A "digital rights management" (DRM) company has been awarded a patent for its "tickets" to Internet-based entertainment. Bethesda, MD–based <A HREF="http://www.contentguard.com">ContentGuard Holdings, Inc.</A> announced July 27 that it has been granted a patent for its "digital ticket" system, which allows users access to digital entertainment—music, video, graphics, and e-books—from any Internet-connected device.
Sharp Electronics has announced a new lineup of "one-bit" digital amplifiers that may herald a new generation of audio products.
One of the most astute bits of folk wisdom is the old saying "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
We were saddened to learn of the death of audio guru Harvey "Gizmo" Rosenberg, who died Monday, July 16 of an apparent heart attack. He was 59.
Last year's media darling may be this year's has-been. <A HREF="http://www.napster.com">Napster</A>, the music file-sharing service that shook the music industry's foundations, remains shut down after US District Judge Marilyn Hall Patel ruled that it cannot resume operations until it can prove that no copyrighted songs can slip through its filter. In a closed session on Wednesday, July 11, Patel ordered Napster to stay offline until she authorizes it to do otherwise.
"Adapt or die" is the first law of economic Darwinism. It's a choice that many music retailers are beginning to face with the rising tide of alternative distribution channels. According to market research organization <A HREF="http://www.jupiter.com">Jupiter Research</A>, online music services will account for approximately 9% of all CDs sold this year, a 50% increase from 2000. Retailers, once the music industry's only sales interface with the buying public, are looking at what might be an increasingly marginalized future. Those who wish to stay in the game may become "affiliates" rather than independent distributors.
We have received an update from loudspeaker designer Paul Hales on the availability of replacement parts for Hales loudspeakers. In a <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com/news/10925/">previous interview</A>, he had mentioned the availability of cabinet and crossover parts for his namesake products. Some of that information was in error, due to circumstances beyond his control, he explained in a recent email:
The jazz world mourns the passing of tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson, who died late Saturday June 30 in San Francisco. He was 64.
Every month, we get dozens of press releases about new developments in the audio industry. Many of them, detailing minor changes in product design, company policy, or personnel, are less than newsworthy. A disturbing number are written in an odd variant of English—PR Speak—In Which Every Word Is Capitalized And Quotes Are Used "For Emphasis." Others clearly have been penned by folks not fully in command of the language: <I>Many are thus improved features of great desire and will invite happiness to include in next model.</I>
A year without profits, a revolving door on the top floor, and potentially massive layoffs all spell trouble for <A HREF="http://www.bmg.com">BMG Entertainment</A>.