Google to Buy Napster?

sworthy · Jan 31, 2006, 11:32 AM

It looks as if Google is learning from it's horrible video store and is going to use Napster's foundation for its music store:

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/yhoo...42AAC225A92%7D

stoid · Jan 31, 2006, 11:34 AM

Good idea, Napster has a strong brand name, and is poised for success. Seriously. Any. Minute. Now.

iMeowbot · Jan 31, 2006, 11:45 AM

The NAPS chart is amusing today. That makes it all worthwhile.

yellow · Jan 31, 2006, 11:46 AM

That would be a great idea. I also hear that Google is going to buy gold plated cars for all it's employees. And hire a monkey on lollerskates as it's head of PR.

miloblithe · Jan 31, 2006, 11:59 AM

Why would Google buy Napster for the brand? Google is a top-notch brand already.

sworthy · Jan 31, 2006, 12:07 PM

I don't think they're buying them for the brand - more for the existing licenses and design of the store. It makes sense, especially b/c Napster is a pretty cheap purchase for Google.

miloblithe · Jan 31, 2006, 12:08 PM

I guess that does make a lot more sense.

yellow · Jan 31, 2006, 12:11 PM

Why re-invent the wheel, when it's already been perfected?

http://www.geocities.com/rcgilmore20...els_edited.jpg

CubaTBird · Jan 31, 2006, 12:29 PM

that would be kind of a funky situation...

outerspaceapple · Jan 31, 2006, 12:33 PM

That would be kind of ironic... Anyway if the audio quality for "Google Music" is as bad as the video quality for "Google Video" you can bet your bottom dollar that very few people would "take advantage" of it.

Until then, there's the perfect solution we call ITMS.

Dr. Dastardly · Jan 31, 2006, 12:35 PM

This really doesn't mean anything. I am sure they want to get into the music download game but Google has a habit of just aquiring companies for other projects. Maybe they just want to use Napsters set up to start a Netflix sort of business where you download it instead of receiving it in the mail. Really thats going to be the next big thing. The only problem is the current amount of bandwidth most homeusers receive.

I dunno though just a thought.

The Red Wolf · Jan 31, 2006, 12:37 PM

So, Google Buy's Napster. AOL/Time/Waner buys Google. Microsoft, buys AOL/Time/Waner/Google/Napster and becomes a little bit like the thing at the end of Akira...

This is bad. Very... Very bad.

d.perel · Jan 31, 2006, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by outerspaceapple

That would be kind of ironic... Anyway if the audio quality for "Google Music" is as bad as the video quality for "Google Video" you can bet your bottom dollar that very few people would "take advantage" of it.

Until then, there's the perfect solution we call ITMS.

What are you talking about??? Google Video is an amazing and well-integrated solution for streaming video content! Haha- JK. I don't understand the whole reason behind google video, and I suppose google music would end up to be just as pointless.

Super Dave · Jan 31, 2006, 12:39 PM

Doesn't Napster lose money every quarter? I mean I guess it makes them a cheap acquisition, but who would want them?

David

gnasher729 · Jan 31, 2006, 12:40 PM

A spokeswoman for Google UK has already issued a strong denial of these rumours. According to her, Google has at this time no intention to enter this market or aquire any companies.

To those who like conspiracies: "At this time" means you can't sue Google if they ever change their mind.

stoid · Jan 31, 2006, 12:44 PM

Napster's market cap is at about $175 million, and it jumped, starting the day at about $136 million. This is pocket change for some individuals much less for a corporation like Google that has a market cap almost a thousand times larger than Napster's.

iGuy · Jan 31, 2006, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sworthy

I don't think they're buying them for the brand - more for the existing licenses and design of the store. It makes sense, especially b/c Napster is a pretty cheap purchase for Google.

You're assuming that Google doesn't believe it could negotiate better license agreements. I would think they are in a better bargaining position than Napster was.

~iGuy

bit density · Jan 31, 2006, 12:52 PM

Cripes, if this qualifies as a mac rumour, we are going to have to include EVERY freakin acquisition,rumour and product out there. This is especially poor since this isn't even true.

If it is such a slow news day, I am sure that Griffen has released somesort of iPod accessory today. At leas that would be APPLE related if not so MAC related.

allpar · Jan 31, 2006, 12:53 PM

"So, Google Buy's Napster" ... "This is bad. Very... Very bad."

