New service takes music from radio to iPod

COLUMBIA, Md. Music fans who want an easy way to remember and purchase tunes they hear on the radio will now have the help of a new, free service called "iTunes Tagging." Created by Apple and iBiquity Digital, along with major radio broadcasting groups, iTunes Tagging enables consumers using HD Radio receivers that have been equipped with a special Tag button, to "tag" songs that they hear on the FM dial for subsequent purchase via iTunes.

"iTunes tagging takes music discovery on the radio to the next level," said Greg Joswiak, Apple's vp of iPod product marketing. "When a song plays on your HD Radio that you like, a simple push of a button will tag it and later give you the chance to preview, purchase, and enjoy it with iTunes and your iPod."

According to the companies, several major broadcasters will implement iTunes Tagging, initially across hundreds of stations. Additional stations and broadcast groups are expected to join soon, with a formal announcement of participating groups planned for later this year at the NAB Radio convention, Sept. 26 - 28.