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The Walkman brand has shown incredible longevity since its inception more than 30 years ago. From cassettes to CDs, a brief flirtation with MiniDiscs, and now MP3s, Sony has subtly adapted the Walkman name to each changing form of technology. So it probably came as no surprise when Sony Ericsson expanded the Walkman series into mobile phones in 2005.
Now ... Read more

Vodafone's signed a distribution deal with Warner Music, making it one of the first mobile operators to offer DRM-free music from all the major record labels. The operator's already signed up Universal Music, Sony Music and EMI.
Although the agreement with Warner Music isn't earth-shattering, the removal of restrictions from Vodafone's catalogue is a furt... Read more

I was on holiday in Italy last week, trying out the sat nav on my mobile phone (and avoiding a 140 bill to rent a navigation device from the car hire company, but that's a tale for another blog posting). While I was away, I missed the news that US electronics retailer Best Buy had entered the online music business by acquiring Napster for $121 million.
Th... Read more

I predict 2008 will have a very distinct soundtrack, as another company announces a mobile music download service.
The launch today, 1 April 2008, of a music service by Danish mobile network operator TDC adds to similar announcements by operators and other companies hoping to get into this market. TDC's service is called Play; it lets the operator's broad... Read more

I've noticed more and more mobile network operators experimenting with ad-funded services. In the UK, 3 has just announced a deal to give its users free music videos from Sony BMG. On 20 March, Orange revealed it would offer 800,000 customers a variety of music content for free or at a discount in return for watching a few ads. Vodafone in Italy has an ad-funded... Read more