Distributor Vital: PIAS represent a huge number of independent record labels both in the US and Europe. Their digital arm has just signed a deal with Apple to start providing music videos for sale through the iTunes Music Store.

Just to give you an idea of the sort of artists this will mean coming to the iTunes Music Store, here's a very short list of some highlights: Oasis, Roots Manuva, Lady Sovereign, Idlewild, Franz Ferdinand, Arctic Monkeys, Death in Vegas, Sigur Ros, Roni Size, UNKLE, Teenage Fanclub, Soulwax, Jurassic 5, Amp Fiddler, Evan Dando and Royskopp.

[Via MacWorld]

The BPI is the British record industry's trade association. Their 2005 sales figures, released today, show a massive increase in the sales of legal music downloads in the UK, as part of what has been one of the British record industry's highest-selling years to date.

The total number of legal music downloads in the UK for 2005 was 26.4 million, an increase of 357.3% from 2004. In the final week of 2005, between Christmas and New Year, music download sales broke the magic million-per-week mark for the first time.

Sales of physical compilation albums are down 15.7% however and the BPI's chairman Peter Jamieson is blaming that squarely on digital music consumers. It seems the mass adoption of CD burners in home computers and the habit of consumers burning their own compilation CDs from their digital music collections is set to be the record industry's new bugbear.

Now you can experience the most comfortable way to enjoy your favorite music Â? without wires! IOGEARÂ?s wireless Bluetooth Multimedia Kit eliminates headphone cords by incorporating the latest Bluetooth technology. Enjoy music or other audio up to 66 feet from the source, in beautifully crisp mp3-quality stereo sound.

The Kit includes both the Bluetooth headphones and an adapter, providing a great duo for use with your multimedia equipment. Simply connect the adapter to any standard 3.5mm, RCA, or phono audio jack, turn on the headset and adapter, and enjoy your music! Listen to music or audio from your computer, iPod, home stereo, boom box, MP3 player, TV set, or virtually any sound source. In addition, the Bluetooth headphones are compatible with any Bluetooth-enabled device with A2DP and AVRCP support.

IOGEARÂ?s behind-the-neck design makes the headphones very comfortable to wear even for extended periods. The headphones' built-in rechargeable battery offers up to 6.5 hours of music play time. With the included RCA audio cable and stereo phono connector, you can connect the adapter to virtually all your home audio devices. For added convenience, push buttons on the headphones allow volume and track selection control.*

In addition, the Bluetooth headphones support use with Bluetooth cell phones. To make or receive phone calls, simply connect the detachable microphone to the headphones. You can even pause music playback and pick up incoming phone calls with the simple press of a button.

Free yourself from confining wires and immerse yourself in the music with IOGEARÂ?s wireless Bluetooth Multimedia Kit.

Features:

• Enjoy music or other audio from your computer, iPod, home stereo, boom box, MP3 player, TV set, and more
• Maximum wireless range up to 66 ft. (20 meters)
• Supports mp3-quality stereo sound
• Headphones include a detachable microphone for use with Bluetooth cell phones and allow you to pick up incoming calls even during music playback
• Headphones and transmitter rechargeable battery lasts up to 6.5 hours
• Integrated headphone control buttons give you quick access to play/pause, track selection, and volume control
• Comfortable to wear behind-the-neck style
• Foldable easy-to-carry design
• No software required; Plug-N-Play
• Class 2 transmitter and receiver compliant with Bluetooth 1.2 specifications
• Headphones Audio Specifications: Frequency response 20Hz - 20KHz @ -3dB; Output 7mW @ 32 ohm; Noise level -80dBA;

Requirements:

• Audio source:
  Must have a 3.5mm, RCA, or Phono audio connector
• For cell phone use:
  Bluetooth cell phone must support either Headset or Hands-Free Profile
• * NOTE: The Back/Forward headphone control buttons require Bluetooth-enabled device with AVRCP support

Package Content:

• 1 x Bluetooth stereo headphones
• 1 x Bluetooth audio transmitter
• 1 x Detachable microphone
• 1 x Carrying bag
• 1 x 3.5mm to RCA audio cable
• 1 x 3.5mm to 1/4" Stereo Phono connector
• 1 x 3.5mm extension cable
• 1 x Power adapter
• 1 x Power cable splitter
• 1 x Quick start guide
• 1 x Warranty/Registration card
  
  

