Spotify Now Available In America – Canada Next ?
Spotify has launches in the United States.
This advertisement funded service offers over 15 million tracks free to Windows and Mac users, as well as paid services for people who want to download individual selections or want to enjor the service without advertisements.
This service has signed contracts with numerous indie labels and major labels EMI, Sony, Universal and Warner. But there is no news in regards to a Canadian service yet, though Rdio currently offers advertisement free services to Canadians for $4.99 per month, $9.99 for services to mobile phones.
The above mentioned subscription rates are comparible to those listed at Spotify.
CRIA Rebrands Itself
The Canadian Recording Industry Association has rebranded itself as MusicCanada.com, stipulating that it now only represents Canada’s major labels.
It will continue to issue Gold, Platinum and Diamond certifications and lobby the government on behalf of the major labels.
Canada Post Delays
Canada Post has reported significant delays in their processing of mail. The postal strike had resulted in a backlog of mail, according to their customer relations site.
Two Months To Go !
The digital television transition in Canada is two months away.
This means television stations airing in Canada’s major cities will no longer broadcast in analog over the air. But this signal will be replaced by a digital signal that most LCD, LED and plasma televisions are ready to receive via antenna. Most other televisions will require a digital to analog converter box
Of course those of you who subscribe to cable, satellite and IPTV services will not need to do a thing. But on September 1st, 2011 you may have this additional option, depending on where you live.
I’ve dropped my extra outlets and have hooked up several televisions to an antenna, saving $7 in fees per month. And from the information gathered from TV Fool, it appears that I should get all but one or two of my local channels after the transition, which will probably come in if I invest in the Terk antenna
Those who have or are able to erect an antenna outside will probably have the best luck getting the further transmissions. But i’m also considering an attic installation myself, to get all the local stations and possibly PBS from Norwood, NY.
I managed to get the latter with an indoor antenna last summer for a few days and i’m hoping to get it more regularly.
I will of course be doing quite a large amount of experimenting in the last few days of August. But of course it’ll be worth it, just to get off cable.
Postal Services To Resume Tuesday
Canada Post has stated in an email to customers that postal services will be restored Tuesday, the 28th of June, including mail delivery.
“Canada Post has initiated the process to resume operations following the passage of back to work legislation (Bill C-6, An Act to provide for the resumption and continuation of postal services). In accordance with the Act, employees will begin to report to work for their regularly scheduled shifts on Monday June 27 and on Tuesday June 28.”
All of the mailboxes will be unsealed on Monday but local post offices will open on Tuesday.