Free Internet radio service Pandora just launched an Adobe Air desktop client (Windows and OS X). At first blush, I wasn’t so impressed - the visual footprint is rather large, so why not just leave Pandora running in a Firefox tab? Kevin Tofel asked how it runs minimized (or hidden), and I discovered a nice little contextual menu making the app worthwhile. While I generally listen to XM Online these days, I’d likely visit Pandora more frequently if they include ‘next track’ and volume adjustment menu items.

In what can only be described as an amazing irony, AP is reporting that Napster will begin offering its complete catalog of over 6 million music tracks in DRM-free (aka unprotected) MP3 format.

All four major music labels, along with countless indie labels, are represented in the store. Add to this that every track will be available at 99 cents! This in my opinion is the equivalent of the music industries final acceptance that their old business structure is dead. It’s about time…

At first glance, Napster’s store isn’t very well done. And add to that the fact that their $13/month subscription model for all-you-can-rent music is their main business. Still, it’s the fact that the music industry has gone full circle on DRM music that is somewhat amazing to me.

While we’re on the topic of digital music, I wonder why people are still buying DRM’d tracks when there are DRM free tracks available? I’m purchasing all of my tracks from Amazon right now because they are DRM-Free. iTunes won’t get any more of my business until they’re more competitive in DRM-Free digital music offerings.

Check out more of Brent’s reflections on tech, gadgets, software and media at Brent Evans Geek Tonic.

We finally hooked up the JVC KD-HDR1 in my husband’s car (okay, Tweeter hooked it up), and I filmed a quick Flip video showing the device’s add-on iPod module. Very few after-market car stereos include HD radio and an iPod connector that lets you not only listen to you iPod through through the car speakers, but also control the iPod through the dash. The JVC device is great, but unfortunately iPod navigation with a four-button interface still leaves much to be desired. My advice: get the KD-HDR1, then store some playlists and memorize the button clicks you need to get to those music tracks. I wouldn’t want to be fiddling with up, down, left, right while driving.

Still haven’t toyed much with the HD radio options, but I was pleasantly surprised to discover how much HD content there is on the radio dial. I’ll have to start tracking what new stations (not already broadcast in analog) are available in the Philly market in HD.

I’ve been living with the Slacker Portable device for about six weeks now and have accumulated a slew of thoughts/insights/revelations on what I like and don’t like about the music player. In case you’re really ADD or just don’t have the time to read the details, here’s the bottom line: the functionality of the Slacker Portable is phenomenal, and far outweighs the hardware and software quirks that come along with it.

First, if you’ve never used the Slacker service online, go check it out. It’s like other customizable Internet radio applications (Last.fm, Pandora), but the personalization tools are particularly flexible and produce great results. So far, having a Slacker Portable is just like carrying the online application around in my pocket, and I don’t need a constant broadband connection.

Like Slacker’s online service, you can use the Slacker Portable to create custom Internet radio stations, or select from DJ-derived stations based on genre. It comes with built-in Wi-Fi, which you can use to transfer station content to the device any time you’re in range of an open wireless network. (No feature yet to enable connections to password-protected networks) In a brilliant move, the Slacker folks let you pre-load your device with stations from your online account when you order it. This is nice because otherwise the first-time download of music via Wi-Fi takes hours. Content refreshes are much faster.

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Today’s question, via IM, wonders how to handle the death of a car stereo. Though, it’s not quite so simple — Both the CD player and line-in jack still work, so they’ve been considering a satellite radio add-on. They don’t have a problem with the monthly fee but, upon quizzing, it seems clear they’re not interested in the extra cable clutter (power, antenna, line-in) a plug & play unit adds. My suggestion to upgrade their 1999 ride to a newer model with standard satellite radio and airbags didn’t go over so well… So given only passing interest in satellite, they should probably just restore terrestrial radio via an inexpensive in-dash unit from Crutchfield.

I’m still waiting on the free WiFi, but in the meantime Starbucks is offering complimentary iTunes.

In my old age, I’ve become much more selective in the conference schwag I choose to fly home with…

At the Sprint press event featuring Samsung, I performed a Rock Band guitar duet with NPD analyst Ross Rubin and all attendees left with a stereo Bluetooth headset (MSRP $80). I’m not sure how MagicJack makes money selling their VoIP device at only $40 a pop with unlimited US calling, but I was willing to take a review unit as I’m still searching for the right voice solution. Once I’m done checking these out, we’ll give them away here on the site.

On the software side, a Yahoo booth minion updated my Nokia N95 to Yahoo! Go 3. And the Fring folks convinced me I need their multi-IM client for mobiles, which includes voice chat. (Both are free.)

Lastly, while I can’t say the in-booth oxygen or alcohol bars do much for me, I appreciated Real’s blue M&Ms around lunch time. Cisco was also there in my time of need when I grabbed a Linksys pen in passing.