Amazon’s mp3 store is drm free, and they are attracting a new ‘mp3 crowd’...

They launched the public beta in 2007. The mp3 store features two million songs from 180,000 artists and 20,000 labels, DRM free. Songs sell anywhere from $.89 to $.99 and full albums will range $5.99 to $9.99. Best sellers will sell for

Though having launched just six months ago, Amazon MP3 recently leapfrogged Wal-mart to become the number two purveyor of a-la-carte music tracks downloads in the US, behind iTunes (ource Apple Insider.)

Here is a sample…

Additional help can be found here as well.

Hope that helps.

What’s cool: One of the biggest problems we face when working out is the endless dives your iPod takes from your pocket or your sweaty hand. Sure, there are other devices out there, but this one is much simpler. If it ‘sticks’ then it will be a big winner.

But otherwise…where do you get these things? Right here: GoiStik.com

See the audition video…

For more info go to The Apple Store.

The partners in this new business venture are Touchstone, Mirimax, Lionsgate, Newline, Fox, MGM, Warner Bos., Disney, Paramount, Sony, and Universal Studios. This partnership will provide iPod owners with the ability to watch movies on Macs, iPods, iPhones, and Apple TV’s via iTunes.

Rentals are going for $2.99 for older movies and $3.99 for new releases. The quality of the movies will be equal to DVD quality.

Rentals will be ready 30 days after the DVD release of the movie. You’ll have 30 days to begin watching the movie, and then you only have 24 hours to finish the movie.

You can also get HD movies.

High definition movies are also available for $4.99 each, with 100 titles available today—but it appears these are only available on the Apple TV.

Side Bar: Steve Jobs also announced that iTunes broke a single day record where Christmas day brought in 20 million songs downloaded in a 24 hour time frame!

The following two very cool products/projects are from Make Magazine. A very highly recommended magazine for the DIY’ers.

Can’t find an open source MP3 player? Neither could we. Here’s an idea: Build your own. Daisy is an easy-to-build, pocket-sized open source MP3 player.

Producing sound as good as an iPod, the Daisy can access 65,000 tracks, play 48khz WAV files as well as MP3’s, and unlike an iPod, has batteries that you can actually change. But the big thing about Daisy is the ease with which it interfaces with

It is the perfect MP3 kit for Makers, for it is easily integrated into kiosks, displays, art installations, or just about anything else you can dream up.

Make your own iPod battery-pack and recharger! Build your own MintyBoost: a small & simple (but very powerful and very MAKE-like)USB charger for your iPod (or other mp3 player), camera, cell phone, and any other gadget you can plug into a USB port to charge.

The charger circuitry and 2 AA batteries fit into an Altoids gum tin, and will run your iPod for hours, 2.5x more than you’d get from a 9V USB charger! You can use rechargable batteries too. Some soldering is necessary, but even if you’ve never soldered before it should be pretty easy.

Tested with iPod nano/mini/photo/video/shuffle, Blackberry, iPaq, LuxPro Tangent, Rio Carbon, Samsung T809 and more. Batteries and tin not included. If you live in an area that doesn’t have Altoids gum, you can buy a tin (including the gum) from us. ]]> http://hifiblog.com/past/2007/12/22/open-source-mp3-player-and-ipod-battery-pack-recharger-make-your-own/feed/ http://hifiblog.com/past/2007/11/28/sell-your-broken-ipod/ http://hifiblog.com/past/2007/11/28/sell-your-broken-ipod/#comments Wed, 28 Nov 2007 21:13:03 +0000 Brian Maroevich Posts applegame consolesiphoneipodmusic services http://hifiblog.com/past/2007/11/28/sell-your-broken-ipod/ If you have a broken iPod sitting in your desk drawer buried under your old school
pictures and baseball game stubs, you may want to sell it to this company. The will accept iPods and iPhones, and from anywhere in the world. In any condition as well. New, broken, old and damaged.

What do they do with the electronics? Here is what their site has to say, ‘Many wonderful things. We are actually building a utopian society and sanctuary for electronics from around the globe.’

