Daily Marauder

WIRELESS by Marauder

WIRELESS

The Presidents of the United States of America, a rock band from the 1990s, just released an iPhone app ( ) that represents what could become a replacement for the boxed CD set. The iPhone app comes with access to four albums, an early demo tape, and regular updates. Instead of paying $50 or more for the complete collection of a band’s music, you get an equivalent collection of music on your iPhone for $2.99. The catch is that the songs are all streamed and played in random order (or you can choose various playlists). But this is really a marketing vehicle for the band. Any song can be bought and downloaded from the iTunes store directly from within the app. (http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/02/18/the-new-boxed-set-comes-streaming-to-your-iphone-for-299 2/18)

Very cool.  I’m now listening to Froggystyle (Original Demo).  I forgot how much I loved the song Kitty.  I’ve already dedicated the song to a friend via Facebook (i.e. extending the message)…the marketing machine flexing some muscle.  I dig.  Another example of a band thinking differently and benefiting rather than simply raging against the machine.

Vodafone will begin offering a Google Android-powered smartphone called HTC Magic to consumers in Europe this spring. The Wi-Fi-enabled device sports a touch screen and GPS packed into an ultrathin design. The New York Times (2/17) , BBC (2/17)

Nokia and Qualcomm announced plans to jointly develop a phone for use on 3G networks in North America by 2010. The partnership follows a settlement last year that ended a three-year legal battle related to patents. Financial Times (2/17) , The Wall Street Journal/Dow Jones Newswires (subscription required) (2/18)

Smartphone makers including Microsoft and Research in Motion are hurrying to perfect download sites to rival Apple’s tremendously popular App Store. Smartphone users are driving a boom in the market thanks to fast installation and a plethora of offerings from games to business utilities. The Wall Street Journal (2/17) , The Wall Street Journal/Dow Jones Newswires (2/17)

(Below) Can I get an AMEN?!

Seventeen companies have agreed to develop a standard charger for cell phones that will be available within three years. The change is expected to reduce manufacturing waste as well as offer consumers the ability to use a single charger for multiple devices across brands. The Boston Globe/The Associated Press (2/17) , BBC (2/17)

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