Clark Howard's Tips

Sept. 18, 2008

Clark has yet another way for you to get all the music you want for free -- legally. The music business has been through a radical transformation thanks to technology. So many people think it's OK to steal music online because the major labels were arrogant Luddites who didn't initially embrace the MP3 movement. For the longest time, they preferred that you buy an overpriced CD.

Now the labels are wising up and are prepared to make unlimited free streaming songs available via MySpace Music. You'll also be able to access the tunes on a web-enabled phone and take them with you on the go for free.

MySpace Music will be monetized through advertising; through people actually buying downloads of songs they like; and eventually through sales of T-shirts, promotional items and concert tickets.

Clark's still waiting for Christa to tell him if he can access MySpace Music from his Kinoma-enabled cell phone! And do you remember Clark's discussion of SpiralFrog last year? Free legal music is no longer just an idea; it's the real deal.

Consumer advice courtesy of