They are even expanding into buying old gamecubes and other game
consoles. Check it out and let us know if you are happy with the service.

You can see the video below (or by clicking the link from our index page). The tips are very good. Basic, but good. Worth viewing…and you might learn something!

!!*** PLEASE READ THIS FIRST! ****!!

Use this technique if all else has failed. Most users will be fine just by reseting their Ipod, or by ejecting it from windowsItunes, but for those that actually have corrupt files and just want their Ipod back, this is what you need.

A buddy gave me an Ipod to fix, he couldn’t restore it using Itunes, the reason? The corrupt files were causing a failure to read them in windows. I had to find an alternative way to get Itunes to see the Ipod.

From October 2 to November 7, more than 10,000 Starbucks locations will hand out approximately 1.5 million “Song of the Day” cards redeemable on the iTunes Store. Upon receiving the cards, customers will have until the end of the calendar year to redeem the song.

Read the rest of the story.

Migo Software is making it easier for iPod users to lose one of the numerous devices that they have to carry around everyday, including their laptop or PC.

Even if you don’t leave your computer at home, your iPod will now allow you to access the important information that you need from your PC on your iPod. All you need is access to a Windows-based computer and you will have a virtual copy of your own PC.

Users are able to bring up their personal computer on any other Windows-based computer whether it is at the library or a cruise ship. Users will have all of their personal files on their iPod. You can even get your e-mail, calendar and contacts through Microsoft Outlook and Internet Explorer favorites. If you have multiple profiles on your computer, you can brink all of those as well.

Migo software initially began by downloading the software on to a USB flash drive or memory card. They have adapted it so that iPod users can now take advantage of their software. Since you never leave home without your iPod, you will always have the latest versions of your files and email. You can access data from any computer that uses Windows and Microsoft Office.

Every time you hook your iPod up to your home computer, Migo will synchronize your iPod and your personal computer. The software is also encrypted so nobody will know that you were using the computer for your personal work and no trace of you is left behind. You are also able to use any peripherals on the shared computer from scanners to printers and more.

The software is able to allow iPod users to go to a whole new level of convenience. The software is great for business travelers and individuals that like to travel but are unable or do not desire to carry their personal computer where ever they go.

Migo Software.

If this does not work, download the latest version of iTunes software and use the iTunes software to update your iPod. If iTunes does not register your iPod, and does not show that it’s connected then proceed to the next step.

If this also does not work, then the problem may be in the USB cord that you are using to charge your iPod and to connect to your computer. If you know of someone else that has an iPod you can borrow their cord to see if yours is faulty. If using a borrowed cord powers up your iPod, then you will need to replace your USB cord.

If you have access to a Windows computer, sometimes you can “shock” your iPod and cause it to come out of deep sleep mode by connecting it to another computer using the iPod’s USB cable. It has to be a computer running Windows. This step will not work on an Apple computer. To do this, plug your iPod into the separate system and wait for Windows to notice it as a new drive. When Windows picks up the iPod as a new drive, cancel the prompt to update or look for drivers and unplug your iPod. Only do this step under the direst of circumstances, because if you do not unplug your iPod immediately it could erase your files. Do not accept any attempt to changes that Windows will ask you to make to your iPod, just plug it in quickly, wait a moment and then unplug.

If the alternative Windows system recognizes your iPod, then when you try to power up your iPod, it should start now and be ready for normal use again. Once your iPod is powered back on, charge it for several hours until it’s fully charged again and try not to let your iPod battery get so low on charge again in the future.

If your system does not recognize your iPod once it’s fully recharged, then you will need to troubleshoot issues with your computer.

If none of the above steps work, then you will need to contact Apple support, your iPod may need to be serviced by a professional repairman or the battery may need to be replaced.

