In an effort to be Dropbox music, Mecanto launches affordable streaming and storage services

RIP Empson-writer at TechCrunch. He did not find friends here, he is here to win and you don't forget it. You can contact him at rip [at] techcrunch [dot] com ? more

If you're a fan of cloud-based music boxes, this is a good time to be alive. Back in March, Amazon somewhat surprising beat Apple and Google storage and streaming music from their "Cloud drive" and "Cloud player". Google and Apple have since begun to cloud music victims (or their Beta), and all three continue to improve and evolve as time marches on.

As a lover of music, it's great to see cloud music storage and streaming services, move forward in tandem, even if we must all recognize that our own personal bookmark. Because, frankly, more competition in this space, the better. That is why you should pay attention to the new startup, which enters the stage left: Mecanto. Yes, today, a new service cloudy music includes Arena, promising Unlimited Music streaming and storage of the listeners around the world is not to put a dent in your wallet. (TC 1000 Mecanto offers readers free 6 months subscription. Huzzah! See below for more information.)

On the basis of the Tel Aviv Mecanto hitting scenes this week to support cloud music player and storage service, easy to set up and all the things the user wants from their trusty neighborhood music locker: unlimited storage and streaming, the ability to automatically sync your iTunes library and PC folders with your account (with multiple computers), global accessibility, playlist editing, video, easy overview and cross platform functionality. Also doesn't hurt that users can find Mecanto on the Internet or go mobile iOS, Android, Windows Mobile and Symbian.

MeCanto Mobile interface is very stylish and enables users to easily listen to the songs and albums or create playlists. Stream songs over 3 G or WiFi and users can listen to any song they want without having to worry about how much space the song took on a phone. Here's to you, clouds.

This sounds like a great start, right? Of course, but with names like Amazon, Google, Apple, Spotify and numerous other staring down Mecanto definitely has uphill climb ahead. In doing so, accessibility is a strong selling point for the service of Israeli music. Look at your competitors: Spotify unlimited "and" premium cost $ 60 per year and $ 120 per year, respectively, iCloud comes in at around $ 25 a year, Amazon Cloud drive and cloud player is worth at least $ 20 per year (unlimited storage may be limited time offer).

Google, on the other hand is currently free of charge, but there is little likelihood that it will stay that way for long. For comparison, at $ 20 per year, is an attractive alternative to large Mecanto players, especially as it offers worldwide access, cross platform integration, and instantly uploads — suite, which its competitors only offer to pieces.

In addition, users are free for the first time Mecanto month service at the end of which they can pay $ 20 for a whole year or breaking it down into $ 2 monthly. To start using, users can download a small application for desktop computers, which will then download and synchronize all the music automatically. Bing, Bada boom Bada boom probable cause. The best part: to accelerate the process of downloading Mecanto's, this means that users can access their music almost instantly, even before the download is complete. Students may obtain direct access to their music, or they can choose to upload your files to slower bandwidth savings without having to worry about delays.

Not wanting to be anti-social at the age of Facebook music service also offers a social function, including the possibility of adding a video to YouTube account and playback, as well as the ability to share these YouTube clips on Facebook and Twitter, Last.fm scrobbling tracks Exchange current track for social networking, bidirectional synchronization and intelligent categorization tracks. As for the support files? Mecanto works with MP3, M4A, WMA, OGG, FLAC and a big part of their language.

Mecanto in the so-called "three screens and a cloud" platform really is an excellent alternative to the big names in space, and a "Dropbox for music" is not an analogy unfair. Course design isn't quite up to par with some of the other, but its availability, worldwide access and cross platform functionality can simply give Mecanto feet, it has to be taken seriously in a crowded with familiar names space.

So far run raised $ 2 million in funding from private angels, but you can be sure that the startup will seek more cash as he begins to scale and rolls out around the world.

Israeli music locker is definitely worth a look, especially under the auspices of the monthly demo and the fact that the first 1000 readers to TechCrunch, which here will receive free testing within six months of service. I mean, who doesn't love music deal? Check this.

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Music search startup SoundHound partners with Spotify for instant streaming

Robin Wauters is currently staff writer for TechCrunch and lead editor of Virtualization.com. In addition to its activities, professional blogging, he is an entrepreneur, the organizer of the event, from time to time the Council consultant and an angel investor, but most importantly champion full launch. Wauters lives and works in Belgium, a tiny country in Europe. He can often be found from his home or ... ? Read More

Music search and discovery company SoundHound has signed a contract with the provider of digital music Spotify to allow SoundHound in Europe with instant access to the last directory (more than 15 million tracks). From the sound of it partnership does not allow users outside Europe to bridge this specific just yet.

Today, SoundHound iOS users and Android devices that also subscribe to Spotify premium will be paid to the option "Play now in Spotify" after identifying a song via the service discovery and music recognition. This goes for users, both free and paid apps SoundHound.

SoundHound users in Europe do not subscribe to the Spotify premium will be redirected to a page inviting them to become Spotify users before listening to the track.

Direct competitor Shazam (bis), SoundHound "Sound2Sound» tech looking for sound against sound, thus bypassing the traditional transformation sound in text.