Which part? Google buying Napster, or the combination of incorrect capitalization and inane use of apostrophes?

iSee · Jan 31, 2006, 01:10 PM

And, Really, Shouldn't... This Be On Page 2 ( ... Or Three?)?

rickag · Jan 31, 2006, 01:13 PM

I say,"Go for it Google.". Join the ranks of music stores losing money. Apple makes hardly anything on an individual song. Only the fact that they sell ~3 million/day makes it any where near worth the effort.

Apple sells tunes to support the iPod industry. Wonder if Google has any plans to introduce their own mpg 3 player, if so, it had better be good to attempt to dethrone Apple's iPod line.

macFanDave · Jan 31, 2006, 01:15 PM

Google: Do no evil.
Napster: Thou shalt not steal? Riiiiggghhhhtt.

So, when is stealing not evil.

I know Napster has gone "legit," but it's brand name is derived from its criminal past. Now that our society's morals have dipped so low that corporate entities want to associate with criminals, I won't be surprised to see a Lee Harvey Oswald Rifle or Jeffrey Dahmer Chicken Fingers!

hulugu · Jan 31, 2006, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sworthy

It looks as if Google is learning from it's horrible video store and is going to use Napster's foundation for its music store:

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/yhoo...42AAC225A92%7D

That's not learning, that compounding bad design with a stupid decision. Google can bake their own using the technologies that drive Google Maps and Gmail.

yellow · Jan 31, 2006, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macFanDave

I know Napster has gone "legit," but it's brand name is derived from its criminal past. Now that our society's morals have dipped so low that corporate entities want to associate with criminals, I won't be surprised to see a Lee Harvey Oswald Rifle or Jeffrey Dahmer Chicken Fingers!

How dramatic..

But seriously, does anyone even really remember about Napster's past? Johnny and Jill HIghschool don't. It was too far in the past to register on their MTV addled brains. Much to early in the.. hey a chicken on a motorcycle! Dude, who is sleeping with who on Battle of the Relaity Hasbeens?

crachoar · Jan 31, 2006, 01:33 PM

And the world continues to not give a damn about Google or Napster stores.

I agree, how is this a 'mac rumor'?

Jan 31, 2006, 11:32 AM	#1
sworthy macrumors regular Join Date: Nov 2002	Google to Buy Napster? It looks as if Google is learning from it's horrible video store and is going to use Napster's foundation for its music store: http://www.marketwatch.com/news/yhoo...42AAC225A92%7D

Jan 31, 2006, 11:34 AM	#2
stoid macrumors 68040 Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: So long, and thanks for all the fish!	Good idea, Napster has a strong brand name, and is poised for success. Seriously. Any. Minute. Now. __________________ Get Salted!

Jan 31, 2006, 11:46 AM	#4
yellow Demi-God (Moderator) Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: I love you, food.	That would be a great idea. I also hear that Google is going to buy gold plated cars for all it's employees. And hire a monkey on lollerskates as it's head of PR. __________________ Chameleon's Consignment Loft

Jan 31, 2006, 12:11 PM	#8
yellow Demi-God (Moderator) Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: I love you, food.	Why re-invent the wheel, when it's already been perfected? http://www.geocities.com/rcgilmore20...els_edited.jpg __________________ Chameleon's Consignment Loft

Jan 31, 2006, 12:33 PM	#10
outerspaceapple macrumors regular Join Date: May 2004 Location: Minnetonka, MN USA	That would be kind of ironic... Anyway if the audio quality for "Google Music" is as bad as the video quality for "Google Video" you can bet your bottom dollar that very few people would "take advantage" of it. Until then, there's the perfect solution we call ITMS. __________________ Tech podcast in laymans terms: Square Two – Vinyl Records = 843 lbs. – Compact Disks = 131 lbs. – Cassettes = 42 lbs. – 60GB iPod = 6.4 ounces SquareCaster - Podcast RSS Manager http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/19530

Jan 31, 2006, 11:45 AM	#3
iMeowbot macrumors 601 Join Date: Aug 2003	The NAPS chart is amusing today. That makes it all worthwhile.

Jan 31, 2006, 11:59 AM	#5
miloblithe macrumors 68020 Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Washington, DC	Why would Google buy Napster for the brand? Google is a top-notch brand already.

Jan 31, 2006, 12:07 PM	#6
sworthy Thread Starter macrumors regular Join Date: Nov 2002	I don't think they're buying them for the brand - more for the existing licenses and design of the store. It makes sense, especially b/c Napster is a pretty cheap purchase for Google.

Jan 31, 2006, 12:08 PM	#7
miloblithe macrumors 68020 Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Washington, DC	I guess that does make a lot more sense.

