The Concert Companion is the heldheld PDA that audiences may, in the future, be able to rent from orchestras, or might get free with special ticket deals. It gives real-time program notes, that change with the music — ongoing descriptions of whatever you're hearing at a given moment.

... Everybody, absolutely everybody, said that [the Concert Companion] made them listen harder. In fact, they often used expressions like "analytical listening," to describe what the device made them do, contrasting that with the more relaxed, less directed listening they'd normally do without it.

This could be an interesting idea. I know that I enjoy watching DVDs (for a flick that I've seen before and am familar with the story) and listening to the commentary track to learn what the directory/actor/writer was trying to get across or just the random trivia. It helps me get a better appreciation for the work as a whole. Perhaps similar information about a classical piece might help as well. Then again, I'm a bit of an info junkie.

Thanks to Greg for the tip.

-- Update --
The NY Times reports on this as well. Their take is that some people like it, others hate it. Which would make it just like every other electronic gadget ever made.