Brandon Live!

Actually, URGE is awesome.  I still think they should fix the authorization the way I described.  But I don’t even think it will be a big problem for me.

Why?  This is the first service where I don’t feel like I actually need to download the tracks.  The library integration in WMP 11 is so damn good and the instant search-as-you-type is brilliant.  So far the selection seems better than any of the other stores.  I’ve already found tracks I couldn’t find on Yahoo, Napster, or iTunes.

Plus I’m really digging the “Acoustic Chill” radio station.  It’s the sort of “radio station” that you can hit “skip” if you don’t like a song.  So it’s really just an on-the-fly playlist being streamed to you.  But I like it a lot.  The whole experience just rocks.  So I’m cancelling Napster and I’m going to pay for URGE when my 14-day trial is up. 

My URGE wishlist:

1)  Higher bit-rate streams.  Right now downloads are 192kbps WMA, which is great.  But the streams are 128kbps, which encourages me to still download stuff when it feels like I really shouldn’t have to.

2)  The authorization/activation fixes I outlined in my earlier post about Napster.

After way too long a hiatus, theys is back!

Also, don’t forget HAPPY FIREWORKS.