Jan 1, 2004 12:00 PM, Compiled by Sarah Benzuly

DELL DIGITAL MUSIC SYNCS WITH

Dell's newly introduced Digital Jukebox (Dell DJ) music player — powered by Musicmatch software — will be available through the Dell Music Store (www.dell4me.com/music). The Dell DJ (4.1×2.7×0.86 inches, weighs less than a pound) comes with a choice of 15GB or 20GB capacities ($249 and $329, respectively) and features Hitachi's Travelstar hard drive. A built-in, rechargeable lithium-polymer battery provides up to 16 hours of continuous high-fidelity music (MP3 and Windows Media Audio) playback. The included USB 2.0 cable connects the device to a desktop or notebook computer and can charge the battery in lieu of a standard slim-line AC adapter. A 2-inch backlit LCD serves up file information while users browse with a front-mounted scroll barrel for one-handed operation. The unit works on Windows XP/2000; plans for Mac compatibility were not announced.

The Dell Music Store also features Dell Jukebox music store, which provides a simple graphical interface between the user's computer and Dell DJ, and access to Musicmatch Downloads. Users can download more than 250,000 songs for $0.99/each and most albums for $9.99 (no subscription required).

AN OLD RIVALRY REVIVED

Within its first week, Apple's Windows-based iTunes Music Store sold 1.5 million songs. Two weeks later, The Wall Street Journal was the first to report that Microsoft had confirmed plans to launch its own music download store this month, joining Apple, Musicmatch, Napster 2.0, RealNetworks' Rhapsody, MusicNow and BuyMusic on the PC front. A Microsoft spokeswoman did not give details beyond the early 2004 launch date.

ONLINE OUTLET FOR INDIE MUSICIANS

Disc Makers' DAD (Digital Audio Distribution; www.discmakers.com/dad) provides independent bands and artists an opportunity to sell their songs on sites such as Apple's iTunes Music Store, Listen.com's Rhapsody, AOL's MusicNet, Emusic and BuyMusic.com.

To qualify, an artist needs to have a CD out on the market. Once an artist completes the sign-up process, he/she automatically gets CD(s) distributed through CD Baby. CD Baby will administer the program and use its encoding and tracking system to distribute and monitor CD sales, keeping 9 percent of the net income generated from online digital sales. The service is free with new CD orders with Disc Makers. The service is also available for $75 to artists who do not make their CDs with Disc Makers.

SHARE YOUR WEED

In a new spin on paying to download, Weed (www.weedshare.com) pays file traders to purchase and share music files. In much the same vein as other services, users can preview a track (up to three times) before having to purchase it. Users can play the track on up to three computers, burn to CD and download to a portable player. Twist Number One: The price is set by the artist. Twist number two: Buying a song makes the user eligible to earn a share of future sales. For example, if Rob sends a file to Sue, who then purchases the track, Rob receives 5 percent of the sale. If Sue then sends that track to Jon, who purchases it, then Rob receives 10 percent of the profit and Sue receives 5 percent and so on and so forth.

“If you pirate the music contained in a Weed file and distribute it to others, you're not only ripping off the artist, you're also ripping off yourself,” explained SML co-founder and president John Beezer. “Instead of hurting artists, you're helping them by promoting their music, so why shouldn't you get paid?”

Send Your “Current” News to Sarah Benzuly at sbenzuly@primediabusiness.com.