[opendtv] Apple said to be close to buying music streaming service
- From: "Manfredi, Albert E" <albert.e.manfredi@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2009 09:09:43 -0600
My first reaction was that this sort of service could replace regular radio in
a hurry. But then I read:
"In October, co-founder Bill Nguyen demonstrated a working model of the app to
Associated Press. It allows customers to stream songs from a 'digital locker'
for an unlimited time for 10 cents apiece."
Ten cents apiece? Holy cow. Imagine having this playing in the background like
a radio. I can see a lot of P.O.ed parents when they get the monthly bill. And
the audio quality isn't even up to iTunes downloads.
Bert
------------------------------------------
http://www.rethink-wireless.com/article.asp?article_id=2228
Apple said to be close to buying music streaming service
By CAROLINE GABRIEL
Published: 7 December, 2009
Streaming versus downloading - one of the major debates over the future of
digital music and video, particularly on mobile devices. Apple, which set a new
bar for mobile downloads and stores with the iPod, iTunes and iPhone, doffed
its hat slightly to the rise of streaming when it allowed popular music service
Spotify into its App Store. Some observers said it should acquire the firm to
ensure it could make its devices as optimal for streamed as for locally stored
tracks, and it has taken their advice - though its choice of prey is fast song
streaming firm Lala.com from Silicon Valley.
Apple is reported to be in "advanced talks" to buy Lala.com, which has
threatened "the end of MP3" with its fast streaming app for the iPhone. The
firm has struggled financially and its app is not yet public, but it has
nevertheless made a big impact on the world of music. In October, co-founder
Bill Nguyen demonstrated a working model of the app to Associated Press. It
allows customers to stream songs from a 'digital locker' for an unlimited time
for 10 cents apiece. It does not offer the same level of sound quality as
iTunes, but loads and plays tracks in just a few seconds through the use of
intelligent caching. It can even support playback outside cellphone coverage
areas.
Presumably Apple thinks it would be better to control such an app than let it
take on the iTunes model alone or, worse, with unfriendly partners. Offered
side by side on the iPhone, it could market Lala, whose charges undercut
iTunes', as a 'cheap and cheerful' option, with acceptable but still inferior
sound quality. iTunes songs usually cost from 69 cents to $1.29.
Lala, based in Palo Alto, California, was launched in 2006 as a CD trading
site, with $3m in venture capital from Bain Capital, Ignition Partners and
Warner Music Group, and refocused on streaming in 2008. Recently, it became
part of Google's new music search feature, which offers links to free songs at
the top of results pages. Lala, which has deals with all the major record
companies, provides about half of those songs. It also offers a service that
allows Facebook friends to send web tracks to each other, for 10 cents each, to
stream on their pages, or 90-cent MP3 downloads.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You can UNSUBSCRIBE from the OpenDTV list in two ways:
- Using the UNSUBSCRIBE command in your user configuration settings at
FreeLists.org
- By sending a message to: opendtv-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word
unsubscribe in the subject line.
Other related posts:
