Apple plans to open iTunes LP for independent labels

[AppleInsider]

Responding to criticism that the iTunes LP format has been priced out of reach for independent musicians and labels, Apple has said it plans to open the format in the near future.

Apple's public relations team contacted one U.K outlet this week to let them know that rumors of a $10,000 production fee for iTunes LP are false. Apple reportedly told Electricpig.co.uk that the company is "releasing the open specs for iTunes LP soon, allowing both major and indie labels to create their own. There is no production fee charged by Apple."

Last week, a report stated that Apple charged a $10,000 production fee to develop its new interactive digital album titles. The details were discovered when a small record label representing four artists expressed interest in creating iTunes LP content.

Apple's statement would seem to suggest that the company intends to allow labels, musicians and developers the ability to create their own iTunes LP formatted content for sale on the iTunes Music Store. That system would bypass the current method, for which Apple reportedly charges $10,000.

Currently, there are only a dozen iTunes LP works offered right now. The new iTunes interactive media content formats are built using open web standards: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, using a new framework Apple calls TuneKit.



iTunes LP is the official name of Apple's long-rumored "Cocktail" project. Made official at the company's media-centric event in September, the format aims to incentivize purchases of full-length albums with bonus content like photos, videos, and more.

The still-new format has already begun to expand beyond albums and into the comic book realm. Tyrese Gibson's "Mayhem" went on sale in September, offering the comic along with additional content, including a song by Gibson, a 45-minute "making of" video, black-and-white storyboards, alternative covers and more.

[Maestro64]

This is where an Apple tablet would make this even more interesting, just another example of Apple testing the waters ahead of a new product offering

[SpamSandwich]

I do like Apple pushing digital downloads into new areas with their LP concept, but I do worry about obsolescence for this kind of product. Compared with printed information, digital content has a much, much shorter lifespan... but then, as an investor I don't mind the additional revenue stream. I personally can't see the value in something I can't physically resell for it's collectibility.

[Dlux]

So much for that tempest in a teapot.

[Ireland]

Originally Posted by Maestro64

This is where an Apple tablet would make this even more interesting, just another example of Apple testing the waters ahead of a new product offering

What in the.

[hmurchison]

Originally Posted by Dlux

So much for that tempest in a teapot.

+1

Typical of the Tech Press, making a mountain out of a mole hill. I've yet to download an LP album to see if it's worth anything.

Dollars to donuts there'll be a "upgrade your Albums to LP" feature in the future.

[teckstud]

Who wants this? The labels? the artists? the consumers? Were people clamoring for this? I doubt it.
As someone else stated Apple should have provided pdf's of original artwork from the get go. This is too much$, too little, too late IMO.

[cmf2]

Originally Posted by teckstud

Who wants this? The labels? the artists? the consumers? Were people clamoring for this? I doubt it.
As someone else stated Apple should have provided pdf's of original artwork from the get go. This is too much, too little, too late IMO.

To answer your question, the labels wanted it. They are/were (not sure on the status) actually working on their own version of this. Apple should have done more from the beginning, but I wouldn't make any predictions on the success or failure of this product just yet.

[naman34]

I'm just stating the obvious but this is obviously targetted to hit the HIGHLY RUMORED apple tablet. It starts with liner notes, lyrics and artwork to go with music albums. Then it goes on and adds a comic book.
Then they open it up to everyone.
Then it adds reading material to go with music. Long essays, and short stories make their way into LP's, still with accompanying music.
People suddenly want to carry it around with them and the laptop isn't the best way to do that.
BAM!
Apple introduces the spanking new tablet, and a new apple TV.
Everyone who has interest in these LP's start thinking of the device.
BOOM!
apple starts selling all out e-books and other interactive magazines etc.
BANG!
apple releases the tablet, and the sales are sky high!

I think the tablet will do everything that iphone can
BUT
it will have multi-tasking
it will be able to store files (some sort of finder)
it will have handwriting support and will work with a stylus.
and have a proper office suite.
fingers crossed for an ilife kind of suite. At least iphoto cmon.
Obviously it'll be the only device that runs all these new ebooks and interactive content.

Also it will not be a phone! but MAY have a sum slot for a 3g connection.

About apps, I think apple will let developers make apps for it as soon as its launched, so most iphone apps will be ported pretty quickly.

Gaming on the bigger yet still portable screen is going to be a big selling point. Also that alone is proof that it will run on some sort of ARM chip.

