Tuesday, August 17, 2004
Freedom of Music Choice
The battle between RealNetworks and Apple continues to intensify. Real has launched a music advocacy site called "Freedom of Music Choice" which calls for all digital music companies (although their logo seems like they're talking to one company in particular) to support open standards that give consumers a choice of where to buy their music.
In addition to this lobbying, the site also promotes the recent price cuts at the RealPlayer Music Store. Individual tracks are $.49 and full albums are $4.99 (Half of what iTunes charges). And, of course, the files will play on the iPod (which is what started all of this in the first place).
I still don't understand Apple's "closed system" approach to the iPod (actually, it's not limited to the iPod, but it's the only Apple product that actually has a strong share of its market). Other than supporting the elitist, us vs. the world mindset of most diehard Apple users, it really makes no sense.
Why shouldn't users be able to buy their music wherever they want to and then play it on their iPod? Seems like the more places the music is available, the more opportunity Apple has to cross-promote the iPod.
The battle between RealNetworks and Apple continues to intensify. Real has launched a music advocacy site called "Freedom of Music Choice" which calls for all digital music companies (although their logo seems like they're talking to one company in particular) to support open standards that give consumers a choice of where to buy their music.
In addition to this lobbying, the site also promotes the recent price cuts at the RealPlayer Music Store. Individual tracks are $.49 and full albums are $4.99 (Half of what iTunes charges). And, of course, the files will play on the iPod (which is what started all of this in the first place).
I still don't understand Apple's "closed system" approach to the iPod (actually, it's not limited to the iPod, but it's the only Apple product that actually has a strong share of its market). Other than supporting the elitist, us vs. the world mindset of most diehard Apple users, it really makes no sense.
Why shouldn't users be able to buy their music wherever they want to and then play it on their iPod? Seems like the more places the music is available, the more opportunity Apple has to cross-promote the iPod.
¶ 7:58 AM 
About Shawn Morton
Married father of 4, social media strategist at Nationwide, consumer electronics enthusiast, hair metal aficionado.
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