Today’s announcement by EMI and Apple is a big deal.
Not only because they will soon be offering downloadable music files without that pesky DRM encoding. That’s the stuff which makes it nearly impossible to move purchased songs from one computer or music player to another.
But it’s also a big deal because major players in the music download industry are starting to offer songs that will sound a lot better.
Beginning next month, EMI and Apple will offer songs and albums encoded into 256MB, DRM-free MP3 files which will sell for $1.29 each. Even better, you’ll be able to “upgrade” EMI songs you’ve already downloaded on iTunes and get the new, non-protected, better sounding files for 30-cents apiece.
Apple and EMI’s announcement is a great step forward for the downloadable music industry. Let’s hope other companies will be making similar announcements in the very near future.
A big foot in the door. You can understand why Jobs flew to London for the announcement.
its about time
MP3s? According to MacRumors, Jobs said they are 256 kbps AAC.
I doubt msnbc knows the difference between mp3 and aac
I imagine folks who clicked the link “know” the difference.
256MB, DRM-free MP3 files which will sell for $1.29 each.
256MB each ??? I’ll need a bigger mp3 player 😉
I know that they *meant* 256 kbps .
I’m surprised the RIAA hasn’t put out a “hit” on jobs. All this talk of DRM less music has got to have them worried.
…most MP3 players can’t do AAC, can they? Just wondering if I can take advantage of this.
The EMI/Apple deal is not exclusive. Nor will be agreements with the followers, Sony, BMG, et. al. This means fierce competition for Apple’s iTunes store and iTunes software.
The iPod will need to stand on its merit as good hardware not bolstered by the iTunes exclusivity. Competition is great for the consumer but I see a stagnant Apple iTunes and a flopping Apple iPhone in the near future. Cross your fingers for luck. Those Intel Macs are gonna need it.
Krakow doesn’t have it right. Apple is offering AAC files, not mp3.
EMI is letting online retailers choose whether to sell downloads in AAC, WMA, MP3 or other unprotected formats of their choice.
source: http://www.emigroup.com/Press/2007/press18.htm
Krakow needs to get a new publicity photo, he looks like a pompous *#@% in the photo he has now.
Anything to improve the quality of downloads and get rid of the darned DRM _is_ big news. I’ll bet Gates is still thinking “Wish I’d thought of that”.
#8
But that’s simple, make sure celebrities get caught with an iPod and it’s all set; I bet everytime Paris Hilton gets photographed wearing a pink iPod the sales of it in Japan skyrocket.
A lot of people eating their crow in silence.
#12 – nathaniel
“A lot of people eating their crow in silence.”
Now:
Apple TV
Mac Pros set sales records
Next:
OS X 10.5
iPhone
???
Meanwhile, back in Redmond, Vista & Zune sales, puny to begin with, continue their inexorable slide…
🙂
#7
“…most MP3 players can’t do AAC, can they? Just wondering if I can take advantage of this. Comment by Olo Baggins of Bywater ”
Shireman, any iPod will play AAC. The question is, does EMI have any music worth listening?
OK, I just checked and EMI own Blue Note’s back catalog and currently feature a new Cassandra Wilson album. This is good.
Finally our long national nighmare may be over.
Who cares!!! Why wouldn’t you just buy the CD and encode it to the format you want, not Steve Jobs crappy AAC which few players support.
CG, you might want to actually learn something before spouting. AAC is supported by most MP3 players and mobile phones that play music. Furthermore, it is considered superior to MP3 in regard to sound quality and size. Last, but not least, it is not a proprietary standard as uninformed persons like yourself think. Why is that the ignorant are the most likely to make derogatory comments?
I think it is a good idea to stop piracy, but the capacity of the RAM is too small like also the price.
We will see!