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The 40GB iPod can take 10,000 songs. Even the most ardent music lover
will be hard pushed to fill that up. But does this mean the end of your
beloved CDs? Over two years ago the iPod was born. We all wanted one: hardly any of us could afford one. Parents and bank managers up and down the land frowned in puzzlement: an I-what?, followed by: How much!? So bitterly we carried on buying our extortionately priced CDs. Then came the mini Yes, the mini iPod has brought the glamour and glitz of the iPod to a grateful market. More affordable, and definitely sexier, the mini-iPod stores 1000 songs, comes in five different colours, and includes iTunes. iTunes is a software pack that allows the user to put their CDs onto their computer and then onto their iPod. The iPod mini takes around 100 albums. Going through the process can be a bit dull, but is eventually worth it. And you might even become addicted. If you have access to the internet, iTunes can even automatically look up the song titles etc, so you dont have to do any typing yourself. However, one aspect of iTunes may really be a threat to CD sales. It has a link to Apples Music Store where you can buy single tracks for next to nothing, and albums that are cheaper than the high street. Whether albums are cheap enough is questionable. Internet savvy individuals will know that other online retailers are offering CDs for the same price with the added bonus of the packaging and artwork. Apple may have to negotiate slightly lower prices for more people to consider downloading albums. However, the singles market may be a success. Singles are normally throwaway, and in the Music Store you can purchase a single for a third of high-street prices. One minus is that not all singles are for sale yet through the Music Store. At the time of going to press, only five singles out of the top ten chart in the UK were available to download. It may take a few more steps to revolutionise the way we all purchase music. You can already link your iPod up to your car stereo easily aswell as your hifi. Plus, the mini iPod doesnt store enough songs for us to sell our CDs on Ebay yet. The 10,000-song iPod would therefore have to become more affordable. However, the revolution might be closer than you think. The new, fourth generation 10,000-song iPod is cheaper than the original $399/299. You can also buy large speakers especially for your iPod at home. All this may be reflecting the way well listen to music in a few years. A message for CDs everywhere: this music lover is having an affair with her Pinky (you can even name your iPod). And, as always, the adulterer is considering leaving the spouse for the mistress. So, the CD is dead, long live the iPod? AUTHOR: Gemma Coleman  TAGS: Tech CD software IT BOOKMARK: Digg it | Add to Del.ICIO | Add to FARK ACTIONS: Comment Save Print Register free acount  |
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