Encouraged by the overwhelming success of Apple iTunes
online music store, competitors are lining up for a piece of the action. As
you probably know, in 8 weeks iTunes sold over 5 million tracks
to Mac users. Imagine the opportunity to those that reach out and touch the
other 97 percent of computer users with Windows desktops…first. You do the math I can’t. This is being compared to a gold rush and the competitors are scrambling to get to market by fall.
> Industry sources and analysts said other competitors are also keen to launch download services before Apple introduces its promised Windows version of iTunes later this year. Analysts expect Apple to launch that expanded service by Thanksgiving to spur holiday sales of its popular iPod digital music player. The current version of iTunes is restricted to Mac users, about 3 percent of the overall computer market. “I think Apple definitely struck a chord and one has to assume the success of Apple is not going to be left standing alone,” said Mike McGuire, analyst with GartnerG2. Analysts say Amazon.Com Inc., the online bookseller, might collaborate with Apple, while Microsoft Corp is well-positioned to step in if it chooses because it has been working with all five major music labels for years developing online offerings and because it provides Web access to millions of users. “We fully intend to have a digital music offering when we feel that we have a great customer experience,” said Kristin Schaefer, a spokeswoman for Amazon. Microsoft declined comment. |
The blood is in the water and for obvious reasons the people involved are giving few details. Finally, the music world is trying to make lemonade out of lemons. Let’s see if new ideas can pull the industry out of a three year slump. I’m willing to bet it can. With this new surge of competition we may finally be provided with an a la carte music marketplace. Read the full story here.
Source: http://www.reuters.com/
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