Stuck at the Airport? Airline passengers in Italy are the first being able to download music from EMI artists on the go as MEDIAnywhere's music download kiosks have opened for business in Italy's Fiumicino airport. The international airport in Rome has become the first to feature the kiosk, with many more of Europe's major airports soon to follow.
The kiosk, designed by British company MEDIAnywhere and packed with titles from EMI Music, allows music lovers to download on the go as they wait for their plane.
Unaffected by synchronisation limitations, consumers are able to download directly to their player without their existing music library being affected, and then later load the content back up to their PC. All you need to do is plug in your digital device, be it an iPod, MP3 player, mobile phone or USB device, and choose what you want to listen to.
The "music as you go" kiosks are stylish by design and are equipped with touch screens and easy to use interfaces.
"The MEDIAnywhere kiosks are a convenient for music lovers to get the music they want when they are out and about, without the need to be at their PC." said Graeme Rogan, Head of Digital Sales, EMI Music UK.
MEDIAnywhere expects to open another 350 kiosks in 26 European airports within the next two years, allowing consumers easy access to entertainment content and information. Fiumicino, which sees millions of travelers pass through its gates every year, will have 24 kiosks located in its departure lounges.
"The kiosks are the next step in the future of downloading," said Maxim Ivanov, the head of MEDIAnywhere, "Quick, accessible and easy to use, it is the simplest way to get digital music onto your player. As passengers now stock up on books and newspapers before getting on a plane, now they can fill up their player with the freshest music."
According to a 2008 IFPI report, more than 140 portable digital music players were sold last year worldwide. If you're amongst the buyers - soon you won't get bored easily at the airport anymore.
