Seemed like everybody got an iPod LAST Christmas, didn’t it?<\/p>\n
Well I guess that wasn’t true.\u00c2\u00a0 Because Apple just reported a fifty percent increase in iPod sales last quarter, for a grand total of more than 21 million.\u00c2\u00a0 Or, as the AP said, one for nearly every Texan.<\/p>\n
But this isn’t the first year they’ve been selling iPods.\u00c2\u00a0 They’ve been on sale in excess of five years.\u00c2\u00a0 The player population is now VAST!<\/p>\n
But aren’t iPods expensive you say?<\/p>\n
Do you consider $79 expensive?\u00c2\u00a0 And that’s not for a bargain basement item, that’s for the ultra cool Shuffle, a lustworthy product unto itself.<\/p>\n
In other words, everybody can afford an iPod.<\/p>\n
But you’ve got to have a computer.\u00c2\u00a0 And really, a broadband connection.\u00c2\u00a0 There are a lot of people in the U.S. without broadband connections, right?\u00c2\u00a0 At least, well, thirty or forty percent?\u00c2\u00a0 But I ask you, how many of these same people are buying CDs?<\/p>\n
We are reaching the tipping point.\u00c2\u00a0 The numbers tell us so.\u00c2\u00a0 CD sales have been off in double digits the past two weeks.\u00c2\u00a0 You see most people no longer want the CD.\u00c2\u00a0 You can gussy them up with extras, more pages in their tiny booklets, even DVDs, but they’re not what people want, people want files.<\/p>\n
Yes, the first thing you do when you get your iPod is fill it.\u00c2\u00a0 By ripping, by buying, and then by stealing.<\/p>\n
Yes, you cash in your gift cards.\u00c2\u00a0 After all, they were free to you.\u00c2\u00a0 But you lay out no more bread.\u00c2\u00a0 Because you consider it a rip-off.\u00c2\u00a0 Doesn’t matter whether it IS a rip-off, that’s the PERCEPTION, and there are ALTERNATIVES!<\/p>\n
This is the death of Smith Corona once again.\u00c2\u00a0 Just like the PC killed the typewriter, files are killing the CD.\u00c2\u00a0 The only question is whether those who own those files want to partake in this newfound bonanza, or sit by the wayside and slowly go out of business.<\/p>\n
IBM let Microsoft keep the operating system.\u00c2\u00a0 Who wanted a PC?<\/p>\n
I’ve heard forever, from all the bigwigs in this business, that CDs are the best, they’re enough, they sound better, they’re user-friendly…\u00c2\u00a0 It was as if these people were buggy manufacturers.\u00c2\u00a0 Leaving the rest of us, living in the present, scratching our heads, ignoring them.<\/p>\n
A new strategy is necessary.\u00c2\u00a0 The old one is not working.\u00c2\u00a0 Not only the CD model, but the copy-protected for a buck model.<\/p>\n
People who own iPods want a TON of music.\u00c2\u00a0 They want to fill them up!\u00c2\u00a0 Who’s gonna spend thousands of dollars to fill an iPod?<\/p>\n
A new economic policy is necessary.\u00c2\u00a0 Oh, it will come, it’s just a matter of when.<\/p>\n
It’s time for Doug Morris to get his head out of his ass.\u00c2\u00a0 It’s time for him to stop playing traffic cop, fining those who infringe his copyrights, and leapfrog into the future, cutting the customer off at the pass, delivering all the music for a low price.<\/p>\n
But no, you’ve got John Kennedy saying they’re going to sue ISPs.<\/p>\n
Let me ask you.\u00c2\u00a0 Suddenly, everybody with an iPod is going to leave it unfilled?\u00c2\u00a0 Come on.\u00c2\u00a0 That’s like restricting people to three networks when cable is available.\u00c2\u00a0 Better yet, forcing those with HD sets to watch at the regular analog broadcast rate!<\/p>\n
It’s a funny movie to watch.\u00c2\u00a0 As the major copyright holders try to stop the avalanche.\u00c2\u00a0 By suing, by testifying in the press, by calling their Congressmen.\u00c2\u00a0 None of those efforts will provide the desired result.<\/p>\n
If caught in an avalanche, you’re supposed to try and SWIM your way to the top.\u00c2\u00a0 The powers-that-be have boat anchors around their necks.\u00c2\u00a0 They’re refusing to swim.\u00c2\u00a0 They believe they’re daring the public to drown them.<\/p>\n
It’s kind of like that old carnival game, where you throw the ball to dunk the executive.\u00c2\u00a0 We’ve been doing that for seven years.\u00c2\u00a0 Now we’re not even paying attention.\u00c2\u00a0 EVERYBODY hates the record companies, we just steal\/trade the music, not even worrying about the musicians, whom everybody seems to believe aren’t getting paid ANYWAY!<\/p>\n
Oh, tell me the truth.\u00c2\u00a0 Tell me your costs.\u00c2\u00a0 Tell me the service you provide.<\/p>\n
You’re rational, but you’ve got your head up your ass.<\/p>\n
Oh, don’t be insulted, I’m just waking you up.\u00c2\u00a0 To REALITY!<\/p>\n
\nAnalysts: Apple luster still strong<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
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