The LiliPod features a Sterling Rope attachment. This little rope is made from materials such as Kevlar, Vectran, Dyneema and Spectra. It is also made with DryCore, which keeps the cord from developing mildew. This cord is great for those activities that you need to wear your iPod around your neck or tied onto your body, boat, bike or anything else. On the back of the LiliPod is the Dual Action Belt Clip. This clip attaches to anything from your belt to your pocket or even an accessory belt. The attachment is secure in any activity you choose. The shell is made from hard plastic and offers complete iPod protection.

From washing dishes to gardening, kayaking, fishing, hunting, water balloon fighting, the LiliPod offers complete iPod protection. There are three sizes of the LiliPod for all of your music listening pleasure. Sizes include the 3rd, 4th, and Photo generation iPods. There are also LiliPods for the 1st and 2nd and mini.

These cases are absolutely amazing. The biggest fear of iPod users has been that his or her iPod will get scratched, cracked, or even worse – dropped in water. The LiliPod protects the iPod in such a way that if you were to keep your iPod in the case at all times it would never show wear.

To do this, you will first need to setup the preferences in iTunes properly. To do this select the iPod options button in iTunes and then select “Enable Disk Use”. Sync your iPod, and now your iPod should show as an extra drive on your system.

You can now drag and drop files onto your iPod just as if you were using an external hard drive. If you find that your iPod provides more space than you would ever use for music files, images or video files then take advantage of the extra space by protecting your valuable documents.

It’s a fact that most people replace their computers frequently. When replacing your computer, there are some files that you may forget to save that would cause hardship if lost. From job resume to emails from loved ones, some files can never be replaced or they would take up valuable time and resources to recreate them.

Emails from loved one can never be replaced, but they can be stored safely on your iPod by simply pasting the messages into a text file and moving the file onto your iPod. Job resumes, on the other hand, can be replaced, but recreating your resume can be a very tedious task. When storing your resume on an iPod, you can retrieve it as it needs to be printed or updated, and resave the updated version for use in the future.

If you are an author, using an iPod to protect your writings is a perfect solution to help prevent your work form being stolen or plagiarized. Unless you live alone and keep your computer under lock and key, your writings are not safe. A loved one using your computer could read your work and like it so much that they decide to share it with a friend or two. Before you know it, your work is no longer private but has been shared by hundreds of people all over the Internet.

By saving your work in a doc file, and moving it over to your iPod for storing when you’re away form your computer, you can guarantee that your work will not be seen by anyone else, nor shared in any manner. Your loved ones would never think to look on your iPod, and would have no reason to do so. And even if they wanted to, they would probably have a very difficult time trying to figure out how to view the document on the iPod, and would never think to move it back to the computer for viewing. Most doc files cannot be viewed on an iPod, but they can be safely stored in the extra storage space.

Everyone has files that are important and that need to be backed up. By using your iPod for file storage, you can save those important files from prying eyes and they can be grabbed on the go in case of fire or flooding. You can’t grab your computer if your home is on fire, but if you keep your iPod in a location where you can grab it quickly without jeopardizing your safety, then you can save those files that are most important to you.

The new iPod Hi-Fi system comes with a sleek design that matches the iPod’s basic yet sleek design. Your iPod fits neatly into the universal dock, and the Hi-Fi stereo plays your music with booming bass and terrific treble. It easily fits into small spaces for those with limited room, yet produces sound that will literally blow you neighbors through the roof.

The shell of the Hi-Fi system is a sealed double walled casing and made of high-grade resin plastic to prevent vibration, chatter and buzzing. With three slick cone speakers the sound is balanced perfectly for a musical experience that anyone would enjoy.

You can plug the Hi-Fi system into an electrical outlet, or run it off six D-cell batteries. By using the D-cell batteries, you can literally carry your stereo system with you anywhere. Boom in your car, dance on the beach or blast your friends into bliss at your next outdoor party. The sound quality of the new iPod Hi-Fi stereo system makes your musical experience almost as good as having your favorite band playing right beside you. Take a concert with you wherever you go by simply playing the music on your iPod through this Hi-Fi stereo sound system that rivals most major stereo systems.

