Hard News by Russell Brown

Read Post

Hard News: Something up with Apple?

231 Responses

First ←Older Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 10 Newer→ Last

  • Robyn Gallagher,

    have you tried: emusic.com or bleep.com?

    I have an emusic account and I've found it pretty good for getting music from certain types of artists, though I'm not a fan of their pricing system.

    But not every awesome band out there is signed to a minor or independent label. Sometimes I want the latest pop goodness or to listen to some guitar band I was too young to appreciate back in the '80s. And then, only iTunes (or a so far non-existent similar online music store) will suffice.

    Since Nov 2006 • 1946 posts Report Reply

  • Lance Wiggs,

    Looks like NZHerald's slow loading woes are having an effect on their traffic...
    They are losing page impressions versus stuff, while their unique browser numbers are holding steady.

    Since Nov 2006 • 3 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    I hope I'm right or I could have the proverbial egg on my face, but it came from an industry insider who would know

    If it helps Simon, I'm hearing much the same from quite a different quarter ...

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    So, Russ, whats the story with vodafone then? Are they launching a new music service on nov 16, or something else?

    I gather it's a music service, but nowt to do with iTunes.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Lance Hodges,

    Are they launching a new music service on nov 16, or something else?

    I think that would be the Mobile "social networking" service, via Vodafone Live.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 17 posts Report Reply

  • peter mclennan,

    fave headline of the day - "Will Zune make brown cool?"
    From Seattle Times...

    "Who in their right mind would produce a brown electronic product?" Steve Kaneko, design director of the Zune, asked. "Artists would. Musicians would. This is very underground. This is Seattle grunge. This is our Kurt Cobain." Just to drive that point a little further, every Zune has the phrase "Hello from Seattle" engraved in the back.

    he he he, that so 90s...

    AK Central • Since Nov 2006 • 159 posts Report Reply

  • Lance Hodges,

    This is very underground.

    How the hell can a Microsoft product be classed as "underground" ???

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 17 posts Report Reply

  • Lance Hodges,

    Hey Russell, can you flick me an email. I need to ask a few things. Cheers. L

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 17 posts Report Reply

  • Simon Grigg,

    How the hell can a Microsoft product be classed as "underground" ???

    MS still has this perception of itself as "underground" in some bizarre way. It's a part of the company ethos going back to the little folk stories about their origins. Quite odd. Then again even the likes of Disney like to mythologise their past...whilst suing Kindergartens in Masterton for painting of Mickey and Donald on the wall..

    Apple too, with more of a claim, despite their billions and their very mainstream market position have this as a core element in their company ethos.

    At least they, unlike Redmond, innovate..

    Just another klong... • Since Nov 2006 • 3284 posts Report Reply

  • Alec Morgan,

    Possibly only ms fanboys will buy the rushed out before xmas Zune 1.0, which reportedly does not yet even run on Vista os.

    A more worrying aspect for many is Universal getting a payment from Microsoft per player sold and the flow on effect for consumers and Apple.

    As someone on slashdot said...
    “Who invited Microsoft to the party? They just pissed in the pool again.”

    Tokerau Beach • Since Nov 2006 • 124 posts Report Reply

  • Simon Grigg,

    A more worrying aspect for many is Universal getting a payment from Microsoft per player sold and the flow on effect for consumers and Apple.

    I agree but UMG had the ability to put a spanner in the works for the Xmas launch. They were effectively bought off. There are several things about the $1 (as insiders say it is) per unit that MS is paying Universal. Firstly, the precedent means that the other 3 major labels will now have their hands out for a buck each, and then of course every other label, indie or otheriwse will also want a bit. Secondly there is a reasonable assumption that this will simply go towards UMGs bottom line, and, with so many things like this, not get passed on to artists. Thirdly what about the songwriters..I guess they want a bit too, so BMI and ASCAP will be jumping in as will the publishers

    I think this is US only right now but it will inevitably spread. However this must be viewed in context,like the threats to YouTube, its the desperate grasping from companies who are, despite their current profits, looking at some pretty ugly writing on the wall in the longer term. All they can rely on is their vast catalogues and a few superstar acts. That will inevitably mean in the longer term their power that they have to pursue such things will inevitably lessen

    Just another klong... • Since Nov 2006 • 3284 posts Report Reply

  • peter mclennan,

    Universal CEO Doug Morris - "These devices [MP3 players] are just repositories for stolen music, and they all know it."

    AK Central • Since Nov 2006 • 159 posts Report Reply

  • Simon Grigg,

    Universal CEO Doug Morris - "These devices [MP3 players] are just repositories for stolen music, and they all know it."

    Oh, yes, and UMG have treated their acts historically so damned well! Pot / kettle....

