3.1.1 iPod

cinco mil milhões de downloads no iTunes

«The iTunes Store has now crossed five billion song downloads, according to information confirmed by Apple.  The threshold comes more than five years after the initial launch of the service in late April of 2003, part of a mixed scorecard for paid downloads.  "iTunes is the number one music retailer in the US and features the largest music catalog with over eight million songs," Apple declared in a statement. 
Few would quarrel with those assertions, and iTunes still commands a dominant lead over its rivals.  That includes Amazon, blessed with DRM-free MP3s by major labels as part of a plan to ease Apple's dominance and market power.  Others, including Napster, have also been granted MP3-based catalogs.»

fonte: Digital MUsic News, The iTunes Store: Five Years, Five Billion Song Downloads , 19/06/08

O primeiro iPod

«On October 23, 2001, the first generation of iPod was released. The model name was iPod and had the storage capacity of 5 to 10 gb. It used FireWire connection to computers and it had a mechanical scroll wheel.»

mp3/iPod e podcasting continuam a crescer

«(...) iPod/Portable MP3 player ownership continues dramatic growth. Nearly four in ten (37 percent) own an iPod or other brand of portable MP3 player; up from 30 percent in 2007 and more than two and a half times the number in 2005 (14 percent).  Nearly three-quarters (73 percent) of those ages 12-17 own a digital audio player. Audio podcasting usage continues to increase along side the proliferation of iPod/MP3 player ownership. Eighteen percent have ever listened to an audio podcast; up from 13 percent in 2007.  Nine percent have listened to an audio podcast in the past month (an estimated 23 million). fonte: « Weekly Online Radio Audience Increases from 11 percent to 13 percent of Americans In Last Year, According to the Latest Arbitron/Edison Media Research Study», Arbitron, 10/04/08

«Nearly Four in Ten Own an iPod/Portable MP3 Player (de 14% em Janeiro de 2005 para 37% em Janeiro de 2008) (slide 27)

 

O impacto do iPod na escuta de rádio

«Similar to past studies, iPods impact radio listening. About one-fourth of those who own one say they listen to it exclusively or mostly for music (25%), especially Alternative fans and 18-34 year-olds. As the traditional Walkman verges on extinction, and the iPod becomes more universal, radio’s portability continues to be challenged»

Similar to last year’s poll, the most requested feature on future iPod/mp3 players is an FM radio tuner (34%), followed by more capacity for songs/videos (23%). Notably, Apple owners (44%) are especially desirous of being able to access FM radio on their next device.

«Additionally, 40% say they never listen to the radio while walking/working out (remember those iPod numbers), and many say they have not listened to a radio on their person as much during the past year. Additionally, at-work listening has also shown some erosion. While nearly one-fourth (23%) say they never listen to radio on the job, an additional 16% say they’re listening a little/a lot less at work. While three in ten (28%) report more listening in the workplace, that figure is down from the ’07 survey (31%).

 «TechSurvey 2008», Jacobs Media, Março 2008

A fadiga ao iPod não impede o seu crescimento

«Since this poll began in ’05, we have tracked incredible gains in iPod ownership, and this year is no exception. And our studies have accurately predicted continued growth. Now, nearly six in ten respondents own one of these portable devices, an increase of 23% over last year’s poll. And the iPod’s presence in cars continues to rise.

«», Jacobs Media, Março 2008

Próximo projecto da Apple matará a rádio?

« (...) However, something and someone is going to put radio to the death throne. Apple is in discussions with the big music companies about a radical new business model that would give customers free access to its entire iTunes music library in exchange for paying a premium for its iPod and iPhone devices. The “all you can eat” model, a replica of Nokia’s “comes with music” deal with Universal Music last December, could provide the struggling recorded music industry with a much-needed fillip, and drive demand for a new generation of Apple’s hardware. Again, what does this mean to radio? This means another stab on the chest for radio broadcasters. First, there was the mp3 player, specifically the iPod that stole terrestrial radio listeners. Then there’s HD Radio which unfortunately failed to give radio stations a run for their money. And of course, there is the satellite radio.» iPod Kills The Radio Star: Good News and Bad News for the Future of Radio, 24/03/08, RadioJingles.com

«The digital music business is here with us for good, and that means over time there's going to be more than one way to deliver music, and definitely more than one way to play it. As the industry's all-but-undisputed leader, Apple should be thinking beyond the iPod and the iPhone. Who could do it better?»

