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iPod touch Apple needs something like Zune Pass.
- Thread starter MegaDell
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Yes, iTunes pricing is now tiered at 69¢, 99¢ and $1.29, much to many people's chagrin, since 69¢ tracks seem much harder to find than the $1.29 ones. But all of those prices are still cheaper than the $1.50 per track you're paying for the Zune Pass keepers. Also, how much does Zune Pass charge if you wish to purchase additional songs outside of the 10, like say for the remaining 3 tracks of a 13-track album?
It was this advert: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_ExogURaeI
The normal price, $1.24 (or 99 Microsoft points) for unprotected music (MP3) and $.99 (or 79 Microsoft points) for DRMed music (WMA-P).
Bull shinkle.
Songs bought with zune song credits
Sync the song an unlimited number of times with an unlimited number of Zune players.
Burn the song to CD up to seven times.
Sure that sounds like MP3 alright (answer no, it's just another Microsoft DRM that they might discontinue after awhile).
Keep reading ...
"Is the music that I download from Zune Marketplace protected?
Music that you purchase in the MP3 format using either song credits or Microsoft Points has no associated media usage rights—you can back it up, listen to it on other computers and Zune players, and burn it to your own CDs, for your personal, non-commercial use. Other music that you download from Zune Marketplace using a Zune Pass is protected with media usage rights, which specify what you can do with the songs. For more information, see Media Usage Rights FAQ."
The Zune store is currently in a transition to 100 percent DRM free. I believe the only label they lack now is Sony Music (typical, right?).
Bull shinkle.
Songs bought with zune song credits
Sync the song an unlimited number of times with an unlimited number of Zune players.
Burn the song to CD up to seven times.
Sure that sounds like MP3 alright (answer no, it's just another Microsoft DRM that they might discontinue after awhile).
Actually, it DOES sound like mp3:
Sounds a lot like the old iTunes songs I never bothered to upgrade to iTunes plus.
Hey, to each their own. I would listen to more music if I could try before I buy, but that's just me. It would keep me from buying those songs that are good for the first week, then you realize they suck.
If apple offered the option, they could put a huge dent in microsoft. The Zune device may not compete with the iPod, but I know plenty of people who use Zune Pass or Rhapsody at work.
I would like to see Apple do a movie subscription service ,beef up their library on par with netflix and have all new releases. Straight to the iPod touch
Add TV shows to that and I am sold.
Is someone who owns Apple products really going to try to play the more expensive card? Come on now. That 1.50 per song drum you are beating provides added value. The same reason I buy a Mac that is more expensive than a PC because I get more value out of it.
I guess MS figured out the magic MP3 that only allows you to burn it a limited number of times.
Of course, yesterday's technology, delivered today, and tomorrow.
They did not promise that everything will be in mp3. On the contrary, note the limitation on burning and player support. No, majority are not mp3 otherwise they won't limit the number of burns.
Hmm, you do have a point there.
Yes, there is a perceived value there based on one's own personal needs. Are music-subscription-services perfect for some consumers? Of course they are! But the majority of music-consumers prefer to "own" (I'll use that common phrasing even though that's not really what it is; more like licensing) their music. A number of music-subscription-services have risen and fallen because they couldn't get the consumer support they needed to stay in business. I'm just saying.
Of course. Not denying that it may not be for everyone. Just saying don't totally count out the value in it.
As I said earlier, combining it with Smart DJ (Genius if Apple was to do it) is really beneficial to me as someone who listens to music alot. So I get alot of value out of it.
ms is not playing catch up anymore. the zune hd is clearly miles ahead of the ipod touch now.
Yeah except I don't buy according to the calendar month. I might buy 2 or 3 albums one month and then go 3 months without buying anything. It ebbs and flows.
Then the service isn't for you. That certainly doesn't invalidate such a service that is optional. The Zune Pass is an option to just buying the songs outright. So I don't see why some would have an issue with Apple doing the same. For some folks a subscription with the ability to keep x amount of songs is a better deal.
One last question to those against an optional music subscription service. No need to answer. Just think about it. Do you play/Have you played World of Warcraft or another subscription MMO?
There are of course other forms of subscription entertainment (Neflix for example anyone?) that I could phrase that question with. But that should give some of you something to think about.
I think it's a bit of a stretch to say "subscription music" is the reason those past services failed.
The software and players for past services were awful, and the catalogs were much more limited than what one could purchase. They were failures before the subscription model even came into play.
I would say much of the purchase model selection was because the better player/software (iPod/iTunes) lacked a subscription option -- not a general boycott of subscription music.
Put a subscription option on a familiar player (iPod) with stable software and a catalog on par with purchasable (the Zune Pass catalog is rather close) -- and I think a lot of people would be comfortable with it.
An option. Those that prefer to own everything can. Those that would rather pay a slightly higher price for 10 songs in exchange for unlimited browsing of the rest of the catalog that month can.
I know the service ain't for me. I'm ok with it being offered anyway. I think it has its niche.
I've played WoW some, but never liked the fact I'm paying when I'm not playing. For the diehards it doesn't matter and I suspect the same is true with a ZunePass.
I used to have a monthly sub to GAmetap too. But eh I just never used it regularly. Didn't matter if it had 3 billion games. I only had time to play 1 once in awhile.
SAme thing with music. Doesn't matter if I can download 50 albums a day. I won't have time to listen to them all. Not sure I have time to go find 50 albums that I might want to download. Time is money.
We have options anyway for checking out music. Friends, radio, tv, 30 second song clips, etc. Do I really need to download music and then sync it with my Zune and then check out on a rainy day. I hope Zune remembers your latest downloads so you can easily transfer the ZunePass stuff to your Zune.
I had Blockbuster pass and that was fun. It was like Netflix. But again eventually I gave it up. I was always on the clock to rent a movie. I really didn't want to make it a habit to watch movies like I brush my teeth.
Movies are different too. I generally don't watch the same movie twice. So renting makes sense. But for me I liked Redbox better. I rented a new release when I wanted too. And it was cheaper - $1/night.
By contrast, Music I keep around. And listen to over and over and over and over.
Now if Zune pass had roll over songs that would be another story. You know, If you didn't use any one month then you'd have 20 the next. That would be sweet. Then I'd feel like I could at last select songs at my convenience and leisure.
Still $15 can buy you 3 $5 Amazon albums a month. Let's not talk about their ultra-cheap daily downloads. You can go to the used cd shop and grab a couple cds for $15 too. Or get many of them new & cheap on Amazon.
Anyway the Zunepass fits a certain type of consumer. For that consumer, it's a great thing. I don't care if it is on iTunes or not. I probably would not buy in.
Renting Music would be a great idea for someone who is in the DJ Business but not for someone who would like to keep their music.
My songs say something about me and my style and to lose all of them because I forgot to pay my monthly fee? No thanks.
People like to hold onto their music and a renting system hasn't worked because of this very concept.
Do you own your favorite movie or do you rent it every month out of the year?
My songs say something about me and my style and to lose all of them because I forgot to pay my monthly fee? No thanks.
People like to hold onto their music and a renting system hasn't worked because of this very concept.
Do you own your favorite movie or do you rent it every month out of the year?
Like I said, it's for music fans. It's for the person who really likes music, not the kinda person who just guys the new Kelly Clarkson Album and the like or whatever MTV tells them to buy. The fact that you get to pretty much keep an album a month only sweetens the deal.
And, again, I can't stress this enough, but owning digital music really doesn't amount to anything. It's like saying you own a TV channel. And Creon, that's pretty pretentious. There has also never been a renting system like this.