iTunes, Apparently, Will Rule the Known Universe

I've heard mixed, but mostly positive reviews, of iTunes for Windows, and the fact that Apple will be releasing an updater by next week speaks of the dedication that the company has to getting the product right. I personally can't install it as it isn't available for Win platforms other than 2000 and XP. Still, it's quite apparent that they are putting a lot of stock in not only the player and the store, but the tie-in to the iPod player.

Not only have they made deals with Audible for directly downloading audiobooks, with AOL to provide downloaded music to the online provider's subscribers, and with Pepsi for a promotional giveaway of music, but now they are making the tools available to easily market music through the Apple Music store.

Apple is in the process of launching new applications and marketing tools for its iTunes Music Store that aim to make it easier for record labels and artists to sell and promote music on the service. According to Billboard Bulletin (paid subscription required), Apple is preparing an application called iTunes Producer, which will help labels submit content for inclusion in the store. The free software, expected to be released on October 31 in a beta version, allows users to encode their music (enter album, song and artwork information) and send the files directly to Apple.

This is a smart move to bring more music to the store, and to create that "killer app" that gives one product a distinct advantage over its competitors. There are still hurdles to success (the odd music format choice is a little off-putting for a lot of users and the inability to work with players other than iPods is in the good/bad category that might grow iPod sales or kill off that initial enthusiasm for the product that Windows users have shown), but the effort has been mighty impressive so far.

Good for Apple, and, win or lose, good for the industry. This kind of competition and far-reaching thought should spur a great deal of growth in the online music market, and the end result should be more choice and opportunity for the user.

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Posted by zombyboy at October 22, 2003 11:43 PM | TrackBack