«Radio can’t win this fight on music alone. Once the WiFi abilities of the iPod Touch and iPhone are more widespread across the platform, you won’t even have to wait to sync your iPod at home to get your music. If you want to have a Megadeth marathon while waiting in line at Starbucks, you can get it with a few clicks. This idea, if it happens, could effectively nail the coffin shut on radio. If more manufacturers put plugs in cars to attach iPods, all music radio could be obsolete within a decade. Which should not be taken as a eulogy, but rather as a challenge to step up the personality on the air - an iPod may have all the music ever made, but it has ZERO personality.»

«If, in fact, this goes down, iPod owners - who have always shown a willingness to meet Apple's hardware price, no matter what it is - will have one-click access to almost every song they could ever want - for free. What do you call an infinite supply of your favorite music rotating in playlists for free? I call it "radio." Already, of course, P2P distribution provides tons of "free" music. But the iTunes platform makes all this easy. And as anyone who has ever visited a buffet knows, when it's one price for "all you can eat," you always eat more. And from what medium do you think that listening is going to come?»

42% dos leitores audio são iPod (EUA)

«Forrester Research estimated that in the third quarter of 2007, 42% of all MP3 players owned by US adult Internet users were Apple iPods.

fonte: A New Boost for Digital Music? eMarketeer MARCH 25, 2008

Levar a colecção de música para todo o lado

«With the introduction of MP3 technology the user is given unparalleled access to their music collection whilst on the move. Previous generations of personal stereos, whilst providing for portability, limited the consumer to a few choices of music due to their format, whereas machines like the Apple iPod enable users to store up to 10 000 songs. These entries can be arranged through ‘play-lists’ in any configuration the user desires. Technologies like the Apple iPod produce for their users an intoxicating mixture of music, proximity and privacy whilst on the move (Putnam, 2000; Brodsky, 2002).» BUll, 2005: 343

Características dos utilizadores de iPods

SOLIDÃO/SOLITÀRIOS «The solitary movement of people through the city each day represents a significant yet under researched aspect of contemporary urban experience. This solitariness is often imposed in the daily movement of people to and from their places of work, yet is equally often a preferable option for many as they either walk or drive to and from work (Bull, 2000; Putnam, 2000; Brodsky 2002). Yet this desire for solitude is often joined to a need for social proximity and contact in daily life (Katz & Aakhus, 2002; Bauman, 2003). For many this solitude is an accompanied solitude in which people walk to the personalised sounds of their personal stereos and MP3 players» (Bull, 2005: 343)

«iPod use, for example, appears to blur the distinction between work and leisure, between the ‘non-spaces’ of urban culture and the meaningful spaces associated with any individual’s personal narrative. If users live within their chosen musical soundtrack then I argue that they attempt to reclaim the significance of their experience of time precisely in those areas of daily life that have previously been perceived to be of little significance in the literature on time, identity and experience: the daily movement of users through the city» (bull 347)

O que é que os iPods permitem (power, control and self-sufficiency )

«A qualitative study by Bull (2005) specifically examined iPod use. Much of Bull's findings paralleled those of prior Walkman research. First, Bull observed that power, control and self-sufficiency were key factors of users regarding control over the time and the space in which they listened to music on the iPod. The second observation the device offered a higher level of options and flexibility compared with earliear personal stereo devices. Third, Bull found that listening was individualized and provided privatized content. Finally, use of the iPod was an intentional action with perceived benefits such as "mood maintenance" (p. 349)» (Ferguson, 2007: 108)

Algum cansaço com o iPod, mas o fascínio pelo iTunes

«(...) Many have taken action already. Some said they wanted to listen to their iPods less because hearing is compromised by not only loud play but length of time listening -- even at acceptable levels. These students are right on with that. Some have invested in ear buds or even ear phones that will cancel noise and allow for lower levels of playback.

About a year ago I shared my observation that iPod fatigue had settled in. In fact the term is theirs (my students) not mine. They weren't saying they'd give up their iPods -- just that some were bored with them. Even students with tens of thousands of songs on them (most obtained illegally) wanted something new.(...) The radio industry has often blamed iPod use for some of its problems. Of course, they would be wrong. When I suggested to these same young people that they might be willing to return to radio for music, the laughter was loud and sustained. They meant no insult. It's just that the idea of radio being useful in their lives is -- well, laughable. My experience is that they don't like commercial radio. (...) Don't misunderstand me. Young people are not ready to let their iPod batteries die out. They still want portable music that they can control. But, there is growing evidence I have observed that they are beginning to disconnect from their portable music devices in a way that was unthinkable a few years ago. (...) One thing they really like and are addicted to is iTunes -- the ability to create playlists, shuffle songs and control their entertainment. I'm almost thinking that iTunes is more magical than the actual portable device. iTunes is the record store. It can replace the radio station as a source of new music. It is an archive. (...) Radio appears to be left out of the future. (...)» Jerry Del Colliano, iPod, I quit, Inside Music Media, 15/02/08

51 milhões de iPods vendidos no último ano

«The iPod defines modern-day music listening, and its role within the digital music ecosystem is commanding.  But despite heavy sales volumes, unit and revenue gains are starting to slow. 

