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iTunes Windows Sells 1 Million Songs in 3.5 days

International

I am canadian, and I know a lot of people who are just itching to buy online music from apple (not just mac users). I am just one person that knows a few people but I am not alone. I believe there is a market for ITMS in Canada...but we are only 35 Million. It seems to me there is a large market in Europe as well so I hope very soon this goes international. I believe this number could have been at least 50% higher. Don't get me wrong, I am very impressed by this number, and I am very excited to see the stats for the next month or so...But it could have been higher :)

I am tough to please I suppose.

P Rush
 
Buying CD music Online is "okay" but....

I buy a boatload of music from all the sources, the online iTunes Music Store, Amazon.Com, Half.Com, & TimeLife.Com...

I also buy used at local record stores and sometimes full price at places like Sam Goody..

I'd much rather use iTunes Music Store. The albums seem to be cheaper than new (not always cheaper than used) and I don't get stuck paying for shipping as I do with Amazon/Half.

The only downside is sometimes partial albums or albums not yet available.

I just bought the single CD "One of Us" by some lady singer (cant recall her name) but she sings the theme song for "Joan of Arcadia" on CBS. The used CD Single cost me $1.. Shipping on Amazon was $2...its costing me $3 for ONE song. It wasn't available on iTunes Music Store..

Originally posted by alia
I guess you could call me a Windows user, since I don't own a Mac yet and won't for a couple of weeks.

That said, I downloaded it and have since purchased about 50 songs at the music store - 3 albums + single downloads. As someone who has used Kazaa in the past, I find this WAY preferable. I'd rather pay money for a full album at once with good files and a speedy experience. That said, would I still purchase an album at half.com for $1.50 instead of using the music store? Hell yeah, if I didn't need it immediately.

Also, I'm an ipod owner, and I can guarantee you that other Windows ipod owners will flock to this software. Musicmatch is an unmitigated nightmare! I gave up using it the first day and swithed to ephpod. It's encoding was crap too. I think Windows ipod users are going to love this software and I think it will definitely get some of those people who have been holding out on ipod purchases because of Musicmatch to make the leap.

Just my two cents!

Alia
Click to expand...
 
International

...and because of the time difference, Apple make iTMS international without scaling up the power of the servers....
 
Congrats!

Congrats to Apple!

Also meant to say that it does not matter if the person owns both a mac and pc, if you really think about it. A wintel pc owned by a mac user is still legitimately a wintel pc.

More importantly, mac or wintel pc, a purchase is a purchase.

The big picture: Apple is showing the music industry that people are willing to pay for and download songs legally. That's a huge accomplishment in a relatively short amount of time.

About Gift Certificates:

I was sitting in the Michigan Avenue Apple Store in Chicago, thinking "big woop de doo about gift certificates" when Steve announced them. But after shaking off the RDF a bit, I'd bought two close friends certificates before the night was over.

Talk about a hassle-free and convenient way to share music with friends who are connected, mac or pc.
 
email from a PC using friend

Hi Craig _
You bastard you! _
I got it ! And installed it ! _And personally I thank you! But that is it! But now what the hell do I do???????? It's so MAC-ish!!!!! I mean clean, and simple and refined and all the things my F***IN PC is not !!!!!_ OH ya did I say STABLE!?!?!?! _ But yes it is a nice interface and yes it organizes nicely… _ I like the iTunes Music Store too! I was trying out a few Tracks. Its great for this alone. _But of course there is no CANADIAN Store yet unless I got an AMERICAN ADDRESS… PLEASE NOTE I may not own a BLOODY iPod but I do own a NET MD MP3 Sony Player….. SO I AM Not A complete fool…. _ _ Ha.ha.ha…. _ Yes I wish I had a MAC… _I said it… _ Enough said… _ And good-bye…..

Gary

Need we say more.

cc
 
Windows User Downloads iTunes and Makes Purchase!

All hail Apple. I am a Windows XP user who downloaded iTunes, installed it, loved it, and purchased Sting's new album (which, by the way, is great).

