Most people would agree that records and cassette tapes are a little out dated. Some would also say that CD’s are old fashioned too, thanks to computers, MP3’s, and iTunes. But digital media is still relevant right? I don’t think so, at least not for long. I would even go so far as to say that the whole concept of “owning” music is on its way out.
Why do people buy music anyway? My best guess is that it’s so they can listen to it as they please with no commercial interruptions. In the past, the only way to control the music was to own it yourself on plastic disks or on your computer hard drive. What you are essentially paying for is a way to get the music from the artist to your ears.
Buying music does give your control, but it’s not very effeciant. CD’s can be cracked, scratched, broken, lost or stolen. MP3’s can disappear if a computer dies and they are not properly backed up. Even if no disasters occur, the songs are still trapped in their physical container. You may be at work while your music is stuck in mp3’s or CD’s at your house.
Lately, several websites have popped up that are changing the way people listen to music. My two favorite are Pandora Radio (http://www.pandora.com) and Slacker Radio (http://www.slacker.com). Both of these websites give you access to an enormous music library where you can create custom internet radio stations. You can pause, skip and ban songs too. Both sites also allow you to rate the music and will give you recommendations based on those ratings. You can even listen to them in your car from a phone with a data plan.
There are many other great features to these websites, but I expect that this is the beginning of a new trend that will expand well beyond music. Why buy something when you have it available anywhere at any time. You can already watch TV shows and movies for free online on Hulu (http://www.hulu.com). What’s next? Computer programs? Check out Google Docs (http://docs.google.com). The computers themselves? Take a look at Windows Live SkyDrive (http://windowslive.com/online/skydrive). Maybe early technology adopters will soon be identified by how little technology they own.
