Verizon Wireless today announced an exclusive and multi-tiered relationship with classic rock legends AC/DC, as the company’s V CAST Music service becomes the first digital music service to deliver AC/DC’s entire back catalog digitally. Respecting the band’s reputation for delivering a full-album experience, Verizon Wireless is making AC/DC’s music available in full-album downloads. AC/DC’s catalog consists of 18 classic albums, and for many music enthusiasts, the AC/DC catalog has been one of the most highly-anticipated digital releases to date. The multi-tiered relationship includes AC/DC’s entire back catalog – of which Verizon Wireless is the exclusive mobile music provider through March 2008 – plus exclusive performance footage on V CAST Video and a special V CAST Mobile TV program.
Formed in Sydney, Australia in 1973 by brothers Angus and Malcolm Young (still the most formidable electric guitar team in rock), AC/DC released its first album, “High Voltage,” in 1975. The group has gone on to sell more than 63 million albums in the U.S., making AC/DC one of the five best-selling bands in American music history. The “Back In Black” album has achieved RIAA “Double Diamond” status, for sales in excess of 21 million copies in the U.S., and is the U.S.’s fifth largest-selling album ever. AC/DC was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003.
“Verizon Wireless and V CAST offer a fantastic new high-tech platform for the long-awaited digital release of AC/DC’s music and video catalogs,” said Steve Barnett, chairman, Columbia Records. “Through Verizon’s cellular phone and mobile television technology, new and established generations of AC/DC fans will find fresh and innovative ways to enjoy the sights and sounds of the world’s most electrifying rock and roll band.”
“AC/DC’s back catalog is hot and fans nationwide have been filling chatrooms and bulletin boards for years speculating about the digital release of their albums. We are proud that Verizon Wireless customers will be the first to load up on their fill of classic AC/DC,” said John Harrobin, senior vice president of digital media for Verizon. “By respecting and preserving the full AC/DC album experience through full-album digital downloads and mobile video, we will ensure that the group’s classic rock is understood, embraced and here to stay.”
AC/DC “Shakes Up” Mobile Music with Full-Album Downloads on V CAST Music
This new relationship will encourage new digital behaviors as Verizon Wireless customers will have the ability to purchase music as full-album downloads of AC/DC’s entire back catalog. By visiting the V CAST Music online store at www.verizonwireless.com/music fans will be able to download any of AC/DC’s full albums to their PCs and then sync them to their phones with V CAST Music Manager. “You Shook Me All Night Long” will be the only single available as an individual full-song download over-the-air, and will be used to promote full-album downloads of AC/DC’s catalog in ongoing marketing campaigns. Fans can also get the sounds of their favorite classic rock band with AC/DC Ringtones and Ringback tones from Verizon Wireless.
AC/DC on V CAST Mobile TV Coming Soon
In an effort to educate new generations of music fans on the breadth of their enormous body of work, AC/DC will soon deliver AC/DC TV on the new V CAST Mobile TV. AC/DC will present footage from the infamous Live at Donnington extravaganza and other performances so fans can access and watch, directly on their Verizon Wireless mobile phones.
When Apple introduced its ingenious MagSafe power cord on the MacBook Pro last year at Macworld, gobs of people couldn’t think straight due to the enthusiasm of such a great invention. It didn’t take long for many to figure out that they would be out of luck once they boarded an airplane, however. While Apple did later introduce an airline power supply, it had many short comings such as the inability to charge your battery while in use. Further, there was no DC adapter for cars which more of us will use than the EmPower ports found usually only in First and Business class of most commercial airlines.
So here we are, a year later and one more laptop line that carries this great power port but still no fix to Apple’s portable power solution. Enter the heroics of Mikegyver! Mikegyver has taken off-the-shelf product and converted it to work with Apple’s MagSafe power port on both the MacBook and MacBook Pro lines. Further, the professionally modified power supplies will charge your battery while using your Mac as well as work in cars! What else could one want? How about two different versions? Both will power your Mac laptop in a car and plane while the modified Kensington All-in-one adapter will plug into a AC wall outlet.
Now Mikey’s stuff ain’t cheap. This apparently is rocket science since Apple hasn’t even come up with a solution for this problem and those lab coats Mike wears in the lab while creating his solution costs some money. So, prepare yourself. The top of the line Kensington All-in-one adapter is going to cost you $229.95. Gulp. Okay, the next one down will only set you back $139.95 (on sale from the $165.00 price.) If you return your Apple supplied power adapter, then you can get one for $75.00. Remember, Apple doesn’t just sale these MagSafe cables at the Apple Store, so Mike’s got to buy the entire AC plug to make his magic work. That coupled with the cost of the other devices he’s purchasing makes things a bit pricey. Plus Mike deserves kudos in the form of greenbacks for his hard work. Heck, Mike’s such a nice guy that he even gives you instruction how to do this all yourself! What a man!
If you find yourself on a plane or out in the middle of no where often in your vehicle, then you’re going to want to look at Mikegyver’s site long and hard and visit his store. Many other happy customers have.