I'm a former Mac user without any Macintosh currently. I've been following OSX from afar, and having always been impressed with Apple technology, jumped at the chance to run iTunes (Windows Media Player is god-awful).

So there you have it. Here's one Windows-only user who downloaded the software and made a purchase.

I can report that iTunes 4.1 on my Windows XP 3.08 GHz PC (1 GB RAM, 180 GB HD) performs great. Love it.

Only complaint: I anticipated using the shopping cart as a way to add songs from artists that I want to check out further, in addition to songs I want to purchase immediately. But when I went to purchase SOME of the songs in my shopping cart, I found I could only purchase ALL of the songs. I emailed Apple and made suggestions.

All in all, A+ for Apple!
 
Song Count

I hope they advertise the Gift Certificates for the holiday season. I can see them being popular gifts. However, people need to know about them! I think they could improve their download numbers significantly if they would advertise the new store for windows and especially the gift certificates. Here's hoping.
 
300 million or bust

Originally posted by Digipimp
I think a more interesting point is that many of those downloads where by mac users because I don't feel like most Windows users have any idea that iTunes is available for them yet, so this is just scratching the surface really and those downloads are mainly mac owners that own pc's as well.
Click to expand...

That really doesn't make much sense. I downloaded iTunes for my PC laptop, but I won't be using it to purchase music; I have my Mac for that. Nor did the release of iTunes for PC make me go out and download more music. No, I think these numbers are just the tip of the iceberg; they obviously represent a large number of new users to the platform. I think we are all going to be stunned at the numbers. 100 million is only going to be a drop in the bucket. I predict it will be 2 or 3 times that number at the year mark.
 
These one million songs purchased are simply mac users or windows users (who have been following iTunes dev. for a while) who are simply seeing if buying music on a peecee is just as easy as Steve says it is. When are we going to see iTunes commercials? There better be some before the Pepsi campaign or Napster 2.0 is going to take over.
 
Originally posted by DeusOmnis
They said 1 million iTunes songs, I wonder how many of those were by Windows users. They specified copies of iTunes for Windows, but they didnt specify the platform for the songs.

I'm sure by putting the two statistics together they were trying to mislead people into thinking that the songs were downloaded by windows users too.
Click to expand...

Or maybe they were trying to counter the inevitable argument that the 1 mil downloads were mostly from mac users by saying that 1mil copies of the windows version has been downloaded.
 
Re: Windows User Downloads iTunes and Makes Purchase!

Originally posted by godrifle
Only complaint: I anticipated using the shopping cart as a way to add songs from artists that I want to check out further, in addition to songs I want to purchase immediately.
Click to expand...

Alternatively, to keep a list of songs you like and want to come back to but not buy... you can:

1) Make a folder for those songs, and drag the song name into the folder. It will create an alias/link that you can click on in Windows that will open the music store to the proper location.

2) or you can Right-click and copy the URL in the itunes music store and save it somewhere.

arn
 
Re: Windows User Downloads iTunes and Makes Purchase!

Originally posted by godrifle
All hail Apple. I am a Windows XP user who downloaded iTunes, installed it, loved it, and purchased Sting's new album (which, by the way, is great).

I'm a former Mac user without any Macintosh currently. I've been following OSX from afar, and having always been impressed with Apple technology, jumped at the chance to run iTunes (Windows Media Player is god-awful).

So there you have it. Here's one Windows-only user who downloaded the software and made a purchase.

I can report that iTunes 4.1 on my Windows XP 3.08 GHz PC (1 GB RAM, 180 GB HD) performs great. Love it.

G
Only complaint: I anticipated using the shopping cart as a way to add songs from artists that I want to check out further, in addition to songs I want to purchase immediately. But when I went to purchase SOME of the songs in my shopping cart, I found I could only purchase ALL of the songs. I emailed Apple and made suggestions.

All in all, A+ for Apple!
Click to expand...

He makes a good suggestion. I too would like a way to save music I am interested in but don't want to purchase right away. The store needs a save for later option like Amazon.
 
