Apple Finally Listens
I predicted it about a year and a half ago. The RIAA and Apple would end up working together to do what should have been in place for years. I hate being right I really do. If I didn’t know any better, I would say Apple took a few of my ideas, since it’s pretty dang close.
Apple’s launch of a legitimate music service will be a moderate success, but not until it arrives for Windows as well. Just like the iPod for windows, there needs to be an alternative. Even if it’s like the Windows iPod, the software isn’t as simple to use, it’s needed. A windows service that works good with the iPod will greatly increase the sales of the windows iPods. This has a stratigic advantage to Apple.
First, it clears the Apple name. Apple is no longer those mis-managed computers in middle school that crashed all the time. After that they became high-end graphic workstations. Now Apple can be associated with a quality music service, and leading mp3 player. Who also happens to take what they learned in the industry to it’s new desktops. As Apple moves to promote OS X as the “New Macintosh”, Apple should be thinking in terms of the “New Apple”. An Apple of simplicity, ease of use, and more, everything they have been advertising so far.
Apple needs to do what it’s done in the past, reinvent itself. This is a great start for them. Now they need to showcase their simplicity. Most customers won’t spend the money on a new Mac to see Apple’s work. But if Apple gives them a nice preview on their PC, perhaps next time they replace their computer, they will think twice before getting a mindless beige box. They know the simplicity one Application brought to their music. Imagine what hardware powered by the same great software would bring? That much better computing!
Cheers, Apple. Great service. To bad there is such a long delay for the Windows version. But then again, sometimes the wait builds up anticipation.
