Comments on: Steve Jobs is writing checks that iTunes can’t cash

By: Where’d the iTunes Plus area of iTunes vanish to? » VentureBeat

Where’d the iTunes Plus area of iTunes vanish to? » VentureBeat — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 20:08:53 +0000

[...] When Apple unveiled the iTunes Plus area of the store last year, it was met with much praise as Apple was unchaining the music it sold from the iTunes store and iPod (music without DRM can play anywhere). EMI was the only major music label at the time that agreed to see these iTunes Plus tracks, but Apple chief executive Steve Jobs promised that by the end of 2007 over half of all iTunes tracks would be DRM-free. That time period came and went, and even now, some 18 months later, Apple has failed to meet that goal. [...]

By: iTunes continues reign as music retailer king as Amazon rises and MySpace Music looms » VentureBeat

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 18:36:55 +0000

[...] All of the tracks found on AmazonMP3 are DRM-free (as opposed to just some on iTunes — despite Apple chief executive Steve Jobs’ promises to improve the selection) and many are cheaper than on iTunes. To be fair, iTunes still clearly has the edge in user [...]

By: The App Store could spread like wildfire through Apple’s product line » VentureBeat

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 10:23:00 +0000

[...] With each passing day I’m finding myself becoming addicted to it in the same way I was once addicted to the iTunes music store (and would be again if Apple would go all DRM-free). [...]

By: Five billion iTunes songs sold. One looming problem: AmazonMP3 is better » VentureBeat

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 18:33:30 +0000

[...] all accounts, iTunes is still nowhere near the promise Steve Jobs made at the All Things D conference last year that half of all the songs on iTunes would be DRM-free by [...]

By: Two weeks until Apple’s WWDC event: Some keynote wild card options » VentureBeat

Tue, 27 May 2008 04:15:01 +0000

[...] Apple is failing behind other services in terms of its DRM-free music availability, quality and its pricing isn’t even the best at all times anymore. This combined with all the pressure it’s getting from rivals for its video content on iTunes (see above with the Apple TV), means iTunes itself could be in for a major shakeup soon. [...]

By: Mobile music to play a key role in the 3G iPhone? » VentureBeat

Mobile music to play a key role in the 3G iPhone? » VentureBeat — Mon, 19 May 2008 06:14:14 +0000

[...] As has been very clear, Apple does not cave in very easily. Many of the labels are still apparently holding back on giving iTunes the same DRM-free music that they give to other services such as AmazonMP3 — another move seen as a negotiating tactic. But rather than give the labels the upper-hand, Apple has sat back and let promises go unfulfilled. [...]

By: Apple, movie studios realize people want new releases when they’re new » VentureBeat

Thu, 01 May 2008 08:10:53 +0000

[...] is an important step in the shift to digital film distribution. It should help erase doubts about Apple competing in the movie business as it has in the music business. Now, if only iTunes would implement a rent-before-you-buy system. [...]

By: Amid the coronation of iTunes as digital music king, the sound of war » VentureBeat

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 22:39:34 +0000

[...] has said this will be the future of the industry, yet iTunes is failing to deliver on this promise (our coverage). AmazonMP3 has all of the major labels providing DRM-free tracks, while MySpace Music already has [...]

By: MySpace Music days away from an assault on iTunes » VentureBeat

MySpace Music days away from an assault on iTunes » VentureBeat — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 00:06:04 +0000

[...] delivering DRM-free music to iTunes while giving it to AmazonMP3 may be helping that service grow (our coverage). MySpace Music could well be an attack on another [...]

By: Isaac N

Isaac N — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 15:01:52 +0000

Is Amazon really # 2 after iTunes? I have seen some debate around this story, because the USA Today story didn’t cite any real sales or market share figures. Also, eMusic, a site that’s been selling MP3s for as long as I can remember, is disputing it: http://www.17dots.com/ It is amazing that USA Today would overlook a site like eMusic which obviously has a dedicated following, just because it only sells indie music!

By: MG Siegler

MG Siegler — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 09:22:37 +0000

@william – that is true, however most people – including steve jobs himself – know the future of music will involve the drm-free variety. it’s true that amazon has not made a great player such as the iPod, but because their music is all 100% drm-free mp3s it can play on any players such as the ones you mention.

By: william

william — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 06:24:21 +0000

I think that if you burn a cd of the music that you purchased on itunes that you can then play the music on another device.

If this is the case then the music you purchase from itunes is interoperable.

…..hmmmm….ipods, ipod touch, iphone….Thanks for the music Amazon…to bad you cant design a player

By: MG Siegler

MG Siegler — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 21:25:02 +0000

@Luke – Jobs made that comment at last year’s All Things D, meaning he promised 50% DRM free by the end of 2007. Something they missed by a long shot. Sorry if that was unclear.

By: Luke G

Luke G — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 21:17:22 +0000

Wait, is this math right? We’re 1/3 of the way into 2008, and Apple is 2/3 of the way to it’s 50% DRM-free goal…seems pretty doable to me.