Apple Finally Signs Universal Music, iCloud Streaming Available

[AaronTheYoung]

Why is the cloud so interesting now?

I can understand how the cloud will be cool in the future when network bandwidth is huge and cheap and everyone has it everywhere. But right now, bandwidth is not everywhere.

I can't imagine putting all my files on the iCloud, only to get slow access to them. Is mobile bandwidth really there already? The firm I work for only has a 10 mbps connection, how does that help us with the iCloud?

What happens when I drive from town to town and the only access I have is EDGE or none at all? No access to my files. That's lame. I will always want local, fast access to my files.

The Cloud has a lot to do before I believe in its claims.

Aaron
~

 

[OllyW]

If that were the case, how do they manage to be the top music seller in the US?

They may be the top music seller but twice as many customers purchase their music from other retailers so the statement was correct.

 

[JazzCollector]

I too am disappointed that iCloud will not allow uploading of music. iTunes carries about 50% of what's in my collection at best, the rest is either long out of print or offered on a mom & pop jazz label.

With the acquisition of Lala behind at least some of this technology, limiting cloud storage to only iTune store music was a business decision. And it was a bad business decision. Sorry Steve, it happens.

I will stay away from iCloud because I feel that I am not the target customer. It's clear to me that niche music fans will need to seek out a different solution. And this bears itself out not only in the way the iCloud will be rolled out, it's also visible in the lack of development in some mature product features.

I've given up waiting for Apple to improve Genius. It sees only about 5% of my music collection. Unfortunately it's the bottom 5% of smooth/pop oriented jazz that I only play when entertaining. It can't locate current jazz artists, doesn't know some very common jazz tunes, and can't differentiate different styles of jazz. This is a serious error too. It would be nice if Apple would hire someone with a jazz background. We may make up a small percentage of the music industry, but I bet a jazz fan buys 10x the amount of music compared to the general public.

 

[Renverse]

I was hoping for something like Zune Pass. Zune pass lets you stream ANY song from the cloud, and keep 10 songs a month forever.

If storing your iTunes bought music to the cloud and play it is the only thing this does, then it's not worth it for me.

 

[YourHerojb]

Could be the first step to having iPods with remote, limitless memory as opposed to onboard drives.

 

[cr2sh]

Is it just me or does north america look like some-sort of sheep dragon.

 

[caspersoong]

It's up to Steve to make this thing that seems worthless to me, something useful.

 

[jonnysods]

Man this is gonna be great!