    Just another klong... • Since Nov 2006 • 3284 posts Report Reply

  • David Cormack,

    I read the first 2 1/2 pages of this thread then just skipped to here, I'm not really sure about the PC market but are Macs really that much better? (Not trying to instigate a fanboy battle here) but the lack of an Apple Presence has completely put me off giving Apple money in any shape way or form from now on. They have been added to my list with Telecom and Starbucks!
    I had an iPod that crapped out 4 times in less than 11 months, each time they gave me a reconditioned new one (which took 2 1/2 weeks each time to arrive from Australia!) before I finally threw my toys and got a Creative Zen Vision:M. Best move I ever made.
    Maybe if Apple got their shit together and put some properly trained people here I'd still be a customer. And I can hear ol' Steve crying into his Disney cup about the loss of me as a customer.

    Suburbia, Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 218 posts Report Reply

  • Simon Grigg,

    there is no doubt that Creative make a vastly better product but it doesn't have the perceived cool factor. Apple has done a hell of a job over the years cleverly marketing themselves and their designs (justifiably in terms of the look they offer). Here in Asia Creative seem to have quite an edge. Ipods have a small and shrinking share of the market.

    Just another klong... • Since Nov 2006 • 3284 posts Report Reply

  • 81stcolumn,

    I’d have to agree here IPods are pretty shoddy equipment at all levels…I have always gone with Creative….

    This slight of hand where Apple uses DRM to hold people to a hardware platform is pretty shoddy too - yes I know it can be gotten round but that doesn’t defeat the issue in principle…

    A warning about crap Zunes; the first generation will probably be crap, but then again so was Xbox and so was Windows CE.

    M$oft has a remarkable capacity to make inroads into a target Market over time. You have been warned !

    Nawthshaw • Since Nov 2006 • 790 posts Report Reply

  • Nat Torkington,

    I see the Herald has an article on the coming iTunes store. Not a mention of Public Address getting there first.

    Ti Point • Since Nov 2006 • 100 posts Report Reply

  • Lance Hodges,

    The new Vodafone music service does NOT support Mac and you need a phone that plays WMA files :-(
    What is wrong with you Vodafone? I was ready to make a purchase, I didn't even check the minimum requirements, I just assumed we could work together, but NO, you had to be difficult.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 17 posts Report Reply

  • Tomorrowpeople,

    And this is awhat all the fuss was about?

    {:/

    The Craps tables at the B… • Since Nov 2006 • 188 posts Report Reply

  • Lance Hodges,

    I'm quite interested to see how the new Vodafone social networking service goes down. They will need something very special to avoid it flopping.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 17 posts Report Reply

  • Tomorrowpeople,

    Updates anybody?

    One thing to note is that U2 are in town and we all know they have their own brand iPod and have launched iTunes services in the past.

    I am a gambling man and have money on U2 being involved in the NZ iTunes launch.

    Anybody else see that as a possibilty?

    The Craps tables at the B… • Since Nov 2006 • 188 posts Report Reply

  • Jeremy Matthews,

    The NZ Herald link that someone else posted earlier also mentioned that U2 were in town and might have something to do with an iTunes launch.

    How will it work though?
    An actual iTunes NZ store.
    Opening up of the Australian store to accept our credit cards again.
    A proper Apple presence in NZ.

    Or will it all just be nothing like all the other times the rumour has come around.

    Christchurch, New Zealand… • Since Nov 2006 • 29 posts Report Reply

  • Compie,

    While we are on the topic.

    What is up with Vodafone. Why are they leaving it up to the dodgy car boot sales on parrallel import and trademe to bring in funky phones (assuming they work here in NZ).

    They are very keen to release the most mediocre phones and the biggest and best, but the middle ground is really unrepresented.

    I've rung Vodafone and all I get is, we are reviewing our product range before xmas. Is that too vague or is that a palm off?

    The Sony w300i looks like a great little walkman phone (even more so now I've lost my old ipod shuffle)
    But then the w710i would do the job nicely.

    Choice please Vodafone?

    Dunedin/Vancouver • Since Nov 2006 • 114 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Or will it all just be nothing like all the other times the rumour has come around.

    While getting pissed at Prego on Friday - that's where I do all my best research - I received another implicit confirmation that something's happening. I'm sticking with my date next week, but I guess Bono might surprise us. I'll ask him at the Blowfish Sushi opening on Saturday ...

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Tomorrowpeople,

    I would assume a NZ iTunes store would be run off shore ie Australia with content uploaded to them for inclusion, and, possibly have a NZ-based staff member to license content.

    There is a chick in Wellington who has been licensing NZ music to iTunes internationally for a while now. Maybe she might be recruited (or prefer to remain an independant 'broker').

    As for the Vodafone hand sets.
    You'd think by now they would be releasing decent hand sets due to parrellel imports....

    The Craps tables at the B… • Since Nov 2006 • 188 posts Report Reply

First ←Older Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 10 Newer→ Last

Post your response…

Please sign in using your Public Address credentials…

Login

You may also create an account or retrieve your password.