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The Dawn Of The iPad
April 2, 2010
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. 24 years working in executive promotion capacities at both Capitol Records and at Universal Studios' MCA Records. Recognized as one of the industry's top professionals.
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The First Reviews Are In - A lot of companies have chosen to downsize, and maybe that was the right thing for them. We chose a different path. Our belief was that if we kept putting great products in front of customers, they would continue to open their wallets.
-- Steve JobsThis Saturday the iPad hits retail, and as iPad pre-orders continue to climb, the first reviews are in, and, by and large, better than expected.
I felt it necessary to make this issue mostly about the iPad because you're going to seeing and hearing a whole lot about it in the coming weeks and months. When such a product becomes a "game changer" (as it's being called) in the tech market, it's important to give you all as much info as possible about it.
The Wall Street Journal's Walt Mossberg -- the Roger Ebert of consumer technology -- concludes that the "beautiful new touch-screen device from Apple has the potential to change portable computing profoundly, and to challenge the primacy of the laptop." (Source: http://tinyurl.com/yk76pa2 )
David Pogue of The New York Times' says that for most people, the iPad's 9.7-inch touch screen "changes the whole experience" in consuming content such as books, music, video, photos and e-mails."
The Chicago Sun-Times says the "computer that many people have been wanting for years: a slim, 10-hour computer that can hold every document, book, movie, CD, e-mail, [and] picture ... with a huge library of apps that will ultimately allow it to fulfill nearly any function; and which nonetheless covers the dull compulsories of computing ... so well that there will be many situations in which this 1.5-pound slate can handily take the place of a laptop bag." (Source: http://tinyurl.com/ykcfj6u )
USA TODAY calls the iPad "a winner," explaining that "It stacks up as a formidable electronic-reader rival for Amazon's Kindle," as well as "likely drum up mass-market interest in tablet computing in ways that longtime tablet visionary and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates could only dream of." (Source: http://tinyurl.com/yk84aaz )
Another article in USA TODAY says the iPad could be sold out by early afternoon on Saturday. ( http://tinyurl.com/ylhp56s )
Even PCMag.com -- an early skeptic -- now admits "the device just makes sense." Indeed, "When you combine basic-but-essential work tools with iWork, an improved browser, e-mail, iPod and photo applications, a well-executed e-Book platform with iBooks, and throw in thousands of downloadable apps and games, and package it all in a gorgeous, slim slate with a beautiful 9.7-inch touch screen, you have yourself a winner." (Source: http://tinyurl.com/yjda2py )
And just how big will the iPad be? Thanks to strong pre-order rates, Apple's manufacturing partners now expect to ship 2.5 million iPads between March and May -- considerably more than the previous estimate of 750,000 -- according to Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty. As a result, the device's suppliers are already increasing their build rates in expectation of the strong sales.
In addition, they're now forecasting shipments of 8-10 million iPads in calendar 2010 -- considerably more than prior expectations of about 5 million, Digital Daily notes. "Current Street consensus is for Apple to sell 3-4 million iPads, but Huberty figures the company will sell considerably more -- 6+ million iPads," writes the Wall Street Journal-owned blog. Writes Morgan Stanley's Huberty: "We continue to believe the market under-appreciates longer-term iPhone/iPad demand ." (Source: http://tinyurl.com/ydnxbl2 )
And more: A new survey predicts demand for the iPad as an e-book reader will outpace Amazon's category-leading Kindle over the next year. The study by comparison shopping site PriceGrabber found that 20% of U.S. online consumers plan to buy the forthcoming Apple tablet in the next 12 months compared to 12% that plan to get the Kindle. Another 6% want to buy the Sony Reader and 5%, Barnes & Noble's Nook. (Source: http://tinyurl.com/ybf6f3k )
And still more: The New York Times talking about Hulu, says it "successfully brought online TV into the mainstream." Citing four sources, the paper reports that Hulu is about to move beyond "standard" computer screens with an application for Apple's iPad. (Source: http://tinyurl.com/yemta7k )
All of these reviews are good, but of course nothing speaks success better than sales at retail, and they look to be strong.
Whether you're a fan of Apple or not, once again they are shaking it up big time.
I only wish I had moved my IRA dollars into Apple stock a whole lot sooner.
