Comments on: Rhapsody Pulls Plug On Non-Public APIs, Effectively Shuts YottaMusic Down http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/rhapsody-pulls-plug-on-non-public-apis-effectively-shuts-yottamusic-down/ Startup and Technology News Sat, 11 Oct 2008 18:25:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Rich http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/rhapsody-pulls-plug-on-non-public-apis-effectively-shuts-yottamusic-down/#comment-1924516 Rich Wed, 16 Jan 2008 21:06:59 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/rhapsody-pulls-plug-on-non-public-apis-effectively-shuts-yottamusic-down/#comment-1924516 I have used YottaMusic from the very beginning. As Luke Matkins' father, I cannot begin to say how proud I am of him and his creative programming skills. YottaMusic's termination makes me rarely listen to my $12.99 per month product that Rhapsody attempts to sell because the interface is so marginal. YottaMusic was a joy to use and much more forward thinking. If Rhapsody truly loved working with Luke Matkins and his creative, bright and innovative team, why are they not pursuing his product? I wonder why Ben Rotholtz at Rhapsody isn't calling my son daily to get him to sell this amazing service? Would someone please enlighten me? I have used YottaMusic from the very beginning. As Luke Matkins’ father, I cannot begin to say how proud I am of him and his creative programming skills. YottaMusic’s termination makes me rarely listen to my $12.99 per month product that Rhapsody attempts to sell because the interface is so marginal. YottaMusic was a joy to use and much more forward thinking.
If Rhapsody truly loved working with Luke Matkins and his creative, bright and innovative team, why are they not pursuing his product? I wonder why Ben Rotholtz at Rhapsody isn’t calling my son daily to get him to sell this amazing service? Would someone please enlighten me?

]]> By: ventureblogalist http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/rhapsody-pulls-plug-on-non-public-apis-effectively-shuts-yottamusic-down/#comment-1921760 ventureblogalist Tue, 15 Jan 2008 19:58:07 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/rhapsody-pulls-plug-on-non-public-apis-effectively-shuts-yottamusic-down/#comment-1921760 Ben, are there any plans to tie into recommendation services..for example, ilike integration? Ben, are there any plans to tie into recommendation services..for example, ilike integration?

]]> By: Sean Tierney http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/rhapsody-pulls-plug-on-non-public-apis-effectively-shuts-yottamusic-down/#comment-1899153 Sean Tierney Fri, 04 Jan 2008 16:53:05 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/rhapsody-pulls-plug-on-non-public-apis-effectively-shuts-yottamusic-down/#comment-1899153 Full rant along with an option for Mac users now that Yotta's gone found here-> http://www.scrollinondubs.com/2008/01/03/place-shift-rhapsody/ I just switched over to Yahoo Music and so far so good... good riddance Rhapsody. sean Full rant along with an option for Mac users now that Yotta’s gone found here->
http://www.scrollinondubs.com/.....-rhapsody/

I just switched over to Yahoo Music and so far so good… good riddance Rhapsody.
sean

]]> By: Justin http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/rhapsody-pulls-plug-on-non-public-apis-effectively-shuts-yottamusic-down/#comment-1898634 Justin Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:11:49 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/rhapsody-pulls-plug-on-non-public-apis-effectively-shuts-yottamusic-down/#comment-1898634 Real has it's head up it's ass. Yottamusic had an awesome user interface, social networking built in, and just worked really well! I have used both rhapsody site and yottamusic extensively. Rhapsody's own site is clunky, slow, and has no social features (what year is this???). Rhapsody should have bought Yottamusic from Luke and switched out their junk site for his. They'd be way more popular if they did that. I'd be trying to get all my friends on there so I can see what music they are listening too etc. As it is there is no incentive for me to promote rhapsody to my friends. Someone else is gonna do a subscription model with good social features and blow rhapsody out of the water. Real has it’s head up it’s ass. Yottamusic had an awesome user interface, social networking built in, and just worked really well! I have used both rhapsody site and yottamusic extensively. Rhapsody’s own site is clunky, slow, and has no social features (what year is this???).
Rhapsody should have bought Yottamusic from Luke and switched out their junk site for his. They’d be way more popular if they did that. I’d be trying to get all my friends on there so I can see what music they are listening too etc. As it is there is no incentive for me to promote rhapsody to my friends.
Someone else is gonna do a subscription model with good social features and blow rhapsody out of the water.

