7-Eleven to test sale of music downloads

Convenience store giant looks for ways to cash in on booming demand for portable digital content.

The story "7-Eleven to test sale of music downloads" published March 24, 2005 at 11:06 AM is no longer available on CNET News.

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7-11? You've got to be Joking

Okay, there's a HUUUGE difference between Starbucks and 7-11. People go into Startbucks to drink Cafe Mocha, buy stuff, listen to the cool music, and surf via Wi-Fi.

7-11 on the other hand, is where people go to buy lottery tickets and Big Gulps. What's next, WiFi in McDonalds? oops, they already tried that one. How about downloads in the shoe store?

[Terry Murphy]

This is hilarious

Who's next? Kentucky Fried Chicken?

Well, for starters Mr. Keyes, since you opportunistically
mentioned Apple's iPod (no doubt to salivate the Merril Lynch
crowd), I think that begs the obvious question: what DRM
technology will you be imbedding in your "downloadable"
content for portable players? Because you know the record
companies will have more than a big gulp if you attempt to sell
their digital music without digital locks. Perhaps you have a deal
with Apple for a Fairplay license. No? Well, then you've just
kissed goodbye the iPod market share, far and away the vast
majority of portable digital music players out there. Just ask Real
Networks, they know...

It's just amazing - no, it's astonishing - that after the less than
enviable examples of perpetually fledgeling wannabe's in the
music download business such as Sony, Microsoft, Virgin, Wal
Mart, et al., that anyone even thinking of entering this market
would do just a modicum of background research to understand
what made Apple so successful and identify ways
to realistically compete with them. To date, it's never happened,
rather obviously given the competitive landscape that exists
currently for music download services. It's a bunch of corporate
execs who think there's nothing more to the music download
business than just jumping in the sandbox and playing with all
the other kids. Absolutely incredible.

My advice, poor Mr. Keyes, before you start booking big losses,
is to remember who your company is and what they do. Then
find ways to improve upon it.

Don't believe me? Just ask ATT.

[Stating]

"Toxic" Idea

I've just dashed into 7-11 to buy a quart of milk at an exhorbitant price. The flourescent lights glare at me from above, the hidden cameras and bubble mirrors track my every move, and Krishna at the counter is overwhelmed ringing up a dozen candy bars and beef jerky for the rambunctious Boy Scout troupe that just walked in. But wait, I am suddently hit with the urge to download Britney's "Toxic" to my Ipod. Thank heaven for 7-11.

Oh, but wait, it was all just a dream. Alas, I must wait until I get home to download "Toxic". Life is so cruel.