DataPlay, Incorporated, developer of the new portable music format, has finalized an agreement with BMG to make releases from some of the industry's top-selling artists available on pre-recorded DataPlay digital media. As a result of the deal, BMG's Arista Records will release albums from best-selling artists such as Pink, Sarah McLachlan, Outkast, Usher and Adema on DataPlay digital media.
DataPlay music players and digital media are scheduled for retail introduction this summer at which time consumers can expect to purchase pre-recorded music by Arista Records artists. Universal Music, EMI and Zomba Recording Corporation have also announced plans to make their best selling artists available on DataPlay.
"DataPlay is an innovative and secure way to expose our artists, their music and more to their fans in an affordable and highly portable fashion," said Jordan Katz, Sr. Vice President Sales of Arista Records. "Retail is looking for quality artists for this summer's launch and Arista is proud to be a key ingredient."
About the size of a quarter, DataPlay digital media are single-sided 250MB and double-sided 500MB micro-optical discs that support both user-recorded and secure pre-recorded content. One DataPlay digital media can hold over 11 hours of CD-quality music, hundreds of high-resolution photographs or dozens of games.
"DataPlay lets consumers enjoy their favorite Arista artists on a new universal format," said Pat Quigley, Chief Marketing Officer of DataPlay. "With the support of BMG and leading retailers, DataPlay will play a major role in how the music of America's favorite artists is listened to, recorded and purchased."
In addition to its content agreements with leading music labels, DataPlay has deals in place with device manufacturers Samsung, Toshiba, Evolution, Digisette, MPMan, iRiver and Pretec in addition to others.
