Archive for the ‘Random Thoughts’ Category
Click to Download: Streaming music and cloud services gear up
Take the Soundtrack of your life with you everywhere you go.
This article was written by Chris Salmon, for guardian.co.uk on Thursday 8th July 2010 20.45 UTC
Now that Spotify and We7 have taken music streaming to the masses, the next shift in our listening habits is expected to be towards a new breed of "cloud services". These allow users to upload their digital music library from their computer to a website, then access it from any computer or mobile device. Both iTunes and Google are strongly rumoured to be launching services in the coming months. Until then, you can give this latest technological new dawn a whirl with mSpot.com.
Sign up for a free mSpot account and you can easily sync parts or all of your PC or Mac's music collection with the site – although it can take around 90 seconds for each song to upload. Once your music is there, access your account through any computer's browser, and you can play, search and make playlists. In the US, there's already a free Android mobile app, which allows you to play your mSpot library on the go, with an iPhone app expected to follow.
With mSpot, free users aren't subjected to any adverts. We7 and Spotify use their ad revenue to pay their hefty streaming royalty bills. But mSpot argues that if you already own an MP3, you have the right to play it on your own devices, without the need for further royalties. So, you can upload up to 2GB of music to mSpot for free.
It's an impressive service, but it seems likely that mSpot's outlook on royalties will be challenged by the big four labels before very long. Plus, the launch of those higher-profile cloud music rivals is looming. The big question, though, is whether any service built solely on music that a user "owns" can compete against the streaming sites that allow people to hear whatever they like, without having to purchase it first.
Apple, of course, would prefer people to keep buying music from its iTunes store. But even they have been offering some impressive free streaming this week. The shows taking place at this month's iTunes Festival in London are being webcast live via both MySpace.com and the free iTunes Live iPhone/iPad app. So far, Scissor Sisters, Tony Bennett and N-Dubz have appeared. On-demand highlights should soon begin to appear at itunesfestival.co.uk, where you can also check the full lineup. But, if you're staying in tonight, the folkpop double bill from Mumford & Sons and Laura Marling should be well worth catching live.
Send your links to chris.salmon@guardian.co.uk
guardian.co.uk © Guardian News and Media Limited 2010
This article was written by Chris Salmon, for guardian.co.uk on Thursday 8th July 2010 20.45 UTC
Now that Spotify and We7 have taken music streaming to the masses, the next shift in our listening habits is expected to be towards a new breed of "cloud services". These allow users to upload their digital music library from their computer to a website, then access it from any computer or mobile device. Both iTunes and Google are strongly rumoured to be launching services in the coming months. Until then, you can give this latest technological new dawn a whirl with mSpot.com.
Sign up for a free mSpot account and you can easily sync parts or all of your PC or Mac's music collection with the site – although it can take around 90 seconds for each song to upload. Once your music is there, access your account through any computer's browser, and you can play, search and make playlists. In the US, there's already a free Android mobile app, which allows you to play your mSpot library on the go, with an iPhone app expected to follow.
With mSpot, free users aren't subjected to any adverts. We7 and Spotify use their ad revenue to pay their hefty streaming royalty bills. But mSpot argues that if you already own an MP3, you have the right to play it on your own devices, without the need for further royalties. So, you can upload up to 2GB of music to mSpot for free.
It's an impressive service, but it seems likely that mSpot's outlook on royalties will be challenged by the big four labels before very long. Plus, the launch of those higher-profile cloud music rivals is looming. The big question, though, is whether any service built solely on music that a user "owns" can compete against the streaming sites that allow people to hear whatever they like, without having to purchase it first.
Apple, of course, would prefer people to keep buying music from its iTunes store. But even they have been offering some impressive free streaming this week. The shows taking place at this month's iTunes Festival in London are being webcast live via both MySpace.com and the free iTunes Live iPhone/iPad app. So far, Scissor Sisters, Tony Bennett and N-Dubz have appeared. On-demand highlights should soon begin to appear at itunesfestival.co.uk, where you can also check the full lineup. But, if you're staying in tonight, the folkpop double bill from Mumford & Sons and Laura Marling should be well worth catching live.
