Apple/EMI Press Conference Coverage

MacRumors · 08:59 AM

Apple and EMI will be holding a joint press conference at 1pm London time, 8am EDT, to discuss "an exciting new digital offering."

Late last week, a MacRumors source indicated that the event would revolve around the removal of Digital Rights Management (DRM) from EMI tracks in the iTunes store. Unverifiable at the time, we did not publish the information until yesterday, which has since been echoed from the Wall Street Journal.

We will update this story periodically throughout the event as new information becomes available.

Audio Webcast

Confirmed: DRM-free Music: MacRumors user stomer has found slides from further in the webcast that confirm that the announcement will revolve around "DRM-free tracks at twice the sound quality."

EMI Press Release
Apple Press Release

Updates (Time is EDT, Chronological Order)
- 7:53am Audio Feed has become available
- 8:02 Music playing over audio feed now
- 8:06 Greetings...
- 8:09 Going to have to be patient a bit longer... live performances first.
- 8:10 Performance by The Good, The Bad, and The Queen
- 8:23 We are focused on giving the consumers a truly compelling experience
- 8:24 Our research indicates that consumers are willing to pay a higher price in order to play their music on any player.
- 8:24 Announcing premium downloads. Free from DRM, and higher sound quality.
- 8:25 Upgrade ability as well.
- From press release: $1.29 for premium tracks (DRM-less), $.99 for standard (DRM), and $.30 for upgrade
- 8:28 Steve takes stage.
- 8:29 "Next stage in the digital music revolution"
- 8:31 Premium tracks will be 256 kbps AAC
- 8:32 Available next month (May)
- From press release: All EMI music videos will also be available on the iTunes Store DRM-free with no change in price.
- 8:35 End of formal conference, begin of Q/A

- Q: When are the Beatles coming?
- A: Don't know yet.

- Q: You mentioned 2.5 million tracks available by year end... obviously that isn't just EMI...
- A: (Steve) Yes... that is our projection for other labels coming on board as well.

- Q: Now that the link between iTunes/iPod is broken, do you expect a decline in iPod sales?
- A: (Steve) I don't see a link, because you have always been able to buy music from elsewhere (CD's) and put it on your iPod. We're going to keep working to do the best job at what we do, and we are going to hope that consumers agree.

- Q: What's the point on keeping DRM on standard tracks?
- A: (Steve) We don't want to force-raise the price on anyone.

[ Digg This ]

LastLine · Apr 2, 2007, 07:51 AM

So for the ignorant of us here - who does EMI cover?

aspro · 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LastLine

So for the ignorant of us here - who does EMI cover?

Is this what you are after?

Or this?

brightlights · Apr 2, 2007, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LastLine

So for the ignorant of us here - who does EMI cover?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of..._signed_to_EMI

liketom · Apr 2, 2007, 07:55 AM

i've opened the WM stream but there is nothing to say it will be starting , have i connected right?

xJulianx · Apr 2, 2007, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aspro

Is this what you are after?

Wow, thats alot more than I thought! I'm gonna be so stoked if EMI drop DRM.

EDIT: Actually, there are next to no artists that are signed to EMI that I listen to, and if I do, I already have their albums. Oh well, still going to be a step forward for the iTunes music store regardless if DRM is dropped.

macintel4me · Apr 2, 2007, 08:00 AM

Wow, this really could be true after all. Man, Steve and Apple are relentless in their pursuit of consumer product excellence. So much for that econ theory that says a monolopgy does NOT innovate. Apple has 70-some marketshare and still doing this!!!!

Simply amazing!!

chrisgeleven · Apr 2, 2007, 08:02 AM

So much for that audio stream.

liketom · Apr 2, 2007, 08:03 AM

you'd think they would at least let it stream via QT too

motulist · Apr 2, 2007, 08:04 AM

I didn't expect a live stream! This is awesome, it's like an unexpected macworld presentation! Can't wait till it starts!

longofest · Apr 2, 2007, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisgeleven

So much for that audio stream.

