Physical mediums? Psh, who needs ‘em! A small but perpetual band of vinyl fanatics will likely be holdouts for decades to come, but in the meantime, the rest of the developed world has to endure the gradual digitization of everything, until even our bowel movements are transformed into holograms dropping into flower-ful and expansive toilet bowls (also holograms). Music is already well into the apparitional process, what with the advent of Spotify and Pandora, but who said this techno-revolution had to be friendly? Did you really think Apple would be content standing by the wayside with iTunes Radio, which apparently exists?
The Verge has the scoop on Apple’s renewed and rumored attempts to enter the music streaming realm, which are apparently rife with a ruthlessness that even Genghis Khan would admire. Ahead of their reported unveiling of a new service — a revamp of what is currently Beats Music — Apple is allegedly trying to forcefully siphon users from Spotify by talking to music labels about abandoning Spotify’s free tier. Presently, about 45 million out of Spotify’s 60 million users are of the non-Premium variety, so getting labels to turn sour on the “freemium” model would effectively free up a substantial portion of the market. Apple obviously likes this.
An unnamed “music source” goes on to indict Apple execs, including CEO Tim Cook, as “cutthroat,” which I suppose is the necessary mindset if your goals are in line with Gordon Gekko or Lex Luthor. I kind of doubt Apple’s questionable attempts to persuade will totally work out, but who knows? The Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission are supposedly keeping a close eye on things, regardless.
• Beats Music: http://www.beatsmusic.com
