We’ve heard rumors about this before, but now the New York Times (via MacRumors) is pretty much coming right out and saying it. Apple was ready to give up their uniform pricing model ($0.99 per song) over a year ago but they wanted not only DRM-free licensing in return, but over-the-air (cellular) iPhone downloads. It seems many, including Apple and the music industry, think that’s the Next Big Thing.
All the labels agreed except Sony Music. Its chairman, Mr. Schmidt-Holtz, wanted the pricing to go into effect right after the announcement, while Mr. Jobs wanted a longer time horizon. According to a person briefed on the telephone call, Mr. Schmidt-Holtz and Mr. Jobs had a heated exchange by phone on Christmas Eve. Eventually, Sony gave in and agreed to a longer waiting period.
With Steve Jobs (the smartest man in music?) on leave of absence, however, don’t think things will get any easier for the historically out-of-touch music industry. Insiders report that others inside Apple, including iTunes VP Eddy Cue, follow Steve Jobs’ line.
Apple and music aside, what does this mean for — you know — the end users? How important is downloading music over the cell network to you? Will it make you buy more music? And will some songs being cheaper, and others more expensive, change you buying habits as well?
We missed iPhone Live! last week due to the hectic pace imposed by Macworld and CES, so just like last time when yours truly invaded Phone different, this time Phone different is invading iPhone Live!
Join me in joining TiPb’s editor-in-chief, Dieter Bohn, and editor-emeritus, Mike Overbo, for a special Macworld-roundup edition of Phone different on iPhone Live tonight at 8pm EST.
And did we mention we’ll be giving away one of the custom TiPb branded Element Cases to one lucky live chatter? That’s right. Get the details tonight via:
The great folks at Smule were kind enough to show Ocarina the way it was meant to be played. Personally, I can barely manage anything more than an asthmatic wheeze and a dying note or too…
How are you doing with Ocarina? What can you play?
More “let the picture do the talking” gallery posts folks, as with the rest of the crew off at CES, I’m pounding the pavement alone. More pics to come!
TiPb typed our iPhone-loving fingers off yesterday, the first day of Macworld Expo 2009. If you missed any of our coverage, here are the links below. Now we’re off to day 2, so check back soon ’cause we’ll be bringing you the best and the brightest iPhone apps and accessories we can find on the show floor. We’ll also try to Twitter as much as we can in between posts via @theiphoneblog and @reneritchie
We’ll do a more thorough Macworld 2009 show floor walking tour, but here are some quick shots we grabbed after the keynote. Enjoy the gallery, after the break!
