Comments on: Game On: A Real Alternative To iTunes http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/ Startup and Tech News Sat, 17 May 2008 09:35:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: The Inevitable March of Recorded Music Towards Free http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/#comment-1658769 The Inevitable March of Recorded Music Towards Free Thu, 04 Oct 2007 18:34:09 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/#comment-1658769 [...] is unmistakable already. In April 2007 the benchmark price for a DRM-free song was $1.29. Today it is $0.89, a drop of 31% in just six [...] […] is unmistakable already. In April 2007 the benchmark price for a DRM-free song was $1.29. Today it is $0.89, a drop of 31% in just six […]

]]> By: jseles http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/#comment-1649730 jseles Fri, 28 Sep 2007 01:23:08 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/#comment-1649730 AmazonMP3 and Amazon Unbox are 2 great services but they are only available in the U.S. What about us here in Canada ? I can't wait to get access to these cool features. AmazonMP3 and Amazon Unbox are 2 great services but they are only available in the U.S. What about us here in Canada ? I can’t wait to get access to these cool features.

]]> By: Jorge http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/#comment-1647250 Jorge Wed, 26 Sep 2007 14:38:41 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/#comment-1647250 Don, 1) This doesn't mean that you have to stop using the downloaded music. You've already paid for it. It does mean you have to stop using the downloader, and the online service to download songs. 2) 3PBs cannot be precluded from enforcing their copyrights against you if you distribute their songs. That's what it says. 3) The songs are not watermarked. If you're really worried about that, just re-encode using LAME, and it will destroy the watermark. 4) Have you ever read the iTunes TOS? It's even worse. Don,

1) This doesn’t mean that you have to stop using the downloaded music. You’ve already paid for it. It does mean you have to stop using the downloader, and the online service to download songs.
2) 3PBs cannot be precluded from enforcing their copyrights against you if you distribute their songs. That’s what it says.
3) The songs are not watermarked. If you’re really worried about that, just re-encode using LAME, and it will destroy the watermark.
4) Have you ever read the iTunes TOS? It’s even worse.

]]> By: Don http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/#comment-1647033 Don Wed, 26 Sep 2007 11:58:53 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/#comment-1647033 Sorry, one more... This time with extra special "Don't you dare share that MP3" warnings. 6.2 Third-Party Beneficiaries. <b>Digital Content copyright owners are intended third-party beneficiaries under this Agreement and may enforce this Agreement against you.</b> Has anyone done any kind of examination of the downloaded songs to see if they are watermarked in some way? Sorry, one more… This time with extra special “Don’t you dare share that MP3″ warnings.

6.2 Third-Party Beneficiaries. Digital Content copyright owners are intended third-party beneficiaries under this Agreement and may enforce this Agreement against you.

Has anyone done any kind of examination of the downloaded songs to see if they are watermarked in some way?

]]> By: Don http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/#comment-1647028 Don Wed, 26 Sep 2007 11:55:28 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/#comment-1647028 taken from the Amazon software downloader terms of serrvice: 6.1 Termination; Amendments. Your rights under this Agreement will automatically terminate without notice from us if you fail to comply with any of its terms. In case of such termination, <b>you must cease all use of the Software and Digital Content,</b> and we may immediately revoke your access to the Service without notice to you and without refund of any fees. Our failure to insist upon or enforce your strict compliance with this Agreement will not constitute a waiver of any of our rights. We may amend any of this Agreement's terms at our sole discretion by posting the revised terms on the Service's website. Your continued use of the Service, the Software or the Digital Content after any such amendment's effective date evidences your agreement to be bound by it. taken from the Amazon software downloader terms of serrvice:

6.1 Termination; Amendments. Your rights under this Agreement will automatically terminate without notice from us if you fail to comply with any of its terms. In case of such termination, you must cease all use of the Software and Digital Content, and we may immediately revoke your access to the Service without notice to you and without refund of any fees. Our failure to insist upon or enforce your strict compliance with this Agreement will not constitute a waiver of any of our rights. We may amend any of this Agreement’s terms at our sole discretion by posting the revised terms on the Service’s website. Your continued use of the Service, the Software or the Digital Content after any such amendment’s effective date evidences your agreement to be bound by it.

