by Playfuls Staff |
26th November 2006
A growing number of music fans are downloading their favourite songs from the computer at home rather than buying CDs from the music store around the corner.
In the world of [more] iPods and MP3-Players fans find it far more convenient.
"People want to carry their music around with them while
travelling," says Apple's spokesman in Munich, Georg Albrecht.
Apple has been at the forefront of the development over the past five years with its portable music player, the iPod and the computer software iTunes.
During the first half year of 2006, more music than ever before has been downloaded from the internet. In Germany alone 11.71 downloads valued at 21.2 million euros (28.3 million dollars) were sold, according to the telecommunications and new media association BITKOM.
Jason Armitage from the market research organisation IDC in London says interlinked iPod and iTunes systems are easy to use.
There are no problems with different copy protection technologies which often means that data downloaded from the internet cannot be used on an MP3 gadget bought in the shop.
Microsoft is planning to break Apple's market leadership. The Zune is similar to the iTunes technology with Microsoft claiming that it offers more as it is linked with music shops and computer software.
Vodafone is entering the business both on the internet and in cell phone segments. Customers with the latest UMTS gadgets can download songs directly onto their cell phone and listen to them while on the road.
Buyers downloading a song onto the cell phone get it in a compressed quality. But at the same time they acquire the legitimacy to download the song from the Vodafone music portal in better quality.
All this gives a preview of how music sales will look like in the future. Microsoft has also given much thought as to how music can be downloaded onto a cell phone in developing the Zune, mainly from hotspots where internet access is possible without cable use.
Songs transmitted between Zune users is possible over WLAN connections. The songs have copy protection functions, preventing the recipient of the song to copy the song more than three times. If the gadget is connected to the PC the software enables the user to find the song on the Zune music portal where it can be bought.
The technological competition between Apple and Microsoft will eventually result in a much closer link between mobile gadgets and music sales, according to the experts.
On the other hand, the internet will always offer links to free music of lesser known bands or promotion material from famous artists. Such songs can be downloaded and copied as much as possible and used without a problem on every MP3 Player.
By Patrick Fauss, Dpa© 2006 DPA
