Much the way Webkinz pets are more than just stuffed animals, so t-shirts can be more than just t-shirts when they forge links to the online world. The conversation-starters offered by Reactee, Shyno and Augme are one type of example; now bringing a new purpose to such connections comes The Music Tee, a shirt that gives wearers the right to free music downloads.

The new offering from Invisible DJ and fashion house LnA features album art on the front of the t-shirt and a list of tracks on the back. Included on a separate hang tag, meanwhile, are a URL and a unique code that can be used to download one copy of each of the tracks printed on the shirt. The first such unisex tee features an eclectic compilation of artists from around the world, curated by Invisible DJ; with 14 tracks, it's priced at USD 60. The second Music Tee—due to become available on July 7—features The Ecstatic by Mos Def. With 16 tracks, it costs USD 39. Both are available exclusively at Ron Herman and LNAclothing.com.

Band t-shirts have long given fans a way to visibly proclaim their musical taste, but bundling with downloads adds an extra incentive for consumers to buy, and at a considerably higher price. Indeed, the OFF=ON connection is giving companies in industries far and wide new ways to connect with customers—not to mention new revenue streams. How about your brand...? (Related: Premium concert tickets come with free love — Indie download cards — Music by Groove Armada, distribution by Bacardi.)

Website: www.lnaclothing.com/musictee
Contact: info@invisibledj.com

Spotted by: Judy McRae

Two years ago, we covered a few mobile services that help users find the nearest public restroom. Focusing instead on when to go, RunPee is a web-based service and soon-to-be mobile app that maps out loo-break moments for popular movies.

Users can choose from an extensive list of movies currently in theatres, and a few classics like Aliens and Star Wars. A time graph of the film indicates when it's safe to disappear for a minute or two. The website lists a cue line to listen for, and the approximate amount of time before something important happens. For those who want to find out what they missed, a box of scrambled text can be clicked on to reveal what was missed. The site will also note if there's a scene after the credits, so movie-goers don't run out of the cinema before the film is actually over.

Anyone can contribute suggested break times to the listed films, which as they say, makes RunPee a Wiki-pee-dia of sorts. (Sorry…) An iPhone application is currently awaiting approval from Apple, meaning weak-bladdered users will soon be able to check in from the theatre. Which is, of course, where the concept shines. One for drinks manufacturers to sponsor, encouraging sales of 48-ounce colas?

Website: www.runpee.com
Contact: polygeek@runpee.com

Spotted by: Susanna Haynie

We’ve all received greetings cards that, upon opening, play a stripped down rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’. California-based GreetBeatz is here to personalize that concept and bring it into the 21st century by way of Facebook.

GreetBeatz allows users to commission songs for their online friends. Customers provide details of their friend via an online form, which then appear in a custom song produced by a member of GreetBeatz' network of performers. Around 5 days later, the end result appears on the recipient’s Facebook wall for all to enjoy. A two-minute song with a few words of customization can be commissioned at no cost, while fully-customized ditties are available for USD 9.95 for 60–90 seconds and USD 49.95 for longer songs. A wide range of sample tracks can be heard on GreetBeatz' website, and they're surprisingly catchy and funny.

We’ve spotted related endeavours before, including TailoredMusic.com’s love songs and Faux Show’s personalised radio shows, but this is the first time we’ve seen made-to-order audio tributes that are seamlessly integrated with Facebook, which should help the concept spread with minimal marketing investment. Interesting opportunity for singing sellsumers, too: GreetBeatz is currently seeking independent artists to handle the incoming flow of commissions.

Website: www.greetbeatz.com
Contact: support@greetbeatz.com

Spotted by: Stas Zlobinski

Remove the lead vocals from a hit song, and you've got the makings for karaoke. Erase a lead actor from a popular film, and you've got the idea behind Yoostar.

Yoostar is a new technology that includes all the tools consumers need to digitally insert themselves in the place of original lead actors in famous movies and television shows. Included in the USD 170 system—slated to become available in July—are a studio-grade web cam with built-in dual microphones and remote control, portable green screen, professional stand, and Yoostar software that is PC- and Mac-compatible. Yoostar’s patented Active Immersion Technology begins by digitally removing original actors from iconic Hollywood scenes, creating clips with roles that need to be filled. Among the films to be available, for example, are “The Godfather,” “The Terminator” and "Psycho," thanks to Yoostar's partnerships with Paramount Pictures, Universal Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Warner Bros., Lions Gate Films, the NBA and “Sesame Street.” The system will ship with an assortment of such clips featuring 38 different roles, and more will be available for purchase and download from Yoostar's continuously updated library of film, television and NBA moments.