]]> By: fred wilson http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/#comment-1646891 fred wilson Wed, 26 Sep 2007 10:26:55 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/#comment-1646891 it's awesome. i love amazon a little more every day and apple a little less fred it’s awesome. i love amazon a little more every day and apple a little less

fred

]]> By: Mark http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/#comment-1646514 Mark Wed, 26 Sep 2007 05:08:17 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/#comment-1646514 New House M.D. Soundtrack Amazon $6.99 complete, iTunes only 3 songs currently available $0.99 cents each. Winner Amazon!... Thank goodness for competition, it's about time. :-) New House M.D. Soundtrack
Amazon $6.99 complete, iTunes only 3 songs currently available $0.99 cents each. Winner Amazon!… Thank goodness for competition, it’s about time. :-)

]]> By: Michael http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/#comment-1646473 Michael Wed, 26 Sep 2007 04:34:47 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/#comment-1646473 At least they have a sense of humour, their free test song that you get with the downloader is from "The Apples In Stereo" ;-) At least they have a sense of humour, their free test song that you get with the downloader is from “The Apples In Stereo” ;-)

]]> By: Steve Ballmer http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/#comment-1646421 Steve Ballmer Wed, 26 Sep 2007 04:08:58 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/#comment-1646421 If they suceed at killin' iTombs I'll buy Amazon and roll it into the xBox live thing! http://fakesteveballmer.blogspot.com If they suceed at killin’ iTombs I’ll buy Amazon and roll it into the xBox live thing!
http://fakesteveballmer.blogspot.com

]]> By: phenom http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/#comment-1646266 phenom Wed, 26 Sep 2007 02:42:22 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/#comment-1646266 wow that's cheap...interesting http://vidsonly.blogspot.com wow that’s cheap…interesting
http://vidsonly.blogspot.com

]]> By: Bob http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/#comment-1646187 Bob Wed, 26 Sep 2007 01:43:09 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/#comment-1646187 interesting on the advertisement, the first player is an ipod interesting on the advertisement, the first player is an ipod

]]> By: sean coon http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/#comment-1646094 sean coon Wed, 26 Sep 2007 00:34:44 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/#comment-1646094 ok, this is great pressure on iTunes to drop the drm and their prices, but how does this help the independent artist? michael, have you heard anything about amazon planning to integrate their investment in amie street with this new service? ok, this is great pressure on iTunes to drop the drm and their prices, but how does this help the independent artist?

michael, have you heard anything about amazon planning to integrate their investment in amie street with this new service?

]]> By: airj1012 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/#comment-1646067 airj1012 Wed, 26 Sep 2007 00:12:56 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/#comment-1646067 This is really interesting and it'll help out the industry. Competition is always good, it's what drives continuous improvement. I do like that Amazon has upped the kbs but I'm not sure if 256kb is really the answer. I'm a huge fan of VBR. You have the high kbs where you need it and very low ones where its not needed. You get a very good sound without the HUGE file size. As someone stated above, the download time was pretty bad. We'll see what comes in the next few months but I bet Apple will do something to answer. This is really interesting and it’ll help out the industry. Competition is always good, it’s what drives continuous improvement.

I do like that Amazon has upped the kbs but I’m not sure if 256kb is really the answer. I’m a huge fan of VBR. You have the high kbs where you need it and very low ones where its not needed. You get a very good sound without the HUGE file size. As someone stated above, the download time was pretty bad.

We’ll see what comes in the next few months but I bet Apple will do something to answer.

]]> By: Bob Caswell http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/#comment-1645981 Bob Caswell Tue, 25 Sep 2007 23:04:16 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/#comment-1645981 Considering I used to purchase CDs via Amazon anyway (can't stand DRM), now I'll just be purchasing the MP3s directly. My first experience was an album that would have been $9.99 as a CD but was only $7.99 as a download! Considering I used to purchase CDs via Amazon anyway (can’t stand DRM), now I’ll just be purchasing the MP3s directly. My first experience was an album that would have been $9.99 as a CD but was only $7.99 as a download!

