Pono (digital music service)
 |
|
| Pricing model | $9.99–$24.99 (expected, per album) |
|---|---|
| Platforms |
OS X, Windows, online |
| Format | FLAC/WAV/DSD (192k/24 bit to 44.1/16 bit lossless) |
| Restrictions | Unrestricted |
| Catalogue | Major labels and prominent independent labels |
| Streaming | No |
| Availability | January 5, 2015 |
| Features | Sync FLAC/WAV/DSD files to PonoPlayer |
| Website | www |
OS X,
Pono (/ˈpoʊnoʊ/, Hawaiian word for "proper") is a portable digital media player and music download service for high-resolution audio. It was developed by musician Neil Young and his company PonoMusic, which raised money for development and initial production through a crowd-funding campaign on Kickstarter. Production and shipments to backers started in October 2014, and shipments to the general public began in Q1 2015.
Pono's stated goal—to present songs "as they first sound during studio recording sessions", using "high-resolution" 24-bit 192 kHz audio instead of "the compressed audio inferiority that MP3s offer"—has received mixed reactions, with some describing Pono as a competitor to similar music service such as HDtracks, but others doubting its potential for success.
Writing in his book Waging Heavy Peace, Young expressed concern about digital audio quality, criticizing in particular the quality offered by Apple's iTunes Store. "My goal is to try and rescue the art form that I've been practicing for the past 50 years," he said.
Young is the Founder of Pono Music. In September 2012, Young appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman with a prototype of the player, and reported backing from major record labels Warner, Sony, and Universal, with a full agreement with Warner.
...
Wikipedia