A new digital music format, created by some of the people behind the MP3, could be ready to roll as early as the summer. It will be different for those who pay for it and those who download it illegally, and will contain many features a standard MP3 doesn't.
The format - developed by Norwegian-based Bach Technology Ltd. and called MusicDNA - will hold not only music, but artwork, videos, lyrics, ongoing blog updates and more, with a 32 gigabyte limit, reports the BBC. Being dubbed the most significant digital music format since the MP3, the new files were recently unveiled at Cannes's MIDEM conference.
If this is sounding a bit familiar, that's because Apple debuted the iTunes LP recently, which has similar capabilities and features. And although no price has been announced yet, MusicDNA files will most likely cost more than a $1.29 iTunes MP3 file.
No major labels have signed on with the format yet, although a couple of major indies have, such as Tommy Boy and Beggars Group.
The format brings with it a teensy bit of hope for the music industry: while people who buy MusicDNA files would receive updates - such as future tours, new interviews or updates to social network pages - when they're online, those who illegally download it won't, says Wired.
MusicDNA is planning on launching a beta test in the spring and having the format ready to go in the summer.
The format - developed by Norwegian-based Bach Technology Ltd. and called MusicDNA - will hold not only music, but artwork, videos, lyrics, ongoing blog updates and more, with a 32 gigabyte limit, reports the BBC. Being dubbed the most significant digital music format since the MP3, the new files were recently unveiled at Cannes's MIDEM conference.
If this is sounding a bit familiar, that's because Apple debuted the iTunes LP recently, which has similar capabilities and features. And although no price has been announced yet, MusicDNA files will most likely cost more than a $1.29 iTunes MP3 file.
No major labels have signed on with the format yet, although a couple of major indies have, such as Tommy Boy and Beggars Group.
The format brings with it a teensy bit of hope for the music industry: while people who buy MusicDNA files would receive updates - such as future tours, new interviews or updates to social network pages - when they're online, those who illegally download it won't, says Wired.
MusicDNA is planning on launching a beta test in the spring and having the format ready to go in the summer.
