Rhapsody Relaunches with iPod-Compatible MP3s
Rhapsody announced the opening of a DRM-Free MP3 store today. The music tracks will be compatible with the Apple iPod as well as most other music players. This represents a significant shift in strategy for the company, who previously sold tracks on a subscription model exclusively. Rhapsody, however, has not completely abandoned the subscription model and still offers this option to their customers.
Rhapsody believes that their incompatibility with the iPod was in part to blame for their lack of market penetration:
One unique feature to Rhapsody's service is the ability for customers to preview an entire track, rather than a 30 second window.
Rhapsody believes that their incompatibility with the iPod was in part to blame for their lack of market penetration:
"We're no longer competing with the iPod," Rhapsody Vice President Neil Smith said. "We're embracing it."
The new MP3 store from Rhapsody is only available to U.S. customers and contains 5 million songs. Music will be priced similarly to other services at $.99 per song or $9.99 per album.One unique feature to Rhapsody's service is the ability for customers to preview an entire track, rather than a 30 second window.
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47 months ago
C'mon Apple.....your on deck. Let's get this done on iTunes.....do what it takes.
Very cool you can listen to the entire track before buying....I like that.
-Kevin
Very cool you can listen to the entire track before buying....I like that.
-Kevin
47 months ago
I think the entire-track-preview is much more of a gimmick than an actual feature that wont help switch users over. It could even lead to piracy of the previews.
Granted sometimes the previews on iTunes aren't in the spot that identifies the song, I don't think I'd be more likely to use a service because I could listen to the whole track.
Granted sometimes the previews on iTunes aren't in the spot that identifies the song, I don't think I'd be more likely to use a service because I could listen to the whole track.
47 months ago
I think that entire track previews could lead to piracy when these are the things that are supposed to lead us away from piracy.
Hm...
Hm...
47 months ago
I think the entire-track-preview is much more of a gimmick than an actual feature that wont help switch users over. It could even lead to piracy of the previews.
Granted sometimes the previews on iTunes aren't in the spot that identifies the song, I don't think I'd be more likely to use a service because I could listen to the whole track.
Piracy....don't think so. Listen to one. 8-track quality.
I like it for the exact reason you said....getting the exact part of the song in that 30 second clip on iTunes is sometimes difficult.
I don't think it will make people run to the Rhapsody store just to hear the whole song, but it is a nice feature.
-Kevin
47 months ago
Part of their strategy is to sell from various sites owned by Viacom. That helps them attract attention to the service.
I'm surprised to hear about the full-song previews. Why weren't the record companies too paranoid to allow this? How much concern do they have that some people will capture the preview audio rather than make a purchase?
I've been fine with 30-second previews. Only once have I purchased a song without realizing it was an alternate take and not the version I wanted. I don't always play the entire 30 second preview as it is (I'm a busy person!), but of course being able to listen to more of it, or choose which portion to sample, can be a nice convenience.
I'm surprised to hear about the full-song previews. Why weren't the record companies too paranoid to allow this? How much concern do they have that some people will capture the preview audio rather than make a purchase?
I've been fine with 30-second previews. Only once have I purchased a song without realizing it was an alternate take and not the version I wanted. I don't always play the entire 30 second preview as it is (I'm a busy person!), but of course being able to listen to more of it, or choose which portion to sample, can be a nice convenience.
47 months ago
I guess I now know where I am going to preview my songs. Doesn't change by buying habits via iTunes. iTunes integration is too good (iPhone, AppleTV, iPod) and too complete. Once I preview it in Rhapsody (if I cared too), I am only 20-60 seconds away from hunting it down in iTunes.
Oh yeah, I can still buy songs on in my iPod touch or iPhone via iTunes as well. I guess Rhapsody is grasping at straws since they are failing so they have to do something different. Far from compelling with this change alone.
Oh yeah, I can still buy songs on in my iPod touch or iPhone via iTunes as well. I guess Rhapsody is grasping at straws since they are failing so they have to do something different. Far from compelling with this change alone.
47 months ago
Now they'll just come out with a confusing advertising strategy:
"All the music you want for only $14.99 a month, now compatible with iPod"
"All the music you want for only $14.99 a month, now compatible with iPod"
47 months ago
Doesn't change by buying habits via iTunes. iTunes integration is too good (iPhone, AppleTV, iPod) and too complete.
Uhm, if you buy from iTunes, from Amazaon, from Rhapsody, or just import a CD it all comes out the same.
What does that mean "integration is too good" ?
A Rhapsody MP3 or an iTunes AAC will work exactly the same!
47 months ago
Apple needs to be listening to the part about DRM free music.. previews are nice... DRM free keeps me going to amazon.
47 months ago
I think Apple is just waiting to lose a percentage of market share. Record companies will think they succeeded in taking the 'monopoly' away from Apple and then Jobs can announce 100% DRM free music store and weekly sales been with various artists.
I can't see Apple sitting on their prices and limited DRM free music unless they are forced.
I can't see Apple sitting on their prices and limited DRM free music unless they are forced.
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