Legislators over the weekend introduced new legislation requiring satellite radio receivers to pick up digital signals, even though federal regulators are still seeking public comment on the issue. [MORE]

Source: CNET

In what may well stand as a defining moment in the maturation of Apple’s App Store, Tapulous has announced that it has partnered with the band Nine Inch Nails to release a premium version of its popular game Tap Tap Revenge some time in October. [MORE]

Source: TechCrunch

What is radio going to look like in the future? There are a lot of opinions, both positive and negative. One strong possibility is that radio is going evolve into something new and exciting – something beyond terrestrial and satellite. A new breed of smartphones are on the streets and shaking things up, including radio. Are you ready for Radio 2.0?

With T-Mobile launching it’s iPhone-like G1 based on Google’s Android software, more mobile music applications will be in the hands of the general public. This new breed of smartphones are intuitive and feature rich. It doesn’t take the average person very long to learn how to navigate and use many of the powerful features these devices provide, including music related apps that are a very popular application category. With Pandora, Last.fm, and the ability to access a multitude of radio station’s streams, more and more people are finding that radio transmissions aren’t the only way to get the music they like. Smartphones still have issues with connection speeds, battery life, etc. but eventually these issues will be worked out.

(more…)

Last night the House passed a bill that essentially gives Pandora and other Webcasters the ability to negotiate with the music business over royalty rates. [MORE]

Source: Silicon Alley Insider

Time is running out on a bill that could pave the way for Pandora and other Webcasters to pay reduced royalty rates, as traditional radio broadcasters are now trying to kill the legislation. [MORE]

Source: CNET

With Congress due to adjourn Friday, lawmakers worked late Thursday evening to resolve a couple of high profile digital-entertainment issues. [MORE]

Source: CNET

MySpace music combines free on-demand streaming music with buyable downloads from Amazon, ringtones and video and other content. Soon the service will offer artist merchandise (tshirts, etc.) and concert tickets. [MORE]

Source: TechCrunch

Media mogul Rupert Murdoch will officially take on Apple CEO Steve Jobs on Thursday. [MORE]

Source: CNET

Five music industry trade groups have reached what they call a breakthrough agreement on how royalties should be handled for streaming music online. [MORE]

Source: CNET

MySpace Music will allow users to listen to any song from the catalogs of the music giants for free. They will also be able to create playlists on their own page, and purchase tracks — all while consuming advertisements. [MORE]

Source: CNN