]]> By: Online Music Service Review: Songza » the dotmatrix project http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/rhapsody-pulls-plug-on-non-public-apis-effectively-shuts-yottamusic-down/#comment-1898514 Online Music Service Review: Songza » the dotmatrix project Fri, 04 Jan 2008 04:57:01 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/rhapsody-pulls-plug-on-non-public-apis-effectively-shuts-yottamusic-down/#comment-1898514 [...] either, though. YouTube could easily decide to shut down Songza’s access, similar to what Rhapsody did to YottaMusic this past [...] [...] either, though. YouTube could easily decide to shut down Songza’s access, similar to what Rhapsody did to YottaMusic this past [...]

]]> By: Bijan Sabet http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/rhapsody-pulls-plug-on-non-public-apis-effectively-shuts-yottamusic-down/#comment-1898502 Bijan Sabet Fri, 04 Jan 2008 04:42:16 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/rhapsody-pulls-plug-on-non-public-apis-effectively-shuts-yottamusic-down/#comment-1898502 well I really like MOG and the MOG team. but when I play a tune in MOG it fires up the Rhapsody branded player. Totally different UI/UE than MOG. Was that the problem with YottaMusic. That they used their own player? What did Yotta need that you guys couldn't give them? I think that is the confusion here. Thanks for your help clarifying. this isn't a witch hunt. I love subscription music. And I want Rhapsody everywhere. but I just am quite depressed that YottaMusic isn't alive anymore. well I really like MOG and the MOG team.

but when I play a tune in MOG it fires up the Rhapsody branded player. Totally different UI/UE than MOG.

Was that the problem with YottaMusic. That they used their own player?

What did Yotta need that you guys couldn’t give them? I think that is the confusion here.

Thanks for your help clarifying. this isn’t a witch hunt. I love subscription music. And I want Rhapsody everywhere.

but I just am quite depressed that YottaMusic isn’t alive anymore.

]]> By: Ben Rotholtz http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/rhapsody-pulls-plug-on-non-public-apis-effectively-shuts-yottamusic-down/#comment-1898082 Ben Rotholtz Thu, 03 Jan 2008 23:11:42 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/rhapsody-pulls-plug-on-non-public-apis-effectively-shuts-yottamusic-down/#comment-1898082 We at Rhapsody are also sad to see Yotta discontinue their music community service. The team at Yotta was bright, committed and very creative. They were also great to work with. In the early spring of 2006, as part of our Rhapsody DNA platform initiative, we made available a set of APIs that gave developers deep access to Rhapsody content. Our motivation behind Rhapsody DNA was simple: Enable the web-savvy spectrum of bloggers to developers to embed music and music content into their web pages, widgets and online experiences outside of Rhapsody.com or the Rhapsody PC client. We’re deeply committed to the Rhapsody DNA platform. The fruits of that commitment can be seen on sites such as MOG. Despite progress and refinements over the past two years, our APIs are not exhaustive and unlimited: As was the case with Yotta, the breadth and depth of our APIs won’t match the needs of every developer. Additionally, we have guidelines and terms of use for our APIs to protect the legal reuse of our content and perhaps even more importantly to honor our contracts and obligations with the labels. We simply don’t have the rights to enable every music experience since we don’t own the content that is played through Rhapsody. We do feel strongly – and the market has demonstrated – that it’s possible to create a deep Rhapsody integration that is fully within our terms of use (again, see MOG) and we actively encourage developers to party on our code to create new online music experiences. Our APIs are available from http://webservices.rhapsody.com Our ultimate goal with Rhapsody is to enable consumers to enjoy more music in more ways than ever before and we’re enthusiastic about pushing the envelope to work with partners to enable great new music experiences. Ben Rotholtz, General Manager, Web Services & Syndication We at Rhapsody are also sad to see Yotta discontinue their music community service. The team at Yotta was bright, committed and very creative. They were also great to work with.

