Media player for distribution of music samples

A media player, comprising:

• a programmed processor;
• a media player application running on the programmed processor to enable a user to play content;
• a user interface for the media player;
• an icon, forming a part of the user interface, that when selected causes the media player application to launch an email application and send a sample of the content from a sender to a recipient.

A media player, comprising:

• a programmed processor;
• a media player application running on the programmed processor to enable a user to play a music selection;
• a user interface for the media player;
• an icon, forming a part of the user interface, that when selected causes the media player application to launch an email application, generate an email message, create a sample of the music selection, attach the sample of the music selection to the email, and send the email and the attached music sample to a selected recipient;
• wherein the selected recipient is a recipient selected from a plurality of potential recipients;
• wherein, the music sample comprises a computer file containing a compressed music sample and a link to a source for purchase of a product containing a representation of the music sample;
• wherein the sample is created by:
• selecting a starting point a predetermined time from the start of the music selection as the start of the segment,
• selecting a stopping point a predetermined time from the start of the segment, and
• compressing data between starting point and the stopping point using by applying a fidelity reducing compression technique;
• and
• wherein if the recipient makes a purchase from the source, an affinity credit is awarded to the sender.

An electronic storage medium containing instructions which, when executed on a programmed processor, carry out a method of transmitting a content sample from within the media player, comprising:

• playing a content selection;
• upon receipt of a command from a user, launching an email application from within the media player;
• generating an email message;
• attaching a sample of the content selection to the email;
• and
• sending the email and the attached content sample to a recipient.