Once they choose the role they'd like to play, consumers will simply step between the camera and the green screen, get in the character's position and start filming. They can deliver faithful, on-script performances or choose their own interpretations; the number of takes is unlimited, ensuring that the user gets exactly the performance they want before wrapping the scene. In addition to recording scenes to their Mac or PC for local viewing, users can also upload and share them on Yoostar's site, where content is available for viewing, rating and competition. In true social networking fashion, user profiles, communities of friends, and embeddable players and widgets will all be available.

If there's anything the prolific members of Generation C(ontent) love more than creating their own content, it's giving well-known content a spin of their own. Could this lead to the discovery of the silver screen's own Susan Boyle? Only time will tell. Meanwhile, following its July 1 release online, the Yoostar system will become available through retailers on Aug. 24; might be a good idea to be one of them. ;-) (Related: Tuning in to a personalized radio tribute — Online auditions for a crowdsourced movie.)

Website: www.yoostar.com
Contact: info@yoostar.com

Spotted by: Judy McRae

It's an increasingly mobile world out there, and a new service aims to help music bands large and small get in on the action. Specifically, Mobile Roadie lets artists quickly create their own iPhone applications to connect with fans on the go.

Bands simply register their basic account information and choose a name for their application; they are then assigned a unique URL for their app's dashboard. Mobile Roadie then creates their application, causing it to appear in Apple's App Store and on the iPhone or iPod Touch of any fan who downloads it. From then on, artists can use the application's content management system to share news, photos, videos and song notes, for example, and to stream music for fans to sample and then buy through a direct link to the iTunes Store. The customisable platform also allows bands to integrate their social networking profiles within the application, while a fan wall allows listeners to interact, participate and have their say. Mobile Roadie was created by Los Angeles-based agency Fluidesign. Pricing is USD 399 to set up the app and then USD 29 per month for up to 1,000 fans; each additional fan costs 1 cent per month.

There's no doubt mobile applications are increasingly the way to reach young, hip consumers. Make it easy and inexpensive for organizations of all kinds to do that—preferably with some niche customisation—and you'll soon be listening to the sweet tunes of success! ;-) (Related: Adidas creates free iPhone guide to Berlin's street art — Photographer launches iPhone-only style mag.)

Website: www.mobileroadie.com
Contact: help@mobileroadie.com

Spotted by: Miriam Brafman

We've seen several companies already that allow consumers to help sell the music of their favourite bands—with rewards each time they do—and now a new contender out of Australia is giving them a way to promote upcoming concerts as well.

Music fans begin by registering for free with Posse and choosing from among the list of gigs with tickets for sale. They add the ones they like to their personal store and then put the ads or links to those concerts on their MySpace or Facebook pages, in their email signature, or on Twitter or any other website. Each time someone clicks through one of their ads or links and buys a ticket (Ticketmaster handles all sales), the consumer earns a commission of 5 percent, payable 14 days after the event has taken place. Once they've reached a level of AUD 5 or more, they can get paid into their PayPal account.

Currently, Posse is open only to Australian consumers 14 and older, but we're pretty sure members of Generation C(ash) in all parts of the world will relish the opportunity to get paid for promoting the bands they already love. Still in beta, Posse says it aims to expand globally "very soon"—one to partner with in your neck of the music-loving woods? (Related: An online music store of one's own — Viral music sales through widgets — Payout time for SellaBand fans.)

Website: www.posse.com
Contact: info@posse.com

Just as Helen of Troy's face launched a thousand ships, so one might say Google Maps is inspiring the launch of a thousand new applications. Case in point: Tokyo Jogging, a new mashup of Wii technology and Google Maps that allows users to take a virtual jog through the streets of Tokyo.

Created by software engineer Ryo Katsuma, Tokyo Jogging functions much like Wii Sports Jogging. Users begin by downloading free server software from the site. They then connect their Wiimote to Google Maps' Street View, and hold the Wiimote while jogging in place in front of their computer. Google's Street View guides them along the streets of Tokyo, giving the impression of a brisk jog through the city. A video demonstrates the application in action.

