Rental Redefined: eMusic Strikes Avis Partnership

Rent a car, get some independent MP3s.  That is a proposition being presented by eMusic and Avis, an unusual pairing.  According to information shared Tuesday, Avis renters will be given access to a handful of free downloads supplied by eMusic.  Additionally, eMusic will offer a collection of playlists geared towards seasons, destinations, and other pertinent themes. (DigitaMusicNews)

Flash Drives: The Newest Option for Digital Music

When the Mars Volta put out its latest album, "The Bedlam in Goliath," in January, the act gave its hardcore fans an option that is becoming increasingly popular -- and creative. Instead of a CD or digital version of the Universal album, fans could buy a $30 USB drive designed like a Ouija board planchette. The device comes with a digital-rights-management-free version of the album and the promise of more bonus materials in coming months. (PC World)

Industry Plays Card Game: Will the Gamble Pay?

CDs are sinking - fast - but the music industry is now playing with a slightly different retail format. Instead of the troubled disc, more action is happening around the gift card, a highly successful format in the broader marketplace. Just recently, Nielsen Soundscan started counting card-based albums from New Jersey-based Dropcards, a longtime presence in digital download cards. "The interest, over the course of the last few years, in selling these cards at retail has been overwhelming," the company explained. (Digital Music News)