During the most recent fiscal year at Apple, which ended September 27th, 2007, Apple sold an impressive 51.6 million devices.  That represents a 31 percent year-over-year gain, a slowdown from previous annual increases of 75 percent. 

Sales totals remain impressive, though the revenue picture is less robust.  According to company filings, iPod-specific revenues topped $8.3 billion during the year, an 8 percent jump over previous-year totals.  That is far more subdued than year-ago gains of 69 percent, a shift that suggests lowered per-unit margins.  Meanwhile, the iPhone recently pushed past 4 million, though that sales story is just emerging.»

iPods dão CVC

«iPods® are everywhere and going strong. Just about everyone owns one (and, yes, Applebranded MP3 players are the most popular), and once again, these devices provide CVC— control, variety, and choice—without the commercials. Additionally, they also exude portability and aesthetic value. Most speak about their portable MP3 players passionately. For many, these devices have become their central source of music consumption. The iPod has not fully made its way into vehicles, but several are able to connect them in the cars they drive, while others look forward to the day when they are able to do so. Several own the iTrip, but the general consensus is that this device is substandard. Many look forward to having a direct connection in their next car or vehicle for their iPod. Interestingly, some own video iPods, but most of these respondents do not use them for viewing video»

A fadiga do iPod ?

«The young people I have been working with and studying the past four years voluntarily remind me that they have iPod fatigue.
I have written about this before but I keep hearing it -- and the term iPod fatigue is theirs not mine.
There is no doubt in my mind that you'd have to amputate their arms to pry an iPod away from this generation, but I've been thinking about iPod fatigue a lot lately. It seems to me that what these young people are saying is -- entertain me where I live.
They are not particularly addressing the terrestrial radio industry. Outside of NPR and some catch-as-catch-can listening this generation isn't looking to radio for help.
But they are plainly tired of hearing the same songs over and over again. It's like they all turned into Steve Rivers (just kidding, Steve!). You know, many of their iPods have a limited play list smaller than Steve. The fact is iPods aren't loaded with lots of music like radio station computers.
Another factor may be that as the years go on Gen Y is spending more time with their cell phones and smart devices. It's not unusual to see college students carrying around Blackberry Pearls. Of course, not every young person is blessed with a chance to go to college and many other young people can't afford an iPod. (...)»

fonte «The iPod Is Vulnerable», Jerry del coliano, Inside Music Media, 18/12/07

UM estudo da Jacobs Media não diz isso: «"iPods are showing no signs of stopping," according to Fred Jacobs, President of Jacobs Media. "Last year, our data showed that the growth of personal mp3 players was far from over. This year, our new study confirms that this phenomenon continues to have lots of life, and we expect strong growth throughout ’07."»

«A rádio foi um iPod antes da Apple inventar o iPod»!!!

«In a way radio was an iPod long before Apple invented iPods.
After all, radios were portable analog music devices that allowed baby boomers to carry their music around with them 24 hours a day.
The iPod of today gives the listener total choice -- the music they want, when they want it and in whatever (or no) special order.
Back then, the predecessor to the Apple iPod was a transistor radio and an entire generation grew up with their radios to their ears -- just as today, ear plugs and all.
The forerunner to the "iPod" lacked the level of choice that today's Apple device has, but it had something even more valuable to young baby boomers -- air talent.»

fonte: Radio: the anchestor of the iPod 20/11/07

A marca chinesa que 'mata' o iPod! (Meizu)

«(...) en dos semanas más se lanzará el Mini Player, un nuevo producto que promete ganarse un espacio y quitarle protagonismo al iPod.

