mp3tunes.com - May be the real deal

[pinkoos]

Read about this site a couple of days ago: http://www.mp3tunes.com/

Unlimited storage of mp3s with unlimited ability to stream/download/sync.

There's a free version and a premium version ($40/year). Not much practical difference between the two options (see web site for details).

I started to upload my entire iTunes library last night with an estimated time of about 120 hours to upload (probably b/c my cable connection has slow upload speeds).

Once you upload your library and you add new stuff, you can sync it to your online "locker."

About 30 albums have been uploaded so far. Sound quality on my work PC's speakers is really good. No hiccups in the stream either.

As always, DRM files can't be streamed (the free version won't upload them, while the premium version will upload, but still can't playback).

Definitely worth checking out.

[rz]

I have an iPod, and I regularly backup my computer. Why would I want this? I mean, I really don't see the value in this, even the free version.

[blusubaru]

[quote rz]I have an iPod, and I regularly backup my computer. Why would I want this? I mean, I really don't see the value in this, even the free version.
To play your music on other machines, streamed from the internet. I just can't see uploading my entire collection of music to others. Seems too easy for someone to make a copy.

[rz]

Again, that's why I have an iPod... so I don't have to have another computer connected to the internet to stream my music.

[blusubaru]

I guess it'd be good for people who can't use iPods at work. I have a friend who works for Sallie Mae and they won't let any of their thousands of employees bring an iPod in. They're afraid of someone stealing client data.

[rz]

[quote blusubaru]I guess it'd be good for people who can't use iPods at work. I have a friend who works for Sallie Mae and they won't let any of their thousands of employees bring an iPod in. They're afraid of someone stealing client data.
They're afraid of iPods, but not afraid to having their employees connect to what could legitimately be called a peer-to-peer service?

[cbelt3]

I fully expect the RIAA and MPAA lawyers are circling like buzzards over their site. It *does* sound like an excellent idea, as does all offline backup resources.

[vision63]

[quote cbelt3]I fully expect the RIAA and MPAA lawyers are circling like buzzards over their site. It *does* sound like an excellent idea, as does all offline backup resources.
They circle like buzzards because thats who and what they are.

[evilrobot]

mp3.com did a similar thing this around 1999/2000... you inserted an audio cd into your drive. it connected to the site and when it verified you had 'posession' of the cd. when it was identified, it was added to your online locker for streaming. eventually artists and labels began hating on it and you know where that all leads.

the mp3.com solution was cool at the time, but with the size of hard drives and portable audio devices, it now sounds like more trouble than it's worth.

[onthedownlow]

Something has to give here.

I have been using this service for a while now. It is great in that you can listen from any Internet-connected computer...many mobile devices (phones w/Internet that can playback MCU or ASX streams)...and of course any Windows Mobile or Palm/Access device.

The catch where I see the largest complaint (copyright/RIAA/etc.) is that you can also download the audio/MP3 files directly to the device, if you so choose at that moment in time. So file-sharing would be super-easy if you wanted to give out your username/password and say "Here's my current library...download whatever you want."

You can also upload from whatever computer you are on, as well.