Originally posted by RHutch
Does anyone know if any of the other pay sites has sold a million songs total--not in 3. 5 days or 7, but from opening until now?

Is anyone else putting out their stats?
Click to expand...

Apple has published stats saying that in one particular week (the last for which stats were available) they had sold ~600k songs in that week and they had 70% market share. This puts the other services at (whips out handy claculator...) about 257k altogether, in one week. I would suspsect that they are then running at about 1MM units per month.

Speaking of published stats, though, if the Windows store continues to be 2x the sales of the Mac store, that means we'll be selling around 1.8MM songs per week, which puts us pretty darned close to 100MM songs per year (1.92MM songs per week), but won't get us to 100MM songs by April of 2004. It's going to have to kick up a notch to get to the goal Steve established.

On the other hand, looks like we've gone from 70% market share to around 88% market share, while significantly growing the market overall.

I don't expect 2MM songs per week from Windows to be sustained, but the ratio of 2:1 Win:Mac might be sustainable.
 
Re: Re: Windows User Downloads iTunes and Makes Purchase!

Originally posted by arn
Alternatively, to keep a list of songs you like and want to come back to but not buy... you can:

1) Make a folder for those songs, and drag the song name into the folder. It will create an alias/link that you can click on in Windows that will open the music store to the proper location.

2) or you can Right-click and copy the URL in the itunes music store and save it somewhere.

arn
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestion Arn. But, the iTunes store should have a wish list. Along with gift certificates how about the ability to purchase music for your family or friends? And while I am at it, how about being able to post your own play list? Why should artists be so special? ;)
 
Warning! The post contains math!

Since Mac iTMS users were downloading 600,000 a week it stands to reason that they probably downloaded approximately 300.000 during the timeframe mentioned. That would mean that 700,000 d/l came from Windows iTMS users which would be a 1.4 million / week rate (for a total of 2 million between Mac and PC).
 
as a poster said above, this is just the tip of the iceberg!

I think many windows users don't know about itunes for pc yet. Just wait till the pepsi promotion, or the more subtle aol promotion kicks off.

I hope they're not making a loss per song, because they're going to start selling a lot more songs!!!

edit: how many did you think they'd make in the first week? (http://www.macpolls.com/?poll_id=293) I think I said 4 million, but we have a long 3.5 days to go yet!!
 
Originally posted by AndrewMT
These one million songs purchased are simply mac users or windows users (who have been following iTunes dev. for a while) who are simply seeing if buying music on a peecee is just as easy as Steve says it is.
Click to expand...


And they're finding out it *is* that easy!

BTW - That's what people were saying when iTMS for Mac first launched. "Sure, they sold a lot of songs the first week, but that's just people curious about how the music store works. Sales will take a nosedive after the novelty wears off." :confused:
 
I really don't want to be the "glass is half empty" person on this thread but initial sales are all well and fine. Its how well Apple does in the months to come that is key.
Any new product that has as much buzz and hype as iTunes can sell like hotcakes. Its after that buzz cools is when we find out if iTunes for Windows has staying power. With that being said I can say that at least $60 a month is probably going to go to itunes. ($30 per paychek.) I like iTunes and browsing its store is fun :)

PS- Has anyone heard what rights napster has planned for their music store? I'm going to be interested in see if its as board as Apple's. WMA's DRM are only as restrictive as you set them up to be.
 
Wishlists

Originally posted by arn
Alternatively, to keep a list of songs you like and want to come back to but not buy... you can:

1) Make a folder for those songs, and drag the song name into the folder. It will create an alias/link that you can click on in Windows that will open the music store to the proper location.

2) or you can Right-click and copy the URL in the itunes music store and save it somewhere.

arn
Click to expand...

That's a good workaround but imagine....