The apple remote lets you change your music from across the room, and the universal dock charges your iPod while connected. The Hi-Fi stereo system also comes with tone control, which allows you to adjust the treble and bass of your music with ease. Add extra boom, or tone done the treble via tone control displayed on your iPods screen when connected to the Hi-Fi stereo system.

The three cone speakers consist of one 130-mm woofer and two 80-mm wide-range cones. The system weighs a light 14.5 pounds without batteries and measures 6.6 inches (h) x 17 inches (w) x 6.9 inches (d).

It is compatible with all iPods with a dock connector, but one would need to purchase a separate audio cable for the iPod shuffle and some iPod models without a dock connector.

If you’re looking to purchase a sound system, then the iPod Hi-Fi stereo system provides high quality sound, with a sleek design that takes little space. With an affordable price, will find that the iPod Hi-Fi stereo system provides an audio solution that rivals most expensive stereo systems.

If you have a sound system and racks of CD’s taking up half of the available space in your living room or bedroom, then clear up the clutter by using your iPod with this Hi-Fi stereo system. You will spend more time enjoying your music instead of changing your CD’s and selecting tracks. Simply place it on a shelf, sit back, and relax while surrounding yourself with a musical experience that will never be forgotten.

The TuneBuckle works like this: Your iPod Nano is encased and protected by an aircraft quality aluminum, but keeping it fashionable enough to wear just about anywhere.

The belt is made of a fashionable canvas, and it looks quite comfortable.

You’ll find the TuneBuckle comes in 3 different desings: Original, Full Moon, and the Full Metal Jacket. Each one offers various levels of viewing and playback control of your iPod Nano.

The Full Metal Jacket is $60, and that’s the one I’d go for. Afteral, you iPod Nano is tiny and can easily get thrashed. But the Full Metal Jacket will give you maximimum protection. Check out The Tunbuckle.

There are two main products on the market to make personal memory notes or even record interviews. This is very handy for those individuals that need to record meetings, interviews or even personal thoughts. They are now able to do so on their iPod. Students would also be able to use these devices to record and transfer lecture notes from classes as well because the iPod has a larger memory than other MP3 players. Both products are attached to the iPod via a dock connector. These connectors do not yet work on the iPod minis. These products are the Griffin iTalk and the Belkin iPod Voice Recorder. According to Apple.com, the iTalk is $40 and the Belkin is $35.

The Belkin iPod Voice Recorder attaches to the iPod via the headphone/remote plug. This device requires no software and is a Plug-and-Play device. These adapters also feature a small speaker for quick playback of your recordings. The iPod’s large storage capacity allows you to record and save hundreds of hours of audio, unlike most digital recorders or MP3 players. Recordings may also be transferred to your computer for storage, editing or sending through email. The speaker can even allow your iPod to be used as a travel alarm clock.

The Griffin iTalk allows users the convenience of a pass-through jack for their headphones. The Griffin does, however, require iPod software version 2.1 or later. The iTalk is also capable of allowing the user to listen to various audio including audio books through the speaker or through headphones. The Griffin Company has been designing Apple accessories since 1992, so the design of the Griffin iTalk is very sleek and blends with your iPod very well. Files are stored in the Extras menu under Voice Memos on iPods. The Griffin is also capable of adjusting to the signal level of the person you are recording. If the speaker is hard to hear, the Griffin will be able to adjust it’s signal level in order to get the best recording possible.

With the expansive memory of the iPod, these recording devices are far better than MP3 players or digital recording devices. The iPod is also able to store audio files of different lengths while most MP3 players have a recording time limit. This feature makes the iPod a new and versatile tool for students, writers, journalists and business associates. The iPod is reducing the number of supplies that an individual needs. No more carrying your iPod for music and a tape recorder for interviews and meetings.

To turn it off you have to solve a puzzle. As a result you will see battery sales increase, or you might see a bunch of these things flying out of windows or smashed against a wall.

Apple did pull the trigger on the iPhone, and the news and reviews on it so far are positive. Some say it’s ‘revolutionary’. iPhone Features…

The iPhone runs OS X, has 160ppi resolution, and boasts a 3.5 inch touch screen.