Send your links to chris.salmon@guardian.co.uk
Iran bans the mullet
Testing The Guardian News Feed WordPress plugin, available here.
This article was written by Phil Daoust, for guardian.co.uk on Tuesday 6th July 2010 20.00 UTC
Imagine a country where a man with a ponytail could have it cut off by the cops, as could one with a mullet, or one whose hair was slathered in gel, fancifully spiked, or simply too long. Repeat offenders would face stiff fines, while their barber-accomplices would have their shops closed.
It may sound like paradise, especially if your own crazy-haired days are behind you. It's actually the Islamic Republic of Iran, whose cultural ministry has just unveiled (although that's perhaps not the most appropriate word in this context) a list of approved hairstyles in an attempt to free the country of "decadent" western cuts.
Jaleh Khodayar, who's in charge of the government- backed Modesty and Veil Festival, explains that the styles "are inspired by Iranians' complexion, culture and religion, and Islamic law".
It's not all good news for fans of the short back and sides, however: 1980s-style floppy fringes are acceptable, as are quiffs. And, worryingly, there seems to be a lamentable softening of Iran's hard line on goatees.
guardian.co.uk © Guardian News and Media Limited 2010
This article was written by Phil Daoust, for guardian.co.uk on Tuesday 6th July 2010 20.00 UTC
Imagine a country where a man with a ponytail could have it cut off by the cops, as could one with a mullet, or one whose hair was slathered in gel, fancifully spiked, or simply too long. Repeat offenders would face stiff fines, while their barber-accomplices would have their shops closed.
It may sound like paradise, especially if your own crazy-haired days are behind you. It's actually the Islamic Republic of Iran, whose cultural ministry has just unveiled (although that's perhaps not the most appropriate word in this context) a list of approved hairstyles in an attempt to free the country of "decadent" western cuts.
Jaleh Khodayar, who's in charge of the government- backed Modesty and Veil Festival, explains that the styles "are inspired by Iranians' complexion, culture and religion, and Islamic law".
It's not all good news for fans of the short back and sides, however: 1980s-style floppy fringes are acceptable, as are quiffs. And, worryingly, there seems to be a lamentable softening of Iran's hard line on goatees.
Looking at the BlackBerry Storm2 (9520)
So while I was working in town today I thought I would pop in to my local Vodafone shop and ask when the new BlackBerry Storm2 would be available, and was surprised by their answer that it was already in stock! Not one to waste an opportunity I asked to take a look at it (even though my earliest chance to own one will be in about six months time ;-) ).
And a mighty fine beast it was too, at least once they managed to work out how to turn it on. 
It felt great in the hand, the UI was very similar to the original Storm but much smoother and the app transitions looked great. The changes to the shape and screen are definitely an improvement, especially moving the speaker from the rear of the unit to the bottom edge. The best new feature in my opinion though is the adding of Wi-Fi.
The OS version for release is v5.0.0.306, though Vodafone have not yet officially released this for use on the Storm 1, lets hope that gets sorted soon! 
What I was most surprised about though was that it seems to of arrived with such a lack of fanfare, no window displays in the Vodafone shop and no major press releases I have come across, I didn't even see a mention of it over at www.crackberry.com which is my main source of news for all things BlackBerry, though on the way home from town I did notice a bus stop ad for it. 
The Vodafone site has the full specs available, and the pricing plan looks reasonable at free on £35 and £40 monthly plans for two years with the £40 package giving you unlimited texts, land line minutes and mobile Internet along with your 900 cross network mobile minutes. While in-store I also noticed an 18 month contract available at £40 with the phone still free but the mobile minutes at 600, which would be enough for me.
Anyone else out there had a chance to play with this baby? Let me know what you think in the comments.
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