PPM WILL TRACK NET LISTENING: Arbitron will track Internet simulcast and HD radio multicast listening over the coming months for stations in PPM markets, according to a report in Inside Radio. That data is set to be released in August. According to the report, Arbitron has “identified 300 new platforms eligible for PPM encoding across the eleven markets where installation has begun. A third of those stations have been encoded.”

RAIN SUMMIT AGENDA ANNOUNCED: The “almost-final” version of the RAIN Las Vegas Summit agenda is in Kurt’s blog, on the front page. We’re looking forward to seeing you in Las Vegas!

DETAILS OF ARB/EDISON STUDY TO BE REVEALED IN ONLINE ‘WEBINAR’: The latest report in Arbitron/Edison Media’s “The Infinite Dial” series (previewed in RAIN here) will be reviewed in a free “webinar” this Wednesday, April 9 at 2pm ET. The study covers trends and demos for Internet radio, consumer awareness and interest in HD Radio, the latest in iPod’s impact on radio listening, and the impact of streaming video and social networks. “The Infinite Dial 2008: Radio’s Digital Platforms” webinar is free, but you must register to take part. Go here to sign up.

iTUNES NOW TOP U.S. MUSIC RETAILER: Apple’s climb to the top of the music retail world appears to have reached the summit. Ars Technica reports that an internal Apple e-mail shows that their iTunes store has topped Wal-Mart to take the #1 retail spot, only a few months after besting Best Buy at the opening of 2007. The full story, with a chart breaking down the rest of the field, is at Ars Technica.

FEATURES I WANT IN WINDOWS MOBILE: INTERNET RADIO: A blogger for Smartphone and PC Magazine has “a few seat-of-the-pants requests” for the new Windows Mobile 6.1 update, and one of them is better Internet radio access. Hal Goldstein, the blogger, writes, “There are already third party radio solutions solutions. TunIt.org Radio comes with 1600 well-organized U.S.presets which allowed me to find some of my favorite stations from other cities. (Finding and installing them can be a pain). Resco Radio doesn’t have nearly the number of pre-sets, but let’s you record.)” The post is here.

NEW SLACKER FEATURE IMPROVES WI-FI UPDATING: Wi-Fi management software called Devicescape Connect now works with Slacker portable Internet radio devices. This means users can connect and update their players via “captive portals” (public Wi-Fi hotspots that require the user to agree to “terms & conditions”), and the player can save and share Wi-Fi passwords to more easily connect all over town. The Slacker device doesn’t actually wirelessly “stream” its content — rather, it “updates” your stations on the player, allowing portability because it doesn’t need to connect to the Net until it’s time to update again. More in CNet’s Crave blog here.

RAIN DEVICE OF THE DAY: Coming in with a price tag under $200, the latest Net radio player from Grace to launch stateside is a solid bet according to a new review. CNN Money notes that it gets all of the standard features for a Wi-Fi player right, and even adds one some bonuses that make the device particularly attractive. “Favorite” menus that take you directly to your most visited podcasts and webcasts, including one hooked into the Reciva network, stand out. Read the full review here.

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