Poll: What is most important to you in future downloadable music services? [Archive]

Blaaze

Oct 28, 2003, 07:06 AM

although itms has a vast selection of artists and songs (now nearing 400,000?) , they still don't have some of my favorite bands.

as long as this occurs, people are still going to be downloading and sharing music illegally, and buy music occasionally on the side because it doesn't offer a complete solution for many

punter

Oct 28, 2003, 07:28 AM

you knew someone would mention it so it may as well be me:

International support.

I know why it's not there yet. But obviously it's the most important feature for me, because otherwise I can't use it!

irmongoose

Oct 28, 2003, 07:34 AM

Originally posted by punter
you knew someone would mention it so it may as well be me:

International support.

I know why it's not there yet. But obviously it's the most important feature for me, because otherwise I can't use it!

You took the words right out of my mouth.

Give ye the ability to buy, and ye shall buy. :confused:

irmongoose

Jerry Spoon

Oct 28, 2003, 07:34 AM

Not suprised that "more selection" has 50% of the vote so far. I'm sure everyone has a band or two that they're waiting for. I know some have lots based off of earlier comments.

Bear

Oct 28, 2003, 07:47 AM

Originally posted by Blaaze
although itms has a vast selection of artists and songs (now nearing 400,000?) , they still don't have some of my favorite bands.

as long as this occurs, people are still going to be downloading and sharing music illegally, and buy music occasionally on the side because it doesn't offer a complete solution for many When you find music missing that you are interested in, be sure to offer feedback to the store reqtuesting the missing artist or whatever.

Remember polite requests help.

mj_1903

Oct 28, 2003, 07:55 AM

International support please. :)

I have been living in America for 6 months and have used the iMS a vast number of times. I am dearly going to miss it when I move back to Australia.

It shouldn't be too hard for a country our size...at least not as hard as Europe.

Squire

Oct 28, 2003, 08:12 AM

Ditto on the international support idea. I don't know what I like and dislike about iTMS because I've not spent enough time in there. It's kind of like going to an Apple store when you know you're broke. No. Bad example. Going to the liquor store when you're underage.

Squire

jer2665

Oct 28, 2003, 09:17 AM

There are a lot of songs on itms, but like everyone else, there are a lot that I like that aren't on there. And I gotta admit, if there is a song I want, I make every effort searching for the song on itms first, but if i can't find it, I just download it illegally. Not that I want to, but if i want one song, im not paying $15 in the store for the whole cd. This isn't trying to justify it, but i've run into this twice within the past 2 days.

redAPPLE

Oct 28, 2003, 09:20 AM

i voted for "other".

i was thinking in these lines... let us say, i bought a whole "cd". i would like to be able to download a free template of front and back covers.

or print out the cd book... if i choose to.

SlowX

Oct 28, 2003, 11:11 AM

I too would love to see the selection of songs grow. But not just w/ more artists/bands/albums, but one thing I love finding on-line is remixes, alternate versions (b-sides), rarities, goodies like that.

I mean, where's the techno version of Led Zeppelin's "Rock & Roll"?
heh

pbooktebo

Oct 28, 2003, 11:20 AM

I do think things like quality provide good bragging rights, but most people should be more than satisfied with AAC for 90%+ of their listening (car, headphones, home speakers that are not pro-quality).

Selection will be it. I was thinking of buying Outkast's "Speakerboxx" a few weeks ago, but only the "Clean" version was available. I'm waiting, and may just get the physical CD (which I'd rather not do).

I think companies should head towards a Bodlian/Library of Congress sized collection. It is just a matter of ripping and cataloging, but eventually there should be services like this that have nearly all recorded music available for perpetuity. It is very doable, and certainly within a decade there is a chance that the compression format wars will die down (AAC! Vorbis! MP3! AIFF!) and leave us with something we can all be happy with. I'd love to be able to find real obscurities with ease, independent labels, unique artists, crazy old recordings, etc.

Lancetx

Oct 28, 2003, 11:44 AM

How about "all of the above." They're all valid points that are important for the future of online music downloading.

stoid

Oct 28, 2003, 11:59 AM

Anybody know why the Dave Matthews Band isn't on the iTMS? They are a very technology oriented group, so it seems just they would be one of the first bands to jump on the opportunity to sell their music online. I know that I would buy all of their albums through the iTMS if they were there.

wdlove

Oct 28, 2003, 11:59 AM

I voted other, because don't really have any need for the service myself.

For the future of Apple now that iTunes is available for Windows, it really needs to be expanded internationally.

Flowbee

Oct 28, 2003, 11:59 AM

It's all about the selection. There's so much music out there in the world. I want to be able to find the latest in French rap, J-pop, Russian punk, Bollywood film music, Brazilian techno, etc.

Nermal

Oct 28, 2003, 01:25 PM

International support! I can't believe this isn't an option in the poll.

mrsebastian

Oct 28, 2003, 01:26 PM

like so many others have pointed out, selection is the biggest issue i have with itms. this will of course improve over time and i'm also very excited to see how apple will handle more and more independents. specifically the marketing of them, as that is their biggest challenge in getting their music heard. just a side note, i wish apple provided longer previews of songs.

mrsebastian

Oct 28, 2003, 01:37 PM

sososowhat

Oct 28, 2003, 01:48 PM

I voted More Selection, but what I really want are lyrics, sheet music (play it yourself), cover art/liner notes.

It would be cool if a standard emerged where the player would do a kind of karaoke thing & stream the lyrics along while it plays...maybe even toggle voice on/off for, music on/off to sing or play along.

