The New Scientist of 9 April 2005 has two small “60 second” items of interest.
Sony is to are for its top of 500 movies as paid for downloads, with versions available for mobile phones and portable games consoles. The company is hoping to combat the rise in the legal movie downloads by following the strategy that Apple fans so successful with it iTunes music service. Like iTunes titles, the movies will play only on compatible devices.
Cellphone users worldwide spend a $1 billion a year downloading musical ringtones. So the music industry may not be too pleased with the new way to make your own ring tones at home using your record collection. Magix Ringtone Maker is a PC program costing just $20 that lifts music from a CD or MP3 file, converts ringtone format and loaded straight into a mobile phone. To stay legal, users should first obtain “express permission” from record companies, says, Magix.
Cellphones on steroids
We’re back to control issues again. I sat completely amused last week watching a advert at the movies (2 small children mean this doesn’t happen often) . It was an advert for the entertainment industry. Something about, ‘you wouldn’t steal a car, you wouldn’t buy a stolen TV, so why buy and download music?’ I wish I could get my hands on that advert to adjust it to reflect on how the entertainment industry has been ripping us off for so long. It hurts doesn’t it guys?
My amusement wasn’t the humour used but the strategy the entertainment insists on taking in a world in which their business model is being downloaded in front of their very eyes.
Sony along with the rest of the gang are desperately trying to develop their own propriety formats in order to control.
Creativity and innovation are obviously not forthcoming in this industry? Perhaps they should fire the lawyers they have running their R&D departments and hire some crazies?
When will they get it? The people have spoken.