For me, the ‘buttonless’ feature is huge. But that’s only becuase I have tendonitis. However, I am sure that this feature will delay or curb any tendonitis that many are getting from using buttons (have you hear about the tendoniti issues from using a Blackberry called Blackberry thumb?)

I Digress…

The iPhone will be enabled with WiFi and Bluetooth 2.0. It will will automatically switch from a cellular data network to Wi-Fi if connection if it detects a signal.

Other features: a 2-megapixel camera, a jack for a headset, SIM tray, sleep-wake switch, speaker, mic input, and an iPod connector.

Battery life: A proximity sensor will detect when the phone is brought to your ear, turns off the music, turns off the display, and the ambient light sensors adjust the display based upon how much or how little light there is. This is a battery life saving feature. The acutal battery life should be around 5 hours for cell phone, video, and browsing. 16 hours of audio time.

Advanced voicemail: you’ll be able to select which voicemail you would like to listen to before having to go through all your voicemails until you get the one you really want to hear.

So How Much Is It?

4 Gigabyte model will be $499. 8 Gigabyte iphone will be $599. Both prices will be attached to a 2 year contract.

More to come on the iPhone.

Consumers who buy a Zune will find new features that have not been on the market before Zune, but are they any good? Lets have a look…

Zune lets you play music, share photos and play videos, and the design is pretty slick. It’s not quite as cool as my proud Ipod though (you may disagree).

So what can you do with it? You can locate nearby Zune users using the “community” feature. Once you select “community” and then select “nearby,” you will see a list of other Zune users that are near you. You can then share photos, music, podcasts and videos through Zunes wireless WiFi feature.

You can turn your Zune presence to online if you wish other Zune users to locate you in their community, or you can set Zune to offline if you do not wish others to see you on their community screen. If you are online and wish to block someone from sending you files, you can easily block the user by using Zunes block feature.

This feature is not going to be well accepted in my opinion: If you receive songs from other Zune users, they are considered samples only and will expire in three days. This is a feature Zune has integrated to prevent copyright laws from being violated. The sample songs are full-length tracks that can be played up to three times within three days of you receiving them, and then you are directed to the Zune online music store. Once your samples have expired, they will be remembered by Zune to prevent you from receiving them again. If you want to hear the samples again after the expiration, you have to purchase the songs before listening to them again.

Zune also comes with a built in FM-tuner so that you can listen to local radio stations using your earphone wires as an antenna, and you can program preset radio stations so that you can locate them easily with the Zune player.

The new Zune MP3 player comes with a 3-inch display area, weighs just 5.6 ounces and measures 4.4 in x 2.4 in x .06 in. Zune has a 30 gig hard drive, and the battery life of the Zune will play up to 13 hours of music or up to 4 hours of video. It will play files in MP3, MP4, M4A, M4B, .wmv and .Mov formats. Photos must be in .jpeg formats to view them.

Zune syncs to your computer via Zune software. The Zune software lets you manage your songs, photos and videos. You can also use Zune software to create play lists and rip CD’s. You can also use Zune software to browse the Zune marketplace to purchase songs and albums by your favorite artists.

There many accessories that you can purchase for Zune from docking stations to car chargers. You can purchase cables to play your Zune through your television or Xbox 360, etc. etc.

The Zune MP3 player does not have a file storage system in place for other types of file formats, and you will not be able to listen to the Zune radio while viewing pictures as it does not have the capabilities to play the radio and display photos at the same time.

The iPod iPhone will probably not be like typical MP3 cellular phones. An MP3 cellular phone adds music to communications, whereas converting an iPod to a cellular phone would produce superior musical quality that cannot be created by corporations that have spent years in improving communications instead of sound format and quality.

Apple has filed a patent that is a bit vague as to what the patent is for, yet it apparently covers everything Apple would need in a patent for an iPhone.

