IBM and Liquid Audio Cross-Fertilize

IBM and Liquid Audio Cross-Fertilize

The struggle for position in the Internet-based audio downloading market continues unabated. On the format front, Sony has <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/news/10716/">recently announced</A> several deals to bring its ATRAC compressed-audio format to the Web, while <A HREF="http://www.ibm.com">IBM</A&gt; and <A HREF="http://www.liquidaudio.com">Liquid Audio</A> announced last week that they have entered into a strategic relationship intended to "advance the digital music marketplace" with content-management tools.

CDnow Comes Up Short as E-tailing Loses Luster with Investors

CDnow Comes Up Short as E-tailing Loses Luster with Investors

Last year, Internet commerce schemes were the darlings of venture capitalists and small investors alike. For months, it seemed that almost any business plan, no matter how half-baked, could attract millions of dollars with the simple mention of "online retail sales"&mdash;otherwise known as "e-commerce" or "e-tailing."

The (Really) Ultimate Audio System?

The (Really) Ultimate Audio System?

For lifelike audio presentation in your living room, what could be better than the real thing? When it comes to putting the sound of a piano in your home, nothing comes close to, well, a real piano. For more than a century, several companies have marketed player pianos, first using rolls of punched paper, and most recently sophisticated MIDI programs. But if a real piano represents the ultimate audio performance in your living room, who has the ultimate real piano?

Recording of April 2000: Both Sides Now

Recording of April 2000: Both Sides Now

<B>JONI MITCHELL: <I>Both Sides Now</I></B><BR> Joni Mitchell, vocals; Wayne Shorter, soprano & tenor sax; Mark Isham, trumpet; Herbie Hancock, piano; Chuck Berghofer, bass; Peter Erskine, drums; Vince Mendoza, arr., cond.<BR>Reprise 47620-2 (HDCD). 2000. Larry Klein, Joni Mitchell, prods.; Geoff Foster, Ben Georgiades, engs. ADD? TT: 51:35<BR> Performance <B>****?</B><BR> Sonics <B>****?</B>

ATRAC's New Lease on Audio Life

ATRAC's New Lease on Audio Life

Next to join the online ATRAC parade, <A HREF="http://www.music.warnerbros.com/">Warner Music Group</A> announced last week that it has agreed to license the ATRAC3 audio compression technology from <A HREF="http://www.sony.co.jp/">Sony</A&gt;, for use in the electronic distribution of music. Warner says it expects to launch its electronic distribution business during the second half of 2000, using ATRAC3 on a non-exclusive basis.

Overlooked Classical Music Recordings for April 1st

Overlooked Classical Music Recordings for April 1st

Audiophiles and classical music lovers often risk falling into a repertorial rut. The classical standards are constantly being rerecorded&mdash;often to the point of needless repetition. How many versions of Mendelssohn's "Italian" Symphony or Ravel's <I>Bolero</I> do you really need? Rather than fill up your shelves with recordings of the same tired compositions, I suggest you look into some of these more obscure pieces&mdash;all of them perfect for playing on the first day of April. Below, a list of fresh "basics" that any good audiophile should own:

JBL and L.G. Electronics Team Up

JBL and L.G. Electronics Team Up

Last week, <A HREF="http://www.jbl.com/">JBL Consumer Products</A> (a unit of the <A HREF="www.harman.com">Harman Consumer Systems Group</A>) and Korea's L.G. Electronics (manufacturers of Gold Star and L.G. Electronics brand products) announced that they have entered into a strategic alliance to jointly develop and market a "broad range of new consumer electronics products." The companies say that the partnership "builds upon the respective strengths of both manufacturers" and will enable both companies to expand their offerings into areas outside their traditional product categories.

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