Beatles remasters heading to USB

By Andre Paine

LONDON (Billboard) - The Beatles remasters are coming out on a limited-edition apple-shaped USB drive in time for Christmas, marking the first time the Fab Four's catalog has officially been sold as digital files separate from the CDs.

The USB version of all the albums will be released on December 7 in the U.K. and December 8 in North America. The USB is available for pre-order at the online Beatles store, priced at $279.99.

Limited to 30,000 units, the 16GB USB features 14 Beatles stereo releases as well as all of the remastered CDs' visual elements, including 13 mini-documentary films about the studio albums, replicated original U.K. album art, rare photos and expanded liner notes.

A specially designed Flash interface has been installed, and audio and visual contents will be provided in FLAC 44.1 Khz 24 bit and MP3 320 Kbps formats. The content is fully compatible with Mac and PC.

Vinyl versions of the reissues are expected soon. The Beatles reissued their albums on CD worldwide on September 9.

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