Steve Jobs 'Thoughts on Music'

[FoxyKaye]

I haven't bought anything on iTunes since JHymn was disabled by iTunes 6. The bitrate is far too low anyway. I just buy CDs from Amazon and rip them at 320.

Ditto - There's tons of used CD stores here in the Bay Area, a lot with prices that beat the "album" download in iTunes anyway.

That's the other thing about iTMS that has always irked me - the AAC bitrate. I'm not a huge audiophile or anything, but there is a noticeable difference between 128 and 320. FairPlay just seems ridiculous when there are higher bitrate files almost always available on the peer-to-peer networks.

I seem to remember Napster was all the rage when Apple was first negotiating the relationships it has with the "big 4" - CD sales were plummeting, and people were uploading and swapping MP3s at an unprecedented rate. I'm sure at the time these companies had some reason to be nervous about putting pre-packaged MP3s online, but all the music that was traded on Napster was ripped from CDs - not downloaded MP3/AAC files - that were then being shared.

This was a very refreshing article to read, even if Steve's only reason is to direct some attention away from the lawsuits in Europe.

 

[Stella]

I can see that Jobs wants to make Good Products, to do the best he can, yes.

Just like most of us want to better ourselves, throughout our lives - self improvement. Something to strive for - and Jobs is certainly no different.

Steve's not interested in money - you must see that ? I'm sure he get's the occasional buzz from the power and glory perhaps ...but never money...I genuinely think he wants to make the world a better place - I really think that's the legacy he wants to leave...and that's why I will forever believe and defend a Steve Jobs' helmed Apple.

I shall look that word up!
edit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transference

 

[Jarbo]

Go Ahead Labels ... Jump!

We will if you will.

What's the matter ... Are you chicken?

Well played Steve.

Whats going to happen is indie companies will accept this (many already do) and the big 4 will be last to the game.

 

[echeck]

I must say, I was quite surprised to see Steve be so open about the subject. It makes sense, what with the pressure Apple is getting with their DRM, but it was still a surprise.

All in all, good for Steve and Apple for coming out with this. I get so tired of hearing people berating Apple for their DRM when it's not up to them, it's up to the Music Industry. Focus your energies in the right direction, people.

Rating (239 Positives; 7 Negatives)

I think this is the largest positive percentage I've ever seen on an article!

 

[flir67]

that article was good reading material. good job steve..

keep up the good work.....

 

[codo]

I adore the majority of users on this forum.

If only I had the time to go back and quote the support for DRM a few weeks ago, count the number of individuals ready to sign away their individual consumer rights for DRM laden music and the individuals shining like a beacon out of Jobs' arse in support for his DRM.

Oh what a difference a week makes.

 

[clevin]

I must say, I was quite surprised to see Steve be so open about the subject. It makes sense, what with the pressure Apple is getting with their DRM, but it was still a surprise.

All in all, good for Steve and Apple for coming out with this. I get so tired of hearing people berating Apple for their DRM when it's not up to them, it's up to the Music Industry. Focus your energies in the right direction, people.



I think this is the largest positive percentage I've ever seen on an article!

stand back, look at this statement, Jobs basically tell u they won't do nothing, and doing nothing is the right action that deserves ur praise?

 

[gauchogolfer]

Yes, of course, but that's short-term thinking. It's entirely conceivable I might ditch OS X at some point and want to create a presentation or movie on a Windows or Linux system. I just don't want to have to worry about these limitations.

Well, you can play those protected-AAC files on a Windows machine using iTunes, that's for sure. As to whether or not they work with PowerPoint or MovieMaker, thank God I don't know. They work fine (even the DRM-ed files) in Keynote and iMovie.

 

[twoodcc]

nice article. i enjoyed it

 

[clevin]

Steve's not interested in money - you must see that

unbelievable,, Bill Gates deserve more of your praise then.
Jobs not interested in money? is he god?

 

[Porchland]

It's happened: emusic.

What's puzzling is why Apple insists on adding DRM to music from these independent lables when they don't require it for emusic.

The agreements with the labels may require Apple to DRM all of the music that it sells, which makes good sense if you're a record label. It keeps everyone on the same playing field.

 

[superleccy]

I really don't think he's having a go at Europe... its your imagination.

I don't think he's actually having a go at Europe either - so to speak. However, his note was undoubtedly prompted by the rumblings of discontent coming from Norway, Germany and France.

And anyway, as a European myself, I'm not taking it personally. Hell... us Brits are only European when we want to be anyway.

SL

 

[clevin]

The agreements with the labels may require Apple to DRM all of the music that it sells, which makes good sense if you're a record label. It keeps everyone on the same playing field.

possible? yes
reasonable? no, and i doubt it

 

[JGowan]

There is no reason that Apple should open iTunes.

Jobs stated several great reasons (go read the letter). If Steve Jobs thinks so, then I think he's got the bigger picture.

 

[swingerofbirch]

Whoa! Way to call their bluff! Apple certainly has a lot of weigh to throw around now, and it's doing it! I just hope they don't upset their European customers with the geographical accusations, as some of them already feel disenfranchised not having videos etc on iTunes.

Jobs is smart, but I see a couple of logical fallacies.
LF #1 20 BN vs. 2 BN
What Jobs does not mention is that undoubtedly the music industry regrets its lack of foresight in NOT implementing DRM in its CDs. They have certainly tried without success to do so in some instances, and you can see that the movie industry has learned from the music industry's mistake in making all DVDs hard to crack.