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THE 'A-SIDE' - TRACK 2
MORE THAN HALF OF PEOPLE IN THE U.S. HAVE HOOKED UP THEIR MP3 PLAYERS TO THEIR CAR
We all know it's an iPod world, and now it looks like more of us are listening to our MP3 players in our cars.
"According to the new Infinite Dial 2010 national survey from Arbitron Inc. and Edison Research, 44% of all Americans ages 12 and older own an iPod or MP3 player. Among that group, 54% have connected their players for listening in the car. "Nearly one in four Americans over age 12 say they have listened to their digital music players by connecting it to their car stereo," said Bill Rose, senior vice president of marketing at Arbitron. "
(Source: http://tinyurl.com/ydgqs2h )
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THE 'A-SIDE' - TRACK 3
MORE TWITTER DATA
PC World cites a recent study by BarracudaLabs, which found that just 21% of Twitter account holders have at least 10 followers, follow at least 10 people and have posted at least 10 "tweets" -- the parameters BarracudaLabs chose to separate active from inactive users. (Source: http://tinyurl.com/y9vwvt2 )
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THE 'A-SIDE' - TRACK 4
YET ANOTHER REASON TV NETWORKS HAVE A REASON TO FEAR THE INTERNET
From Edison Research and Arbitron: "For the first time more people would choose to eliminate television from their lives than the Internet if they were forced to choose, according to the new Infinite Dial 2010 survey from Arbitron and Edison Research. When presented with the 'false choice' of either never again watching television, or never again accessing the Internet, slightly more people would eliminate television. Just over 49% said they would eliminate television, compared to a little over 48% who said eliminate the Internet. (Source: http://tinyurl.com/yc6urrw )
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THE 'A-SIDE' - TRACK 5
OBAMA ADMINISTRATION BACKS LEGISLATION MAKING RADIO PAY FEES
The Commerce Department's general counsel says the bill would "provide a level playing field for all broadcasters."
Read more here: http://tinyurl.com/yl67emw
And Now For Some News ...
The Music Industry Past, Present & Future, And The Internet
I answer questions on EconTalkI recently did an interview about the industry and the Internet at EconTalk with host Russ Roberts. Russ is also a professor of economics at George Mason University, blogs at Cafe Hayek, and has written three novels that teach economics. He's also the co-creator of the Keynes-Hayek rap video. (And if your understanding of the economic meltdown needs some enlightened, this video will do it)
(You can find out more about Russ's books and essays at invisibleheart.com )
In the interview we talk about the evolution of the music industry, the impact of the digital revolution, and I give my reasons for believing in the virtues and potential of the Internet in enhancing the music industry. I point out, as I have many times here in the newsletter, that the Internet allows numerous artists to make money from their music and it can enhance revenues from live performances by expanding an artist's base. We also discuss the challenges facing record companies and I suggest that the full potential of the Internet as a distribution channel has yet to be fully exploited. There's a lot of ground covered, but based on the comments already posted of those who have tuned in, they've enjoyed it.
You can listen to the interview (it runs a tad over an hour) or download it here: http://tinyurl.com/y9f3tld
Spotify Sets Dates For U.S. Launch
BloombergI had an article about European music streaming service Spotify's probable U.S. debut a couple of weeks ago here in the newsletter. Now, Spotify has finally set a date for its long-awaited U.S. debut -- sort of. Without providing more specifics, the "virtual jukebox" aims to establish U.S. operations in the third quarter of this year. Still, Spotify SVP Paul Brown tells Bloomberg that the company is still "in talks" with unidentified U.S. Internet and mobile-phone service providers about partnerships.
The company is also in discussions to start an application on Research In Motion Ltd.'s BlackBerry and Palm Inc. smartphones, Brown said. The service, which debuted in 2008, now has 320,000 paying subscribers, and about 7 million users across countries like the U.K., Sweden and France. In Europe, Spotify offers free, ad-supported access to streaming songs. A premium version is available for around $15 a month, depending on the exchange rate of each country.
Read more about it by clicking here.
AOL Might Fund Project Playlist
CNetSources tell CNet that AOL has been in talks with Project Playlist about potentially funding the music service. "Whether or not those talks with AOL yielded anything is unclear, but music industry sources said AOL kicked the tires," it reports. Reached by e-mail, Project Playlist founder Jeremy Rimer had no comment.
