This article mentions Dell's move into the consumer electronics space. And it mentions a music store. I'm not happy. Damn it Apple, get your shit together and the iTMS out for windows!
This article mentions Dell's move into the consumer electronics space. And it mentions a music store. I'm not happy. Damn it Apple, get your shit together and the iTMS out for windows!
For the reading impaired, here's the part of the article that talks about Dell's plans:
Quote:
?Dell DJ and Dell Music Store. The DJ is an MP3 player. The music store, however, is likely to get more attention, given the hotly debated issue of online music and popularity of Apple Computer's iTunes music downloading service.
Dell is providing few details about either offering. The music store "will cover most major labels and artists," says chief marketing officer Mike George. It will work with Microsoft's Windows ? a key feature missing from iTunes. So far, iTunes is available only to Apple product users, though Apple plans a Windows version. To use the Dell service, users will not have to own Dell PCs or devices. Rollins promises that prices will be below those of competing services.
By creating a service open to anyone, Dell hopes to dramatically increase its daily interaction with consumers, George says.
It will work with Microsoft's Windows ? a key feature missing from iTunes.
Not quite an accurate statement considering that it looks like iTMS will most likely be out for Windows within weeks of the Dell service - if it isn't out first.
And it looks like the Dell will have voice record. I lot of people would really like that feature in the iPod -- I don't know why Apple is dragging it feet on this one.
Honest to God, what would some of these chuckleheads do if they didn't have Apple to look to for "inspiration" (I'm being generous here).
\
Does ANYONE here honestly, in-their-heart believe Dell would even give a second thought to a) an mp3 player or b) an online music store had the iPod and iTMS never existed?
I SERIOUSLY doubt it.
Meanwhile, however, Apple sits on their thumbs and they don't seem too concerned about spreading their reach or lifting too much of a finger to do more, so screw them too.
The only thing I can figure is that Apple becomes so drained and exhausted after coming out with their incredible stuff that they simply don't have the energy to come up with any sort of effective marketing to accompany it. Uh, yeah...THAT'S it!
Well, we can already guess that the Dell music service will use WMP 9. That's a given. The pricing and DRM questions are interesting: Apple doesn't really make money on iTMS; most of the money earned from sales goes to the publishers. I'd like to see how Dell is able to cut costs, and if they're able to do it across the board or via their usual circuitous routes (well-buried specials, discounts, rebates). As for DRM, I don't expect something as onerous and inconsistent as BuyMusic.com, because Mike Dell didn't get where he is by being stupid. On the other hand, the delay with iTMS for Windows has been purely a matter of licensing: It's the only proven successful service, so that's not an issue. Porting iTunes isn't an issue either. The issue is the fear that something will go wrong and the online music store will turn into a giant feeding trough for the filesharing networks. The services that have addressed that fear have done so by locking the files down in various ways, and WMP9 certainly facilitates that; so it's a matter of whether Dell has succeeded in balancing between the absolute control preferred by the publishers and the absolute freedom preferred by the consumers. We'll know when they roll it out.
How cute of Dell to spin the fact that their service won't just work with Dells as significant. What they're spinning against, of course, is the fact that when iTMS with Windows appears Apple's service will work with more platforms than Dell's.
I bought my first song on the iTMS the other night, it was surprisingly easy, and surprisingly, made me want more.
the two biggest things that got me hooked,
1) it was on my HD, in my playlist and playing in under 30 seconds
2) *click* done.
I had to seriously restrain myself, it is too easy to spend money there, just like amazon.com, they make it sooo easy and convenient. yeesh.
(the song was I Wish by Stevie wonder btw
anyway, Jobs' said recently that the iTMS was a way to sell more iPods, not a way to make money. since the iPod already is heralded as the king of the hill, it may be hard for dell's cheaper alternative to break in. Granted A LOT of people out there are likely thinking "I WOULD buy an iPod....if they were $150 cheaper"
It will certainly be interesting to see how dell cuts prices on their music store.
One thing is for SURE, apple needs to get it's butt in gear with the iTMS for windows, it should have been released months ago.
I think the best thing about the iTMS is that it is software built into your player, works a lot better than things like buymusic.com I wonder what dell means when they say theirs won't be limited to computers.
Apple doesn't really make money on iTMS; most of the money earned from sales goes to the publishers.
SJ said that they are not currently making money on iTMS but should change it time. 70% of the money goes to the record company who in turn pays the artist royalty and pays the music publisher (s) for the songs (mechanicals) on the CD or songs. Three other parties are involved in the profits plus Apple.
The whole iTunes/iPod/iTMS thing PERFECTLY sums up why I dig - and use - Macs so much. It's a wonderful example of how a company that, as Jobs puts it, "makes the whole widget" can control the whole experience and make it this sleek, easy and yes...FUN to use.
I'm sorry, but Dell can't beat that. They'll try and it'll go down in flames in months. Just watch.
People - Mac or PC-based - know what's what. They know what was first, they know what is better.
