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Is Apple becoming the Microsoft of music?

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No...duh
by Jonathan July 30, 2004 6:16 PM PDT
-Until Apple forces its OEMs into a proprietary system...oops no OEM's to try and manipulate the market.

-Until Apple starts locking their customers into a proprietary system that is the defacto standard...oops FairPlay isn't the standard nor is anything else. In fact they aren't even trying to make FairPlay a standard. They aren controlling their property. Boo Hoo.

-Until Apple starts playing slime ball BS tactics...hmmm not yet.


People are just pissed that Apple has finally top dog in one market and its eating you guys alive. FACT: If you don't like Apple or the iPod go with Napster or MusicMatch. Finally Apple is in the driver?s seat and everyone is currently relegated to the bottom of the totem poll so deal with it and stop ********.
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typical Apple, they never learn
by capng July 30, 2004 8:17 PM PDT
Didn't Apple learn anything from the Mac? The whole business of internet music will eventually have to standardize. People aren't going to want to have limitations on where they play their music based on where they bought the song. Differing standards have never lasted long in the tech area. Imagine if you bought a CD from an artist with the Sony label, and it only played on Sony CD players. Yeah, that's what we want...not.

By not taking advantage of their lead, Apple is going to doom itself to irrelevance yet again, just like they did with the Mac. They didn't want to license, they wanted to control both the hardware and the software. Where did that get them? 3-5% of the market share, that's where.

It's true they are the early leader, but what happens when everyone's fascination with the over-priced iPod wears off? Let's face it, as cool as it is, the iPod is a fad. People eventually aren't going to care what the player is, as long as it's easy to use with the features they want. People care about their music, not so much what it's playing on. And really, all iTunes is, is a method to drive iPod sales. When the iPod killer comes along, and it will, where does that leave Apple?

It's really a shame, because Apple over the years has built some really great stuff. And you have to give them, and Steve Jobs, credit in this case for forcing the industry to warm up to the idea of online distribution. But by wanting to be like the Microsoft monopoly, (as much as Apple denies it), they're relagating themselves to also-rans. The days of controlling the hardware and software are long gone, if they ever even existed at all. Wake up, Apple! You can use the lead you have to become the standard, or you can stubbornly refuse to acknowledge reality and sit and watch your competition leave you behind, AGAIN.
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No reason to say they are.
by richtestani July 30, 2004 8:36 PM PDT
I think it's a little early to make that claim. First Apple has played by the rules, and hasn't resorted to monopolistic practices. They simply started the legal download music service and did it right, like they do most of their products. There is fair competition out there now, and will be twice as bad in the coming years. Apple can't own 70% of the market if competition grows and grows, it will shrink ultimately just like the iPod only owns 50% of the huge MP3 player market.

I don't see Apple in the music business forever, but should make their name while they can.
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Apple the Music Monopolist?
by kakman1 July 30, 2004 9:24 PM PDT
Everyone takes shots at MSFT for being a monopoly, but Apple has always been a monopoly since the introduction of the Mac. Except for nineteen months back in the nineties, no one else is licensed to manufacture and sell Apple technology.That always has been because Apple is essentially a hardware company, it makes money by selling hardware and doesn't know how to make money any other way. Then music file sharing came along, mp3 players and Apple took notice.

Apple certainly wasn't first in door in the mp3 download business, but Apple became the most popular by 1)creating an easy to use software interface (iTunes)for creating and managing music files, 2)creating and selling easy to use, attractive lightweight hardware(iPod) that enables user to bring an entire music collection and then some on the go, and 3)having a large catalogue of licensed popular tunes to sell at its disposal at an affordable price. Then Apple makes Bill Gates and Steve Balmer really fume by making this technology availble for Windows users! Apple being Apple, of course creates a fun piece of hardware that is only compatible with its own music file technology and nobody else's. Everytime you buy an mp3 from iTunes and download onto an iPod, you're contributing more to Apple's revenue stream.

