So, it appears that Apple has caved in to the criticism, further illustrating that their approval system is all kinds of messed up. All that aside, I'm just happy it's on it's way. [Twitter]

The apps looks like everything that Web 2.0 was promised to be for musicians, wrapped up in an incredibly slick package. The app seamlessly combines streaming music with custom playlists; a Twitter-like social network within Nine Inch Nail's own network (that's location-aware, so you can look up where messages came from in Google Earth on your desktop); fan-submitted images and media from every NIN concert ever (also location tagged); and of course, an iPhone-friendly version of the website within the app.

It sounds a lot like the future of music in a box, if you ask me. The reason he was able to build this, and you don't see something like it coming from the mainstream industry, he says, is that "anyone who's an executive at a record label does not understand what the internet is, how it works, how people use it, how fans and consumers interact - no idea."

The app will be free should go live in the next couple of days after it gets final approval from Apple. They're already working on Version 2.0 for iPhone 3.0, which will include Google Maps integration and Push notification.

Also, if you didn't know already, he's on Twitter, and actually writes his own tweets, unlike some celebrities. [Underwire]

Concert on September 2nd (5:27 in):

Concert on August 20th (1:04 in):

[Amy Randazzo's Flickr and the NIN Hotline]

Free
Ghosts I: The first nine tracks from the Ghosts I-IV collection as DRM-free MP3s, plus 40-page PDF.

$5
Ghosts I-IV: All 36 tracks in a variety of digital formats, plus a 40-page PDF.

$10
A double-disc set, packaged in a Digipak with a 16-page booklet, and immediate download of album. Ships April 8.

$75
Deluxe edition of Ghosts I-IV in a "hardcover fabric slipcase containing two audio CDs, one data DVD with all tracks in multi-track format, immediate download of album, and a Blu-Ray disc of Ghosts I-IV. Ships May 1.

$300
The "ultra-deluxe limited edition package" is basically the deluxe edition with immediate download, plus a four-LP set on 180-gram vinyl, packaged in a fabric slipcase. Two limited-edition Giclee prints are included; package is numbered and signed by Trent Reznor. Limited to a run of 2500, and one piece per customer. Ships May 1.
[Ghosts via Idolator]

The gist of all the suits against YouTube is that, because it doesn't pro-actively take down or automatically block copyrighted content, it effectively doesn't fall under the DMCA's safe harbor provisions. If Universal, Trent's former record label, hosts a site where a fan pulls a Danger Mouse with Year Zero and Prince's 1999, which Universal doesn't own, they think they'll be opening themselves to the same blasts they're pelting YouTube with. Then their lawsuit would be in jeopardy, and you can't have that.

Trent's thoughts:

While I am profoundly perturbed with this stance as content owners continue to stifle all innovation in the face of the digital revolution, it is consistent with what they have done in the past. So... we are challenged at the last second to find a way of bringing this idea to life without getting splashed by the urine as these media companies piss all over each other's feet. We have a cool and innovative site ready to launch but we're currently scratching our heads as to how to proceed.

Nine Inch Nails Trent Reznor applauded Radiohead for their courage in going forward with the new business model, but he believes that that the low numbers could be partially due to problems with their execution. Problems he hopes to overcome by offering customers the option of paying nothing or $5 for Saul Williams' new album The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of NiggyTardust, which he produced. If customers want the free version, they will have to settle for a 192kbps MP3 bitrate which might lure audiophiles to pony up some cash for the 320kbps MP3 or FLAC lossless version. So will a new approach help or are music fans just hopelessly cheap? Only time will tell. [Crave]

While he kind of dodged the question in the famed interview he revealed he was a former OiNK member, this feels like a pointer toward where the release of the next NIN album is heading. I'd still prefer a physical CD, personally, but this kind of digital release I can get behind—the price and the format are right. The rest of the industry would do well to pay close attention to how this turns out—or not, and simply follow suit. [Niggy Tardust]

If two of the biggest acts in the industry can see the digital writing on the wall and totally embrace it—that the old way of doing business is broken—why can't the labels? What Radiohead and NIN are showing is that the business model "of the future" feared by entrenched interests isn't arriving some time in the horizon. It's touching down now. [NIN, Flickr]

They've all been 320 kbps MP3, DRM-free and widely distributed. Of course, the RIAA had a conniption, even though it's an official NIN viral promotion, pretty much proving our point. We're up to four tracks out right now, so who knows if more are coming. Nonetheless, it seems like a better way to deal with album leaks than suing the pants off of people and their grandmothers. – Matt Buchanan

Nine Inch Nails [Idolator]
Gizmodo's RIAA boycott [Gizmodo]
Year Zero summary [ETS]