>>> Penn State’s ground breaking relationship with Napster is over. The state college system has dropped Napster’s music service in favor of Ruckus.
>>> A new IPSOS Tempo study showed that CD purchases are down 15% and that digital is not making up the difference. (Is anyone surprised?) The study also showed that mobile music and
video use is rising.
>>> Another analyst, Screen Digest sees the mobile music market growing ten fold in five years. The June iPhone launch should be a major first indicator for the US market.
>>> RealNetworks earnings jumped 61% in the 1st quarter of 2007 powered by music, games and ringbacks. The stock gained 5.7 % to $8.02 in after hours trading, but was still off a 52 week high of just over $12. (press release)
>>> CCM Magazine takes a fresh look at Christian music including more indie acts.
>>> Creative is being tight lipped about their next round of iPod wanna be’s.
>>> In another blow against DRM, encryption keys to unlock HD-DVD and Blu-ray discs are being circulated widely across the net.
We hear that Amazon’s new music service will have first-ever DRM free downloads from several large indie labels that have been hold-outs at eMusic and elsewhere when it launches in the coming weeks.
PS:We haven’t forgotten or promised eMusic series. We honestly just haven’t found the time to finish it and want to get it right. Stay tuned.
