DRM: Where we've been, are going...
May 15th 2008
Guardian is running an interesting take on the past and future of DRM'd music.
Therein, digital tunes will break down into three segments--low-quality, advertising-support services; mid-range offerings that bundle tunes with devices, like Nokia's "Comes with Music;" and the high-end, ie a la carte iTunes downloads with or without DRM.
Mark Mulligan, digital music analyst, Jupiter Research, says he expects that Apple will change its approach and embrace next-gen services.
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"It's highly likely Apple will get into the next-generation service game," he says without elaborating on the all-important why. "That could be Apple selling iPods pre-installed with unlimited access to music, or with a bundle to a subscription offering."
It's worth noting that Apple likely doesn't need to do anything to maintain its dominance of digital music. It's also worth noting that Apple has a long history of breaking its own successful business models to obviate the competition.
Which will it be? Status quo or something new embodying "services" (ie pay forever music)?
I for one am not opposed to things staying just as they are...
What's your take?