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LimeWire to go against iTunes

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Apple’s iTunes has another reason to worry this year. Popular peer-to-peer site LimeWire has launched its own online music store, following the move of other sites such as Napster and BitTorrent to go legit.

Currently in beta phase, LimeWire Store’s pricing structure is similar to iTunes – 99 cents per track. But there are also different payment plans like $10 for 25 downloads per month, $15 for 50 downloads, and $75 for 75.

However, it cannot yet compete against the massive collection of other online music stores. Initially, it holds more than 500,000 tracks mostly from indie artists but as Download Squad pointed out, it carries big names like Dolly Parton, Gloria Gaynor, Bell X1 and Josh Rouse.

LimeWires promises to update its collection and boasts it will add thousands of tracks daily from across all genres.

via AppScout

Originally posted on March 18, 2008 @ 6:25 am

Lime Wire inks distribution agreement with Redeye Distribution

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LimeWireLime Wire LLC announced its latest content partnership with Redeye Distribution.

The deal adds 20,000 tracks from over 200 labels, including their own in-house labels, Yep Roc Records, Eleven Thirty, and Bonfire. Redeye’s catalog of tracks by established artists such as Lisa Loeb, Donna Lewis, Martin Sexton, The Apples in Stereo, Widespread Panic, Afroman, Chuck D of Public Enemy, The Donnas, and 2008 Grammy winner Jim Lauderdale is complimented by titles from newer, developing acts such as the Billionaires, Liam Finn, T.H. White, Malajube, and Bell X1.

Redeye joins Ingrooves, Nettwerk Productions, IRIS, and other large distributors of independent music as LimeWire Store content partners. To celebrate, Lime Wire is presenting three events during this year’s SXSW conference, featuring performances by Redeye distributed acts The Donnas, Chuck Prophet, Liam Finn, The Golden Dogs, Die Die Die, Apollo Heights, The Sadies, Reckless Kelly, and more.

Originally posted on February 21, 2008 @ 4:03 pm

Netgear joins BitTorrent device partners

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bittorrent.pngBitTorrent Inc. has partnered with Netgear to improve the digital home entertainment experience.

“Netgear shares BitTorrent’s commitment to empowering consumers and media distributors with advanced networking solutions that make Internet-delivered media seamless, economical, and fast to enjoy,” said Ashwin Navin, president and co-founder of BitTorrent, Inc. “By partnering with leading hardware companies like Netgear, we can guarantee a superior user experience for not only BitTorrent and services powered by BitTorrent DNA, but for all advanced networking applications many millions of consumers access everyday. BitTorrent Certified stands for a better Internet experience.”

Originally posted on January 7, 2008 @ 7:08 am

50 Cent a file-sharing advocate

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50 centJust when the music industry is tightening its grip against file sharing, Hip Hop artist 50 Cent is quick to claim that it doesn’t hurt artists and the music industry must learn to support this.

According to TorrentFreak, this former drug dealer was interviewed by his friend Pal Nordseth minutes before his stage performance in Oslo. While it focused mainly on his drug habits, one question was asked about his own label, G-Unit Records.

Question: How are G-Unit Records doing in these times of file-sharing?

“Not so good….The advances in technology impacts everyone, and we all must adapt. Most of all hip-hop, a style of music dependent upon a youthful audience. This market consists of individuals embracing innovations faster than the fans of classical and jazz music.”

“What is important for the music industry to understand is that this really doesn’t hurt the artists.”

“A young fan may be just as devout and dedicated no matter if he bought it or stole it.”

“The concerts are crowded and the industry must understand that they have to manage all the 360 degrees around an artist. They, (the industry), have to maximize their income from concerts and merchandise. It is the only way they can get their marketing money back.”

“The main problem is that the artists are not getting as much help developing as before file-sharing. They are now learning to peddle ringtones, not records. They don’t understand the value of a perfect piece of art.”

Well said! It’s very refreshing to know that some popular artists view file sharing from a consumer perspective and not from the viewpoint of music producers. I could only wish he was not high on some sh*t when he made these bold statements.

Originally posted on December 10, 2007 @ 5:40 am

Yoomba reaches milestone with 50,000 members in less than a month

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yoomba.jpgYoomba Ltd. announced that its new open communications experience has reached the landmark user base of 500,000 people since the official launch of Yoomba less than one month ago.

“We are very pleased with such rapid growth, accompanied by such positive user feedback. There is nothing else out there like Yoomba, and more and more people are discovering us every day,” said Elad Hemar, Co-founder and CEO of Yoomba. “Yoomba’s email calling and email chat features are now being used to reach half a million users all over the world. We haven’t seen a communications network grow this quickly since Skype.”

Yoomba’s open peer-to-peer application sits on top of every email network and turns any email address into a phone or instant messenger at the touch of a button. Once Yoomba is activated, buttons appear inside a user’s chosen email application, providing one-click access to talk to friends, family or colleagues around the world and on any network for free.

Originally posted on August 14, 2007 @ 11:22 am