Also, this is comparing music that is sold, not music consumed. Of the 20 BN songs distributed without DRM many were copied and distributed many times over illegally. Why would they want to repeat that mistake with a new market which they can control?

LF #2 "We would be interopable if only...."

Come on, I don't buy this at all! Although the record industry will never call Jobs' bluff on this one, I wish they would! Jobs makes it sound like the only way to have interoperable systems is to either eliminate DRM or to license Apple's DRM to other companies. However, there are many companies who tried to get Apple to open up the iPod to their services. I don't believe there is any technological reason why you couldn't have two DRM functionalities on one iPod. I am not saying Apple should do this, but I am saying Apple has nothing to gain in a world where DRM doesn't exist. The exclusivity of the music store keeps customers buying there. If you could buy the same quality of song that would play on your iPod from Wal-mart cheaper why wouldn't you?

 

[surferfromuk]

unbelievable,, Bill Gates deserve more of your praise then.
Jobs not interested in money? is he god?

After your first billion do you think the thought of another is what get's you out of bed on a morning ?

..and Bill Gates may yet redeem himself - he's a very charitable chap you know...

anyway, back to the drm - I'd certainly buy a lot more of my music digitally if it was Apple lossles and drm free - so ultimately it's a win-win for all parties if this comes to play.

 

[nagromme]

Once upon a time, the big labels absolutley WOULD NOT sell music online. But times change: Jobs got them past that eventually.

One day, the big labels might take this next step too. (With some indie music and small but legal alternative sources of DRM-free music leading the way.)

 

[Rocketman]

The agreements with the labels may require Apple to DRM all of the music that it sells, which makes good sense if you're a record label. It keeps everyone on the same playing field.

Wrong. Digital files with DRM cannot be readily copied. Physical CD's most certainly can, and are, in a widespread way.

DRM's online sales are effectively crippled.

Apple has determined it is worth doing in exchange for claiming the largest source of non-pirated material in the world. That's a pretty impressive claim BTW, and market share keeps rapidly rising too.

He is doing those record company folks a favor and piraters hate it, especially European/Asian countries who openly encourage piracy.

Again I refer to the Wintel model. Wintel has about a 90% market share (installed base, 95% new sales). MOST (70%) of those sales are commodity PC's with pirated OS's and pirated applications. People buying the tools are getting the value from them but not reimbursing the folks who worked to design and distribute the products they use.

I want to buy about 10 pirated houses and about a million pirated acres of land please!

Rocketman

 

[72930]

is he [Steve Jobs] god?

This has been discussed...quite possibly...

 

[Porchland]

Seems like I say this every time a DRM story hits: Am I missing something here?

When I bought my first iPod about three years ago, I ripped most of my CDs into iTunes. In the last three years, I have bought very few CDs and quite a few digital tracks from iTunes. I listen to ripped and digital tracks on my PowerBook. I burn album CDs and mix CDs. I play ripped and digital tracks on my two iPods. I'm not planning on getting a non-iPod MP3 player anytime soon.

Given all that, DRM does not adversely affect me one bit.

Why -- specifically, not in theory, not because it's BAD! -- why does DRM bother you?

 

[echeck]

stand back, look at this statement, Jobs basically tell u they won't do nothing, and doing nothing is the right action that deserves ur praise?

I'm honestly not entirely sure what you're trying to say here. Correct grammar and spelling can go a long way when trying to convey thoughts via text.

My point still remains that it isn't Apple's fault that they have to include DRM in their product. That comes from the music industry, not Apple.

 

[BornAgainMac]

Introducing iTunes 8

iTunes 8 ... DRM free music for purchase. Unlock your existing music. Free of DRM forever.

iTunes 9 .... DRM free TV Shows and Movies


iTunes 10 .... Thanks to the huge sales of music. 10 Billion songs sold in 2 years, we are giving 1 free song for every 2 songs you buy. So introducing HD content on iTunes.

 

[clevin]

Seems like I say this every time a DRM story hits: Am I missing something here?

When I bought my first iPod about three years ago, I ripped most of my CDs into iTunes. In the last three years, I have bought very few CDs and quite a few digital tracks from iTunes. I listen to ripped and digital tracks on my PowerBook. I burn album CDs and mix CDs. I play ripped and digital tracks on my two iPods. I'm not planning on getting a non-iPod MP3 player anytime soon.

Given all that, DRM does not adversely affect me one bit.

Why -- specifically, not in theory, not because it's BAD! -- why does DRM bother you?

it should be surprising consider not everybody are as fixed as you, they pay for something, and they want to be totally free about what they want to do with it.

 

[RugoseCone]

I have two criticisms of Jobs' 'Thoughts on Music'.

2) As has already been mentioned, Apple keeps the DRM on songs even if the label doesn't stipulate that they must be DRM'd. Most independent music lables have made it clear that they don't care if their music has DRM, but apple continues to encode their music. Jobs is being a hypocrite by not selling these songs unlocked.

Not trying to defend Jobs, but mayhap it's a stipulation of the contract with the big four of the RIAA? It's possible they demanded that ALL labels have the DRM applied or they wouldn't allow their content to be sold.

As far as eMusic goes, their selection is weak…

I suppose if you consider musical masters such as Miles Davis and John Coltrane "weak"

 

[SpaceJello]

Wouldn't the lack of DRM break down the ipod empire? I always assume that part of ipod's suggest is the inability to get songs from other online music stores to ipod...

I love the ipod and doubt i would go get any other music player any time ZUNE *laugh*...