Obviously it'll be more powerful with better RAM and graphics, so it'll have even better games and apps!! Also there'll be a little more freedom with what kind of apps will be allowed. Background apps finally;

Then they launch the all new iphone with a tweaked look. that also supports background processes for apps. multitasking finally. and then these new apps start getting ported back to the iphone.
All pretty obvious!!

[daving313]

Originally Posted by naman34

I'm just stating the obvious but this is obviously targetted to hit the HIGHLY RUMORED apple tablet. It starts with liner notes, lyrics and artwork to go with music albums. Then it goes on and adds a comic book.
Then they open it up to everyone.
Then it adds reading material to go with music. Long essays, and short stories make their way into LP's, still with accompanying music.
People suddenly want to carry it around with them and the laptop isn't the best way to do that.
BAM!
Apple introduces the spanking new tablet, and a new apple TV.
Everyone who has interest in these LP's start thinking of the device.
BOOM!
apple starts selling all out e-books and other interactive magazines etc.
BANG!
apple releases the tablet, and the sales are sky high!

Or just use your laptop...? Don't think a tablet will be at the right price-point unfortunately. I see it going the route of the Air. Very niche product.

[Ireland]

Originally Posted by naman34

Then it adds reading material to go with music. Long essays, and short stories make their way into LP's, still with accompanying music.
People suddenly want to carry it around with them and the laptop isn't the best way to do that.
BAM!
Apple introduces the spanking new tablet, and a new apple TV.

You might want to lay off the herb pipe.

[naman34]

Originally Posted by daving313

Or just use your laptop...? Don't think a tablet will be at the right price-point unfortunately. I see it going the route of the Air. Very niche product.

Yeah initially it will be a niche product, just like the first iphone. but by the second iteration people would have found so many uses for it that it will become a huge success. it will completely replace books AND notebooks.
People will be able type with the on-screen keyboard or a bluetooth keyboard (remember they are already have patent in place for an even smaller keyboard obviously to go with the tabet)
So people can type when they want, and scribble when they want.
you'll be able to draw a lot of shit it as well.
The potential is endless.
With enough horsepower it'll be way better than laptops eventually.
I agree with bill gates when he says that tablets are going to be the next big thing.

[Akac]

Originally Posted by SpamSandwich

I do like Apple pushing digital downloads into new areas with their LP concept, but I do worry about obsolescence for this kind of product. Compared with printed information, digital content has a much, much shorter lifespan... but then, as an investor I don't mind the additional revenue stream. I personally can't see the value in something I can't physically resell for it's collectibility.

Good thing though is iTunes LP is done via WebKit and open standards. So its not something that is like a digital format.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by Akac

Good thing though is iTunes LP is done via WebKit and open standards. So its not something that is like a digital format.

That is what I never undrstood about all the crying. Everything is HTML, CSS and JS so anyon could have made their own that will open in any web browser without going through iTunes at all. Indy labels complaining that Apple wasnt controlling them enough through propritary setups.

[daving313]

Originally Posted by naman34

by the second iteration people would have found so many uses for it that it will become a huge success. it will completely replace books AND notebooks.

Sounds a lot like what the original tablets were supposed to do....

[hypermark]

I would echo your conclusions here. It makes a lot of sense for Apple to have a format and tools targeted at enabling both prosumers and serious publishers to create rich, interactive e-books, something that I blogged about here:

Rebooting the Book (One Apple iPad Tablet at a Time)
http://bit.ly/zOoEu

As to those that argue that Apple's Tablet will be a niche product, I would argue that this is the device that you take with you to Class/School; when you are Traveling; Lying on the Couch; it’s the Extra Computing Device for your kids. It serves Verticals like Hospitals and Field Workers. In other words, it targets segments where the Laptop is less convenient, too bulky, too hot or too prone to breakage.

Plus, because it will be able to leverage the built in base of 85K apps in App Store, and 125K iPhone developers, it has a huge built-in advantage.

As such, I think this device will find a big market, with the larger question being whether it cannibalizes the notebook segment or not.

Mark

Originally Posted by naman34

I'm just stating the obvious but this is obviously targetted to hit the HIGHLY RUMORED apple tablet. It starts with liner notes, lyrics and artwork to go with music albums. Then it goes on and adds a comic book.
Then they open it up to everyone.
Then it adds reading material to go with music. Long essays, and short stories make their way into LP's, still with accompanying music.
People suddenly want to carry it around with them and the laptop isn't the best way to do that.
BAM!
Apple introduces the spanking new tablet, and a new apple TV.
Everyone who has interest in these LP's start thinking of the device.
BOOM!
apple starts selling all out e-books and other interactive magazines etc.
BANG!
apple releases the tablet, and the sales are sky high!