Este Mp4 es desarrollado por la compañía china Meizu, empresa creada el 2003 y que se ha hecho famosa por ofrecer productos extremadamente parecidos a los de Apple, aunque con la preocupación de tener mejoras en cuanto a las prestaciones, de ahí que varios de sus reproductores sean denominados "iPod killers" o "asesinos de iPods".
"No es 'otro' chino más" se apresura en explicar Gonzalo Quevedo, de "Intertek", los representantes de Meizu en el territorio nacional, México, Colombia, Perú y Argentina. Y sus palabras cobran sentido al analizar las características: soporte de formatos MP3, WMA, OGG, WAV, APE y FLAC, radio FM con 30 memorias, micrófono incorporado, ecualizador gráfico de 10 vías y la posibilidad de grabar lo que se escucha en la radio.
Además, tiene las ya clásicas características de un Mp4: reproduce video en una pantalla de 2,4'' a 320x240 pixeles, almacena fotos, tiene juegos, se controla con un touch pad y tres botones y su batería dura hasta 36 horas.
Pero Quevedo cree que además de las características, es importante el tema de la calidad de los productos, la que asegura es de primer nivel, ya que en su fabricación se emplean piezas de marcas como Samsung, LG, Phillips y General Electric, entre otras.
iPod touch y iPhone de Meizu
(...)Asimismo, estima que el M8, un celular sumamente parecido al iPhone, saldría a fin de año o a principios de enero de 2008 en el mercado chino, por lo que la apuesta es tenerlo en Chile dentro de los primeros meses del próximo año.»

fonte: «Llega a Chile el "iPod killer", con radio FM y micrófono incorporado», 31 de Octubre de 2007, Francisco Álvarez, El Mercurio Online

A primeira rádio a emitir (streaming) para iPhone/iPod

«A noncommercial, eclectic, former college radio station in New Jersey claims to be the first station to stream live radio to the iPhone and iPod Touch.

WFMU(FM), Jersey City, N.J., says its stream plays through QuickTime and is made possible by TVersity, a software company that claims to be the first enabler of streaming live radio for the iPhone.

On its Web site, the station says: “Point your iPhone browser at iphone.wfmu.org to experience the world’s first live radio stream for iPhones.”

Listener-funded WFMU, broadcasting on 91.1 MHz, also has a relay station, WXHD, broadcasting on 90.1 MHz to the Hudson Valley, Lower Catskills, Western New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania.»

fonte: «WFMU Streaming Live Radio to iPhone, iPod», Radio World, 11.09.2007

iPod passa a ter rádio (wireless)

RAMSEY:«(...) Last week Apple's Steve Jobs announced that a software development kit will be made available for the WiFi-enabled iPod Touch (and iPhone) next February. What this means is that developers will be able to build third-party applications designed for the iPod (they can already do this via the web interface, but that adds another usability hurdle which will fall come February).And I have no doubt that very high on the list of priorities will be to empower the new iPods to provide radio via streaming.

So the good news is that radio will once again become portable in 2008.But the bad news is that the radio world will be flattened and thousands of choices from across the globe will have equal access to the ears of your audience.

If anyone has an edge here, what do you want to bet it's the streaming stations already indexed on iTunes? May the best radio brands win».

fonte: Hear2.0, «Radio on the iPod in 2008», 

«iTunes matou a estrela da rádio»

(é um dos títulos do livro de Chris ANderson; pág.3)

"A rádio e o iPod são parceiros perfeitos" ?

«"A rádio tem de mudar se quiser sobreviver". Foi com estas palavras que Mark Story, responsável pela programação das 50 rádios que o grupo EMAP possui no Reino Unido e na Irlanda, abriu o seminário ‘Rádio na Era da Internet e do iPod' integrado no festival de publicidade de Cannes. Sublinhando os crescentes meios de difusão - mp3, iPod, telemóvel, televisão e satélite-, Story acredita que "não estamos perante tempos confusos. A rádio sempre soube reinventar-se ao longo das décadas". Sinal disso, explicou ontem, é a convicção de que a rádio "pode tornar-se ainda mais relevante. Devemos ter a preocupação, não com a rádio, mas com as pessoas que trabalham na rádio tradicional e que não percebem o desafio da rádio digital".A mudança na forma como a rádio é ouvida aponta para os caminhos que o meio deve trilhar. No Reino Unido, citou Story, 8,2% das pessoas maiores de 15 anos já ouve rádio através do telemóvel. (...) Ao mesmo tempo e olhando para uma cidade como Londres, onde um parte significativa das pessoas se desloca em transportes públicos, o programador da EMAP apontou para as oportunidades que os downloads e os podcasts representam. "A rádio e o iPod são parceiros perfeitos", considerou. Afinal, a rádio não pode fechar os olhos aos 18,4% de britânicos que possui mp3. Mark Story apresentou dois casos desenvolvidos pela sua empresa e pagos por patrocinadores para atingirem este público. Um dos conteúdos funcionava como um guia para caloiros com dicas para sobreviver ao primeiro ano de faculdade. Já o segundo exemplo consistia em explicações de um psicólogo e de um hipnotizador para que quem estivesse a deixar de fumar ouvisse argumentos para prosseguir a sua decisão»

 fonte: MARQUES, Rui O., A rádio tem futuro na era da internet e do iPod?, Meios e Publicidade, 18/06/07