Blowing Out the Dust: Afternoon Edition

• [This is Good] – Amazon launches "early version" of "Amazon MP3," their new download service. [Reuters]

• [This is Bad] – The Amazon MP3s may be watermarked, although not linked to your individual account. [Listening Post]

• [This Might Be Offensive] – Virgin closes its online MP3 download store, abandoning customers who bought the DRM-locked songs. [Epicenter]

• Sling Sling – EchoStar, parent of Dish Network, offers to buy Sling Media for $380 million. [Monkey Bites]

• The Flying Surveilli Bros. – New aerial drones will be able to relay signals to other drones. I'm surprised this doesn't already happen. [Danger Room]

[#1 posted by Anonymous , September 25, 2007 8:33 PM]

"abandoning customers who bought the DRM-locked songs"... Wow, I'm completely shocked. You never see this sorta thing coming.

-Phill

[#2 posted by Anonymous , September 25, 2007 10:00 PM]

FIRST! (rule)

[#3 posted by Anonymous , September 25, 2007 10:11 PM]

first rule, my friend.

[#4 posted by strider_mt2k , September 26, 2007 6:28 AM]

If you paid money for something you...oh, never mind.
Wrong argument at the wrong time.

I'm old school like that.
I buy CDs and rip 'em.

[#5 posted by jatorres , September 26, 2007 6:40 AM]

someone tell me something is being done about this "first" stupidity...

[#6 posted by Captcha , September 26, 2007 6:48 AM]

First Rule!

[#7 posted by Mr.Universe , September 26, 2007 8:10 AM]

I used the Amazon service last night. Their "search" feature really needs more work, but I'm quite pleased with it.

[#8 posted by Teresa Nielsen Hayden/Moderator , September 26, 2007 8:14 AM]

J. A. Torres, we've arranged for people who do the "First!" thing to look dopey.