The Beatles arrive on iTunes and nobody gives a toss

There was no small amount of excitement around the marketplace this week in anticipation of the ‘iTunes Announcement’.

Many I spoke to were hoping to hear about the much fabled iTunes-in-the-cloud service. Me too.
I’ve had enough dicking about with my own media files. I have multiple machines, multiple devices and I am aghast that Apple still require me to arse around with *actual files* to deliver my own media experience.

There’s a reason why hundreds of thousands of users have subscribed to Spotify. Yes it’s more efficient in terms of purchasing lots of songs — but the joy of Spotify is that the system gets out of the way. You want a song? Search it. Double click. It plays.

You want to keep it in a list? Fine, drag it to the left bar. Login via your iPhone … Guess what? It’s precisely the same experience.

I can’t tell you how frustrating it is to have to wait-until-I-get-home to transfer a song I have *purchased* that’s in my library on to my device of choice.

So on the fabled day — Tuesday, I think it was, Apple turned it’s website frontpage white and declared ‘something life changing is coming today’ (or similar words). A few hours later, a picture of The Beatles covered the whole page, complete with gushing excited accompanying text. I’m surprise Apple missed the mark. I haven’t managed to find anyone anongst the many iFans I know who’s had a good word to say about the news.

Big deal. You got The Beatles? Well, if I wanted their music on my iDevices, chances are, I already went out and bought the CDs. Or, I ‘borrowed’ the MP3s from a friend.

Oh I’m sure a lot of people will now purchase a good amount of Beatles tracks via iTunes too. It’s easier than going to a shop and buying a physical product.

But a momentous occasion? No.

Something to celebrate? No.

Does anybody care beyond Apple’s lawyers and The Beatles management? No.

Or have I got it all wrong?

About Ewan

Ewan is Founder and Editor of Mobile Industry Review. He writes about a wide variety of industry issues and is usually active on Twitter most days. You can read more about him or reach him with these details.

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  • http://twitter.com/mutlu82 Murat Mutlu

    I think everyone that wanted Beatles on their iPod has already torrented it

  • http://shkspr.mobi/ TerenceEden

    I think this is more about Apple finally having closure on the Apple Corps. lawsuit.

    Of course, the real proof will be what happens on the charts tomorrow http://www.theofficialcharts.com/artist/_/beatles/

    But, I doubt it will be that big. I love The Beatles – but anyone who wanted them already has them.

  • http://www.mobileindustryreview.com Ewan

    I agree with your point about closure Terence.

  • http://www.memphisx.tk Memphis eX Noel

    Even iFans suddenly understand that not every Apple move is revolutionary. So the problem is for Apple to understand that, not their fans!

  • http://www.mobileindustryreview.com Ewan

    Agreed. I think they blew this one up far too much.

  • USAJim

    Judging by the terrific sales from this past week, there’s your evidence:
    YOU GOT IT ALL WRONG.

    Now,I agree that Apple needs to revamp iTunes in every way you describe,

    BEATLES RULE!

  • http://www.mobileindustryreview.com Ewan

    Oh come on, iTunes gets excellent sales every day of the week. The
    absence of The Beatles from this (and other) electronic stores has
    been a big irritant. But not enough to warrant such a massive trumpet
    call.

  • AJ
  • http://www.mobileindustryreview.com Ewan

    Take That sold more!

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