A few years ago, the service was being eyed as a potential challenger to other ad-supported music services like MySpace Music and Imeem. Owen Van Natta helmed the company for five months before defecting to MySpace. Complicating matters, two of the four major recording companies filed a copyright suit against the site. The lawsuit is still pending, according to CNet, while the company has been successful at licensing music from Sony Music Entertainment and EMI Music.
Read more about it by clicking here.
Apple's Cloud-Based Music Service Scheduled For Summer
Consequence Of SoundWith the anticipation of Apple's new iPad, out this Saturday, comes questions about another Apple development, the streaming music service discussed after the December acquisition of online startup Lala. Here's an update: According to CNET (via The Daily Swarm), Apple has told label managers not to expect any such service until at least the third quarter.
Read more about it by clicking here.
A New iPhone Might End AT&T Exclusivity
Wall Street JournalThere's strong reason to belive that Apple Inc. plans to begin producing this year a new iPhone that could allow U.S. phone carriers other than AT&T Inc. to sell the iconic gadget.
The new iPhone would work on a type of wireless network called CDMA, these people said. CDMA is used by Verizon Wireless, AT&T's main competitor, as well as Sprint Nextel Corp. and a handful of cellular operators in countries including South Korea and Japan. The vast majority of carriers world-wide, including AT&T, use another technology called GSM.
Read more about it by clicking here.
A New Campaign Targets Movie Downloaders
The Hollywood ReporterIn what may be a sign of things to come, more than 20,000 individual movie torrent downloaders have been sued in the past few weeks in Washington D.C. federal court for copyright infringement. A handful of cases have already settled, and those that haven't are creating some havoc for major ISPs.
Read more about it by clicking here.
CHRISTINA UPDATE:
Christina Aguilera's "Bionic" will hit stores June 8th, and first single "Not Myself Tonight" (produced by club king Polow Da Don) will premiere on the singer's website March 30th at 6p before heading to radio April 5th and iTunes April 13th. For more on the disc, see our Spring Music Preview.
LITTLE RED INK TAXWISE:
Prince owes the state of Minnesota approximately $450,000 in taxes, according to the state's Carver County taxpayer services manager Laurie Engelen. The AP reports a list of delinquent taxpayers was published last week in local paper the Chaska Herald.
DAVIES JOINS GLASTONBURY:
The Kinks' Ray Davies has joined the lineup for the U.K.'s Glastonbury Festival.
PHISH ON FALLON:
Late Night With Jimmy Fallon's salute to the Rolling Stones' reissued "Exile on Main Street" will feature a song by Phish, their first network TV performance since their reunion.
DR. MURRAY SUED BY JOE JACKSON:
Joe Jackson plans to file a wrongful death suit against Dr. Conrad Murray, the man charged with Michael's death, within the next 90 days, his attorney tells Reuters. "The continuous administration of drugs ... that is Russian roulette, that is loading six bullets into a gun with only six chambers," lawyer Brian Oxman said.
MORE ARTISTS FOR RECORD STORE DAY:
The Flaming Lips, Sonic Youth and Pavement have announced new contributions to April 17th's Record Store Day, which as RS reported, will feature a Smashing Pumpkins gig in L.A. The Lips will release 12? seafoam green vinyl of their "Dark Side of the Moon" cover, Pavement will unleash a special edition of best-of "Quarantine the Past," and Sonic Youth are prepping vinyl reissues of "Confusion Is Sex," "EVOL" and "Hits Are For Squares."
MORE MATERIAL GIRL THREADS:
Madonna and her daughter Lourdes are teaming up on a new fashion line for juniors. Material Girl will debut at Macy's this fall, the AP reports. "I am boring basically," the singer said of why working with her daughter is inspiring. "She reminds me of me when I was younger. She just goes for it and tries different things."
OLD GAGA FOR KIDS BOOK:
Strange as it may seem, a pair of old songs featuring a pre-fame Lady Gaga will appear on an upcoming children's audio book titled "Portal in the Park." Idolator reports the tracks, recorded with Melle Mel, accompany Cricket Casey's story about a boy who has crazy adventures after falling through a portal in Central Park.
FORECASTLE NEWS:
The Flaming Lips, Spoon and Widespread Panic are all confirmed for Louisville, Kentucky's Forecastle Festival. The ninth annual fest goes down July 9th.
