I never really got into buying songs online. When iTunes Store first opened, I bought a few albums from it because I own an iPod, but very quickly I was deterred by the fact that I can't even play my iTunes purchases on my Squeezebox because of the DRM-protection.
Annoyed by the situation, I subscribe to Rhapsody Unlimited, which let me cue up pretty much anything I want for a low monthly subsription fee of $12.99. When I find something I really want to own, I just go buy the CD and rip it to MP3 so I can play it anywhere.
Then Amazon introduced Amazon MP3 Downloads, and it changed everything. Really, what's not to love about being able to purchase DRM-free MP3s encoded at 256k? I thought that the 1-click and ship to feature was evil in getting many books that I probably do not need then.. that's until I discover the even more instantly gratifying 1-click and download MP3 :)
Just when I thought that there can't be anything better than 256k DRM-free MP3 downloads, I discovered Beatport yesterday. Beatport offers 320k DRM-free MP3! To top it off, it even offer WAV (16-bit 44 kHz) and 192kbps M4A!
Little did I know, the site was actually launched in 2004, and the latest version as seen above was released in August 2006. Beatport focuses on electronic music specifically, with an eye squarely focusing on DJs and electronica lovers. In other words, it's made for me.
The content is top-notch, and I am able to get to a lot of remix tracks that I would not otherwise been able to get my hands onto if I were to browse on mainstream music sites (such as those described above).
Highly recommended!
Related SML Universe
+ SML Music
+ SML Remix Music
+ Symphonic Electronica
©2008 See-ming Lee 李思明 SML / SML Pro Blog / SML Universe
Friday, May 9, 2008
Beatport = Excellent source of electronica
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Optimus Maximus Keyboard is Out!
That's right kids. The fully customizable OLED-keyboard is out and is now shipping:
http://www.artlebedev.com/everything/optimus/
Each of the 113-keys have a min. 10 fps OLED display with a 48x48 resolution that's customizable using the included software. Mac and Windows compatible. All for around $470 USD. I'll take one for any holidays but I can't afford it yet.
via IconSpam
©2008 See-ming Lee 李思明 SML / SML Pro Blog / SML Universe. All rights reserved.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Oye Modern = Contemporary Jewelry Design Collection
Jeni Oye launched her own line of modern jewelry collection called Oye Modern. It is the source for contemporary jewelry by emerging and independent designers. It's unique, original and hard to find.
Jewelry is shipped internationally to 40 countries with a 14 day return policy. You can shop in any of the four currency as well: AUD, GBP, EUR, USD.
Check it out!
www.oyemodern.com
Related SML Universe
+ SML Fine Art
+ SML Genius Pool
+ SML Wiki: Jeni Oye
SML Copyright Notice
©2007 See-ming Lee 李思明 SML / SML Pro Blog / SML Universe. All rights reserved.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
IconNicholson Social Retailing = Time Magazine's Best Inventions of the Year 2007
Time Magazine: 2007: The Best Inventions of the Year: Hot or Not? (IconNicholson Social Retailing)
You know the feeling. You try on a shirt at the store and think you look pretty fly, but you need a second opinion. With Social Retailing, developed by IconNicholson and shown at Bloomingdale's in March, you can send a video to your friends' cell phones and instantly get their vote. You can also try on outfits virtually using a mirror that shows how fab they might look—or not.
Available 2008
iconnicholson.com
Related SML Universe
+ SML Del.icio.us: IconNicholson + Social Retailing
+ SML Projects
+ SML Wiki: IconNicholson
SML Copyright Notice
©2007 See-ming Lee 李思明 SML / SML Pro Blog / SML Universe. All rights reserved.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Nokia N810 = WiFi + 800x480 + GPS + video + QWERTY
Specs
- Same 4.13-nch WVGA (800 x 480), 65k color display as the N800, brightness increased by ~20%
- GPS with particular focus on the "context sensitive web" via Ovi
- 2GB internal storage (not including memory cards), ships with maps for use with GPS
- Has WiFi (802.11b/g), does not have WiMAX
- Bluetooth (2.0+ EDR) DUNs to capable phones, totally Foleo-like
- 400MHz OMAP 2420 CPU, 128MB RAM, 256MB ROM
- Integrated frontal amera, ambient light sensor, mini USB 2.0, hardware lock switch
- Plays back video: 3GP, AVI, H.263, H.264, MP4, ASF, WMV, MPEG-1/4, Real video; audio: MP3, WMA, AAC, AMR, AWB, M4A, MP2, Real audio, WAV
- Battery life aimed at 4 hours of "typical use" (movies, music, internet access, etc.), 10 hours music only, and up to 2 weeks totally idle time, and 5 days active standby ("improved compared to previous generation devices")
- Runs Nokia's Linux Maemo interface (duh)
- 5 x 2.83 x 0.55-inches, 7.97 ounces
- Ships in November, $479
Related Engadget
SML Copyright Notice
©2007 See-ming Lee 李思明 SML / SML Pro Blog / SML Universe. All rights reserved.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Puma Basket CC = Heat-sensitive Sneakers
Puma came out with some heat-sensitive sneakers that will change color according to the temperature of your foot and environment. The shades go from olive brown to dark green to dark blue to deep purple. Temperatures below zero celcius will make the sneaker black.
The limited-edition Puma is available for 116.87 USD from the Overkill shop in Berlin.