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Accompanying the launch are Panasonic's new wristwatch-sized MP3 players the SVMP120 and SVMP110 (pictured). The SVMP120VK is priced at £129, has 512 MB of memory, a 4-line LCD, supports MP3 and WMA playback and has an FM Tuner. Panasonic claims 18 hours of playback from one AAA battery. The SV-MP110 is similar but has 256 MB of memory and is priced at £99.98

For an initial period of ten days tracks on Music Stream will be available for 49p , thereafter they will be 79p, the same as Apple's iTMS charges. Individual streams are available at a penny a go.

Loudeye is the Seattle-based company that bought OD2 in June 2004 and whose technology powers a number of music services (mycokemusic.com, Tiscali Music Club, Ministry Of Sound and Virgin Downloads) and European ISPs or portals (Wanadoo and MSN). It operates similar

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services in the US.

A spokesperson for Loudeye said its full catalogue would be available to the service, but exact details are not being disclosed. It has agreements with the five major labels (Sony, BMG, Universal, EMI and Warner Music) and over a million tracks.

'This is a very exciting deal for us and breaks new ground for our partners, as one of the largest consumer electronics companies in the world deploys a customized music store on our platform,' said Philip Shepherd, Loudeye Head of Strategic Partnerships for EMEA. 'This service will offer the first complete end-to-end service powered by Loudeye enabling consumers to buy both hardware and legitimate downloads from the same site.'

It's a Microsoft flavoured service. To access Panasonic Music Stream you need a PC with Windows 98, ME, 2000 or XP, and also IE and Windows Media Player (version 7.0 or above). The DRM (digital rights management) is based on Windows Media Player 9 Series.

Back in August 2004 - Nokia spurns Apple in bid for share of mobile music market - Nokia signed up with Loudeye to work on a global music service for mobile networks and phones.

Motorola, of course - by contrast - has cut a deal with Apple to use its iTunes software on phones that will be available in the next month or so.

What are your thoughts about the Panasonic service and 49p downloads? Leave a comment via the link below.