Microsoft may drop Xbox to $99, launch Xbox 2 in 2005 - Jan. 28, 2004: "Microsoft's Xbox may be on the verge of a substantial price cut, falling from $179 to $99 by Labor Day, according to P.J. McNealy, an analyst with American Technology Research. 'It is our belief that the price on the consoles in North America could see a stepped drop this year, with both the PS2 and Xbox being cut to $129 between now and the May E3 trade show, with [Microsoft] then cutting the Xbox further to $99 in the late summer,' he wrote in a research note released Wednesday."  ¶ 9:23 PM

  Google spawns social networking service | CNET News.com: "Google tip-toed into the hot market of online social networks with the quiet launch of Orkut.com on Thursday. The search company, which is expected to go public this year, is flexing its power with its Internet fans by constantly offering new services, including comparison shopping and news search. Orkut could be the clearest signal that Google's aspirations don't end with search. 'Orkut is an online trusted community Web site designed for friends. The main goal of our service is to make the social life of yourself and your friends more active and stimulating,' according to the Web site, which states that the service is 'in affiliation with Google.'"  ¶ 9:45 AM

  CD Baby - Online radio stations seeking artists for web airplay "Urban Independent Radio and Indie-Connections Radio are looking for top-notch unsigned and small indie label acts to play on their stations. Urban Independent Radio plays quality soul, R&B, and hip-hop artists while Indie-Connections Radio plays great pop, rock, and alternative acts. For details on how to submit material for consideration, urban genre acts should visithttp://www.urbanindiemusic.com Pop/rock/alt acts can find submission information athttp://www.indie-connections.com/contact.htm Sincerely, Tony Alexander President - AA Media Music sponsor of both online stations "  ¶ 10:45 AM

  Slashdot | Warp Records Reject DRM, Go Bleep "DJ Phase writes 'Warp Records, an independent label for electronic music (featuring artists such as Aphex Twin, Autechre, and Boards of Canada), has made their entire back catalog available thru Bleep, a new digital download service. Individual tracks are $1.35 for those of us in the USA, with EPs and full albums in the $4 to $10 price range. You can download Aphex Twin's rare, groundbreaking Hangable Auto Bulb EP for $4.29. To quote from the FAQ: 'We are at present the only store to offer very high quality MP3 files,' and 'Bleep music has no DRM or copy protection built in. We believe that most people like to be treated as customers and not potential criminals'.'"  ¶ 10:53 AM

  Audio Lunchbox Audio Lunchbox was founded in April 2003 by 4 guys with a common vision: to increase exposure and availability of great independent music. Audio Lunchbox is not just a digital download site, it is a lifestyle. We strive to make the purchase of digital music quick, easy and affordable. When you download from our site, you are not restricted by DRM (Digital Rights Management) like some of the larger download services out there. When you purchase audio from us, do with it as you please, as long as it's for personal use. Most songs are .99 cents and most full-length albums are 9.99. Purchase a lunch card and get a price break on bulk purchases. ALB is cross-platform and entirely web-based. No need to download any extraneous applications or software to get our system to work. Just connect to the net and browse away.  ¶ 1:57 AM

  Happy New Year! here's to a better tomorrow...  ¶ 3:02 PM