Apple to Offer Unlimited Music Plan?

[ikyouCrow]

um... if someone understands exactly what this is all about, can you post a comparison to the ZMP Zune Pass thingee?

it sounds similar but i get the vibe that it's different somehow. i just can't figure out what...

[C_Guy]

"The negotiations are currently being held up due to disagreements in pricing"

Isn't this always the problem with Apple? Steve really needs to get over his "my way or die" approach to everything.

[plan-9]

Why is everyone bitching about DRM? From what I gather with this article if you buy an ipod you get unlimited music downloads through itunes. So of course there will be DRM since this subscrption is only for that ipod and not meant to be put on any other devices.

[Hurmoth]

"The negotiations are currently being held up due to disagreements in pricing"

Isn't this always the problem with Apple? Steve really needs to get over his "my way or die" approach to everything.

You do realize that he's trying to get the pricing down for the consumer :rolleyes: Or do you even care about that little fact?

Oh and besides that, when you control the market like what Apple does (70% of all digital music sales), he gets to have that attitude.

[NeoTrunks]

"The negotiations are currently being held up due to disagreements in pricing"

Isn't this always the problem with Apple? Steve really needs to get over his "my way or die" approach to everything.

I think we can thank him for music prices staying at 99 cents per song, rather than rising when the labels demanded it.

[C_Guy]

You do realize that he's trying to get the pricing down for the consumer :rolleyes: Or do you even care about that little fact?

Oh and besides that, when you control the market like what Apple does (70% of all digital music sales), he gets to have that attitude.

Oh, I see. So when he's bullying music labels to get his way he's a hero. But when the iPhone is insanely overpriced *and* you pay a monthly "iPhone privilege" fee to your carrier (who forwards it to Apple), is he still a hero?

The illusion that Apple "controls" the market is just as foolish as the idea that Microsoft has a "monopoly". The consumer always has and always will control the market. Consumers ultimately choose where their money goes, no matter how Steve feels about it.

[The_Decryptor Veteran]

Phone contracts aren't an Apple only thing. I have a nokia phone and I'm in a phone contract.

[NeoTrunks]

Oh, I see. So when he's bullying music labels to get his way he's a hero. But when the iPhone is insanely overpriced *and* you pay a monthly "iPhone privilege" fee to your carrier (who forwards it to Apple), is he still a hero?

The illusion that Apple "controls" the market is just as foolish as the idea that Microsoft has a "monopoly". The consumer always has and always will control the market. Consumers ultimately choose where their money goes, no matter how Steve feels about it.

$60 a month for a mobile service that includes and unlimited data plan? Not breaking the bank. Also cheaper than other alternatives.

[Hurmoth]

Oh, I see. So when he's bullying music labels to get his way he's a hero. But when the iPhone is insanely overpriced *and* you pay a monthly "iPhone privilege" fee to your carrier (who forwards it to Apple), is he still a hero?

The illusion that Apple "controls" the market is just as foolish as the idea that Microsoft has a "monopoly". The consumer always has and always will control the market. Consumers ultimately choose where their money goes, no matter how Steve feels about it.

Consumers don't control anything. That's the illusion. If that were so, then why are the iPhones so expensive?

And $399 for the device isn't that expensive all things considered.

And besides that, my monthly bill is a little over $60 for unlimited nights and weekends, mobile to mobile, and unlimited data. I can't complain at all for that.

By the way, C_Guy, we've already debunked your signature. Maybe it is time to stop bashing Macs? :rolleyes:

Steve Jobs, married with 4 kids. I think he's getting laid.

[Eric Veteran]

But until Apple drops DRM, they won't have me as a customer.

That's why I use eMusic... You get X number of downloads a month for a subscription fee. They're MP3s, no DRM, and you can re-download stuff you've obtained previously whenever you want. :)

[azure.sapphire]

I am sorry but this is never going to happen (cost added in as value to device). It does not make sense from a financial perspective. The only way I see this happening is if Apple decides to add a few hundred dollars to the price of the iPhone/iPod. I can see a subscription format, but not for the price of $7/8 unless it is significantly crippled. A more realistic solution for unlimited downloads per month would be $22.95 (something in Audible.com range). This might help to explain why in recent months they have been going after individuals who try to hack Fairplay, while in the past they only made a fleeting effort (to look solid with the music executives).

[Menge]

iTunes has DRM free songs available. granted, not all of them are... but some of them are

[Galley]

I personally love iTunes. It is the only music software I use and buy from now. So here's to getting an unlimited subscription plan :pint:

Who has more digital music, videos, and audiobooks than iTunes?

Music = over 6,000,000

Audiobooks = over 20,000

Then why do 25% of my tracks not have artwork? The iTunes Store doesn't carry obscure, or out-of-print CDs.

[betasp]

Then why do 25% of my tracks not have artwork? The iTunes Store doesn't carry obscure, or out-of-print CDs.

iTunes carries some pretty obscure stuff. Given, you are not going to find any long Long Stem Daisies, or any regional or old out-of print indie releases but there is plenty there I cannot get pirated or by any other means.

[NeoTrunks]

Then why do 25% of my tracks not have artwork? The iTunes Store doesn't carry obscure, or out-of-print CDs.

You'd have to make sure that the mp3's are tagged properly to match the albums on iTunes. Though, generally, yes, you will have trouble with obscure music.

[Neil]

This would against Apples plan to offer DRM music and Steve said at a Keynote that consumers want to own their music and not to rent it. But if they offer a one-off fee and you can then download and burn it CD then count me in!

[Volatile]

It's about time someone did this.

Consider this:

If your a millionaire.. go out and buy every single album you can get your hands on. Start up a company and call it whatever you want. Sell stock for your company... $1. sounds good. Make those albums available digitally on a high bandwidth server.

Basically because the person bought stock from you, they pretty much own a piece of every single album that you own. Therefore it's already theirs.

Pretty cool idea... just takes alot of $ to get it going.

[Chicane-UK Veteran]

If I could pay a flat rate monthly fee and have unlimited downloads with syncing to an iPod, and just playing on my Mac, i'd pony up good money for that.

[Guest]

If I could pay a flat rate monthly fee and have unlimited downloads with syncing to an iPod, and just playing on my Mac, i'd pony up good money for that.

Word. My entire collection would become digital.

Hoping this comes through.

[hewitt s.]

"...in exchange for paying a premium for its iPod and iPhone devices"

People are already paying a premium... Look at the price of the iPod Touch!

[Hurmoth]

"...in exchange for paying a premium for its iPod and iPhone devices"

People are already paying a premium... Look at the price of the iPod Touch!

Compare its feature to any other device. Not paying a premium, paying for what its worth.

[Galley]

If I could stream nearly every song ever recorded to my iPhone, MacBook and Apple TV for $20 a month, then count me in. Otherwise, forget it.

[.kvn]

This is an excellent solution. Good job Apple.

[RPDL]

In Spain we already pay a tax on all kinds of media that can store "copyrighted material". Blank dvds cost up to 200% more because of this. (ipods, hard drives, dvd burners, scanners, printers too!)

So I already pay. Where's my music?!?!?

Julius, your music is riiiight here on the internet. It's all in our hands, everyone's hands. This "new" "idea" apple has is trying to tell us the contrary, but they are powerless. The extra steps of obtaining copyright media are simply an illusion put forward by the companies.

[Hell-In-A-Handbasket]

its not sounding like its a Mo-Mo thing,, sounds like its a Buy a Normal iPod for 250, iPod Xtreme for 400 (Xtreme included full free access to iTunes Store Material for the Life of the Device )