Yes, I too wish/hope Apple gets their butts in gear and gets iTunes and the music store to the rest of the computer using public (Windows users) ASAP so they're even MORE impressed.
I know three PC users who own iPods. They RAVE about it, all three. And when they see iTunes and the music store on my iMac, they get REALLY torqued up and excited.
It'll be a hit and - as suggested in another forum - will serve as quite the Trojan horse, IMO, to the other side.
But yes...the iTMS is indeed addicting and I'm constantly having to pull myself away and restrain myself from clicking that little "buy" button 100 times a day.
Nothing Dell (or anyone else, for that matter) can come up with is going to do ANYTHING to Apple's presence here. If anything, they should be quaking in their boots because I honestly believe that once iTunes and the iTMS is made available for Windows, it'll be an overwhelming success and will spell near-instant "lights out" for all that other crap.
That's just simply too powerful of a 1-2-3 punch (iPod, iTunes, iTMS) for people to NOT go with, given a choice.
Why putz around with an mp3 player from one place, some digital jukebox from another and yet another music buy/download site...the minute something goes wrong, Dell will be blaming Rio, Buy will be blaming MUSICMATCH and it'll just be one big, pain-in-the-ass tech-support, finger-pointing orgy.
No sane, rational person is going to put themselves through that. Go with the real deal, people.
The fact that Apple doesn't tout this particular little tidbit to the masses (the fact that they make the OS, the groovy software AND the hardware this stuff runs on...and are the only computer company doing so) is totally beyond me. To me, that's a HUGE advantage.
Don't worry guys, i just got my dad a 20gb ipod, first thing he asked me was how he could get on itunes. Not bad for someone who just heard it from word of mouth at his office.
There's rumors of a special Apple event October 24th, which people are expecting to be both Panther and iTMS for Windows. It apparently involves three giant X 'bat-signals'.
pscates, do you really think Apple's twiddling its thumbs with regard to the international and Windows versions of the ITMS? Quite frankly that's absurd. Windows is a different animal. Apple doesn't control it. Apple doesn't control the hardware. How do you suppose Apple implement the 3 computer limitation? It's not so easy when you consider there's no serial number for Apple to bind to, There's no unique ID for Apple to access. It's very complex and even Microsoft doesn't have it right with their own product activation scheme.
As for the international stores, do you think Apple can just waltz into countries and start selling music online? They have to deal with each of those governments...
pscates, do you really think Apple's twiddling its thumbs with regard to the international and Windows versions of the ITMS? Quite frankly that's absurd. Windows is a different animal. Apple doesn't control it. Apple doesn't control the hardware. How do you suppose Apple implement the 3 computer limitation? It's not so easy when you consider there's no serial number for Apple to bind to, There's no unique ID for Apple to access. It's very complex and even Microsoft doesn't have it right with their own product activation scheme.
As for the international stores, do you think Apple can just waltz into countries and start selling music online? They have to deal with each of those governments...
I don't think anyone really thinks that Apple is just sitting around waiting. I know that when I say something like "Damn it, Apple hurry it up already!" I don't really mean that I think anything of the sort. It's more like a wish. Like "Damn it, it's hot down here. I wish Fall would hurry and get here."
I'm sorry, but Dell can't beat that. They'll try and it'll go down in flames in months. Just watch.
As much as I'd like to see this happen, Dell is pretty good at stealing ideas and implementing them on the PC side.
I have no doubt iTMS for Windows will be a hit...but only if it can get the jump on Dell's service.
While we the Apple faithful know differently, there are millions of PC users who swear by Dell and will assume it's music service as the industry leader.
Comments
Originally posted by torifile
This article mentions Dell's move into the consumer electronics space. And it mentions a music store. I'm not happy. Damn it Apple, get your shit together and the iTMS out for windows!
And in Europe too! Quickly!!!
?Dell DJ and Dell Music Store. The DJ is an MP3 player. The music store, however, is likely to get more attention, given the hotly debated issue of online music and popularity of Apple Computer's iTunes music downloading service.
Dell is providing few details about either offering. The music store "will cover most major labels and artists," says chief marketing officer Mike George. It will work with Microsoft's Windows ? a key feature missing from iTunes. So far, iTunes is available only to Apple product users, though Apple plans a Windows version. To use the Dell service, users will not have to own Dell PCs or devices. Rollins promises that prices will be below those of competing services.
By creating a service open to anyone, Dell hopes to dramatically increase its daily interaction with consumers, George says.
http://www.dell.com/downloads/us/cor...ukebox_300.jpg
Not quite an accurate statement considering that it looks like iTMS will most likely be out for Windows within weeks of the Dell service - if it isn't out first.
Does ANYONE here honestly, in-their-heart believe Dell would even give a second thought to a) an mp3 player or b) an online music store had the iPod and iTMS never existed?
I SERIOUSLY doubt it.
Meanwhile, however, Apple sits on their thumbs and they don't seem too concerned about spreading their reach or lifting too much of a finger to do more, so screw them too.
