Some of the key people who were behind the creation of the popular MP3 format have unveiled a new music file format called MusicDNA, according to the BBC. The new format is capable of storing updatable lyrics, videos, artwork and blog posts, as well as the music itself.
Created by Norwegian developer Dagfinn Bach, who worked on the first MP3 player, the new format is already set to be used by British record company Beggars Group as well as US label Tommy Boy. However, no major music labels are currently set to adopt the new format which will dynamically update every time the user connects to it.
MusicDNA will also find itself in competition with Apple"s iTunes LP format, which also includes similar additional features.
"We can deliver a file that is extremely searchable and can carry up to 32GB of extra information in the file itself. And it will be dynamically updatable so that every time the user is connected, his file will be updated," Bach said at the Midem music conference
German researcher Karlheinz Brandenburg, who was behind the creation of the MP3 and is an invester in MusicDNA, said, "I think it brings together a number of ideas that have been around for a long time.
"I remember 10 years ago, a lot of people were saying that we need to enrich the user experience, that legal access to music has to give the customers more than just music, and this is certainly one very nice way to do it."
A beta version of MusicDNA will be launching this spring, with a full release expected by the end of the summer.