Apple Buying Universal Music? [merged threads]

[Ugg]

Whether true or not, it looks as though Apple is looking to aquire another company and given their digital hub focus it makes sense that they would target the entertainment industry. I agree with serpicolugnut that the current industry is dying and that it will be replaced by smaller more responsive studios. The current system is based on a topheavy star system giving those on the bottom little chance to get a leg up.

The future is with downloadable music and if Apple is able to come up with a viable solution then they will be at the head of the pack. I'm all for independent music and movie studios but I'm not willing to search a couple hundred web sites to find the music I want. A centralized system is what is needed and I hope that Apple succeeds.

I have this gut feeling that this is the year that makes or breaks Apple. Can Steve pull it off?

[fryke]

Ugg wrote: "I'm all for independent music and movie studios but I'm not willing to search a couple hundred web sites to find the music I want."

I remember the days when I went to a different city to (just maybe) find the record I was looking for. ;-)

You wouldn't have to search a couple hundred websites, even without a centralised system. Think Google. Or blogs. Or P2P. There _could_ be a networked system of independent resellers. And, yes, even you with your own band's website could be part of it. However: I still am with you with your hope.

[Excalibur]

I agree with you on that Fryke. The words... out of stock, will not be an issue anymore.

[gwynarion]

Originally posted by banjo_boy
Pengu, does "banjo_boy" give you any hint!?! Bluegrass is my music of choice and most of the best names are on independent labels and will probably not be part of this.

You have to understand that you DO NOT find bluegrass music easily.

You may already know about this, but... Sirius Stream 37 - Bluegrass

[gwynarion]

Originally posted by Excalibur
I agree with you on that Fryke. The words... out of stock, will not be an issue anymore.

What I really want is for the record labels entire libraries to be made available. Not just the music and artists that they currently have available in stores and catalogs but everything they own. 70% of the music I download is stuff which cannot be bought except at great effort through used stores and similar-purpose online sites.

[bolindilly]

the real question that has to be asked is this:
how will apple debut their music service and not alienate all those people who are used to getting music for free? how do you institute a service like this and reconcile those issues?

next issue:
how do you get the majority of public (willing or not willing) to accept the fact that you have to pay for digital music?

and finally:
how can apple use this business-friendly approach to take future steps into the real $ maker (and therefore the real expansion of influence)?

unfortunately, i don't have these answers. otherwise, i'd probably be getting big $ to work for apple. i do hope, however, that apple does know these answers. they are gonna make or break their future success...

John Galt

[fryke]

Well, for once, the quality of the service must be simply perfect. Finding something must be easiest possible, downloads must be as fast as possible (Akamai?) and license restrictions must be almost absent (i.e.: there are laws in each country about copyright, they are enough. we KNOW it's illegal to share that music online, we're just criminals and should be put to jail if we don't agree and copy the stuff.), i.e. no copy restrictions (for your own, private use).

[bolindilly]

freedom of private use is very important. they never had copy-protection on tapes. or did they?