Comments on: Digital music spins new sales approach

Subscription services try playlist swapping in battle against iTunes, but it's an uphill climb.

[across04]

In 5, 10, 15 years, how much will you be willing to pay

Subscriptions sound great right now, along with the flexibility to
sample music.

But remember, you're paying every month and if you don't, your
subscription is "POOF" gone!

What happens in 2 years when your $9.99 is increased to
$12.99, then $19.99...

You've spent all this time amassing your library and then they've
got you over a barrel.

They get what they want...LOCK IN, and you get to keep paying.

Subscription, at the right price is fine for exploration, and that's
what the subscriptions are offering.

I just wouldn't invest in it as a tool to maintain my music
collection.

[tinyelvis]

Informed Consumer

Valid point. Like I have preached elsewhere. One of the biggest benefits of subs it the fact that you can really know what albums are worth purchasing.

Whether you subscribe is really a matter of how much music you listen to. If you only buy a track when something is played on the radio that you love a sub is not for you. If you LOVE music, want to explore and learn, then a sub is a Godsend.

[across04]

In 5, 10, 15 years, how much will you be willing to pay

Subscriptions sound great right now, along with the flexibility to
sample music.

But remember, you're paying every month and if you don't, your
subscription is "POOF" gone!

What happens in 2 years when your $9.99 is increased to
$12.99, then $19.99...

You've spent all this time amassing your library and then they've
got you over a barrel.

They get what they want...LOCK IN, and you get to keep paying.

Subscription, at the right price is fine for exploration, and that's
what the subscriptions are offering.

I just wouldn't invest in it as a tool to maintain my music
collection.

[tinyelvis]

Informed Consumer

Valid point. Like I have preached elsewhere. One of the biggest benefits of subs it the fact that you can really know what albums are worth purchasing.

Whether you subscribe is really a matter of how much music you listen to. If you only buy a track when something is played on the radio that you love a sub is not for you. If you LOVE music, want to explore and learn, then a sub is a Godsend.

[olias]

Playlists - Keep them to yourself

I can't believe that people are interested in other
people's playlists. They need to get a life. A bunch of
Self important people who think that their taste is
something the rest of us should take note of. The same
type of people who sit down the pub, talk loudly and tell
you how the world works. Losers.

The important thing about iTunes is how it allows you to
get your music into your iPod. Why do many reporters
in the media forget or just blatantly miss the point that
most people with a music catalogue can import all the
songs to their iPods.

You would think from the press/media that the only way
to get music into the iPod is to pay 99c a track. I have
approx 230 albums in my iPod and only two have been
bought via iTunes. I have also bought approx 20
individual songs.

Having unlimited music via a subscription service
sounds good but how many people go beyond their
own taste in music and start to listen to hundreds of
songs they don't really know.

Forget someone else's unimportant playlist.
Buy your CD's and import to your iPod
and don't waste your money on a subscription service -
that's why you have radio stations - to find new music

[tinyelvis]

Playlists Are More Than Personal Taste

Grahame,

You're view of playlists is too limited.

Playlists can be MUCH more than someone's personal taste as you describe. They can be learning tools.

Songs based on a particlular subject like Horses, Dentists, Football, anything help you find music for events quickly and easily.

Playlists based on charts (number 1 hits, etc, easily help you start listening to what was hot anytime in history without doing the research yourself) Want to hear the top selling albums on the day you wer born? Playlists can do that.

Learn about music history-- Songs written by a certian songwriter or produced by a certain producer.

Songs in a certain time signature, the same key, or chord progression helps teach music theory.

Playlists are not just "my favorite songs"

[olias]

Playlists - Keep them to yourself

I can't believe that people are interested in other
people's playlists. They need to get a life. A bunch of
Self important people who think that their taste is
something the rest of us should take note of. The same
type of people who sit down the pub, talk loudly and tell
you how the world works. Losers.

The important thing about iTunes is how it allows you to
get your music into your iPod. Why do many reporters
in the media forget or just blatantly miss the point that
most people with a music catalogue can import all the
songs to their iPods.

You would think from the press/media that the only way
to get music into the iPod is to pay 99c a track. I have
approx 230 albums in my iPod and only two have been
bought via iTunes. I have also bought approx 20
individual songs.

Having unlimited music via a subscription service
sounds good but how many people go beyond their
own taste in music and start to listen to hundreds of
songs they don't really know.

Forget someone else's unimportant playlist.
Buy your CD's and import to your iPod
and don't waste your money on a subscription service -
that's why you have radio stations - to find new music

[tinyelvis]

Playlists Are More Than Personal Taste

Grahame,

You're view of playlists is too limited.

Playlists can be MUCH more than someone's personal taste as you describe. They can be learning tools.

Songs based on a particlular subject like Horses, Dentists, Football, anything help you find music for events quickly and easily.

Playlists based on charts (number 1 hits, etc, easily help you start listening to what was hot anytime in history without doing the research yourself) Want to hear the top selling albums on the day you wer born? Playlists can do that.

Learn about music history-- Songs written by a certian songwriter or produced by a certain producer.

Songs in a certain time signature, the same key, or chord progression helps teach music theory.

Playlists are not just "my favorite songs"