Talk about a 180. After months of complaining about Apple's "indecent" iTunes pricing model, Warner Music Group appears to have had a complete change of heart. On Wednesday, the label actually praised the iTunes store, calling it a prime example of digital music done right, according to MacNN.
"You need to look no further than Apple's iPhone to see how fast brilliantly written software presented on a beautifully designed device with a spectacular user interface will throw all the accepted notions about pricing, billing platforms and brand loyalty right out the window, said Warner Music Group chairman and CEO Edgar Bronfman (pictured right).
Considering that quote sounds like it could have come from Cupertino itself, that's some spectacular brown-nosing for a music exec.
Maybe we've just grown accustomed to the hyperbolic ravings of industry bigwigs, but that's also quite a shift in stance for such a major label. Of course, earlier this month, NBC Universal exec Jeff Zucker claimed Apple had essentially "destroyed the music business." Shortly thereafter, former Disney CEO Michael Eisner weighed in on the writers strike and encouraged Hollywood scribes to picket Cupertino instead of the studios.
Even Warner Music has historically railed against Apple. Among other disputes, the record label claimed that music pricing at Apple's iTunes Store was inherently unfair and repeatedly demanded that it be allowed to mark up newer songs at higher prices. Apple, in turn, said no way and argued that part of the appeal of iTunes is its simplicity and consistent pricing.
So what changed? Apparently Bronfman is beginning to realize that resisting customer demand for digital content has ultimately backfired for labels, and instead has only led to more "illegal" downloads which have in turn helped undermine CD and DVD sales. And with this new embrace of Apple's flavor of digital distribution, the company is also promising to offer even more bundles of music with ringtones, videos and other combinations via the store in the near future. Despite being a lone voice in the woods for now, maybe dumping on Apple isn't the new black after all.
maandag 12 januari 2009
Itunes changes pricing models
Gone are the days of basically ninety-nine cents for any song at iTunes — Apple today has revealed a new iTunes pricing model that will make some songs cheaper, and, unfortunately for consumers, will make some songs more expensive.
Songs from iTunes will now be offered through a three-tier pricing system — some songs with be only 69 cents, others will remain at the standard 99 cent price, and others still will be bumped up to 1.29 per song. How Apple will determine a song’s worth has not yet been released, however I would imagine popularity would have something to do with it.
Will paying an extra thirty cents on some offerings hurt iTunes? I think that will depend on how many songs come at the new, higher price, but it would make me think twice before purchasing.
Also, iTunes is removing the copy protection from its library of music, which is being applauded by those who would like to easily transfer their music to any source they see fit.
Songs from iTunes will now be offered through a three-tier pricing system — some songs with be only 69 cents, others will remain at the standard 99 cent price, and others still will be bumped up to 1.29 per song. How Apple will determine a song’s worth has not yet been released, however I would imagine popularity would have something to do with it.
Will paying an extra thirty cents on some offerings hurt iTunes? I think that will depend on how many songs come at the new, higher price, but it would make me think twice before purchasing.
Also, iTunes is removing the copy protection from its library of music, which is being applauded by those who would like to easily transfer their music to any source they see fit.
zondag 11 januari 2009
woensdag 7 januari 2009
NIN Ghosts I-IV Amazons #1
NIN continues succesfully in a trend that Radiohead started.
From site: http://www.theninhotline.net/news/
Creative Commons licensed Ghosts I-IV is Amazon's #1 MP3 album in 2008
A number of people wrote in to point out that NIN's double-disc-length instrumental album, Ghosts I-IV, is at the very top of Amazon's best-sellers in their MP3 store (Digg this story, by the by) Over at CreativeCommons.org, Fred Benson makes note of the commercial success of an album that you can legally download for free. That's not even taking into account that under a traditional current-day record label, something like Ghosts would never, ever see the light of day.
Frederic Lardinois also covers this news at ReadWriteWeb, noting that In Rainbows came in just under the top 10. Even being #1 at Amazon's MP3 store, whatever numbers those are don't reflect sales through iTunes or directly through nin.com. It's cool to see innovation, but even better to see innovative moves that demonstrate real progress, particularly coming from people I've been following for years.
From site: http://www.theninhotline.net/news/
Creative Commons licensed Ghosts I-IV is Amazon's #1 MP3 album in 2008
A number of people wrote in to point out that NIN's double-disc-length instrumental album, Ghosts I-IV, is at the very top of Amazon's best-sellers in their MP3 store (Digg this story, by the by) Over at CreativeCommons.org, Fred Benson makes note of the commercial success of an album that you can legally download for free. That's not even taking into account that under a traditional current-day record label, something like Ghosts would never, ever see the light of day.