Real Networks comes along and reverse engineers the technology to enable music files from its own Rhapsody music service to be able to be saved and be playable on the iPod (not only pissing off Steve Jobs, but Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer, too, because Microft didn't either think of it first or didn't get the product ready yet and out the gate before Real, its other mortal enemy in this market). Apple gets wicked mad because every Real music file on an iPod is revenue denied to Apple and claims Real must be infringing on its monopoly, er, ah, excuse me, intellectual property because they discovered how to make their product compatible with Apple's hardware.

For a start, Apple has nothing to fear because iTunes is still easier to use than Rhapsody and both have virtually the same music available. Rhapsody would have to compete with iTunes on ease of use, selection and price. For the time being, Real's little hack just made it possible for its customer base, whatever pitible size compared to iTunes customer base, to transfer their files to an iPod and have a 'real' cool music player to sture their tunes.
The next problem is going to be what big bad Microsoft comes out with next year. It may be a total proprietary system with some electronic entertainment partners or like Real Networks, they will rework their own Windows Media Audio or perhaps create something else, so it works in the iPod. Chances are, whatever it is, it will suck big time right out the gate and fall flat on its ass (track record shows this is not unusual for them). But if they stick with it, the Microsoft version will either improve and steal revenue from Apple big time or continue to suck and be a drain on Microsoft's resources and revenue.
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NEVER
by avfolk--2008 July 30, 2004 11:11 PM PDT
How could Apple become the Microsoft of *anything*?

Apple technology doesn't spread viruses, cause upgrade jitters,
or cost a bazillion dollars to license, or promise stuff that it
doesn't deliver and probably never will.

Apple technology just works. How very un_Microsoft can you
get?
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Its their work - it needs to be on their terms
by lpbruop July 31, 2004 12:12 AM PDT
Apple worked hard to get where they are with the iPod and iTunes Music Store. They should be able to enjoy it awhile without having companies bite'n at their toes...Microsoft didnt license its Server software protocols until the US Dept. of Justice made them. Even today they really dont just give you the protocols - you have to pay to gain access to them. Let Apple do the same - enjoy the lead they have created for a few years, then if it hasnt led to better products and offerings from other companies then make them charge companies to gain access to the goods. Its got to be on Apple's Terms. If you force any company too early they are going to make sure that you pay - making their products not work with yours or charging you so much you cant afford to gain access to the goods. If you open it up directly now before the market has not been established well then you are going to have many crapy programs out there and the customers will be turned off and the market might be become what it might have been. Case in point - look at how Microsoft has licensed its DRM software to everyone under the sun - you think they did that because they are nice people - no, they did that because it gives them a foot hold in a market where they have none. And look at the products that use that technology - has anyone really had some kind of success. That On2 company or whatever its called over in England had online music downloads for over a year using MS DRM software - they have 1-3 hunderd thousand songs downloaded - Apple comes in and they get 3-5 hunderd thousand songs in the FIRST WEEK. Look at the car industry - Ford made the first car, compition has drivin that industry to downsize the different companies and its become a very competive market with more inovation coming out of these companies each day - it works this way, just leave well enough alone until it becomes a problem and when companies try to compete in an established market the controling company does things that are illegal - ala M$...

Off the soap box and going to bed now.....
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Its their work - it needs to be on their terms
by lpbruop July 31, 2004 12:23 AM PDT
Apple worked hard to get where they are with the iPod and iTunes Music Store. They should be able to enjoy it awhile without having companies bite'n at their toes...Microsoft didnt license its Server software protocols until the US Dept. of Justice made them. Even today they really dont just give you the protocols - you have to pay to gain access to them.

Let Apple do the same - enjoy the lead they have created for a few years, then if it hasnt led to better products and offerings from other companies then make them charge companies to gain access to the goods. Its got to be on Apple's Terms. If you force any company too early they are going to make sure that you pay - making their products not work with yours or charging you so much you cant afford to gain access to the goods.

If you open it up directly now before the market has not been established well then you are going to have many crapy programs out there and the customers will be turned off and the market might be become what it might have been. Case in point - look at how Microsoft has licensed its DRM software to everyone under the sun - you think they did that because they are nice people - no, they did that because it gives them a foot hold in a market where they have none.