Also: I really don't care if I own the music or not. I want to dowload any content, any time, any where - so I want instant streaming (like iTMS) on either subscription or transparent micro-pay per listen (5 cents?, option for permanent rights (buy, download only if you wish) at at 99 cents). I'd like this to my Mac, and to my iPod wirelessly. I guess we have to let PC people have it too.

JonasLoaf

Oct 28, 2003, 04:58 PM

Originally posted by stoid
Anybody know why the Dave Matthews Band isn't on the iTMS? They are a very technology oriented group, so it seems just they would be one of the first bands to jump on the opportunity to sell their music online. I know that I would buy all of their albums through the iTMS if they were there.

He did an interview with Entertainment Weekly a while ago. He said that he doesn't like the a la carte downloading. He would put albums up there, but he wants to take away the option of downloading specific songs, which iTMS won't offer him. Which is sad, because I think he would do pretty well for iTMS.

manitoubalck

Oct 28, 2003, 05:12 PM

Originally posted by irmongoose
You took the words right out of my mouth.
Give ye the ability to buy, and ye shall buy. :confused:

Curently ~5% of the computing world uses macs, of that 5% I wonder how many buy their music off the internet? I'm still downloading for free and will continue to do so. If I want to buy music I just go to a CD store for some hard evidence.

Flowbee

Oct 28, 2003, 05:20 PM

Originally posted by JonasLoaf
He did an interview with Entertainment Weekly a while ago. He said that he doesn't like the a la carte downloading. He would put albums up there, but he wants to take away the option of downloading specific songs, which iTMS won't offer him. Which is sad, because I think he would do pretty well for iTMS.

Greed. And don't tell me it's an artistic decision because the album is a complete work. He doesn't seem to mind radio stations only playing one song... or MTV only playing one song.

nickmcghie

Oct 28, 2003, 06:42 PM

Originally posted by Nermal
International support! I can't believe this isn't an option in the poll.

Yes, international support is certainly important, but there is another very important thing that I can't believe hasn't been mentioned yet: more international selection. This is absolutely vital to success in the international market.

Most (if not all) of the songs currently available are of America in origin. And many of the people clamoring for international support are Americans living overseas. But for iTMS to even have a chance of succeeding internationally, they will need to cater to the tastes of other markets.

For example, they will surely flop in Asia if they don't offer Chinese, J-Pop, K-Pop, and music from other Asian artists and countries. Perhaps Apple is already in negotiations with foreign record labels, I don't know. But I'm guessing that it is these negotiations that are playing a major factor in Apple's international iTMS support.

Flowbee

Oct 28, 2003, 06:45 PM

Originally posted by nickmcghie
Yes, international support is certainly important, but there is another very important thing that I can't believe hasn't been mentioned yet: more international selection. This is absolutely vital to success in the international market.

I mentioned it about 7 or 8 posts before you. :p

cb911

Oct 28, 2003, 07:44 PM

i voted more selection, although i'm in Australia so international support is very important as well.

but 'more selection' is up there on the to-do list. i mean lots of people use P2P because they don't know where to get a song. there are a couple of songs i've been looking for lately, and i would have bought them if i had been able to buy them off the 'net somewhere.

Squire

Oct 28, 2003, 09:10 PM

Originally posted by Flowbee
Greed. And don't tell me it's an artistic decision because the album is a complete work. He doesn't seem to mind radio stations only playing one song... or MTV only playing one song.

With DMB, it's definitely not greed. He allows people to record live shows and was one of the advocates for Napster's "sharing" campaign. So I don't think it's Dave Matthews' greed. Besides, he's been one of the hottest live acts of the past few years. However, one of his record labels could very well have put pressure on him to do it. I don't know. His albums do have some coherence but, like others have stated numerous times, nowhere near that found on Pink Floyd albums.

I don't know.

Squire

Phil Of Mac

Oct 28, 2003, 09:29 PM

International support isn't technically a feature, it's an availability issue.

iPC

Oct 28, 2003, 09:35 PM

metal heads want to buy music too... :-/

scem0

Oct 28, 2003, 10:00 PM

I'd have to say price.

scem0

Phil Of Mac

Oct 28, 2003, 10:03 PM

I think quality is going to have to improve tho, to at least CD if not better than CD quality for this to be the grand unified theory of music sales. But selection is the main issue now.

Chealion

Oct 29, 2003, 01:03 AM

Voted other.

I want iTMS in Canada.

Buggy

Oct 29, 2003, 01:38 AM

another vote for international.

I don't care if it is a "feature" or not.

All other options are pointless if I can't even choose to buy.

BTW if there was an international choice would that one be ahead by now?

Fahd

Oct 29, 2003, 04:53 AM

I think price matters and also global availability.

nick8ascot

Oct 29, 2003, 07:52 AM

I want to download music which allows me to adjust separate channels, ie to remove the drums from a track, or bring backing vocals to the fore and silence the main vocals, etc. Now that would create hours of endless experimentation and fun. Think of all those acoustic CDs I could create!:)

KAKOsc

Oct 30, 2003, 12:40 AM

i know its probably bad practise to just hit reply, but i really cant be bothered reading through 35 replies.
I voted other, because i want more money and control going to artists.

poultryfarm

Oct 31, 2003, 06:46 AM

Originally posted by pbooktebo
Selection will be it. I was thinking of buying Outkast's "Speakerboxx" a few weeks ago, but only the "Clean" version was available. I'm waiting, and may just get the physical CD (which I'd rather not do). i went throught the exact same dilema with speakerboxx! and ended up not getting it.
partial albums are also a problem for me. sometimes i find something i like, but it's a partial album. i'm not going to buy 90% of an album that i really like... i want to listen to the whole thing.