There once was a day where online was on, offline was off, and never the twain did meet. Those days are gone! Today OFF=ON and ON=OFF, as our sister site likes to say, and riches await those who can make the most of the intersection. Read up, be inspired, and start some mashing up of your own! (Related: Online game focuses on real-world kindness.)

Website: www.tokyo-jogging.com
Contact: katsuma@gmail.com

Spotted by: Raymond Kollau

Two years ago Prince shook the music industry when he gave away free CDs to fans who purchased either the UK's Mail on Sunday newspaper or tickets to one of his shows. Picking up on that idea, American band No Doubt is doing something similar for those who buy top-tier tickets to one of the concerts in its summer tour.

Rather than just a single CD, however, No Doubt is giving away a free download of its entire digital audio catalogue, comprising more than 80 songs from the band's seven studio albums. Tickets for the tour, which kicks off May 2 in Atlantic City, went on sale earlier this month, and pricing varies with the venue. The free download offer applies only to top-ticket price levels, however—those priced higher than USD 42.50 before applicable ticketing-related fees. In addition to the band's past songs, the download will also include "Stand and Deliver," a brand-new song that will be performed for the first time in May.

There's no doubt the music industry is in transition, as it struggles to find a sustainable new model for the digital-music era. By zeroing in on premium-priced tickets, No Doubt takes Prince's model a notch higher and turns the music into a perk for top-paying fans. Free love is always good, but when it's reserved for your best customers, it can inspire brand love and come right back at you again! (Related: Travel company invites clients on planning trips — Hotel perks for Mercedes drivers — More luxury loos, now for members only — A layaway option for buying festival tickets.)

Website: www.nodoubt.com/news/default.aspx?nid=20646

Spotted by: Lieke Voermans

Although grabbing the set list from a favourite band's gig is like nabbing a trophy, not everyone can get their hands on that sweaty and smudged piece of paper. Which is why Setlist.fm was launched, a free wiki-site that allows users to upload and browse concert set lists.

The process is easy: users sign up, select an artist from the site's extensive database (or add in someone up-and-coming), input a venue, and then list the songs the artist played during that particular show. They're encouraged to add whatever they remember, relying on 'crowd memory' to fix errors and add missing songs. Once saved, a list is added to an archive of an artist's performances that also includes 'most played' statistics and links to live videos. Each user is given a personal page of the set lists they added or edited, as well as their comments and concert attendance statistics. Helping promote the site, a Setlist.fm widget is popular on music websites, and is also available for Facebook pages. Its pseudo-handwritten ink-on-paper format combines a sense of authenticity with the convenience of a digital database.

Launched in September 2008, Setlist.fm's current database consists mainly of recent concerts, although there's nothing to stop enthusiasts from listing shows dating back to Bruce Springsteen's glory days. Developed in tiny Liechtenstein (first time we've covered a Liechtenstein business), ad-supported Setlist.fm has potential, thanks to its niche focus, savvy execution and reliance on user participation. (Related: Video dictionary with a wiki touch.)

Website: www.setlist.fm
Contact: info@setlist.fm

Spotted by: Lea

When actress Helen Mirren portrays the character Phèdre this summer in a London production of Jean Racine's tragic play by the same name, it won't be only attendees at the Royal National Theatre who get to watch. Rather, theatre lovers around the globe will have a chance to see the production on the silver screen at a cinema or arts centre near them.

Through its new NT Live initiative, which kicks off with this summer's production, the Royal National Theatre will film the Phèdre performance live and in high definition, then broadcast it via satellite to some 50 venues across the UK—for a potential audience of up to 10,000 in a single evening—along with 100 more in the US, Canada and Europe. In addition to the performance itself, remote audiences will be able to watch backstage footage and interviews with artists. In the UK, the National is working with the Picturehouse chain and a range of independent cinemas and arts centres; ticket prices will likely be GBP 10. The National Theatre aims to broadcast three additional productions during its NT Live pilot season, and they'll be chosen in advance to allow cameras greater freedom; ticket prices will be adjusted accordingly.

Much like the Met's broadcast efforts, which we covered back in 2007, the NT Live initiative promises to bring live theatre to countless audiences who might not otherwise see it. It's a sort of democratization of the arts—both financially and geographically—and it's very likely coming soon to a cineplex near you. Symphony orchestras: you're up next! ;-)

Website: www.nationaltheatre.org.uk
Contact: info@nationaltheatre.org.uk