In the early spring of 2006, as part of our Rhapsody DNA platform initiative, we made available a set of APIs that gave developers deep access to Rhapsody content. Our motivation behind Rhapsody DNA was simple: Enable the web-savvy spectrum of bloggers to developers to embed music and music content into their web pages, widgets and online experiences outside of Rhapsody.com or the Rhapsody PC client. We’re deeply committed to the Rhapsody DNA platform. The fruits of that commitment can be seen on sites such as MOG.

Despite progress and refinements over the past two years, our APIs are not exhaustive and unlimited: As was the case with Yotta, the breadth and depth of our APIs won’t match the needs of every developer. Additionally, we have guidelines and terms of use for our APIs to protect the legal reuse of our content and perhaps even more importantly to honor our contracts and obligations with the labels. We simply don’t have the rights to enable every music experience since we don’t own the content that is played through Rhapsody. We do feel strongly – and the market has demonstrated – that it’s possible to create a deep Rhapsody integration that is fully within our terms of use (again, see MOG) and we actively encourage developers to party on our code to create new online music experiences. Our APIs are available from http://webservices.rhapsody.com

Our ultimate goal with Rhapsody is to enable consumers to enjoy more music in more ways than ever before and we’re enthusiastic about pushing the envelope to work with partners to enable great new music experiences.

Ben Rotholtz, General Manager, Web Services & Syndication

]]> By: Sean Tierney http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/rhapsody-pulls-plug-on-non-public-apis-effectively-shuts-yottamusic-down/#comment-1897637 Sean Tierney Thu, 03 Jan 2008 17:55:19 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/rhapsody-pulls-plug-on-non-public-apis-effectively-shuts-yottamusic-down/#comment-1897637 pure idiocy. Yotta brought Rhapsody to the Mac and blew away their crappy web interface. they should have purchased them- instead they just alienated a bunch of their users. i would love to know what genius inside of Real was responsible for this mistake. sean pure idiocy. Yotta brought Rhapsody to the Mac and blew away their crappy web interface. they should have purchased them- instead they just alienated a bunch of their users. i would love to know what genius inside of Real was responsible for this mistake.

sean

]]> By: Craig Huizenga http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/rhapsody-pulls-plug-on-non-public-apis-effectively-shuts-yottamusic-down/#comment-1897472 Craig Huizenga Thu, 03 Jan 2008 15:59:20 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/rhapsody-pulls-plug-on-non-public-apis-effectively-shuts-yottamusic-down/#comment-1897472 While I don't think much of Real, I suspect that there were other forces pushing them along. The big record labels will never learn, and anybody doing something out of ordinary is a threat. Their lawyers will continue to cut their throats until the big labels are gone; I can't wait for this to happen. While I don’t think much of Real, I suspect that there were other forces pushing them along. The big record labels will never learn, and anybody doing something out of ordinary is a threat. Their lawyers will continue to cut their throats until the big labels are gone; I can’t wait for this to happen.

]]> By: Andy Eggers http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/rhapsody-pulls-plug-on-non-public-apis-effectively-shuts-yottamusic-down/#comment-1897359 Andy Eggers Thu, 03 Jan 2008 14:18:15 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/rhapsody-pulls-plug-on-non-public-apis-effectively-shuts-yottamusic-down/#comment-1897359 I've always wondered what the conversations about Yottamusic were like at Real. What do you say when a single guy builds something that blows the doors off your expensive web interface? If they were smart they would have bought it. Off to figure out what service to switch to. I’ve always wondered what the conversations about Yottamusic were like at Real. What do you say when a single guy builds something that blows the doors off your expensive web interface? If they were smart they would have bought it.

Off to figure out what service to switch to.

]]> By: The Pied Pipes http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/rhapsody-pulls-plug-on-non-public-apis-effectively-shuts-yottamusic-down/#comment-1897261 The Pied Pipes Thu, 03 Jan 2008 13:07:26 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/rhapsody-pulls-plug-on-non-public-apis-effectively-shuts-yottamusic-down/#comment-1897261 FYI, your deadpool link in the article is, er , dead. FYI, your deadpool link in the article is, er , dead.