Frederic Lardinois also covers this news at ReadWriteWeb, noting that In Rainbows came in just under the top 10. Even being #1 at Amazon's MP3 store, whatever numbers those are don't reflect sales through iTunes or directly through nin.com. It's cool to see innovation, but even better to see innovative moves that demonstrate real progress, particularly coming from people I've been following for years.
Nokia.mobi
Nokia is once again developing their mobile entertainment services even further. Advertisers are happy.
From site: http://www.nokia.com/A4136001?newsid=1280662
Nokia.mobi enriches the mobile internet with Here & Now
January 07, 2009
Espoo, Finland - The popular mobile internet site Nokia.mobi has extended its offering with the launch of Here and Now, a new section that provides the latest world news, music, celebrity buzz, as well as information on Nokia services and products.
Bookmarked in every new Nokia device, Nokia.mobi is accessed by millions of consumers across the globe.
"By providing quality content to consumers from partners such as Reuters and Rollingstone.com, Here and Now allows consumers to get more out of Nokia.mobi and mobile services in general," said Juha Rytkönen, Director Nokia.mobi.
"Here and now will encourage users to come back more often and spend more time on Nokia.mobi which is great news for the growing number of advertisers that have been using Nokia.mobi as the launchpad for their mobile advertising campaigns," added Tom Henriksson, Head of Nokia Interactive Advertising.
Nokia.mobi is already popular with brand advertisers including BMW, American Express and Universal Pictures; Here and Now opens up new opportunities to advertise alongside valued news and entertainment content aimed at the 18-35 age segment. The different sections of the site allow consumers to:
- Listen to music - Grab downloads
- Read the Buzz about celebrities - Get to Know the latest news
- Browse the mobile net - Discover Nokia services and products
Here and Now is part of the Nokia Media Network, a premium mobile advertising network comprised of top-tier publishers such as Reuters and Hearst, operator partners such as Sprint and Airtel, and Nokia services. It is accessible through your Nokia device at Nokia.mobi/hereandnow.
Nokia Interactive Advertising helps brands reach the potential global audience of 3.3 billion consumers with mobile devices. Through the Nokia Media Network and Nokia Interactive Solutions, it provides brands with all they need to connect with and engage consumers with mobile advertising.
About Nokia
Nokia is the world leader in mobility, driving the transformation and growth of the converging Internet and communications industries. We make a wide range of mobile devices with services and software that enable people to experience music, navigation, video, television, imaging, games, business mobility and more. Developing and growing our offering of consumer Internet services, as well as our enterprise solutions and software, is a key area of focus. We also provide equipment, solutions and services for communications networks through the Nokia Siemens Networks.
From site: http://www.nokia.com/A4136001?newsid=1280662
Nokia.mobi enriches the mobile internet with Here & Now
January 07, 2009
Espoo, Finland - The popular mobile internet site Nokia.mobi has extended its offering with the launch of Here and Now, a new section that provides the latest world news, music, celebrity buzz, as well as information on Nokia services and products.
Bookmarked in every new Nokia device, Nokia.mobi is accessed by millions of consumers across the globe.
"By providing quality content to consumers from partners such as Reuters and Rollingstone.com, Here and Now allows consumers to get more out of Nokia.mobi and mobile services in general," said Juha Rytkönen, Director Nokia.mobi.
"Here and now will encourage users to come back more often and spend more time on Nokia.mobi which is great news for the growing number of advertisers that have been using Nokia.mobi as the launchpad for their mobile advertising campaigns," added Tom Henriksson, Head of Nokia Interactive Advertising.
Nokia.mobi is already popular with brand advertisers including BMW, American Express and Universal Pictures; Here and Now opens up new opportunities to advertise alongside valued news and entertainment content aimed at the 18-35 age segment. The different sections of the site allow consumers to:
- Listen to music - Grab downloads
- Read the Buzz about celebrities - Get to Know the latest news
- Browse the mobile net - Discover Nokia services and products
Here and Now is part of the Nokia Media Network, a premium mobile advertising network comprised of top-tier publishers such as Reuters and Hearst, operator partners such as Sprint and Airtel, and Nokia services. It is accessible through your Nokia device at Nokia.mobi/hereandnow.
Nokia Interactive Advertising helps brands reach the potential global audience of 3.3 billion consumers with mobile devices. Through the Nokia Media Network and Nokia Interactive Solutions, it provides brands with all they need to connect with and engage consumers with mobile advertising.
About Nokia
Nokia is the world leader in mobility, driving the transformation and growth of the converging Internet and communications industries. We make a wide range of mobile devices with services and software that enable people to experience music, navigation, video, television, imaging, games, business mobility and more. Developing and growing our offering of consumer Internet services, as well as our enterprise solutions and software, is a key area of focus. We also provide equipment, solutions and services for communications networks through the Nokia Siemens Networks.
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