Spotify, one of the top free web-based music streaming services has plans on bringing their service outside of the U.S. in April, Bloomberg reports. The Swedish company will offer free ad-supported internet radio to all mobile carrier markets, with users not having to pay a $5 to $10 subscription fee to use the service. A more »

The Sonos S3/Play:3 is a wireless speaker system in which you can stream music from a hard drive/music library, online Internet radio stations, and can be controlled by an Android or iOS device. Additionally, the Sonos S3 boasts 3 digital amps, 1 tweeter, 2 mid range drivers and 1 bass radiator, all in a small more »

The battle for smart alarm clocks is on with Archos new entry, the Android-based 35 Home Connect. Like Chumby, the internet connected companion device, the Archos offering is WiFi connected so radio streaming, alarms and apps bring a new level of functionality to these bedside gadgets. The Archos 35 Home Connect has an internal battery, more »

If you love Pandora for streaming music, there’s a new reason to love the service: comedy. The content provider is adding comedy from over 700 comics to its offering. Pandora says over 10,000 clips will be available starting today. Pandora is one of the darlings of the tech world. You can find Pandora on TVs, more »

Finally SiriusXM! 8 months after the release of the iPhone/iPod Touch app, you finally release the BlackBerry version. Thank you! As a BlackBerry owner and longtime XM subscriber I’m thrilled. The app gives BlackBerry users access to 120 channels of music (most of it commercial free!) news, talk and sports. Some will be disappointed that more »

Is Apple getting into the streaming music game? According to rumors regarding next week’s Apple event, yes. According to the rumors, Apple has spoken to the top four music labels about music streaming as a way to add value to the sales iTunes currently garners. The rumors play off Apple’s purchase of Lala, a streaming more »

Internet streaming service Pandora appears to be looking at partnering up with auto makers in an attempt to gain marketshare. Pandora believes many users work around their car stereo systems to stream the services music. An offering from auto makers would reduce clutter and hassles for many users, according to Pandora’s remarks at the SF more »

Today, Olive introduces some high-end audio gear that is said to have 250 times the resolution of a CD. The Olive 4HD Music Server not only holds up to 20,000 songs at HD quality, but will record at 24 bit. The unit is backed up by a host of accessible options that allow you to more »

HD radio, the standard that is slightly more exciting than shoelace technology, is coming to more BMWs standard. The 2009 6 and 7 Series already had HD Radio. Now the Z4 Roadster, the 1, and 3 Series will get HD Radio standard. BMW joins Ford in pushing HD Radio. Don’t know anything about HD Radio? more »

I hate surprises. This year, it looks like a showdown of portable music players is being leaked early and I, for one, am thrilled. No more watching keynotes to see what is coming down the line. Today we can reveal one confirmed product and one that looks to be very real.

The Zune HD is real

Microsoft has confirmed the Zune HD we told you about here, saying it will be available this fall. This new Zune is designed to compete head-to-head with the iPod touch; which is a bold move as many of us believe that device is the pinnacle of PMPs.

The Zune HD will include an OLED screen, HD radio receiver, and HD output to a TV. There hasn’t been any announcement yet about apps (the big advertised point of the iPod touch), so surely MS has something more up there sleeve, right?

Zune owners love their little portable media player and are usually very vocal about it. Unfortunately, they are in the minority of PMP buyers. Quite frankly, I am a little surprised Microsoft is pushing forward with the much maligned Zune brand. Microsoft will be using the goodwill of the Xbox brand by having the Zune HD being a “premium partner in the Xbox LIVE Video Marketplace, bringing an exciting catalog of TV and film to the platform. Zune will occupy the first slot within the Xbox user interface in the Xbox LIVE Video Marketplace, exposing the Zune brand experience to millions of new consumers for the first time.”

Somehow, WMpowerusers got their hands on what is purported to be images and specs of the Zune HD. We’ve heard rumors of a new device supporting HD for some time and this image would be in the direction we’d have guessed. If this image is close, the Zune HD could be a worthy device and more »

Satellite radio provider XM Sirius has confirmed that they plan to release an app that will allow iPhone users to access the service via Internet streaming. What is not clear is whether access will require a full account or if there will be a stand alone service. The online access used to be free for more »