Headquartered in San Jose, California, SoundHound is backed by global catalyst partners, TransLink capital, Walden venture capital and other investors, Silicon Valley.

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FAD or future? Booktrack adds music, sound effects for the E-book; Peter Thiel invests

Robin Wauters is currently staff writer for TechCrunch and lead editor of Virtualization.com. In addition to its activities, professional blogging, he is an entrepreneur, the organizer of the event, from time to time the Council consultant and an angel investor, but most importantly champion full launch. Wauters lives and works in Belgium, a tiny country in Europe. He can often be found from his home or ... ? Read More

A new startup called Booktrack launched this morning (in fact, the NYT started it yesterday), in an attempt to create a whole new genre of e-books.

Booktrack creates synchronized soundtracks for e-books that aim to "dramatically increase the reader's imagination and participation".

Running technology pairs of notes and sound effects with the text automatically tempo one reading speed. Booktracks can be downloaded for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch and Android applications are on the way. Check Booktrack Bookshelf for books that are available.

The company has teamed up with Sony/ATV music publishing, Park Road Post and full fathom five, and its technology is already fully integrated into the new novel "the power of six", Pittacus Lore (James Frey), published by HarperCollins Children's books.

Booktrack and publishers will share revenue with the participating authors, composers and musicians, the company said in a press release.

Booktrack is based on former PayPal and early investors Facebook (and longtime Board member) Peter Thiel as authors who will cooperate with the company. Other initial investors and advisers Booktrack include Marc d ' Arcy, Director of the global creative solutions on Facebook and Derek Handley, CEO and co-founder of mobile marketing and media company Hyperfactory.

The latter will also serve as Chairman of Booktrack.

Paul Cameron, Booktrack founder and CEO, in a press release compares e books in their present form, with "cinema with not a soundtrack", but I'm not sure I agree with this statement – reading is quite otherwise use the content. I'm not sure the soundtrack makes e-book can be nothing but detract from the experience of reading, actually.

Of course I only briefly tested technology with one Booktrack e books, so I'm not fully made up my mind yet about its potential to disrupt the e book genre.

Wired's Charlie sorrel, for one, thinks the idea stinks. He does a good job, but it isn't (and shouldn't) stop companies from trying, obviously.

In the coming weeks and months Booktrack said he will publish specially curated collection of short stories from some of the best authors around the world, starting in September with "South" of Salman Rushdie. Booktrack release editions of the classics, such as the adventures of Huckleberry Finn, the tale of Peter Rabbit, Peter Pan, the three Musketeers, pride and prejudice, Jane Eyre, Romeo and Juliet and more.

I look forward to reading Paul Carr's thoughts on this one.

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Facebook music yet? No problem! Meet the wonderful + music Chrome extension

Robin Wauters is currently staff writer for TechCrunch and lead editor of Virtualization.com. In addition to its activities, professional blogging, he is an entrepreneur, the organizer of the event, from time to time the Council consultant and an angel investor, but the most important champion of the full launch. He lives and works in Belgium, a small country in Europe. He can often be found work from their home or ... ? Read More

Facebook is working with a wide range of partners to prepare to launch music service – perhaps called "Vibes" – inside the surprisingly popular social networking site. In standby mode, I advise you to visit the amazing + music extension for Google chrome (here is the direct link to extension).

This is pretty cool. After installation, you'll find a new icon in the toolbar Chrome allows you to quickly find the artist, stream music and discover links to artist profiles on Facebook, radio, Wikipedia, last.FM and whatnot. Music gets fetched from blog MP3s or radio (subscription required) and you can click on the icon to play and pause music mixes, move to the next track or part of the song.

On any Web page you visit, you can now select the name of the artist, click the right mouse button, and instantly play or turn a mixture of songs from the artist said. The following video shows you how it works.

Now this is all very well, but that's where it gets interesting. + Music deeply integrates with Facebook and allows you to share full songs with friends, even if they do not have the extension installed.

It also adds a layer of utility over Facebook, so when you visit a social network, you will see a number of enhancements that will allow you to enjoy the music with just a click of the mouse.

For example, on top of Facebook, you will see the player, which allows you to play, pause and skip tracks, so you need to open more than + music dialog box by clicking on the icon in the toolbar.

In the section "Share" you will also see "music" option, which allows you to search for artist, album or track where you usually post a status update. You can use it to share a YouTube video or the song itself instantly or even full album (MP3s by blogging Web-wide, or radio).

In the screenshot below gives you an idea of how it looks.

To achieve the above, the add-in uses a protocol open graph Facebook for embedding video object music, when you share the track – no authentication required – while website swarm. fm operates as a home for any content shared through + music (with more in the future, tells me, the developer, Peter Watts).

It doesn't stop there. + Music extension also barely artist or group of pages, add a button for Instant Music streaming or queue next to their name. In addition the expansion shows you similar artists or bands in the left column of their Facebook page. Again, see. the screenshot below.

Most of the technology behind + music extension is powered by the echo nest.

If you are interested in other applications other than music, don't forget to give ex. fm and Shuffler. fm trauma.

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