Originally posted by I am Markie. Annoy Mattie:
Is $10 spent on that really better than XM though?
That's the Million Dollar question, now isn't it?
I think they're banking on the extras being the selling points - the internet radio and the chat boards, but I think most users can find those things for free so it's moot. They also have videos. Since the security is there, I expect iTunes will do the same very soon. If you don't pay your monthly fee, the tracks you downloaded do not play. It's like leasing the right to listen to music...
I think the $9.95 fee will be good to listen to a lot of albums before I buy them, or better yet, have a copy of an album when it first comes out and then buy it used a few weeks to a month later if you like it. I can see myself downloading the album and listening to it when it first comes out. If I like it, keep it on the harddrive for a while and then when I find it in the used bins at Amoeba.
With the leasing option, I will listen to a lot more music now though.
Bottom line on iTunes vs. Napster is whether your preferred choice of file is AAC or WMA. In a few months when every player supports both and iTunes adds the leasing feature, they will be about the same product. That is when the record companies split their catalogs and we have to use both. Joy joy, looking forward to it.
You're right on the Samsung product. One other cool feature is that it records too, so you can record a live preformance on the radio or through the line in. If nothing else it will create competition and maybe the prices for both devices will come down.
