DualDisc lets listeners have it both ways

Recording companies looking to wring more profits out of music sales are hoping to sell retailers on a new hybrid disc. On one side is standard CD audio; on the other, the enhanced sound, video and other media capabilities of a DVD.

The DualDisc was the focus of a rare united presentation by recording companies at gathering of music retailers last week. It comes at a time when some in the music industry are speculating whether music fans now devalue the 20-year-old CD in the face of the varied content available on DVDs.

Recording companies say the higher quality sound and multimedia data they can put on a DualDisc will produce better value for music fans.

While many labels have experimented with CD releases that included companion DVDs with concert footage, videos or other media, music executives tout the DualDisc as a more convenient and streamlined way to deliver both on a single disc that plays on standard CD and DVD players.

Several releases are planned nationwide beginning in October

Real cash, virtual property

Bidders interested in their own 6,000-acre paradise may want to consider Treasure Island. It has prime beach front property, a castle and a volcano.

Just don’t mind the assault robots.

Virtual property is indeed hot, and the online sci-fi game “Project Entropia” has begun accepting real cash bids for the island, part of the fictional planet Calypso.

The winning bidder gets the island along with the ability to tax players who want to hunt or mine on the property. The new owner also can sell 60 island lots worth about 300,000 Project Entropia Dollars — $30,000 in real money.

Released last year by Sweden-based MindArk PE AB, “Project Entropia” encourages gamers to buy and sell virtual items for real cash. About 150,000 people have registered to play. It’s technically free, but players can pay to gain status if they can’t spend 80 hours playing it.

Another game, “Second Life,” has offered private electronic land since January. Players have spent as much as $550 for an acre of premium “Second Life” real estate, but prices generally are in the $150 to $200 range, spokeswoman Robin Harper said.

Tomagotchi’s virtual girlfriend

She needs to be coddled with sweet talk and pampered with gifts, but you’ll never see her in the flesh. A Hong Kong company has developed a “virtual girlfriend” for new cell phones with video capability.

Artificial Life Inc.’s electronic love interest — sort of a Tamagotchi for adults — will appear as an animated figure on a telephone screen and respond by voice to text messages you send.

Fong said prices have yet to be determined.

If she’s neglected, “she’ll be unhappy and she won’t talk to you,” Fong added.

Calling the game “suitable for all ages,” Fong said the game won’t allow sexual interaction.