp3s, but their song selection is not as robust as that of iTunes, Napster, Walmart, Sony Connect and other services. Actually, even iTunes lets you get shackle-free music - but non-DRM tunes cost 30 cents more than iTunes' standard 99-cents-per-song. That's a 30 percent premium. It will be interesting to see if new contender Amazon can dethrone King Apple, where other industry giants have failed.

Many news stories are covering this, but via Google we found the website with the best title:

Hacking NetFlix : Amazon Testing DRM-Free MP3 Service
The world is one step closer to a DRM-free future: Amazon is testing a music service called Amazon MP3, where unprotected songs typically sell for 89 cents ... www.hackingnetflix.com/2007/09/amazon-testing-.html - Similar pages