December 2009

1. Poll On Whether Information and Entertainment Should Be Free

A New York Magazine poll of 100 pedestrians in Soho produced some interesting and inconsistent results, regarding the desire and willingness of people to pay for access to news, information and entertainment.

http://nymag.com/news/intelligencer/

2. ABO examines ‘Orchestras into the Future’

The Association of British Orchestras has released a new policy brief titled Orchestras into the Future, which explores innovative approaches among its 67 members. The document highlights a number of examples of successful experiments using technology, social networking, new forms of concert presentation and collaborations.

http://snipurl.com/tiv30

3. What Your Cell Phone Might Do for You Two Years from Now

An article in The New York Times outlines where cell phone technology may be headed.  The mobile devices of late 2011 might physically resemble the smartphones of today, but they will be much more computer than phone. Call it a PC, but this time it will be “personal” for real, because it will virtually never leave your person.  Today’s smartphones can do almost anything a PC could do in 2007, but in a couple of years smartphones may have enough computing power to enable much more sophisticated applications that truly take advantage of the device’s portability.  Just imagine a device with an 8-inch fold-out screen, a big virtual keyboard for easy text input, numerous sensors to detect your surroundings, and software smart enough to anticipate your needs and sharp enough to respond to conversational commands.

http://snipurl.com/tiv6g

4. Some TVs Go Directly Online for Streaming Movies

Tech and media companies have started to develop technology to deliver digitized, copy-protected movies directly over the Internet to the big screens in consumer living rooms.

http://snipurl.com/tiv8o

5. 10 Years After Napster: Welcome to 1998

An essay by entertainment lawyer Tony Berman on his blog describes the evolution that has occurred in the recording industry, which 10 years ago was resisting the emergence of Napster as a Internet distributor of music without DRM protections and is now racing to embrace digital distribution as a potential savior to their businesses.

http://snipurl.com/tivg1

6. Naxos Music Library Announces the Release of a New iPhone and iPod Touch App

Naxos’ digital music service announced a new iPhone Application, which will allow Naxos subscribers remote access to their personal and account playlists from their iPhones and iPod Touches.

http://snipurl.com/tivmv

7. Recounting the history of opera -- one tweet at a time

The San Diego Opera has launched a Twitter project, in which it will tweet the entire history of opera on a daily basis, covering everything from Monteverdi to Mozart to Philip Glass. With more than 400 years to cover -- and at a rate of two tweets per day -- the project could take years to finish. The project, which can be found at #operahistory, launched in early November. The company said it has started at the beginning of opera history -- around the year 1580 or so -- and will continue into the 21st century.

http://snipurl.com/tivp1

8. The Canadian Opera Company Hosts Internet Chat Session

The Canadian Opera Company’s radio broadcasts of Madama Butterfly and The Nightingale and Other Short Fables are being made available for internet streaming on the opera company’s website www.coc.ca.   Listeners at coc.ca will discover a new and interactive live chat session, featuring special guest chatters. Those new to opera, as well as seasoned opera lovers, can join the discussion and enhance their listening experience by connecting with fellow opera enthusiasts.
 
http://www.coc.ca/AboutTheCOC