I think the tablet will do everything that iphone can
BUT
it will have multi-tasking
it will be able to store files (some sort of finder)
it will have handwriting support and will work with a stylus.
and have a proper office suite.
fingers crossed for an ilife kind of suite. At least iphoto cmon.
Obviously it'll be the only device that runs all these new ebooks and interactive content.

Also it will not be a phone! but MAY have a sum slot for a 3g connection.

About apps, I think apple will let developers make apps for it as soon as its launched, so most iphone apps will be ported pretty quickly.

Gaming on the bigger yet still portable screen is going to be a big selling point. Also that alone is proof that it will run on some sort of ARM chip.

Obviously it'll be more powerful with better RAM and graphics, so it'll have even better games and apps!! Also there'll be a little more freedom with what kind of apps will be allowed. Background apps finally;

Then they launch the all new iphone with a tweaked look. that also supports background processes for apps. multitasking finally. and then these new apps start getting ported back to the iphone.
All pretty obvious!!

[Johnny Mozzarella]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

Apple's public relations team contacted one U.K outlet this week to let them know that rumors of a $10,000 production fee for iTunes LP are false... There is no production fee charged by Apple."

Last week, a report stated that Apple charged a $10,000 production fee to develop its new interactive digital album titles...

Apple's statement would seem to suggest that the company intends to allow labels, musicians and developers the ability to create their own iTunes LP formatted content for sale on the iTunes Music Store. That system would bypass the current method, for which Apple reportedly charges $10,000.

So which is it?

[manfrommars]

Something must have gone very wrong because the format has basically been adopted by ZERO labels. 10 "LP's" is not a very impressive launch this far in. If Apple wanted the idea to flop, a $10,000 fee should do the trick.

It's too bad, since I love the idea and I thought it would be this cool new aspect of the store and would really take off. I like all the stuff you get with CD's (art work, credits, lyrics etc.)

[Maestro64]

Originally Posted by daving313

Or just use your laptop...? Don't think a tablet will be at the right price-point unfortunately. I see it going the route of the Air. Very niche product.

Actually many people do not like reading material on a laptop, specially when you're sitting in a comfy chair or say a plane these days. It more natural for some one to sit and hold something in their lap and look down then have a laptop and have to continually adjust the display to see what you are looking at then have to play with the mouse to flip a page or scroll down a page.

The reason books and magazines still exist today is people like the ability to hold it in their hands and turn a page. Even with all the great resource available on the internet and electronic form my kids rather use a text book then trying to read stuff on the their laptops since they will tell you it is hard to do and uncomfortable over longs period of time. Here I thought it was me being old and not willing to adopted a new way and I figured the next generation would be different but the kids feel the same was as me.

[Maestro64]

Originally Posted by teckstud

Who wants this? The labels? the artists? the consumers? Were people clamoring for this? I doubt it.
As someone else stated Apple should have provided pdf's of original artwork from the get go. This is too much$, too little, too late IMO.

That is because your not part of the generation who understand the whole LP concept. There is a whole generation who enjoys the whole idea of LP and the added features you use to get when you bought and LP, and only got with an LP purchase. Unlike the Gen X and Y crowds who are mostly interested in the next top song to listen to it hundreds of time only never to list to it again. This is more gear toward the Baby Booms which is the largest population in the US and has the most disposable income, well use to prior to this economy.

But as I said, this is just a way for Apple to test the waters of providing interactive content for something other than a computers. This is a concept that has been out there for a long time that no one has successfully deployed since there has not been a good environment to make it happen.

The long and short of it all, the LP concept they are deploying here is not the real end product.

[thirstyrobot]

The "album" is a broken business model for a reason. Most multi-song releases just aren't worth paying for as a package.

And AI writers: please lay off the marketing happy talk. "Incentivize purchases?" It might fly in a press release, but to see that pulp make it to post, that just insults your readers.

[PXT]

Originally Posted by Maestro64

This is where an Apple tablet would make this even more interesting, just another example of Apple testing the waters ahead of a new product offering

Hmm, I think the LP was designed more with the living room experience in mind.

There was some mention of how people listen to music in an isolated personal world these days, rather than sitting around as a group and taking the time to appreciate the album experience.

That sounds to me like an HDTV scenario, for which Apple TV is better suited.

