Apple Throwing Its Weight Around The Music World

[Michael Essany]

Those who have been critical of Apple in the past for "muscling" its way to the objectives it seeks will likely gain more ammunition for their arguments once they hear the latest power play from Cupertino.

Apple, it turns out, is after more than just Amazon's stronghold of e-book readers. Steve Jobs and company are looking to shore up Apple's strength in the world of digital music. And Apple is apparently prepared to "punish" music labels that have snuggled up to Amazon and continue to participate in their "MP3 Daily Deal." In accordance with the deals in place, many record labels give Amazon first dibs on new music before it reaches other retailers or is sold anywhere else online. In exchange for the exclusive sales opportunity, Amazon pushes the content at the top of their music download page. And given Amazon's massive reach, that's a huge PR opportunity for the labels and artists who secure that prime digital real estate.

According to coverage from the New York Times today:

Sources say that iTunes representatives have been urging labels to rethink their participation in the Amazon promotion and that they have backed up those warnings by withdrawing marketing support for certain releases featured as Daily Deals.

While no one knows for certain which - if any - major record labels are permanently siding with Apple over Amazon in this matter, it is clear that Apple is throwing its weight around the recording industry and aggressively trying to weaken Amazon's preeminent status as a powerful music retailer. And guess what? It's working. The NY Times notes that Capitol, Capitol Nashville and Jive have all backed away from Amazon and will not participate in Amazon's "Daily Deal" promotions for the time being.

[cpkirkley]

Yet another sign that the apocalypse is coming. Its a shame that Apple has the power to make several major record companies do something like this.

Oh yea. First, B*tches.

[n00neimp0rtant]

Firstget doesn't count if you edited the post :3

Apple is the LEADING MUSIC DISTRIBUTION SERVICE. It's hard for me to believe they're complaining at all about other companies wanting a piece.

[rickybobby]

this is why the only device i will ever have from apple is a iphone i just dont like how they do things you bully your way around for the comsumers to do what you want but dont give them what they want thats why i might switch to android im tired of apple

[cpkirkley]

Firstget doesn't count if you edited the post :3

Apple is the LEADING MUSIC DISTRIBUTION SERVICE. It's hard for me to believe they're complaining at all about other companies wanting a piece.

Stop raining on my parade.

[steve-z17]

Amazon's great for those who don't use iTunes, I don't see why Apple would need to take away label companies from them, they have plenty of users.

[brandonmarback]

s the greatest way to store and listen to your music collection and now they have an iPhone app!!!

[pyromcr]

there is nothing wrong with amazon, but itunes is better. but free is the best!

[Jgamble317]

With all the i-Family Products sold... i really find ithard to believe that Amazon is a big competitor. Almost everyone i know has an ipod product and gets there music form itunes, the only product ive seen Amazon mp3 products on is the android platform... before that all i knew for purchasing music was itunes..so I find it hard/ Weird that Amazon is such a competitor in the music industry. I know their e-book catalog is massive and with the kindle they bank on that. but in music...?

[matthew1111]

Apple is going to take over the wooooorld!

[lolcats1]

hope amazon stands its ground. we need the competition.

[niqolas619]

Apple is the LEADING MUSIC DISTRIBUTION SERVICE. It's hard for me to believe they're complaining at all about other companies wanting a piece.

Amazon's great for those who don't use iTunes, I don't see why Apple would need to take away label companies from them, they have plenty of users.

Seriously? What's the one thing these heartless companies like more than money?

Answer: More money.

[dreadloxdp124]

I hate the we want to not only dominate but leave a trail of destruction attitude. I buy most of my songs through itunes but sometimes amazon is cheaper and I buy from there. I think apple is just pissed because amazon downloader sends the music straight to itunes library for you. So you get the best of both worlds. You get all of your songs in your itunes library and you can get the best price. I imagine eventually apple will start charging to have the itunes software, drain every last cent out of us as they can. I like apple, I think their products are fantastic, the os blows away windows...but I believe the head men(man) is getting too power hungry and holy-ier than thou for me to take.

[Bluprint]

"amazon downloader sends the music straight to itunes library for you"

interesting...

I might consider purchasing my music from now on. considering what you just said, i think amazon is the best option in collectig music CDs.

[SquareWheel]

Jeez I hate Apple as a company.

[khiphone3g]

Amazon lets you keep the mp3 files, and iTunes doesn't. I bought some songs from iTunes thinking I was gonna be able to redownload them like I redownload all of the apps, but I lost about $10 worth of songs before I learned about it. So I buy songs from Amazons, load them to iTunes, and also I can back them up to my external hard drive.

[L00i3]

Amazon lets you keep the mp3 files, and iTunes doesn't. I bought some songs from iTunes thinking I was gonna be able to redownload them like I redownload all of the apps, but I lost about $10 worth of songs before I learned about it. So I buy songs from Amazons, load them to iTunes, and also I can back them up to my external hard drive.

You can't even keep the extra expensive DRM free songs from iTunes? Wow, that is some ********. The only digital music store I have bought from is Amazon, and that's only been like 5 songs, they are 256kbps MP3, completely DRM free, and you can load them on as many devices you want and make as many copies as you want for archiving. The only thing that sucks about that setup is if you lose a song, or your download gets interrupted or something, you have to pay for the song again to initiate an additional download.

I still prefer CD's though, and controlling the rip quality myself.

[steve-z17]

Apple loves you as a customer

[victis]

die amazon die!!!!

[extremzocker]

Jeez I hate Apple as a company.

I'd hate them as a person. Always telling you crap and not giving you the full friendship.

But as a company... oh, I see ur point