Google also pointed to a possible music store and iTunes-like organization app, for both PCs and of course Android devices.  Now, more details and speculation are emerging on those plans.  C|Net contends that a launch is likely by fall, citing label sources.  That could include both downloads and on-demand streams, despite sluggish demand across both areas.  Sounds like a yawner, expect that Google could offer incredible integration into its search results, further building upon its earlier, ‘Onebox’ launch.

Sounds a bit unscientific, though official numbers from Apple will clear the speculation. But instead of shortages and total inventory blowouts, Munster pointed to available stock. “As of 7:30PM ET on Saturday night (4/3), 19 of 20 stores we called still had availability of all models, which is a positive for first day sales given Apple was able to fulfill most demand,” Munster wrote in a research note. Most Apple Stores were closed on Sunday for Easter, and the iPad officially hits stores on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the number of iPad apps is already topping 3,122, according to Mobclix. Of those, 80 percent are paid.

Either way, the BusinessWeek report strongly suggests that Spotify is internally mapping a third-quarter jump. But licensing remains a tricky and time-consuming game, and a source of frustration for both the company and industry onlookers. Deserved or not, the drag is giving majors another dinosaur brush, though executives like Edgar Bronfman are clearly not playing a popularity game.

That was boosted by iTunes, now 60 percent of the total Orchard share. That is up 5 percent year-over-year, though contributions from most formats remained largely steady.

Operating losses were trimmed by layoffs, perhaps standard order for any company these days. Expenses totaled $4.5 million during the period, from $5.7 million previously. Still, that could not prevent a net loss of $0.3 million, on par with the same period of 2008. On a yearly basis, the losses compounded to $17.8 million, broader than year-2008 losses of $2.3 million.

The results reflect the tough environment facing independent digital distributors. The digital pie just refuses to ramp aggressively, and that is intensifying an already-competitive space for the Orchard. The situation is also reflected within the low-hanging valuations surrounding ORCD, though majority owner Dimensional Associates is now consolidating its shares and retreating from the Nasdaq exchange.

Amazon debuted its Daily Deal feature in June 2008, and has more recently been asking labels for a one-day exclusive on sales before an album’s official release date, as well as label marketing support for the Daily Deal on an artist’s website and social media pages, the head of sales at a major label told Billboard.

“When that happened, iTunes said, ‘Enough of that shit,’” the executive said.

Due to Apple’s pressure, sources told Billboard that label executives had decided not to promote recent releases from Lady Antebellum and Ke$ha as Amazon Daily Deals.

Authored by Mark Hefflinger