Plus the tablet suffers from the eternal issue of how to hold it up. When I'm kicking back enjoying a new album, I don't want to be distracted by 'gorilla-thumb' (not to mention 'corner-groin', which I wasn't going to mention), that I discovered while attempting to use a tablet for casual browsing. There may well be a use for tablets, but I don't think this is its killer app.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by manfrommars

Something must have gone very wrong because the format has basically been adopted by ZERO labels. 10 "LP's" is not a very impressive launch this far in. If Apple wanted the idea to flop, a $10,000 fee should do the trick.

It's too bad, since I love the idea and I thought it would be this cool new aspect of the store and would really take off. I like all the stuff you get with CD's (art work, credits, lyrics etc.)

I don’t think that is what is holding it back at this point. It’s a new concept and there is a lot of uncharted ground here. Apple was slow to get into the digital video market, too. Remember the low resolution (320x240 ?) initial launch, and then the very weak Disney TV show launch. Now it’s quite popular for digital sales and even Netflix CEO has stated that DVD rentals will outweigh digital streaming within 2 years.

It's people like me who are confirming recent comments by Netflix CEO Reed Hastings, who says that streaming will be bigger than DVDs at Netflix in under two years. Although the company says that all formats are growing in usage, the tremendous growth of streaming does suggest that Blu-ray will never become the huge cash cow that studio backers hoped to milk for decades.

• http://arstechnica.com/media/news/20...ks-netflix.ars

I think the iTunes LP will take off and I think that it will be used for interactive Movies and TV Show seasons so that consumers can finally get the same experience that is still holding some to optical media for sales or rental.

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by solipsism

I think the iTunes LP will take off and I think that it will be used for interactive Movies and TV Show seasons so that consumers can finally get the same experience that is still holding some to optical media for sales or rental.

As long as optical media provides both a superior listening and viewing experience via its sampling rates or line resolution, they will never go away- digital LP liner notes or whatever.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by teckstud

As long as optical media provides both a superior listening and viewing experience via its sampling rates or line resolution, they will never go away- digital LP liner notes or whatever.

1) No one said that it would “go away” completely, but with your absolutionist mindset I understand how you read it that way.

2) Despite iTunes music not being better than CDs, not being transferable and not having liner notes it still managed to become the most popular music store in the world. Funny how convenience plays a role in society. Perhaps you shouldn’t discount Netflix CEO claims that their streaming videos are increasing in popularity.

[DKWalsh4]

Originally Posted by Johnny Mozzarella

So which is it?

1st sentence: What Apple themselves are saying.

2nd sentence: Notice the word reportedly.

[LE Studios]

Originally Posted by SpamSandwich

I do like Apple pushing digital downloads into new areas with their LP concept, but I do worry about obsolescence for this kind of product. Compared with printed information, digital content has a much, much shorter lifespan... but then, as an investor I don't mind the additional revenue stream. I personally can't see the value in something I can't physically resell for it's collectibility.

Actually that's the part I like the most. No value but to the owner ONLY. That's what angry me the most when I purchased Xbox 360 limited Edition of their titles but a few months they ONLY worth but 10% of the original price. I decided go digital download all the way on everything. Trust me its better like this.

[stonefree]

Originally Posted by Dlux

So much for that tempest in a teapot.

So much for the rabid defensiveness from the usual suspects of the incredible value of Apple's (supposed) $10,000 fee.

[spliff monkey]

Originally Posted by daving313

Or just use your laptop...? Don't think a tablet will be at the right price-point unfortunately. I see it going the route of the Air. Very niche product.

You don't think the Apple tablet will be the right price point for what exactly? a tablet? or for a comparable laptop? How can you determine the value without having any idea what it can do?

Originally Posted by thirstyrobot

The "album" is a broken business model for a reason. Most multi-song releases just aren't worth paying for as a package.

you must listen to some terrible artists if they aren't worth a whole album. You should really spread out.

Originally Posted by manfrommars

Something must have gone very wrong because the format has basically been adopted by ZERO labels.

LP's launched about a month ago as a tip of the hat to the future, trust me we already have clients chomping at the bit. You must not have been around for the early ITS movie downloads; things have changed allot.

Originally Posted by Ireland

You might want to lay off the herb pipe.

LOL, I thought that would have been for me? Naman is obviously a very excited kid.

Originally Posted by PXT

Plus the tablet suffers from the eternal issue of how to hold it up.

It must be impossible for you to read anything other than a paperback then?


