Google gives the tools for customised search

Google has launched new tools for creating a customised search engine for specified websites and Web pages. The Google Custom Search Engine lets users choose which pages and websites they want to search, to determine how the content should be prioritised and to format the search results page. While users can choose to restrict their search results to include only certain pages and sites, they can alternatively allocate them a higher priority and ranking within the main Google index. ...more

National Geographic unveils World Music downloads service

National Geographic is looking to boost sales of World Music, with a new online store. It aims to put the music into a wider context with the help of various videos, maps and features from the magazine. You can sort the content by genre, country, artist or album. ...more

Traktor DJ back in the Studio

Native Instruments has announced the latest update to its music mixing software, Traktor Dj Studio. The software provides two virtual record decks on which you can mix tracks, applying dozens of effects, such as scratching and loops, whilst you DJ. Version 2. ...more

Music swapping service exchanges CDs

A new US online music service is exploiting a provision in US copyright laws to run a legal music swapping service. Rather than swap MP3 files, La La Media customers exchange CDs, a practice protected in US law. CDs are swapped between members, who pay $1 to the company each time they receive a new disc. ...more

CES 2007: Microsoft naysayer for Apple iPod phone

Microsoft's entertainment chief has said that Apple faces some tough hurdles if it decides to roll out a mobile phone built around its popular iPod music player. Robbie Bach, president of Microsoft's entertainment and devices division, said it too is considering a mobile phone integrated with its Zune digital music player, but launching such a device is not at the top of its priority list. Microsoft launched its Zune portable music player in November and set a sales target of more than one million units by the end of June. ...more