Up until now, they were two main categories of digital audio players: Those that use solid state memory such as Flash and those which use mechanical storage such as hard disc, CDs, etc. Now the leading Internet Storage provider Xdrive has announced a new service that does away with memory and media by utilising online storage. This service is aimed at PDA's and Treo mobile phones that handle streaming music.
With Xdrive's service, users upload their music to their Xdrive, which in turn produces a playlist. Then install MP3 playback software on the PDA or phone that supports streaming MP3 and .M3U playlists and finally transfer the playlist to the device. Finally open the playlist to start listing to the music.
The advantage with this service is that users are not limited by how much capacity is available on the phone or PDA as well as not have to carry a larger capacity MP3 player with them.
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Similar to the Apple iPod, Xdrive's music service allows people to listen to music on the go, create play lists and personal albums. But unlike the iPod, users don't need to carry an additional device because the music is actually stored on a personal, virtual hard drive at Xdrive and streamed live over a wireless Internet connection. By using Xdrive's music service, members can protect their music collection from theft, loss or damage, while saving money by avoiding the purchase of a portable digital music player (the iPod mini costs $250). |
In a way, this may be the future of how portable audio players will work. However there are several drawbacks to this system. The main issue would be mobile coverage, for example if the user enters a fringe coverage area or passes under a large tunnel, then the user will be faced with broken up audio or no music at all until they enter a good coverage area again. Traveling abroad would be another issue. Next if the mobile service provider charges by metering the data transfer, then this service would not be of much use unless the user is willing to pay for playback time also.
Feel free to discuss and find out more about portable audio players in our Audio Forum.
Source: Music Industry News Network
