i'm sure there are other threads on this topic, but here's my $.02:
i don't think it's such a hot idea. i mean, striking a deal with universal for music downloads is one thing, but i don't think apple should get into the media market.
there was a good article about the troubles of sony being a technology company, and a media company:
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/11.02/sony.html
basically, it boils down to this: apple/universal becomes reality, apple will have to support anti-piracy of the music which it owns. this, in turn, may affect hardware development, since the hardware groups will have to consider the issue when they come up with new designs.
in the case of the wired article, sony is fighting itself. the hardware division would love to have a product with the simplicity of the iPod. yet, at the same time, sony (as a media owner) seems to want to pass on the idea due to possiblity of music theft
What's changed since the original Walkman debuted is that Sony became the only conglomerate to be in both consumer electronics and entertainment. As a result, it's conflicted: Sony's electronics side needs to let customers move files around effortlessly, but its entertainment side wants to build in restraints, because it sees every customer as a potential thief. The company's internal divisions reflect those in the marketplace, where entertainment executives have declared war on consumers over file-sharing. But Sony's position is unique. It can settle the fight and flourish, or do nothing and be hobbled.
tr
Top
