How does iTunes Stack Up to 6 Other Digital Music Stores?
iTunes is currently the 600 pound gorilla of the music distribution world. Apple has managed to outsell not only every other digital outlet but all the physical ones as well. However, are they still the best deal around? Is the user experience of iTunes still tops?
Apparently not, according to Ed Bott of ZDNet, who did a side-by-side comparison between iTunes and six other digital music stores: Amazon MP3, Lala, Rhapsody, Zune Marketplace, eMusic and Amie Street. Here’s what he concluded:
“Apple’s monopoly is a tough one to crack, and the company makes it so easy to buy stuff through iTunes (at prices that are higher than most of their competitors) that it’s hard for a competitor to get a toehold. But after looking closely at the competition, I can’t imagine why anyone would buy from the iTunes Music Store when there are so many alternatives that are less expensive and more interesting.”
Bott found that every other service was cheaper than iTunes by anywhere from 4% to 57%. Both a la carte and subscription services were compared. Check out the full article at ZTNet for all the details.
6 music services compared: Who can bust the iTunes monopoly? [ZDNet]
Tags: Amazon, Amie Street, Digital Distribution, eMusic, iTunes, Lala, Rhapsody, Zune
This entry was posted
on Friday, April 24th, 2009 at 12:29 pm and is filed under Industry trends, Links.
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iTunes Activates Variable Pricing, Wal-Mart and Amazon Follow Suit
After years of steadfast resistance to any sort of widespread pricing changes on iTunes, Apple has finally rolled out their new variable pricing scheme, which puts some tracks at 69 cents and others, typically more popular songs, at $1.29. This isn’t a surprise as Apple announced this months ago. What is a surprise is that the Amazon MP3 store and Wal-Mart’s digital music outlet have both implemented their own price changes in the same vein.
Why the sudden change of heart for these two retailers, and what determines which tracks get a price hike? Hypebot reports that it is primarily Sony BMG which has dictated the price hike for its own catalog, while the other majors have no such control. EMI has willfully maintained a 99-cent price across the board.
Amazon follows Apple to $1.29 [cnet]
Tags: Amazon, Digital Distribution, iTunes, Wal-Mart
This entry was posted
on Friday, April 10th, 2009 at 10:31 am and is filed under Industry news.
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