snapshot 9/27/07

DVD burner for downloads ; Sonic Solutions' Qflix technology will let people put movies from the Internet onto disc.
Sonic Solutions Inc. of Novato, Calif., said it had won approval for its technology, which makes it possible for people to record homemade DVDs containing the same copy protection found on professionally made DVDs. The approval came after protracted negotiations with the DVD Copy Control Assn., a consortium of movie studios, consumer electronics companies and computer makers. The technology opens the door for download services from the likes of Amazon.com Inc. and Wal-Mart Inc. to let customers burn movies they buy to DVD, then watch them on television or portable DVD players. Those services still represent only a fraction of the revenue generated by movie rentals and sales.


Microsoft touts boxes that bring computer content to TVs; available soon for $300+
Microsoft Corp. and its hardware partners are trying to bridge the divide between home computers and TV sets this holiday season with the release of several "media extenders." These TV set-top boxes will connect wirelessly to computers running the Home Premium or Ultimate flavors of Windows Vista and enable users to use their TV sets to watch movies, TV shows and Internet video that is stored on their computers.


Amazon MP3 store: better than iTunes?
The first reviews of Amazon’s MP3 store , which offers DRM-free tracks at prices that are generally cheaper than the iTunes Store, are in -- and most have come down in favor of the new service relative to Apple's offering. Machinist says that the Amazon transfer-to-device experience nearly matches iTunes, despite its Web-based nature. "The store is on the Web, but after you download a small companion program -- works on Windows and Mac -- you can reproduce the same one-click experience you've come to love in Apple's store (the app automatically adds purchased files to iTunes or another favorite music player).

Amazon's store also lets you search for and preview music just as easily as in iTunes."Also worth considering is Amazon's track record in selling items online, which predates Apple's efforts considerably. The Motley Fool, commenting on Amazon's chances for success in the digital music download space says "Amazon sold $10.7 billion worth of merchandise last year -- $7.1 billion in the form of media -- but at issue here is more than just respect for Amazon's girth. Amazon is a trusted source in music. Now it also happens to offer the better deal. If you have a choice of paying $0.89 on Amazon for a higher-quality track with no DRM, or $0.99 for a lower-quality track with portability restrictions, where will you turn?"


Sony music available on imeem
Sony BMG Music Entertainment is joining Warner Music Group in making its music available on the social media network imeem.com. EMI, which is in talks with the Internet service, is expected to follow shortly.

The San Francisco-based imeem allows users to share music and video content and shares ad revenue with labels whose content is on the site. Webco, which launched the service in June, also has deals with indie labels such as Nettwerk, Matador and XL Recordings, plus the distributors IODA, the Orchard and Redeye Distribution.


Yahoo Leadership Meeting Tomorrow; Premium Music Services to be “De-emphasized”
Our sources are telling us that tomorrow afternoon Yahoo CEO Jerry Yang will be holding a confidential meeting for all Yahoo execs (vice presidents and above, called the “leadership team”) to map out his strategic plan for the company going forward. This is the next step in executing on his promised 100 day plan back in July.

S eparately, the company will shortly (today) be announcing a strategic shift away from premium services in the music groupin Vince Broady’s entertainment group, which includes music, games, TV, movies, OMG. Nothing will be shut down; however, people and money (marketing dollars) are moving to other areas of Yahoo. The company will focus on free content over premium services, which are not performing well (music subscription sales in particular are said to be lagging). The changes have been occurring over the last week, look for a Yahoo announcement later today.


iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store for iPhone
T he big news for iPhone users, however (those that survived the update, that is), is the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store. Here are my impressions after spending a few minutes with it. T his is a very nice piece of software: Speedy, simple and similar enough to the "full"version of the iTunes Store that there's no learning curve at all. Feel free to share your own experiences in the comments.


Disney Mobile bites the dust
The Walt Disney Co. pulled the plug Thursday on its Disney Mobile phone service. Disney said the service will no longer be available after December 31, but it might offer some of the specially designed software and applications through another wireless operator.