It get bogged down? Figured it might... I hopped on early to make sure we could provide coverage, so we'll keep updates rolling

macca · Apr 2, 2007, 08:04 AM

At least they could offer QT seeing as though its an Apple event...well half Apple anyway...

Iggy · Apr 2, 2007, 08:05 AM

Don't EMI own Apple Records?

Bird & the bee! cool.

thefunkymunky · Apr 2, 2007, 08:05 AM

Anyone have a direct link to the stream?

chrisgeleven · Apr 2, 2007, 08:05 AM

I just got the Real player stream working again.

Right now it is just music playing.

Lone Deranger · Apr 2, 2007, 08:05 AM

I think the EMI webmasters rather underestimated the fervour of the Mac community.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisgeleven

So much for that audio stream.

boer · Apr 2, 2007, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aspro

Is this what you are after?

Or this?

Yeah, don't check first hand sources or anything.

ppnkg · Apr 2, 2007, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macintel4me

Wow, this really could be true after all. Man, Steve and Apple are relentless in their pursuit of consumer product excellence. So much for that econ theory that says a monolopgy does NOT innovate. Apple has 70-some marketshare and still doing this!!!!

Simply amazing!!

uhm... a monopoly? not really...

Project · Apr 2, 2007, 08:06 AM

Im having much better luck with the Real Audio stream. Theyre playing some music right now. Im forgoing my lunch break for this so it better be big!

caipirina · Apr 2, 2007, 08:06 AM

This is incredible ... Steve Jobs as special guest, Mr. QuickTime himself ... and you can only get the audio in WM and RP .. thats not a good sign ...

macintel4me · Apr 2, 2007, 08:06 AM

you would have thought that maybe, just maybe, the audio stream could have been using Apple technology like QuickTime or an iTunes digital radio station. Oh well...

Chris Bangle · Apr 2, 2007, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caipirina

This is incredible ... Steve Jobs as special guest, Mr. QuickTime himself ... and you can only get the audio in WM and RP .. thats not a good sign ...

im furious

mhuk01 · Apr 2, 2007, 08:07 AM

it's starting! lol staff canteen!

chrisgeleven · Apr 2, 2007, 08:07 AM

Looks like it is starting!

stomer · Apr 2, 2007, 08:08 AM

Confirmed. DRM free music.

http://cache.cantos.com/webcast/stat...0c_/Slide5.GIF

http://cache.cantos.com/webcast/stat...0c_/Slide1.GIF
http://cache.cantos.com/webcast/stat...0c_/Slide2.GIF
http://cache.cantos.com/webcast/stat...0c_/Slide3.GIF
http://cache.cantos.com/webcast/stat...0c_/Slide4.GIF
http://cache.cantos.com/webcast/stat...0c_/Slide5.GIF

Apr 2, 2007, 07:48 AM	#1
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	Apple/EMI Press Conference Coverage Apple and EMI will be holding a joint press conference at 1pm London time, 8am EDT, to discuss "an exciting new digital offering." Late last week, a MacRumors source indicated that the event would revolve around the removal of Digital Rights Management (DRM) from EMI tracks in the iTunes store. Unverifiable at the time, we did not publish the information until yesterday, which has since been echoed from the Wall Street Journal. We will update this story periodically throughout the event as new information becomes available. Audio Webcast Confirmed: DRM-free Music: MacRumors user stomer has found slides from further in the webcast that confirm that the announcement will revolve around "DRM-free tracks at twice the sound quality." EMI Press Release Apple Press Release Updates (Time is EDT, Chronological Order) - 7:53am Audio Feed has become available - 8:02 Music playing over audio feed now - 8:06 Greetings... - 8:09 Going to have to be patient a bit longer... live performances first. - 8:10 Performance by The Good, The Bad, and The Queen - 8:23 We are focused on giving the consumers a truly compelling experience - 8:24 Our research indicates that consumers are willing to pay a higher price in order to play their music on any player. - 8:24 Announcing premium downloads. Free from DRM, and higher sound quality. - 8:25 Upgrade ability as well. - From press release: $1.29 for premium tracks (DRM-less), $.99 for standard (DRM), and $.30 for upgrade - 8:28 Steve takes stage. - 8:29 "Next stage in the digital music revolution" - 8:31 Premium tracks will be 256 kbps AAC - 8:32 Available next month (May) - From press release: All EMI music videos will also be available on the iTunes Store DRM-free with no change in price. - 8:35 End of formal conference, begin of Q/A - Q: When are the Beatles coming? - A: Don't know yet. - Q: You mentioned 2.5 million tracks available by year end... obviously that isn't just EMI... - A: (Steve) Yes... that is our projection for other labels coming on board as well. - Q: Now that the link between iTunes/iPod is broken, do you expect a decline in iPod sales? - A: (Steve) I don't see a link, because you have always been able to buy music from elsewhere (CD's) and put it on your iPod. We're going to keep working to do the best job at what we do, and we are going to hope that consumers agree. - Q: What's the point on keeping DRM on standard tracks? - A: (Steve) We don't want to force-raise the price on anyone. [ Digg This ] Last edited by longofest : Apr 2, 2007 at 08:59 AM. Reason: Updates