NEW STEVIE "GUITAR" MILLER COMING:
The Steve Miller Band plan to release two new albums - both sets of covers - Billboard reports. "Bingo!," due this year, includes tracks by B.B. King and Jimmie Reed that Miller calls "a party record."
PASSING:
Jazz guitarist Herb Ellis has died at 88 of complications from Alzheimer's disease, the AP reports. Ellis performed with the Oscar Peterson Trio and contributed standard "Detour Ahead" to the jazz canon with his Soft Winds trio.
PASSING:
Johnny Maestro, who sang "16 Candles" with the Crests, has died at age 70 after a battle with cancer. Maestro continued performing with doo-wop group the Brooklyn Bridge, best known for "The Worst That Could Happen," until the end of his life, the AP reports.
Quotes of the week
"If I wear something revealing, they go, 'Well, that's not Christian.' And I'm like, 'Yeah, I'm going to go to hell because I'm wearing a pair of really short white shorts.' Suddenly I'm a slut. That's so old-school."
-- Miley Cyrus, taking on critics of her wardrobe, to Parade magazine"I find it hard to believe I'm 47 already, because I still feel like 18. I don't plan on being the next Mick Jagger and to keep on going till my late 60s. But at the moment I don't see a reason why I should stop."
-- Bon Jovi"I am extremely immature. It's always worked in my favor to date someone younger."
-- Sheryl Crow, obviously now a cougar, to People"I stopped reading reviews in 2001, 'cause I think Roger Ebert said that 'Zoolander' was the reason why people hate America or something."
-- Ben Stiller, to CBS News. In all fairness Ben, trying to defend a really bad movie with a jab at Mr. Ebert, doesn't quite work. Roger Ebert wrote in 2001, just 17 days after the tragic events of 9/11: "There have been articles lately asking why the U.S. is so hated in some parts of the world. As this week's Exhibit A from Hollywood, I offer "Zoolander," a comedy about a plot to assassinate the prime minister of Malaysia because of his opposition to child labor. You might want to read that sentence twice. The logic: Child labor is necessary to the economic health of the fashion industry, and so its opponents must be eliminated. Ben Stiller stars as Derek Zoolander, a moronic male model who is brainwashed to perform the murder."
The B-Side - 'Blips'
THE ONION (www.theonion.com) STORY OF THE WEEK:
Asian Economic Woes Force Layoffs Of 700,000 Pop Stars
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA-In what is being called the worst development to hit the Asian pop star industry in years, the floundering economy forced several Pacific Rim nations to lay off some 700,000 pop stars this week, sources close to the young, perky entertainers reported. "Although we still have more than 2 million pop stars left working, this is a devastating blow," entertainment industry analyst Bak Jae-bok said. "Sadly, the space-age Korean teenybopper and Japanese cowboy sectors were hit the hardest, and may take many months to recover." Bak went on to say that several Asian entertainment corporations are now looking to outsource their red-haired, leather-jacket-wearing teenage boy workforce overseas.
Read the rest here and laugh: www.theonion.com/articles/asian-economic-woes-force-layoffs-of-700000-pop-st,17144.
THE RADIO INTERVIEW on 'THE AMERICAN PERSPECTIVE' - From newsblaze.com
"Steve Meyer is on the front line of global music sales and distribution which he expects will soar to pocket-bursting levels. What's more, he shares his insight and ingenuity with us. Steve gives us both historical perspective and futuristic vision as he chats with Judy about the love of his work, trends of the business and his personal points of view about success, happiness and blending life with the lust for life. Steve joins Judy and helps us discover the thrill of having it all with a sense of balance and purpose. "
You can listen to an interview I did with Judy Piazza of 'The American Perspective' by clicking here: (It runs about 15 minutes)
http://www.thesop.org/index.php?id=10306.
The Blogs
Check out Jerry Del Colliano's (the founder of INSIDE RADIO) daily blog, by clicking here: http://www.insidemusicmedia.blogspot.comWebsite
Check out attorney Ray Beckerman's website at: http://recordingindustryvspeople.blogspot.com where he prints news about the RIAA's ongoing activities
TinyURL
Check out www.tinyurl.com where you can make a smaller URL that will work for any webpage you wish to link to or reference. (As you can see, I'm using it in my news stories above!)
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