My final thought F____'n rad; we're moving ahead with some new ideas and this restores my faith in getting them done quickly and inexpensive enough to be profitable. Regarding digital only, yeah resell sucks but have you ever tried to resell a dvd or VHS let alone a Merk with 6,000 miles on it. resell sucks for everything. We're a world of consumers and every corporate strategy relies upon it.

[OneManCamera]

I REALLY love music. I'm 40, so I don't have the appetite for consumption that I did when I was a teen, but it's one of the bigger distractions that been a part of my life since I was a kid (like some folks follow sports.)

I still love CDs for their sound quality and durability, but I generally feel guilty about the environmental impact - used CDs are better for the planet than new. I enjoy Itunes and get a lot of use out of my Ipod, though mostly for the great podcasts out there. I have about 1,500 CDs in my life and I would love to go digital, but here's the problem:

1) Sound quality - CDs provide far more "bandwidth" for the money than downloads.
2) Durability - AAC, FLAC, MP3 - no matter the format or compression issues, CDs are remarkably reliable. My copy of U2's "War," which I purchased in 1985, still sounds and looks great. I've had four computers since then and I've lost/abandoned numerous software and harddrives - I can't imagine losing a hard drive with 1,500 albums (at $9.99) each on it.
3) Ownership - Maybe I'm showing my age, but I like to hold the disc in my hand and know that the music is somehow "mine." I'm not proud of that, but music, like art, demands to be "claimed" by those who love it. Subscription services and music on demand appeal to me, but so do libraries. I check a lot of books out at the local library, but I still buy books and keep them.
4) Packaging/Marketing - When I was a teen, the packaging was mesmerizing for some reason. Not sure why, but I loved to scrutinize my LPs (especially gatefolds) and later the CD booklets - especially with boxed sets.

What would it take me to become a major consumer of online music - like Itunes?

I've checked out the Itunes LPs and I'm impressed. If Apple (and music labels) could make this a standard, then I would be more curious. If Apple can bring out a tablet with WIFI and 9" screen, then I would start to get excited. If Apple could provide zipped AIFF or FLAC files at the same price as AAC files on ITunes, I would be motivated. And, finally, if Apple could guarantee online backups (for no additional cost) of all purchased Itunes content, I would be converted.

I know it's a lot to ask, but with CDs I already get the artwork, the highest sound quality, a backup and durability for a very low cost. Oh, and I don't need a computer to look at the artwork or listen to the music - or even browse my collection. That's a big savings right there.

Apple isn't a music company, but they've shown that they love music and that they share a lot of my interests as a consumer. I'll be watching for the tablet this year, rooting for the ITunes LP format, and maybe increasing my ITunes purchases in 2011.

[wizard69]

Originally Posted by daving313

Or just use your laptop...? Don't think a tablet will be at the right price-point unfortunately. I see it going the route of the Air. Very niche product.

I have high hopes that Apple has a very attractive price point in mind for the tablet. It might even be lower than the large Kindle. Or possibly slightly higher than the top end Touch as it is priced currently. The tablet, along with the continual slide in component prices, would allow a price drop on Touch iPods. IPod Touch then becomes the low cost leader into the world of tablets.

The problem is rather simple in my mind, as a play on a music player a base model priced at more than $500 will be a non starter. Infact they need to go much lower than that if the primary market will be the iPod user.

Impossible you say? Not really, remember these would be running highly tailored SoC with very limited I/O. The big costs would be flash and the screen. The problem here is that the screen could cost anything depending on the tech implemented, anything from $50 to $250 wholesale.

So let's say Apple can sell you a base model tablet for $400 even with 64GB of flash. How many would go for it? The device would have a Cortex dual core processor with OpenCL compatible GPUs. Performance would be nice and somewhat competitive with a netbook. Personally I see lots of sales.


Dave

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by solipsism

1) No one said that it would “go away” completely, but with your absolutionist mindset I understand how you read it that way.

You statement of

I think the iTunes LP will take off and I think that it will be used for interactive Movies and TV Show seasons so that consumers can finally get the same experience that is still holding some to optical media for sales or rental.

sure as hell implies that you think it will by adding interactivity to it

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by teckstud

You statement of

sure as hell implies that you think it will by adding interactivity to it

If you had a point you failed once again to make it. Having one exist doesn't mean the other will stop existing.

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by solipsism

If you had a point you failed once again to make it. Having one exist doesn't mean the other will stop existing.

On the other hand some people are not holding out simply because it doesn't exist as you seem to know in all your wiseness. If we can't touch it, we don't want it no matter what you add digitally to it.

