• by Gavin O'Malley  @mp_gavin, January 27, 2006

Because computer speakers are rarely designed to rock, Yahoo! Music has partnered with wireless equipment maker Linksys to market a co-branded gadget that streams online music files directly to stereo systems. The modem-like Wireless-G Music Bridge device, which now retails for $99.99, represents an ongoing effort by Yahoo! and its media and technology rivals to increase their presence in consumers' digital lives.

"Our content and our services are bigger than what most people associate with your typical computer experience," said Chris Allen, Yahoo! Music's head of product development.

The Wireless-G's are synchronized with Yahoo!'s Music Unlimited subscription service, which costs $4.99 per month or $6.99 per month for an annual subscription. While the devices can be adapted to receive audio output from other digital music services like Apple's iTunes, Linksys' software is most closely matched with Yahoo! Music, said a Linksys spokeswoman.

The gadgets--which can now be ordered online and should reach retailers soon--are packaged with a visible Yahoo! Music logo. Yahoo! and Linksys also plan to promote the product with a multi-platform marketing campaign, in which Yahoo! will offer a $20 rebate on the Wireless-G's when users subscribe to Yahoo! Music Unlimited for a year.

The Linksys deal comes on the heels of Yahoo!'s announcement earlier this month to transcend consumers' computer screens through a slew of partnerships and the launch of three new services--"Yahoo! Go Mobile," "Yahoo! Go TV," and "Yahoo! Go Desktop." New corporate partners included Intel, AT&T, Cingular, Nokia, and Motorola, among others. Starting later this year, the services are expected to enable users to access their Yahoo! accounts from mobile phones and TV sets.