2008: The year iTunes died?
Ha, I knew that headline would catch your attention. iTunes won't die this year, but there's a good chance rival .mp3 vendors Amazon and Napster will take a big bite out of the Apple. (Hardy har-har.)
Napster, of course, just announced its plans to shift its online inventory to the DRM-free.mp3 format. (Amazon switched over last year.) eMusic is another company that comes to mind. And now, the labels are in on it too. Recently, Sony BMG announced plans to sell its catalog in the format, making it the last major label to switch over.
Let's be honest. iTunes is simple and easy to use, especially as many people who listen to mp3s use an iPod. But would you really make the switch to buying your music through something other than iTunes? What do you think?
Marketers: Does this throw a wrench into your plans? Is the marketing world irreversibly on the iTunes/Apple bandwagon?
Let's be honest. iTunes is simple and easy to use, especially as many people who listen to mp3s use an iPod. But would you really make the switch to buying your music through something other than iTunes? What do you think?
Marketers: Does this throw a wrench into your plans? Is the marketing world irreversibly on the iTunes/Apple bandwagon?
Comments
yeah you did catch my attention, but I'm less likely to come back next time now I know you use sensationalist headlines.
Now thats marketing inspiration!
Most people who listen to mp3s do not use an ipod.
people will be very fickle when it comes to where they buy their mp3s from, after all its very easy to import into iTunes.
Posted by: pius | January 8, 2008 8:33 PM
>But would you really make the switch to buying your music through something other than iTunes?
In a heartbeat. Anyone who is offering the ease-of-use of iTunes without DRM gets my business and my recommendation.
Posted by: Michael Gier | January 9, 2008 9:41 AM
Michael, Pius - I agree. You may see a switch, especially as many iPod users can figure out how to drag and drop their music into iTunes. It's pretty basic stuff.
Posted by: Daniel | January 9, 2008 10:22 AM
"would you really make the switch to buying your music through something other than iTunes?"
Already have. I REALLY dislike the proprietary crud that Apple puts you through and with the wonderful invention of Floola you can utilize, add, delete and organize, your iPod without messing with the nightmare that is iTunes.
Posted by: Annette | January 9, 2008 9:01 PM
"Most people who listen to mp3s do not use an ipod. " ???
I think this was a typo...
Cause anywhere outside of the swapmeets almost everyone is using iPods...
I don't really buy much off of iTunes, but if I buy music it will be off of iTunes...
Besides, you can always burn the mp3s and re-rip them to have infinite use of them for free...
Very interesting dialog...
peace...
Posted by: Cyrus Jackson | January 9, 2008 11:16 PM
Annette -
You know, I used to have a Creative Zen Xtra. The actual mp3 player was wonderful, but the software that came along with it was a bit cumbersome. After having it for more than a year, I made the switch over to the iPod, and it's treated me well. (Although I buy music through third-parties, etc.)
Cyrus - Agreed. But Pius had a point: lots of people outside of the U.S. use media phones with mp3 functions. Think Samsung, LG, Sony, etc.
Posted by: Daniel | January 10, 2008 7:27 AM
no typo.
of course, I was talking globally. theres not just the mp3 capable phones but the mp3 competitors - iriver, samsung, creative etc, and now the psp sized mini computers / media players, PDAs etc.
a couple of years ago the ipod had a 30% market share globally. I very much doubt that they have broken 50%, but I dont have the figures so feel free to prove me wrong.
Posted by: pius | January 10, 2008 10:39 PM