[Ronbo]

Originally Posted by teckstud

Who wants this? The labels? the artists? the consumers? Were people clamoring for this? I doubt it.
As someone else stated Apple should have provided pdf's of original artwork from the get go. This is too much$, too little, too late IMO.

Originally Posted by cmf2

To answer your question, the labels wanted it. They are/were (not sure on the status) actually working on their own version of this. Apple should have done more from the beginning, but I wouldn't make any predictions on the success or failure of this product just yet.

I suspect a whole lot of artists want this as well. It seems to me techstud, that you want to have this both ways. You criticize Apple for this format, with a title that says “It's the music, stupid” and then complain that they should have been providing what amounts to a half-measure from the beginning. But if no one wants this new format, who wanted the pdf? And why wouldn't THAT have been a case of “too little, too early”? I haven't bought anything in this format yet, but I think it's quite interesting in its potential.

[elroth]

Originally Posted by thirstyrobot

The "album" is a broken business model for a reason. Most multi-song releases just aren't worth paying for as a package.

There is still more music sold on physical CDs than by digital download. That's NEW CDs. If you add in the used market (Amazon Marketplace sellers, etc.), there is A LOT more music still sold on physical CDs.

Everybody's crying about music sales being down, but nobody even mentions the healthy market in used CDs - that market has never been quantified, and of course it means nothing in profit to the record labels (or the artists) profits.

I still buy CDs (lots of them, mostly new ones), and I like having the physical CD, but it's not indispensable to me. If downloads were lossless, I'd buy more of them, but I wouldn't care about the LP extras.

[naman34]

Hey, spliff monkey, ya i'm probably pretty excited about the tablet (though I doubt i'll be able to buy it anytime soon, I think I'll definitely buy their second release)

And hey Dave, it CANNOT be priced at $400! seriously.

I don't think you want this tablet with an AT&T contract. (don't even think verizon. They use a very weird cdma frequency that no1 else uses, and apple doesn't even want to make a cdma iphone not gonna happen)

The Iphone is priced at nearly $500 without contract. A little more actually. And then AT&T sells it for 600 and makes more profit!

SO Obviously this is going to cost more. At least 700.

The raw horsepower won't be at-par with a netbook. This will most definitely run on an ARM architecture chip and that's slower that atom. BUT the experience will be as snappy or shall I say WAY less sucky than a netbook. Most netbooks run windows that are meant to be run on proper computers. So even XP, kinda slows it down a lot. Apple will make the right kind of software, and make sure its usually snappy. Hell they didn't even put multi-tasking on the iphone for precisely that reason. They want good battery life and they want it to stay fast. Apple likes to do less but do it well. That's why iphone didn't have so many features at first.

Another theory. They're gonna drop the prices on the white macbook. to like 700-800 dollars, (new redesign) and make the tablet a $1000 thing. Though I'm not sure how many people will buy it in that case. But I think of it as high probability right now.

WHy?

Iphone Price: at least $500
+bigger screen
+better specs
+support for stylus as well as fingers. (Wacom style touch)
-Slightly less miniaturization.

= More expensive by at least $300

Stop dreaming about $400 tablet.

[cmf2]

Originally Posted by naman34

Another theory. They're gonna drop the prices on the white macbook. to like 700-800 dollars, (new redesign) and make the tablet a $1000 thing. Though I'm not sure how many people will buy it in that case. But I think of it as high probability right now.

I don't think that they would price the tablet higher than the low end macbook. I do agree that its unsubsidized price will be above $400. A quick glance at the Archos offerings would confirm that.

[orta]

I'm pretty excited about the tablet, the resolution on them would have to be pretty big to fit the full LP on the screen in one go.

I agree that anyone whining that the iTunes LP format is closed is pretty silly, these are totally open and available for anyone to edit and create their own if they know how to make websites.

I had one made for my band back in September, its pretty much impossible to talk to Apple unless your big even as an indieband unfortunately, in the mean time you just have to pursuade people to go and grab it form your site: http://brutaltechnopunk.com

[newbee]

Originally Posted by SpamSandwich

I personally can't see the value in something I can't physically resell for it's collectibility.

I can understand that very real concern, however, I think I might be more representative of iTunes present customer base. The fact is, for me at least, because of digital music taking up so much less space and being so portable, via iPod, and being cheaper, due to only buying tracks I want, I own almost 12,000 songs. If we had to go back to non digital music, that would never be the case for me. Im guessing that might be the case for a lot of people.