Right click on a song select Wishlist -> with a star rating on interest. 1(red)-2(orange) 3(yellow)-4(green)-5(Blue) stars. When you click on the iTunes store you have a new button apear next to the search field called Wishlist with a little wand next to it. When you click on it the iTMS browser takes you to your list which has all the same info you would see in an iTMS listing as well as a new column called interest and the colored star ratings there. At the top of the list you have a share button. When clicked it has an e-mail address form with an open slot, a hard encoded @ symbol and another open slot. Below that is an add button when clicked adds the e-mail address to the list of users below. What this will do is send these people a link to your wishlist and next to the name you have a dropdown box that says. Send: once, monthly, quarterly, when updated.
 
Originally posted by SiliconAddict
[B
PS- Has anyone heard what rights napster has planned for their music store? I'm going to be interested in see if its as board as Apple's. WMA's DRM are only as restrictive as you set them up to be. [/B]
Click to expand...

Napster has a hybrid model:

99 cents a song, $9.95 per album - like iTunes. (no subscription)

Also: unlimited-listening subscription, $9.95 a month. But you have to buy songs ($1) to move it outside your computer (burn it, portable player)
 
I went lurking on a couple PC forums this morning to see what the real impression of iTunes for Windows is, rather then relying on some Win-centric writer.

Overall, over 15 screens of posts, I got the impression that 95% of the posters really loved iT4W, 40% were trashing WinAmp and WMP in favor of iT4W, 50% were keeping both and using whichever one was stronger in what they wanted to do, 10% preferred and were keeping WMP.

Here are a couple fun quotes...

timeripper: Is it possible that a single piece of software can actually motivate a whole life change? In the space of a day I've cleaned my desk, rearranged my furniture (Feng Shui THIS), completely refiled all of my paperwork at work, picked my courses for next term, took my DVD burner in for an exchange (yeah, that's been four months in the making) and ate some lemon merangue pie.

I've never been this motivated in my life. I somehow feel it has something to do with iTunes.

Apparently, the rhythm is going to get you.
Click to expand...

timeripper: I've been rifling through drawers all over the house to make sure no CD has been missing.

*******, I just ripped my mom's "Diana Ross 20th Century Masters"

SOMEBAAAADY STOP ME!
Click to expand...

tiberian: Yes, it is of cource my computer. Not the software, which should be designed to run on my very common hardawe. iTunes really is the best software ever for windows, even though it's only the initial release. ******* Steve Jobs for making iTunes and showing me what a **** computer I really have.
Click to expand...
 
Promotion idea

I can't help but think that if Apple allowed Mac/iTunes users to send out $1 gift certificates on Apple to their Windows friends that the numbers might be better. Seems like a more targeted promotion than the Pepsi deal and it would have an effect before the holiday shopping season. The free song would be the perfect way to get Windows users to check out iTunes and the store.
 
PC Users Love iTunes for Windoze...

Looking at the comments on CNet downloads, it appears that the majority of PC users love iTunes for Windows.

check it out if you have time. its quite a satisfying read

http://download.com.com/3302-2167_4-10235269.html

here are the first twenty post subjects:
"Apple has done it again!"
"Limited format support, CD burning didn't work"
"Exe"
"The only app that can beat Winamp"
"Fantastic Program and Easy to Use"
"great programme"
"I'm Converted"
"Beats any other player out there hands down"
"Like it...."
"iTunes OWNZ windows crappy player."
"Best music player on Windows."
"Windows Media Player is far Superior"
"Best App for Windows"
"What Software Should Be"
"Great Program--very nicely done!"
"Great Apple product!"
"Great! made me dump Winamp"
"Great Program!"
"Sweet Program"
 
Originally posted by Flowbee
And they're finding out it *is* that easy!

BTW - That's what people were saying when iTMS for Mac first launched. "Sure, they sold a lot of songs the first week, but that's just people curious about how the music store works. Sales will take a nosedive after the novelty wears off." :confused:
Click to expand...

And, well, technically, they did drop off, although nosedive is a bit of an overstatement, by 40%. 1MM the first week, levelling out to 600,000 per week after six months (and, actually, now growing somewhat week over week).

You are correct, though, that many analysts were expecting more like a 90% nosedive after the first couple of weeks.
 
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