The only thing I can figure is that Apple becomes so drained and exhausted after coming out with their incredible stuff that they simply don't have the energy to come up with any sort of effective marketing to accompany it. Uh, yeah...THAT'S it!
How cute of Dell to spin the fact that their service won't just work with Dells as significant. What they're spinning against, of course, is the fact that when iTMS with Windows appears Apple's service will work with more platforms than Dell's.
the two biggest things that got me hooked,
1) it was on my HD, in my playlist and playing in under 30 seconds
2) *click* done.
I had to seriously restrain myself, it is too easy to spend money there, just like amazon.com, they make it sooo easy and convenient. yeesh.
(the song was I Wish by Stevie wonder btw
anyway, Jobs' said recently that the iTMS was a way to sell more iPods, not a way to make money. since the iPod already is heralded as the king of the hill, it may be hard for dell's cheaper alternative to break in. Granted A LOT of people out there are likely thinking "I WOULD buy an iPod....if they were $150 cheaper"
It will certainly be interesting to see how dell cuts prices on their music store.
One thing is for SURE, apple needs to get it's butt in gear with the iTMS for windows, it should have been released months ago.
I think the best thing about the iTMS is that it is software built into your player, works a lot better than things like buymusic.com I wonder what dell means when they say theirs won't be limited to computers.
Apple doesn't really make money on iTMS; most of the money earned from sales goes to the publishers.
SJ said that they are not currently making money on iTMS but should change it time. 70% of the money goes to the record company who in turn pays the artist royalty and pays the music publisher (s) for the songs (mechanicals) on the CD or songs. Three other parties are involved in the profits plus Apple.
I'm sorry, but Dell can't beat that. They'll try and it'll go down in flames in months. Just watch.
People - Mac or PC-based - know what's what. They know what was first, they know what is better.
Yes, I too wish/hope Apple gets their butts in gear and gets iTunes and the music store to the rest of the computer using public (Windows users) ASAP so they're even MORE impressed.
I know three PC users who own iPods. They RAVE about it, all three. And when they see iTunes and the music store on my iMac, they get REALLY torqued up and excited.
It'll be a hit and - as suggested in another forum - will serve as quite the Trojan horse, IMO, to the other side.
But yes...the iTMS is indeed addicting and I'm constantly having to pull myself away and restrain myself from clicking that little "buy" button 100 times a day.
Nothing Dell (or anyone else, for that matter) can come up with is going to do ANYTHING to Apple's presence here. If anything, they should be quaking in their boots because I honestly believe that once iTunes and the iTMS is made available for Windows, it'll be an overwhelming success and will spell near-instant "lights out" for all that other crap.
That's just simply too powerful of a 1-2-3 punch (iPod, iTunes, iTMS) for people to NOT go with, given a choice.
Why putz around with an mp3 player from one place, some digital jukebox from another and yet another music buy/download site...the minute something goes wrong, Dell will be blaming Rio, Buy will be blaming MUSICMATCH and it'll just be one big, pain-in-the-ass tech-support, finger-pointing orgy.
No sane, rational person is going to put themselves through that. Go with the real deal, people.
The fact that Apple doesn't tout this particular little tidbit to the masses (the fact that they make the OS, the groovy software AND the hardware this stuff runs on...and are the only computer company doing so) is totally beyond me. To me, that's a HUGE advantage.
http://forums.appleinsider.com/showt...ght=bat+signal
As for the international stores, do you think Apple can just waltz into countries and start selling music online? They have to deal with each of those governments...
Originally posted by pscates
Really? Cool. Where did you see this?
Newsweek alludes to Apple telling some of its confidants that it will be released in mid-October. That's where the rumors began.
Originally posted by Eugene
pscates, do you really think Apple's twiddling its thumbs with regard to the international and Windows versions of the ITMS? Quite frankly that's absurd. Windows is a different animal. Apple doesn't control it. Apple doesn't control the hardware. How do you suppose Apple implement the 3 computer limitation? It's not so easy when you consider there's no serial number for Apple to bind to, There's no unique ID for Apple to access. It's very complex and even Microsoft doesn't have it right with their own product activation scheme.
As for the international stores, do you think Apple can just waltz into countries and start selling music online? They have to deal with each of those governments...
I don't think anyone really thinks that Apple is just sitting around waiting. I know that when I say something like "Damn it, Apple hurry it up already!" I don't really mean that I think anything of the sort. It's more like a wish. Like "Damn it, it's hot down here. I wish Fall would hurry and get here."
Originally posted by pscates
I'm sorry, but Dell can't beat that. They'll try and it'll go down in flames in months. Just watch.
As much as I'd like to see this happen, Dell is pretty good at stealing ideas and implementing them on the PC side.
I have no doubt iTMS for Windows will be a hit...but only if it can get the jump on Dell's service.
While we the Apple faithful know differently, there are millions of PC users who swear by Dell and will assume it's music service as the industry leader.