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The URGE digital music store is an online music distribution service run by MTV Networks. URGE is integrated into Windows Media Player 11. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1280x800, 462 KB) Summary Urge Music Store Licensing This is a screenshot of copyrighted computer software for Microsoft Windows, and copyright for it is most likely held by the author(s) or the company that created the software. ...
Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1280x800, 462 KB) Summary Urge Music Store Licensing This is a screenshot of copyrighted computer software for Microsoft Windows, and copyright for it is most likely held by the author(s) or the company that created the software. ...
Windows Media Player (WMP) is a digital media player and media library application developed by Microsoft that is used for playing audio, video and viewing images on personal computers running the Microsoft Windows operating system, as well as on Pocket PC and Windows Mobile-based devices. ...
Windows Vista is a line of graphical operating systems used on personal computers, including home and business desktops, notebook computers, Tablet PCs, and media centers. ...
MTV Networks is a division of media conglomerate Viacom that oversees the operation of many TV network and Internet brands, including the first MTV channel. ...
Windows Media Player (WMP) is a proprietary software digital media player and media library application developed by Microsoft that is used for playing audio, video and images on personal computers running the Microsoft Windows operating system, as well as on Pocket PC and Windows Mobile-based devices. ...
URGE was opened on May 17, 2006. Downloaded files come with restrictions on their use, enforced by Windows Media DRM, Microsoft's digital rights management. URGE features the music programming of MTV, CMT, and VH1 and provides editorial content for the online music service. URGE currently charges 99¢ a track, or $9.95/month for a subscription. An optional $14.95/month to-go subscription is available for those with PlaysForSure devices. As of May 2007, URGE is not compatible with Microsoft's Zune or Apple's iPod. Zune is the name of a brand of digital music products and services sold by Microsoft. ...
iPod (fifth generation) in Apple Universal Dock, iPod nano (second generation) and iPod shuffle (second generation) iPod is a brand of portable media players designed and marketed by Apple and launched in 2001. ...
In the spring of 2007, MTV Networks launched the digital audio radio service URGE Radio, available through cable operators. URGE Radio offers cable systems digital audio channels with continuous music commercial-free, 24 hours a day. Similar to Music Choice song and artist info is displayed on screen. Many cable systems are starting to offer the service to their customers. For Music Choice in United Kingdom, see Music Choice Extra Music Choice is a name used by two different companies, one in the US and one in Europe. ...
In August 2007, MTV Networks announced plans to end its partnership with Microsoft and close URGE, and join RealNetworks on its Rhapsody digital music store.
Features
Music Downloads URGE currently has about 2.4 million songs available for download. Fans can download music for 99¢ a song or via one of the two subscription tiers. Subscription downloads allow playback on three computers (also two PlaysForSure devices with the premium URGE To Go subscription). Devices and computers can be de-authorized through the account settings in Windows Media Player, allowing subscribers to change devices or computers. Subscribers may only de-authorize one PC and one device every 30 days. PlaysForSure is a marketing certification given by Microsoft to portable hardware media players that have been verified to work with Microsoft Windows, specifically Windows XP and newer releases. ...
There are several differences between songs downloaded through the subscription program and songs purchased though URGE. Purchased songs can be played forever, regardless of whether the purchaser is an URGE subscriber. Subscription music, on the other hand, becomes unplayable if the subscription lapses. Subscription music also cannot be burned to a CD while purchased music can. Additionally, purchased music can be copied to any WMA-enabled portable media player, not just those that are compatible with subscription services.
All music downloads have Windows Media DRM 11, which limits playback to authorized devices. For subscription users, the Windows Media DRM also requires music licenses to be renewed monthly. As a result, portable devices must be synched at least once a month, to retrieve the new licenses. Outdated licenses on a PlaysForSure device will lock all music until the device is synched. Windows Media DRM is a Digital Rights Management service for the Windows Media platform. ...
Through Windows Media Player 11, users can restore their music library, including both purchased and subscription songs, in case their library is deleted or they change computers.
URGE To Go URGE To Go is URGE's premium subscription service. With URGE To Go fans can sync all music downloaded from URGE to two PlaysForSure compatible devices. This is not compatible with Microsoft's Zune.
Internet Radio There are 36 free radio stations that can be accessed by anyone with URGE configured in Windows Media Player 11. With a subscription to URGE, 102 additional radio stations are available, providing a total of 138 radio stations as of July 2007.
Music Videos Streaming music videos are provided for the URGE service by MTV, VH1 and CMT. Songs which have corresponding videos are indicated by an icon to the left of the song title in URGE.
Auto-Mix, Playlists and Informer Blogs URGE provides several features to assist in discovering new music. The My Auto-Mix feature dynamically creates a playlist based on music each visitor plays or adds to their library. Alternatively, playlists can be created based on mood, style or artist. Users can fine tune the results using three sliders for "popularity", "freshness" and "familiarity".
There are also playlists based on music genres, celebrities, television shows on MTV, VH1 and CMT and popularity.
In addition, URGE has 20 Informer blogs, which highlight music from the three major networks (MTV, VH1 and CMT) as well as music from every genre in between from afro-beat to zydeco.
Response The music service has been reviewed in several places. A prominent CNET review gave the service an 7.0 on a ten point scale. However, URGE has been criticized because it installs new "features" without the user's consent.
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