No one can say for sure that this patent is for an iPhone, but there has been a lot of speculation about this. There are several photos available. There is even a photo of a mock up that was supposedly obtained by someone taking a picture of a trial sales brochure for the iPhone. Of course, everyone knows that photos can be altered, and no one knows for sure if the photo is an actual mock up of the iPhone or not, except for Apple and the person taking the photo.

There is also speculation that there may be two versions of the iPhone, one with Wi-Fi, yet most experts agree that it would not be feasible for Apple to introduce two versions in what will be a new market for them. It is rumored also that Apple plans to introduce the iPhone within the first half of 2007, and has already placed an order for 12 million iPhones from Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd. Of course this is still just speculation, only a rumor.

No one will know for sure unless and until Apple makes the announcement. CNBC has shown patent drawings for what supposedly could be the first iPhone, and has reported that Apple is already developing a design for a second-generation iPhone. This broadcast is played on "youtube", and you can see it here…

There have also been rumors from trusted Apple sources that Apple corporation has no intention of developing an iPhone. There are rumors that if Apple were to release an iPhone, stocks would go down due to lack of interest from consumers.

But even with those who speculate that there will not be an iPhone, rumors are flying even faster than ever that there will be an iPhone introduced by Apple soon. These rumors are also supposedly from trusted sources and also from those who dream of the day that Apple does introduce an iPhone device to the market.

Nothing could be better than a cell phone with superior music quality combined with a cellular service that’s as dedicated to quality as the Apple corporation is. Although these rumors have been passed around for years, it seems that they are increasing in pace and also in exaggeration now that patents have actually been filed for something that could be an iPod iPhone.

Will Apple pull the string? Tune in next time…same bat time…same bat channel!

I’ve always treated the site and its readers with respect; highlighting what I deemed to be the best, most interesting content around the Web applying as a precise and razor-sharp filter as possible. (Looking back at the archives of the HiFi Blog, they still serve as an accurate representation of the noteworthy happenings in the digital audio land.) And I think this effort paid off; the site never reached Engadget-like stat numbers, but it won a loyal following, a core fan base that stayed with me.

To all these readers, to those who emailed me with feedback or praise (sadly, no hate mail! I must be doing something wrong), to those who took the time to leave a comment —

To all the companies who offered review samples (BTW Josh! haven’t forgotten about you, still waiting for the Postal Service’s refund) —

To everyone —

Thank you.

Googling for “Konstantinos Christidis” (or visiting my “updated once a year” blog) every now and then should keep you updated on my new projects. You can always reach me via email too.

_—Konstantinos Christidis_

The first batch of the new iPod Shuffles has already reached the hands of those who hurried to order it immediately after its announcement, on September 12. As with all Apple products, pictures of the new $80 device, its packaging and accessories have flooded the Internet.

What is interesting to note is that the new Shuffles don’t come with the new, improved iPod earbuds that were also presented on the same day by the company’s CEO, Steve Jobs.

If you were thinking the best “value-for-money” way to obtain the new iPod earbuds was via an iPod Shuffle purchase, think again. Photo credit goes to Jeremy Smith / AppleInsider.

Photo credit goes to Flickr user *nathan.

Instead, in the box you’ll find the regular earbuds that used to accompany all iPod products till the introduction of the iPod 5.5G (updated iPod with video) and iPod Nano 2G (updated iPod Nano)—remember that these two do come with the new buds.

Steve Jobs, presenting the new iPod earbuds on September 12.
Photo credit goes to Engadget.

The new earbuds are supposed to be an improvement over the previous model, mainly in terms of ergonomics: they’re reportedly easier to wear with an improved shape and a soft-rubber outer edge that provides a better fit. You can buy them separately for $29 but if you’re going to spend money for headphones, there are better options—Apple’s offering is pretty decent but only when judged within the “headphones that come standard, in the box” context.

There’s still no word whether new Shuffle batches will come with the updated earbuds. You can get the new iPod shuffle from Amazon for $80.