]]> By: dewde http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/rhapsody-pulls-plug-on-non-public-apis-effectively-shuts-yottamusic-down/#comment-1897252 dewde Thu, 03 Jan 2008 12:57:43 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/rhapsody-pulls-plug-on-non-public-apis-effectively-shuts-yottamusic-down/#comment-1897252 It's things like this that make it easier for me to choose a provider for my online music needs. Scratch Rhapsody off the list. peace|dewde It’s things like this that make it easier for me to choose a provider for my online music needs. Scratch Rhapsody off the list.

peace|dewde

]]> By: Bijan Sabet http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/rhapsody-pulls-plug-on-non-public-apis-effectively-shuts-yottamusic-down/#comment-1897164 Bijan Sabet Thu, 03 Jan 2008 11:59:05 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/rhapsody-pulls-plug-on-non-public-apis-effectively-shuts-yottamusic-down/#comment-1897164 I miss YottaMusic. I hope Rhapsody changes their tune here. Thanks for shining a light on this TechCrunch! I miss YottaMusic.

I hope Rhapsody changes their tune here.

Thanks for shining a light on this TechCrunch!

]]> By: John Moulton http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/rhapsody-pulls-plug-on-non-public-apis-effectively-shuts-yottamusic-down/#comment-1896953 John Moulton Thu, 03 Jan 2008 08:52:27 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/rhapsody-pulls-plug-on-non-public-apis-effectively-shuts-yottamusic-down/#comment-1896953 Real Player up to their old tricks again. They might have changed their name, but they're still a company of slimeballs. Real Player up to their old tricks again.

They might have changed their name, but they’re still a company of slimeballs.

]]> By: johns http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/rhapsody-pulls-plug-on-non-public-apis-effectively-shuts-yottamusic-down/#comment-1896799 johns Thu, 03 Jan 2008 06:03:03 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/rhapsody-pulls-plug-on-non-public-apis-effectively-shuts-yottamusic-down/#comment-1896799 Funny. Wired had a story on this exposure/problem in the current issue: http://www.wired.com/techbiz/media/magazine/16-01/ff_scraping Funny. Wired had a story on this exposure/problem in the current issue:
http://www.wired.com/techbiz/m.....f_scraping

]]> By: Mike Doeff http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/rhapsody-pulls-plug-on-non-public-apis-effectively-shuts-yottamusic-down/#comment-1896795 Mike Doeff Thu, 03 Jan 2008 05:57:23 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/rhapsody-pulls-plug-on-non-public-apis-effectively-shuts-yottamusic-down/#comment-1896795 I was a huge fan of YottaMusic and it's really a shame to see it shut down. I hope that there's something that can be done to bring it back in some form. If not, best of luck to Luke Matkins on his next venture. He is one to watch. I was a huge fan of YottaMusic and it’s really a shame to see it shut down. I hope that there’s something that can be done to bring it back in some form. If not, best of luck to Luke Matkins on his next venture. He is one to watch.

]]> By: Andrew http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/rhapsody-pulls-plug-on-non-public-apis-effectively-shuts-yottamusic-down/#comment-1896790 Andrew Thu, 03 Jan 2008 05:53:12 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/rhapsody-pulls-plug-on-non-public-apis-effectively-shuts-yottamusic-down/#comment-1896790 I love Rhapsody but I hate the Rhapsody site/player. Just my luck that I find out about yottamusic only after it shuts down. @James: there are 0 ads stemming from Rhapsody. Unless I am completely overlooking it, all revenue comes directly from selling subscriptions. I love Rhapsody but I hate the Rhapsody site/player. Just my luck that I find out about yottamusic only after it shuts down.

@James: there are 0 ads stemming from Rhapsody. Unless I am completely overlooking it, all revenue comes directly from selling subscriptions.

]]> By: Steel http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/rhapsody-pulls-plug-on-non-public-apis-effectively-shuts-yottamusic-down/#comment-1896776 Steel Thu, 03 Jan 2008 05:42:42 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/rhapsody-pulls-plug-on-non-public-apis-effectively-shuts-yottamusic-down/#comment-1896776 Sounds like backroom politics is driving the train at Rhapsody. Somebody got to the squeaky wheel. Sounds like backroom politics is driving the train at Rhapsody. Somebody got to the squeaky wheel.

]]> By: Andrew http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/rhapsody-pulls-plug-on-non-public-apis-effectively-shuts-yottamusic-down/#comment-1896769 Andrew Thu, 03 Jan 2008 05:36:53 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/rhapsody-pulls-plug-on-non-public-apis-effectively-shuts-yottamusic-down/#comment-1896769 This makes Rhapsody look as a dumb as a major record label. This makes Rhapsody look as a dumb as a major record label.