Bluetake introduces their newest product yet, the iPhono BT420EX Bluetooth Hi-Fi Sports Headphone kit. These things look slick and have a 5â??10 meter range (in open spaces.) Even while listening to music it has an Auto-switching capability allowing you to make or receive phone calls whilst paired with a mobile phone. Here are some more specifications:

General Radio
Bluetooth Class 2, up to 5~10 meters (in open space)
(The maximum operating range depends on the paired phone model, battery power, and environmental factors.)
Carrier Frequency 2.402~2.480GHZ
Data Rate: 1 Mbps

Speaker
Diameter: 30mm
Frequency Response: 20Hz ~ 20KHz
SPL (Sound Pressure Level): 115±3dB @ 1KHz
THD (Total Harmonic Distortion): 5%
Impedance: 32O ±15% @ 1V, 1KHz
Power Rating: 1mW (Normal) / 3W (Maximum)

Listening Time / Talking Time
BT420
6 hours / 8 hours
(The maximum operating time depends on the usage frequency and environmental factors. A long distance wireless connection and use with a mobile phone will increase the power consumption.)

Dimensions
BT420 Folded: 100mm x 88mm x 77mm
Unfolded: 150mm x 140mm x 75mm
Max. extended ear-to-ear distance: 180mm

Weight
BT420 98g (battery included)

LED Indicator Status
BT420 Blue: Power on mode
Red: Low power or being charged
Blue & Red: Pairing mode
Green: Full charged

myirock.com has announced their newest product yet, the irock! Theater Sound (Model 1051) 5.1 Surround Sound Headphones. With six speakers each nestled in their own individual sound chamber, this is sure to be the next big thing for headphones, especially with a price of $49.99. Additionally, there is no special sound card required as these beauties use a USB plug. Features of these headphones include:

â?¢ Compact, lightweight unit
â?¢ Extremely lightweight, comfortable, and collapsible
â?¢ 5.1 virtual surround sound with PC or Mac via USB port
â?¢ Six speakers create incredible 3D sound
â?¢ Easy to adjust volume for each speaker
â?¢ Power-on LED indicator
â?¢ USB version 2.0 full speed compliant
â?¢ Equalizer offers simulated effects such as Jazz, Rock, Rap, Dance, and Vocal
â?¢ Xear 3Dâ?¢ driver software offers 3D sound configuration
â?¢ Supports Master volume, Subwoofer effects, and Mute control
� Support for Microsoft® DirectSound® and DirectSound 3D® audio technology
� Supports EAX® 1.0 and 2.0
â?¢ Supports A3D

Apple® today launched its revolutionary iTunes® Music Store in Japan, giving music fans the same innovative features, breakthrough pricing, seamless integration with iPod® and groundbreaking personal use rights that have made iTunes the number one online music service in the world. With one million songs priced at just Â¥150 and Â¥200 per song, plus Appleâ??s legendary ease of use and pioneering features such as built-in support for Podcasting, the iTunes Music Store in Japan is the best way for Mac® and PC users to legally discover, purchase and download music online. The iTunes Music Store is the number one online music store with over 500 million songs purchased and downloaded worldwide, and works seamlessly with iPod, the worldâ??s most popular digital music player with over 21 million sold.

â??iTunes and iPod are leading the digital music revolution,â?� said Steve Jobs, Appleâ??s CEO. â??We are thrilled to be bringing the iTunes Music Store to Japan, and hope music fans here love it as much as others around the world do.â?�

The iTunes Music Store in Japan debuts with local favorites including iTunes Originals from globe and Ulfuls, exclusives from Def Tech, Crazy Ken Band, Chara, Little Creatures, Chie Ayado and The Complete Bâ??z digital box set. Other iTunes exclusives released today include music from international artists such as U2, Jack Johnson and Bj�rk, and over 10,000 audiobooks are available, including works by Japanese authors.

Source: Macnn

The University of Washington was offered a signficant discount as part of the details revealed in its online music deal with Dell and Napster, which would "force-feed" students the Napster music service and leave owners of the most popular MP3 player, the iPod, to buy their music elsewhere, according to The Register. Supported by public funds, the university was forced to release the financial details of the agreement, which revealed that UW will pay Napster $24,000 for 8 months of service, about $2 per student for 1,500 students--much less than the typical charge of $10-$15 per month. In addition, Dell will contribute $24,000 for another 1,500 kids as well as offer $53,000

Source: LATimes

Legal music downloads in America and much of Europe more than tripled in the first half of 2005, according to a report released Thursday by the international recording industry.

The report, from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, came just three days after Apple Computer Inc. announced that downloads from its iTunes online music store had topped 500 million.

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