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Matt Rosoff is an analyst with Directions on Microsoft, where he covers Microsoft's consumer products and corporate news. He's written about the technology industry since 1995 and reviewed the first Rio MP3 player for CNET.com in 1998. He's also a bass guitarist and an avid collector (and digitizer) of LP records. DISCLAIMER: This blog contains the personal opinions of the author and does not necessarily represent the opinions of his employers or of CNET Networks. As an IT industry analyst, the author occasionally agrees to nondisclosure agreements from Microsoft or other companies, and he will not violate the terms of such agreements on this blog.
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1. Steve Jobs hates subscriptions
He does. He was given the option when itunes started and he didn't want it. Apple would probably make money on this, but I find it highly unlikely that it would even get started, since Jobs has the final word.
2. Only 50% of iTunes would be available.
This means that all of the crappy music would be available and very little that is good would. Compare that to Napster, who has at least 85-90% available.
3. Too cheap
There is no way that Apple would have it at this price point, since it would lose money by the bucket.
4. It's probably temporary
If apple does this, they will probably discontinue it after all of the other services crumble, leaving all those people who bought into it in the lurch.
If apple does this, I will be concerned. I hate Apple and their iPods, so I use napster and a Zen. If they do this, it could drive all of the other services out of business, leaving all of the PFS mp3 players cut off at the knees. This will cause them to fold one by one, forcing anyone who wants an mp3 player to buy an overpriced, underfeatured iSuck. Once this happens, Apple can do as they please, since they will have a monopoly. Help us, SEC, you're our only hope!
- by amirault0 July 22, 2009 3:47 PM PDT
- i cant believe how many people still pay for music...
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