]]> By: Suresh http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/#comment-1645961 Suresh Tue, 25 Sep 2007 22:51:09 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/#comment-1645961 Apple' non-drm .aac tracks works only with iPod whereas mp3 works with all digital players Apple’ non-drm .aac tracks works only with iPod whereas mp3 works with all digital players

]]> By: Don Jones http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/#comment-1645947 Don Jones Tue, 25 Sep 2007 22:35:47 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/#comment-1645947 2 million songs is too few for me. I've been to the other music sites and the site that has the less-traveled music is iTunes, which comes in at 6 million. The other sites are far less comprehensive - I guess they're OK if you're into Britney... 2 million songs is too few for me. I’ve been to the other music sites and the site that has the less-traveled music is iTunes, which comes in at 6 million. The other sites are far less comprehensive - I guess they’re OK if you’re into Britney…

]]> By: greggman http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/#comment-1645926 greggman Tue, 25 Sep 2007 22:19:09 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/#comment-1645926 I'm willing to pay MORE not to be tied to Apple only hardware. MP3s run on anything. AAC does not. Since they are both DRM free and MP3s I can buy them for my iPod knowning that I can also use them in my car, on my 360, on my PS3, on my PSP, on my cell phone, etc etc etc.. I’m willing to pay MORE not to be tied to Apple only hardware. MP3s run on anything. AAC does not. Since they are both DRM free and MP3s I can buy them for my iPod knowning that I can also use them in my car, on my 360, on my PS3, on my PSP, on my cell phone, etc etc etc..

]]> By: Jon Burg's Future Visions http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/#comment-1645918 Jon Burg's Future Visions Tue, 25 Sep 2007 22:12:47 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/#comment-1645918 <strong>liquid DRM - opening doors for customers without slamming doors in the faces of content creators...</strong> If you're a regular reader you're familiar with my desire to see DRM live - in a transparent and unobtrusive rol. I like to think of this as liquid DRM. Our current DRM system is like a ton of bricks,... liquid DRM - opening doors for customers without slamming doors in the faces of content creators…

If you’re a regular reader you’re familiar with my desire to see DRM live - in a transparent and unobtrusive rol. I like to think of this as liquid DRM. Our current DRM system is like a ton of bricks,…

]]> By: cgpublic http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/#comment-1645906 cgpublic Tue, 25 Sep 2007 22:05:02 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/#comment-1645906 After briefly checking out the interface, I must say I'm not impressed. What I love about iTunes is that it provides a pleasurable browsing experience and facilitates exposure to new artists and music. It's worth the premium for me, but I can certainly understand those who may want to save ten cents per track migrating to Amazon for certain purchases. After briefly checking out the interface, I must say I’m not impressed. What I love about iTunes is that it provides a pleasurable browsing experience and facilitates exposure to new artists and music. It’s worth the premium for me, but I can certainly understand those who may want to save ten cents per track migrating to Amazon for certain purchases.

]]> By: planter http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/#comment-1645894 planter Tue, 25 Sep 2007 21:56:58 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/#comment-1645894 all your peanut are belong to us all your peanut are belong to us

]]> By: Echo http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/#comment-1645866 Echo Tue, 25 Sep 2007 21:40:13 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/#comment-1645866 I aggre with you Adi. This is like selling peanut on street. Everybody love peanut... I aggre with you Adi. This is like selling peanut on street. Everybody love peanut…

]]> By: Greg http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/#comment-1645863 Greg Tue, 25 Sep 2007 21:39:21 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/#comment-1645863 one more thing missing - push it to my TiVo from Amazon automatically :) one more thing missing - push it to my TiVo from Amazon automatically :)

]]> By: Adi http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/#comment-1645862 Adi Tue, 25 Sep 2007 21:38:48 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/#comment-1645862 Wow, that great. I think selling MP3 is never dead until 2012. Wow, that great. I think selling MP3 is never dead until 2012.

]]> By: randy http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/#comment-1645854 randy Tue, 25 Sep 2007 21:34:01 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/#comment-1645854 @kevin Apple makes money from iTunes. Why else would they go to the trouble of making it possible to buy music directly from the iPhone and the Touch. Apple is raking it in. @kevin
Apple makes money from iTunes. Why else would they go to the trouble of making it possible to buy music directly from the iPhone and the Touch. Apple is raking it in.

]]> By: randy http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/#comment-1645848 randy Tue, 25 Sep 2007 21:31:28 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/09/25/game-on-a-real-alternative-to-itunes/#comment-1645848 The software download is just to make it easier for non-techie people to get the mp3's into their libray (ie itunes). I think its great. The software download is just to make it easier for non-techie people to get the mp3’s into their libray (ie itunes). I think its great.

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