The anti-iTunes movement: gBox, Universal, Wal-Mart, MTV, Rhapsody
Large music companies are struggling to do end-runs around Apple’s iTunes+iPod hegemony.
The big problem with their plans is that cool music-playing hardware is where the money is in music sales these days, something these companies don’t have (as Om points out). Meanwhile, profit margins on selling digital music tracks are tiny.
gBox launches, in partnership with Universal, Sony and IODA: Last week, news leaked out from Universal that the label is partnering with Cupertino, Calif.-based music startup… Continue Reading
Roundup: Skype for iPhone, GBox, BarCamp Block, first space hotel & more
The latest action:
Skype for iPhone — SHAPE Services, a Stuttgart, Germany-based company, known for making mobile IM clients, has announced Skype for iPhone, an iPhone-optimized Web site that allows you to access Skype via the iPhone’s browser. Om has details.
Gbox, offering digital music without copy-protection — Gbox, a Cupertino, Calif. startup is apparently being used by Universal Music Group in its efforts to sell music without DRM. GBox has been secretive so far. AP has the details…. Continue Reading