LATEST ADDITIONS

In an announcement that could stun the neophyte custom CD compilation business and concurrently impact future prospects for the $12 billion music recording industry, <A HREF="http://www.supersonicboom.com/">superSonic BOOM</A> has signed an exclusive licensing agreement with Ergon Technology for a patented manufacturing process covering customized audio products. Like <A HREF="http://www.openmarket.com">Open Market</A>'s announcement last week that it had received patents from the US government for its e-commerce technology, superSonic's announcement raises more questions than it answers.

Coming soon on the <A HREF="http://www.madrigal.com">Madrigal Audio Laboratories</A> website is <i>La Folia</i>, a music webzine. Edited by Mike Silverton, <i>La Folia</i> sets out to supplement the audiophile press by directing its emphasis at recordings elsewhere neglected: present-day art music (aka "classical"), free and improvisational jazz, category-defying hybrids, and whatever else strikes their "clutch of sweet-spot stuckees as rare and well done."

Although standalone music systems will always be part of the audio hobby, it appears that computers are becoming increasingly important. Improvements in data transmission and storage are reported almost daily, and several services now offer downloads of music. When will a computer become part of <i>your</i> music system?

Several companies spanning the personal computer, communications, and consumer electronics industries announced March 4th the formation of a working group that will develop a specification for wireless communications in the home. This specification will allow PCs, peripherals, cordless telephones, and consumer electronic devices to communicate and interoperate with one another.

Move over, <A HREF="http://www.cdnow.com">CDNow</A&gt;, <A HREF="http://www.n2k.com">N2K</A&gt;, and <A HREF="http://www.musicblvd.com">Music Boulevard</A>---<A HREF="http://www.Amazon.com">Amazon.com</A&gt; and <A HREF="http://www.bestbuy.com">Best Buy</A> want to play.

Members of San Francisco's legendary Grateful Dead have announced plans to reunite for a six-week, 25-city tour beginning in June. The group---whose core consists of original Dead members Phil Lesh (bass), Bob Weir (guitar), and Mickey Hart (drums)---will call itself The Other Ones, after an old Dead tune. The group will headline the third annual "Furthur" tour.