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Emis Ipod Filling Kiosks At Airports

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by Kevin Maney
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Oct 27 2008 12:28pm EDT

EMI's iPod-filling Kiosks at Airports

Kevin Maney writes: EMI just moments ago announced a deal to put iPod-filling kiosks in 20 major airports. Sounds kind of handy. No need to fire up your laptop or even have it with you. Go to the kiosk, swipe a credit card, browse and sample songs, plug in your portable music player, and download new music to listen to on your trip.

The songs will be MP3 files with no DRM. Albums will cost $11.99. The only problem is that the music on the kiosks at this point will only be from EMI, which has a dwindling stable of top artists since acts such as Radiohead and The Rolling Stones left.
Here's the press information from EMI, which is partnering with InMotion for the kiosks:
New York, NY, October 27, 2008 - Under an agreement between EMI Music and InMotion Entertainment, music fans can now buy and download music directly to portable devices at major US airports. InMotion, the U.S.'s largest airport-based electronics and entertainment retailer, will now make a selection of EMI Music's key current and catalog albums and singles available for consumers to sample, purchase and download directly from its in-store PlayPoint Media Hotspot kiosks. Fans will be able to use PlayPoint's touch screen stations to preview and buy full albums and tracks and transfer them directly to a range of portable music devices, including iPods, to enjoy on their flights.

Beginning this month, 45 InMotion retailers located at more than 20 major US airports, including New York's JFK, Los Angeles International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, and those in Miami, Atlanta Chicago, Dallas and more will feature current titles from artists ranging from Coldplay and Katy Perry to Al Green and Lady Antebellum. A rotation of new and catalog titles will be featured on an ongoing basis.

InMotion will make albums available for $11.99. Downloads will be available as DRM-free MP3s in high quality audio (256 kilobits per second).

"This is a great new opportunity for us to help connect the artists with fans," said Eden Goldberg, VP of Marketing and Business Development at InMotion Entertainment. "By offering a 'fueling station' for their portable devices, consumers now have an easy way to discover and buy new music they can enjoy on their travels."

How PlayPoint Works:
Using a touch screen and credit card, consumers can browse, purchase and download content directly to their device for immediate use on their trip.

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