It’s been a few weeks since they were released—after reading more than half a dozen threads on Head-Fi from people who bought them (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8), here’s what the general consensus seems to be:

Black iGrados with black iPod nano. They don’t look as good in stock pictures.
Picture © of Flickr user escobar702. More pictures from that set.

Of course, they’re not as refined as the higher-end Grados, but that’s to be expected from a $50 pair of phones. First of all, no amp is needed to drive the iGrados—they sound perfectly fine straight out of the headphone jack. The bass is plentiful and punchy, though comments of mid-bass bloat have surfaced here and there. The thick pads contribute to a muffled sound signature—i.e. the highs are veiled. You may want to look into quarter-modding them, or use the thinner Sennheiser PX100 pads to open up the treble. Their midrange ...ranges (pun not intended) from “detailed but nasal” to “great, detailed and forward”.

Construction-wise, they’re sturdy and durable. (Also, that thing you see—it’s not a hinge.) They’re not very heavy, and provide a secure fit. The band in the back gets in the way though when you’re resting your head back. “If you angle your head slightly upward, your neck or shirt collar pushes the speakers off your ears. If you lay down it once again pushes the speaker off your ears.” Also: their cable is thin and still, which makes up for easy tangling.

You can get the iGrados for $50 from TTVJ.

Other cans you may want to look into:

• Koss KSC-75: you simply cannot get a better value/price ratio. These are clip-on phones. $14.
• Sennheiser PX-100: always a wise choice. $50.
• Grado SR60: a favorite for the budget-minded, esp. those who like rock music. These are the elder brothers of the iGrados—if you’re looking for a more portable solution though, this is not the way to go since they’re bulkier and also have a longer cord. $70.
• AKG K81 DJ: though it’s a closed design and it shouldn’t be compared to the open iGrados, word has it they outperform the iGrados in the sound department. $70.

lini and Wmcmanus nailed it—there isn’t one (as is the case for, say, Grado). The sonic signatures of BeyerDynamic cans are all over the board, which is a good thing.

• they can only listen to them through the provided software (which translates the custom DRM these songs are wrapped with) on one computer
• they must be connected to the Internet during playback—apparently for running login checks, and for refreshing the advertisements since the player will be ad-supported
• if they want to transfer these songs to your MP3 player, they have to pay to get the DRM-free versions.

You can still skip the “Music for Masses” program and keep using AllofMP3 like you’re used to—buying DRM-free music in the format and quality of your choice (everything from MP3 to FLAC) at ridiculously low (read: fair) prices, so you can play them wherever, whenever. You can read a detailed review of AllofMP3 here.

When you pick a track from the AllofMP3 catalog to add to your basket, you can either buy it in its DRM-free version or click the “Free mode” link in the window that pops up to download the “Music For Masses” version. Check the two screenshots below:

Here you can see that the MfM tracks are 128kbps MP3 files.

For the record, both Visa and MasterCard have suspended card service to the site citing copyright concerns (read IHT’s article). If you’re looking for a way to refill your AllofMP3 balance, you can always check XROST’s Prepaid iCards. (You buy an XROST iCard with your Visa or MasterCard, and use the generated PIN number on the AllofMP3 site. It’s fast, easy and it works.)

The “Music for Masses” program is just another way to enjoy the AllofMP3 catalog and only pay if you want to transfer the songs to your MP3 player. Windows users can try the software now, Mac users will have to wait a few more weeks. (We should note that AllofMP3’s servers seem to be a bit heavy-loaded at the moment—have patience if you’re greeted with a “Server Busy” page or a “Network error” message.)

Simply put, we cannot think of an easier and more convenient way to preview music.

UPDATE: We were finally granted access to AllofMP3’s servers and took the MfM app for a test drive.

The UI is a mess but the whole thing is AWESOME.

From the TechCrunch writeup: “Songs uploaded by artists fluctuate in price according to demand over time. Users get recommendation tokens for each dollar they put into the system and get free credits if the songs they recommend rise in price. Artists receive 70% of sales proceeds.”

Also have a look at our writeup on eMusic.