And look at the products that use that technology - has anyone really had some kind of success. That On2 company or whatever its called over in England had online music downloads for over a year using MS DRM software - they have 1-3 hunderd thousand songs downloaded - Apple comes in and they get 3-5 hunderd thousand songs in the FIRST WEEK.

Look at the car industry - Ford made the first car, compition has drivin that industry to downsize the different companies and its become a very competive market with more inovation coming out of these companies each day - it works this way, just leave well enough alone until it becomes a problem and when companies try to compete in an established market the controling company does things that are illegal - ala M$...

Off the soap box and going to bed now.....
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Its such a shame...
by Jon N. July 31, 2004 1:10 AM PDT
I remember the beginnings of the personal computer industry, when both Microsoft & Apple were fledgling, the codes of both corps were open source, & most of all programs were in assembly or BASIC !
Again, its all about their products & not US !!!
Take note consumers !
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Apple will never equal Microsoft
by July 31, 2004 1:15 AM PDT
Apple protects its own products, it doesn't stifle
competition by buying up other music systems like
Microsoft buys up companies with good products just to
kill them because they are competing with an inferior
Microsoft product.

Besides, Apple doesn't suck nearly as much as Microsoft
does.
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Apple doesn't want to be an "everybody" company
by July 31, 2004 7:24 AM PDT
First, even with Macs only with 4-5% of the market, Apple is still
sitting on HUGE profit margins and plenty of money in the bank.
They have said they don't want to compete with MS and DELL.
They have and will continue to cultivate an "exclusive" status.
They don't want to be FORD, they want to be Mercedes or Lexus.

Apple has been on the forefront of many technological
advancements lately, digital music being only one of them.
Apple will continue to focus on producing the most
technologically advanced product on the market place in
conjunction with their "exclusive" motif. Apples loyal fan base
has kept them in business and they will continue to cater to that
base If they convert some more with iPod and iTunes, great.
Apple will not license its FairPlay DRM. They are too concerned
about the entire product-how software and hardware interact.
Someone will come out with an MP3 player that will be cheaper
and maybe be superior, but it won't bother Apple. Then more
pundits will predict Apple's downfall, but they will survive.
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Apple rulles no matter what
by July 31, 2004 9:40 AM PDT
everybody is just copying ideas, apple works because it keeps
other suckers out of it, it works because apple keeps full control
to make sure everything works for consumers like me and there
is nothing like it elsewhere. Even if they are a monopoly so what
they lead they don't steal ideas from anybody, everybody is
behind because they have no vision no logic no consumers
needs in mind.
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Quite a stretch...
by July 31, 2004 11:33 AM PDT
To say Apple is taking on Microsoft's tactics is quite a stretch.
Has Apple ever bought out or tried to crush their competition?
Has Apple ever been convicted of being a monopolist? Has Apple
ever done anything to stifle a competitor from offering the same
products and services as they do, or to hamper a competitor
from bringing a product or service to market?

No, the simple fact is that Apple has a dominate position in the
digital music market because they offer a product, the iPod, and
a service, the iTunes Music Store, that are far superior and a
must have for consumers. Beating your competition by building
a better product and offering superior service should be
applauded. And it's the complete opposite of Microsoft's way of
doing business.
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"Microsoft of Music"??? I sure hope not!
by Norseman July 31, 2004 12:40 PM PDT
"Microsoft of Music" implies that they have lousy products, use
unlawful business practices, and aren't capable of innovation.
That's not Apple!
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macs are for yuppies
by July 31, 2004 2:43 PM PDT
they just got lucky with 1 product after 10 years by aiming at the yuppies -> linux rules, its for the real people out there
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Let's hope so
by Not Bugged July 31, 2004 3:01 PM PDT
Apple's iPod and iTunes are both easy to use, well programmed,
non-invasive, non-spyware-installing, non-adware-installing
pieces of hardware and sofware that inspire great loyalty with
users. Unlike *everything* Real has ever done, and *most* things
Microsoft has done.

