iTMS Competition Ramping Up

[maxterpiece]

Windows ITMS

Let's remember that Apple faces some of the same issues as the other music store competitors in bringing ITMS to to Windows. As far as I can tell, the real delay in releasing iTunes for Windows is because the record companies wanted to use the small Apple market as an experiment. Apple has to prove that the experiment has been successful on Mac OS and can be successful on Windows before the big 5 record companies will agree to allow a Windows version of iTMS. Now, Apple does have somewhat of an advantage over others - they at least have the iTMS as an example. I don't think that the record companies will be able to say no to licensing a Windows iTMS if it's mac counterpart's success persists.

 

[Genie]

Why not just get CD's from the record clubs? They're about $4.49 from BMG music service, including shipping.
THat's uncompressed, and unlimited.
Sheesh- I sound like an ad...

 

[peterjhill]

Apple licenses one-click from amazon. That is it. They didn't have to make a special deal to use it for the music service, since they already had a deal in place to use it. I certainly hope the deal was broad enough to allow its use in iTunes and iPhoto. This is way different from giving Amazon a cut from every song sold.

As for CD clubs, you need to pay for shipping. I belonged to the DVD club for a while but got real tired of paying $25-30 for DVDs that could be had at the local store for $20. The biggest difference between ITMS and mail order or even the local store, is convience and immediate purchases. Most of my purchases are under one minute from "I wish I had that" to "cool, it is on ITMS and now it is mine"

104 songs and counting from ITMS

 

[sparks9]

Microsoft is preparing a music service too!! right now.

Source: CNET

Apple has to hurry or their windows servise will be too late.

 

[Vonnie]

What these competing services have to do:

Go talk with the big 5 labels, convince them that your security will be adequate, and that it will be a success. Also talk to international distributors and labels, again convince them that your service will be a success, convince them that investments in your service won't be lost.

Set up servers with big hard drives, and big bandwidth, develop programs for client and server. Provide secure authentification.

License wma from microsoft. Start ripping 200000 music tracks in wma, set security measures, set information tags like artist, title, album art,... Go beg for exclusive tracks.

Wait for a company to make a new portable music player that supports secured wma, wait for updated firmware versions. Try to get your name attached to as much music players as possible. If you buy a creative zen, you should have a little card in the box: "Download your music from music.amazon.com".

Start marketing and make commercials, get the press onboard. Try to create buzz that is as big as the iTMS buzz.

What apple has to do:

Port iTunes to Windows.

Say to international music distributors/labels: "Look at how much profit we make with iTMS in the US. Want a slice?"

 

[wchamlet]

IMO, I think this is the one time Apple needs to do something right. If Apple is slow to getting their music service to market on the MS side of the fence, then they will loose out on their biggest money making oppurtunity since the iMac. The way I see it is, if Apple waits too long, and "Proves" that they can sell music on their Macs, and they don't move towards the Windows market, then shame on them. Apple needs to step up this time. They might even have to play it risky, ie as in maybe not being as full featured as we would like. But they have already proved they can make this work. Now they need to make it work on Windows.

Just my opinion of course. More revenue for Apple means more funding for research and development. Maybe we will get a faster Powermac someday.

 

[maxterpiece]

Originally posted by Vonnie
What apple has to do:

Port iTunes to Windows.

Say to international music distributors/labels: "Look at how much profit we make with iTMS in the US. Want a slice?"

you forgot the part about needing to convince the record companies that their DRM policy is the right one. Apple iTMS, to the record companies, was an experiment. It was an opportunity to test out Apple's policy. Impressive sales by the music store obviously provide strong encouragement for them, but the Windows world is not the same as the Apple world. Apple still has a lot of persuading to do. I think if they could have persuaded the record companies that their DRM was the right way, a windows ITMS would be out already. Apple isn't stupid.

edit: the same goes for the international market - different parties have to be convinced.