Why is Pandora Buying a Radio Station ... in South Dakota?
There's an odd inequality in online music royalties: Radio station operators that run streaming websites pay less per online song than Pandora. Enter, station KXMZ-FM.
iTunes
Are You Paying the iTunes Tax?
Nearly half of U.S. states charge sales tax on digital goods: If you live in one of them, you may be paying more for everything from downloaded music to streaming video.
Market Movers This Week: Wintry Earnings and iRadio Buzz
Among the things sure to move the market this week, a fast-growing mattress retailer will uncovering its financials and we'll get a raft of fiscal details from retailers.
Apple's iTunes Turns 10; How It's Changed Music
Apple wasn’t the first company to market an MP3 player, but it’s dominated the market ever since it introduced the iTunes Music Store 10 years ago this weekend.
Apple's Scary Stock Ride: Why the 'Jockey' Really Matters
Apple has been one of the world's most innovative companies, revolutionizing our lives -- and charging a premium to do it. Now, its stock has been on a six-month downward run, and understanding the real reason why might help guide your other investment choices.
Apple Event Preview: iPad Minis and iMacs and Mac Minis, Oh My!
Until very recently, the iPad mini has been the stuff of legend -- a Bigfoot, Atlantis, unicorn style legend. But no more: The iPad mini is finally real, as CEO Tim Cook has unveiled the slightly smaller Apple tablet on stage. No reason to delay the details any more. Here's the story.
Is YouTube the New Radio?
Teens aren't consuming music the way that their parents do -- and it's not just the usual taste-related generation gap. An eye-opening Nielsen survey shows that teens are relying on YouTube to supply their tunes more than any other medium.
If the Best Portable TV Is an iPad, Then Google's Got Trouble
Forget what you've heard: Amazon and Apple aren't enemies. They're frenemies. Last week, the e-tailer officially made its Amazon Instant Video service available to tens of millions of iPad users. And that's a huge problem for Google.
Free Music's High Price: How Illegal Downloads Silence Artists
Right now, four out of five digital music downloads are illegal, and if you think the only losers in that equation are greedy record label execs and wealthy superstars who can afford it, you're not hearing the whole story.
As Seen on TV: Is the Music Bullet Worth a Shot?
We love that we can listen to nearly any song, instantly, on our computers. What we hate is the flat, tinny sound from their cheap built-in speakers. As Seen on TV has a $20 solution: the shot-glass-sized Music Bullet. Sound too good to be true? We tested it out, and here's what we heard.
Tech Scoop: My First 24 Hours With the New Apple TV
Today is a big day for Apple fans. The new Apple TV and the new iPad are both being released. My Apple TV was delivered a day early, so I've got the scoop: Here's what to expect when you open the box and plug in.
Why Sony 'Accidentally' Gouged Whitney's U.K. Fans
The death of Whitney Houston found nostalgic fans rushing to buy the music icon's catalog of digital works, which means a bittersweet payday for her label Sony Music. But a gaffe overseas is making Sony out to look like a greedy opportunist.
Would You Pay $1,499 for an Apple Television?
A Best Buy online survey is asking participants how they would feel about a 42-inch HDTV from Apple. The specs it describes are impressive. But at $1,499, Apple's plan to revolutionize the way we watch TV could be priced out of the market.
Are Apple Stores' Slow-Growth Blues Really That Blue?
While Apple%u2019s products and digital media stores continue to thrive, its once-ascendant retail operation is losing some luster. But if stagnant retail growth in Apple Stores is worrisome, it's not time yet to hit the panic button.
Why Apple's Stock Value Is Underpriced
Apple has been on fire, posting its best quarter ever with unabated iPhone growth and the iPad holding off all tablet challengers. Apple's stock, however, is cool, trailing the broader market and trading at historically cheap levels. But is that a danger sign, or an opportunity?
iCloud Should Add to the Halo Effect for Apple Devices
On Monday, Apple unveiled iCloud, which will allow users to store digital files on remote servers, and access them through smartphones, PCs or tablets. This should give a boost to iTunes, but that accounts for only about 2% of Apple's value. The real gain will be in how iCloud adds to the appeal of Apple's more lucrative devices.
Music Revenues Fall 7% Despite a Sharp Drop-off in Piracy
Recorded music sales in America plunged another 7% last year as the sharp 16% drop in CD revenue more than offset gains in digital-media sales, according to new report. Overall sales fell despite the fact that illegal downloads of music have declined markedly since LimeWire was shut down.
Steve Jobs Ordered to Testify in iTunes Antitrust Case
Apple CEO Steve Jobs has been ordered by a federal judge to answer questions in an iTunes antitrust lawsuit, according to Reuters. Jobs will respond to allegations that Apple designed its software in a way that prevented competitor RealNetworks' music files from playing on iPods.
Facebook: Writing a Script for Online Movie Consolidation?
Warner Brothers' The Dark Knight is the first flick to be offered directly via the social network. It's a small test, but when Facebook enters a business, competitors get nervous: Here's how this move could trigger a round of mergers among Netflix and other established players.
Without Steve Jobs, What Kind of Apple Would Carry On?
The company has already proved that it can thrive while the CEO is away. But what's still not clear is whether Apple can remain far more than a tech company once he truly retires. Whose vision can possibly keep Apple the cultural phenomenon that Jobs has made it?
Skype's Founders May Have a Hit Music Service
Rdio was envisioned and launched by Janus Friis and Niklas Zennstrom, who have had a dry spell since starting Skype. Rdio, however, could be another smash, thanks to a confluence of trends that the duo appears to be picking up on.
Can Google's Android Undercut iTunes for News?
Google is considering a plan to expand its Android newsstand -- and heat rivalry with Apple's iTunes -- by charging publishers a lower price to sell news to Android users than the 30% fee that Apple typically charges to sell apps on iTunes. Will that be enough to attract more news?