Jan 31, 2006, 12:29 PM	#9
CubaTBird macrumors 68020 Join Date: Apr 2004	that would be kind of a funky situation...

Jan 31, 2006, 12:35 PM	#11
Dr. Dastardly macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: I live in a giant bucket!	This really doesn't mean anything. I am sure they want to get into the music download game but Google has a habit of just aquiring companies for other projects. Maybe they just want to use Napsters set up to start a Netflix sort of business where you download it instead of receiving it in the mail. Really thats going to be the next big thing. The only problem is the current amount of bandwidth most homeusers receive. I dunno though just a thought. __________________ "Real men FTP/SSH their files"

Jan 31, 2006, 12:37 PM	#12
The Red Wolf macrumors regular Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Occi Dens Pacifica	No way in... So, Google Buy's Napster. AOL/Time/Waner buys Google. Microsoft, buys AOL/Time/Waner/Google/Napster and becomes a little bit like the thing at the end of Akira... This is bad. Very... Very bad. __________________ Grimorium_000.0 - 2.33 GHz 15" MacBook Pro System_000.0 - 2.26 GHz 3X GT120 + 1 X 4870 MacPro Demeter_000.0 - 8GB iPhone

Jan 31, 2006, 12:39 PM	#14
Super Dave macrumors 6502 Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Spryfield, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada	Doesn't Napster lose money every quarter? I mean I guess it makes them a cheap acquisition, but who would want them? David __________________ Enter my world! http://www.rodgerson.ca/ http://www.rodgerson.ca/images/layout/mepics/side1.jpg (until I get 350 more posts)

Jan 31, 2006, 12:40 PM	#15
gnasher729 macrumors 68040 Join Date: Nov 2005	Google issues denial A spokeswoman for Google UK has already issued a strong denial of these rumours. According to her, Google has at this time no intention to enter this market or aquire any companies. To those who like conspiracies: "At this time" means you can't sue Google if they ever change their mind.

Jan 31, 2006, 12:44 PM	#16
stoid macrumors 68040 Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: So long, and thanks for all the fish!	Napster's market cap is at about $175 million, and it jumped, starting the day at about $136 million. This is pocket change for some individuals much less for a corporation like Google that has a market cap almost a thousand times larger than Napster's. __________________ Get Salted!

Jan 31, 2006, 12:52 PM	#18
bit density macrumors regular Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Seattle	Macrumour??? Cripes, if this qualifies as a mac rumour, we are going to have to include EVERY freakin acquisition,rumour and product out there. This is especially poor since this isn't even true. If it is such a slow news day, I am sure that Griffen has released somesort of iPod accessory today. At leas that would be APPLE related if not so MAC related. __________________ -- Bit Density --

Jan 31, 2006, 12:53 PM	#19
allpar macrumors regular Join Date: May 2002	"So, Google Buy's Napster" ... "This is bad. Very... Very bad." Which part? Google buying Napster, or the combination of incorrect capitalization and inane use of apostrophes? __________________ car reviews and business and organizational development articles are all very fine, but here's a prime site for Mac statistics software

Jan 31, 2006, 01:10 PM	#20
iSee macrumors 65816 Join Date: Oct 2004	LOL to the last two posts... And, Really, Shouldn't... This Be On Page 2 ( ... Or Three?)?

Jan 31, 2006, 01:13 PM	#21
rickag macrumors regular Join Date: Apr 2001	I say,"Go for it Google.". Join the ranks of music stores losing money. Apple makes hardly anything on an individual song. Only the fact that they sell ~3 million/day makes it any where near worth the effort. Apple sells tunes to support the iPod industry. Wonder if Google has any plans to introduce their own mpg 3 player, if so, it had better be good to attempt to dethrone Apple's iPod line. __________________ Just waiting to be included in one of Apple's target markets.

Jan 31, 2006, 01:15 PM	#22
macFanDave macrumors 6502a Join Date: Apr 2003	Google: Do no evil. Napster: Thou shalt not steal? Riiiiggghhhhtt. So, when is stealing not evil. I know Napster has gone "legit," but it's brand name is derived from its criminal past. Now that our society's morals have dipped so low that corporate entities want to associate with criminals, I won't be surprised to see a Lee Harvey Oswald Rifle or Jeffrey Dahmer Chicken Fingers!

Jan 31, 2006, 01:33 PM	#25
crachoar Banned Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ohio	And the world continues to not give a damn about Google or Napster stores. I agree, how is this a 'mac rumor'?

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