Apr 2, 2007, 08:04 AM	#12
macca macrumors member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Beyond the Black Stump	No QT? At least they could offer QT seeing as though its an Apple event...well half Apple anyway...

Apr 2, 2007, 08:05 AM	#14
thefunkymunky macrumors 65816 Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Cardiff, Wales, UK	Anyone have a direct link to the stream? __________________ PSN ID: kraized \| facebook

Apr 2, 2007, 08:06 AM	#20
caipirina macrumors newbie Join Date: Jan 2002	no QT audio ??? This is incredible ... Steve Jobs as special guest, Mr. QuickTime himself ... and you can only get the audio in WM and RP .. thats not a good sign ...

Apr 2, 2007, 08:07 AM	#23
mhuk01 macrumors regular Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: South West England	it's starting! lol staff canteen! __________________ Macbook White 1.83 Ghz 1Gig RAM

Apr 2, 2007, 07:51 AM	#2
LastLine macrumors 6502a Join Date: Aug 2005	So for the ignorant of us here - who does EMI cover?

Apr 2, 2007, 07:55 AM	#5
liketom macrumors 68040 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Lincoln,UK	i've opened the WM stream but there is nothing to say it will be starting , have i connected right?

Apr 2, 2007, 08:00 AM	#7
macintel4me macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jan 2006	Wow, this really could be true after all. Man, Steve and Apple are relentless in their pursuit of consumer product excellence. So much for that econ theory that says a monolopgy does NOT innovate. Apple has 70-some marketshare and still doing this!!!! Simply amazing!!

Apr 2, 2007, 08:02 AM	#8
chrisgeleven macrumors 6502 Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Manchester, NH	So much for that audio stream.

Apr 2, 2007, 08:03 AM	#9
liketom macrumors 68040 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Lincoln,UK	you'd think they would at least let it stream via QT too

Apr 2, 2007, 08:04 AM	#10
motulist macrumors 68040 Join Date: Dec 2003	I didn't expect a live stream! This is awesome, it's like an unexpected macworld presentation! Can't wait till it starts!

Apr 2, 2007, 08:05 AM	#13
Iggy macrumors regular Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Bournemouth, UK	Don't EMI own Apple Records? Bird & the bee! cool.

Apr 2, 2007, 08:06 AM	#19
Project macrumors 68020 Join Date: Aug 2005	Im having much better luck with the Real Audio stream. Theyre playing some music right now. Im forgoing my lunch break for this so it better be big!

Apr 2, 2007, 08:08 AM	#25
stomer macrumors 6502 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Leeds, UK	Confirmed. DRM free music. http://cache.cantos.com/webcast/stat...0c_/Slide5.GIF http://cache.cantos.com/webcast/stat...0c_/Slide1.GIF http://cache.cantos.com/webcast/stat...0c_/Slide2.GIF http://cache.cantos.com/webcast/stat...0c_/Slide3.GIF http://cache.cantos.com/webcast/stat...0c_/Slide4.GIF http://cache.cantos.com/webcast/stat...0c_/Slide5.GIF

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