How we miss the mixtape

Following news that it would launch a music component where bands can showcase songs and sell music, Facebook has found an ally in iTunes.

Facebook's new music service enables bands to sell tickets and merch via Music Today. Tracks can also be streamed, with links to iTunes where users can purchase songs directly.

Users can now become fans of artists, whose music can be rated and reviewed. 100 artists have created a profile, including Coldplay, the Dave Matthews Band, Gnarls Barkley and The Decemberists, PC World reports.

From inception, MySpace has positioned itself as the de facto spot for bands to self-promote. Artists can list tours and sell tracks through its liaison with SnoCap. MySpace is currently preparing a potential iTunes competitor called MySpace Music.

But Facebook may gain fast on that position with helping hands — not just from iTunes or Music Today, but also from its active third-party developer community.

In February, music service iLike — which disseminates apps across Facebook — launched a news feed that tells fans what their favorite artists are doing. Updates include gigs, tour dates and the release of new songs or videos.