I'm not going to stop using the superior music hardware and
software Apple just because it's in a dominant market position.
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Elists Apple users
by marlow714 July 31, 2004 6:50 PM PDT
Maybe if Apple and their users would get rid the the elists drama queen tag they've put on themeselves so many people wouldn't hate them. Who likes a crying baby? That's exactly how Apple is being precevied in the general population.

I use "PC" computers for a simple reason. Options. I like the fact I can use any kind of hardware and/or software. I like the fact I can run all the new software on even windows 95 and vise versa. I enjoy having options, not having to feel like a sheep in a flock of drones. I like options therefore I do Windows.
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wold in sheep clothing?
by nmcphers July 31, 2004 9:50 PM PDT
"Has Apple ever bought out or tried to crush their competition?
>>yes, they bought out most of the top DCC tools in order to dominate the editing and effects business and have crushed support for othjer platforms - including Shake, FCP, Logic Audio, Chaile, etc"
They were NOT competition to Apple since Apple had no such products to begin with. They baught them to get a head start in the business, not for the sake of crushing them out of existence like Microsoft does.

"Has Apple ever been convicted of being a monopolist? Has Apple ever done anything to stifle a competitor from offering the same products and services as they do, or to hamper a competitor
from bringing a product or service to market?
>> yes, while they are using open source products to build OsX they are downrright rude to open source developers, in fact they take moves to make sure we cant compete with them - so they can build their monopoly"

Give an example please. As far as I know Apple release every update they make to OS X core in the form of Darwin. The Gui is what they keep to themself, and that they developed themself.
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Apple IS the Winner
by Ron Stark August 1, 2004 1:12 AM PDT
Unlike ANY other computer company Apple created the
hardware, software, etc. from concept to finished product. Apple
deserves to reap the benefits of its labors without having
someone else nose in on their work. Seems like they're all poor
loosers and show themselves to be unable to create their own
venue instead of trying to push in on someone else. minutes ago
they were all rubbing their hands gleefully thinking Apple was
dead. Well bravo for Apple. Let them all eat cake!
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Wow that chart really looks professional
by August 1, 2004 4:22 AM PDT
"You know you're reading a great magazine when there's an article next to the chart" (c) Bill Watterson.

Had to comment this since the "chart" (haha) is obviously made in 5 minutes from two bits of data :1
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Everyone step back and take a deep breath
by tsm26 August 1, 2004 10:33 PM PDT
Why is everyone defending their systems like it is something personal? I personally own a Windows machine and a Linux machine and have no problems with Macs. I like Windows because I can find free software easier and can build my own machines, but that isn't for everyone. Windows XP runs great for me, and unlike some people think here apparently, everything I plug in works, and works the first time. What I think is that it is all about preference. Apple makes some great products, especially their notebooks and monitors. At this stage in the game, OS X and XP are both great operating systems. I can do anything I want in XP and I am used to it, so I just have no reason to switch to Apple/Mac, but if you want to switch, go ahead. Everyone says, this on sucks or that one sucks, but it is all just stupid talk. Both operating systems are very stable(XP and OSX), and there are great choices for both. I have a mini Biostar PC for instance that is brushed steel and is very stylish. I have a great HP photo printer, a digital camera, a wireless router and an optical mouse. I run a web server on my PC, play games, and do video editing. You can do that either on a PC or a Mac. Hey you could do all that except for games on Linux also. Pick your poison. It isn't as much the operating system as the hardware you are using. When people say "with Macs you just plug it in and it works" don't know anything about computers. Most problems with incompatibility is not the operating system but the hardware whether it be the USB controller, the motherboard, or whatever. As for me, I just check to make sure what I buy is not a problem child hardware piece. That is one thing that is nice with Macs is that it is so proprietary that you can guess that every piece will work. However, you don't have as many choices. Even Adobe is pulling things from the Mac, which is interesting. What would Apple do if they needed to develop their own Photoshop? What I am saying is neither platform is "the best" for everyone. They both can run everything the other can.
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