]]> By: Anthony V http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/rhapsody-pulls-plug-on-non-public-apis-effectively-shuts-yottamusic-down/#comment-1896758 Anthony V Thu, 03 Jan 2008 05:27:53 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/rhapsody-pulls-plug-on-non-public-apis-effectively-shuts-yottamusic-down/#comment-1896758 Can't say I am surprised but I am certainly disappointed in Rhapsody. I know that even though it doesn't look like it, they do work hard to deliver the service they do, but alas it's painful to use and ultimately stays afloat in part because of their tough CRM efforts (call to cancel, offer of 30 day free, etc). So when someone implemented a killer UI using their system, it's a real shame the lawyers killed the fun. Besides, you still had to be a subscriber to use YottaMusic, so nothing bad was going on there. For me, it justified paying for Rhapsody for the past year. Fred Wilson of USV and Bijan Sabet are similarly unimpressed with this. See below: http://bijansabet.com/post/22791839 http://avc.blogs.com/a_vc/2008/01/yottamusic-rip.html Can’t say I am surprised but I am certainly disappointed in Rhapsody.

I know that even though it doesn’t look like it, they do work hard to deliver the service they do, but alas it’s painful to use and ultimately stays afloat in part because of their tough CRM efforts (call to cancel, offer of 30 day free, etc).

So when someone implemented a killer UI using their system, it’s a real shame the lawyers killed the fun. Besides, you still had to be a subscriber to use YottaMusic, so nothing bad was going on there. For me, it justified paying for Rhapsody for the past year.

Fred Wilson of USV and Bijan Sabet are similarly unimpressed with this. See below:
http://bijansabet.com/post/22791839
http://avc.blogs.com/a_vc/2008.....c-rip.html

]]> By: James http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/rhapsody-pulls-plug-on-non-public-apis-effectively-shuts-yottamusic-down/#comment-1896753 James Thu, 03 Jan 2008 05:24:24 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/rhapsody-pulls-plug-on-non-public-apis-effectively-shuts-yottamusic-down/#comment-1896753 It's interesting, the biggest problem with exporting your service through APIs is the difficulty in monetizing. Rhapsody if anyone should be fine with allowing APIs that allow users to get more enjoyment out of their service. I haven't actually seen Rhapsody in a long time, do they keep ads or any other revenue streams that motivate them to want to bring their users back in? It’s interesting, the biggest problem with exporting your service through APIs is the difficulty in monetizing. Rhapsody if anyone should be fine with allowing APIs that allow users to get more enjoyment out of their service.

I haven’t actually seen Rhapsody in a long time, do they keep ads or any other revenue streams that motivate them to want to bring their users back in?

]]> By: Young Gloabl http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/rhapsody-pulls-plug-on-non-public-apis-effectively-shuts-yottamusic-down/#comment-1896742 Young Gloabl Thu, 03 Jan 2008 05:16:13 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/rhapsody-pulls-plug-on-non-public-apis-effectively-shuts-yottamusic-down/#comment-1896742 Is Jay-Z going 2 start a record label with Apple? Will that be the big announcement @ MacWorld on Jan. 15th? Is Jay-Z going 2 start a record label with Apple? Will that be the big announcement @ MacWorld on Jan. 15th?

]]> By: Chris Cardinal http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/rhapsody-pulls-plug-on-non-public-apis-effectively-shuts-yottamusic-down/#comment-1896738 Chris Cardinal Thu, 03 Jan 2008 05:12:25 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/02/rhapsody-pulls-plug-on-non-public-apis-effectively-shuts-yottamusic-down/#comment-1896738 That's too bad. Luke's a nice guy and the service is pretty neat. Rhapsody shouldn't be focusing on shutting down people who are giving chunks of its subscriber base reason to continue paying them... Especially if those people are willing to do all the interface and development work for them. That’s too bad. Luke’s a nice guy and the service is pretty neat. Rhapsody shouldn’t be focusing on shutting down people who are giving chunks of its subscriber base reason to continue paying them… Especially if those people are willing to do all the interface and development work for them.

]]>