MP3 files allow users to download reasonably high-fidelity recordings off the Net and play them on PCs with special software. The format has attracted a huge following, especially among college students who use high-speed dorm connections to download the large files, but the recording industry has cried foul over the distribution of pirated MP3 cuts. Diamond Multimedia marketed the first portable MP3 player, the Rio, late last year after winning a fight with the recording industry. The device also acts as a digital audio recorder, for storing phone numbers and voice memos. The plan is simple.
Customers simply check a biller's Web site when notified or at regular intervals.
Customers pay online, saving postage or check-processing fees, and banks save on processing costs, because there is no paper to push. Among the companies competing to bring more billers online are the Checkfree Corporation, the industry leader so far, and Transpoint, a joint venture of Microsoft, First Data and Citigroup. A Scottsdale firm that makes accessories for video games says it is scrapping plans for a handgun because of the recent shootings at Colorado and Georgia schools. The site provides advice on caring for young kids and keeping them busy in healthy ways. It also offers scads of other links to useful sites.