On October 23 , 2006 I penned “ Five years hence ” , a piece written near the iPod ’s fifth anniversary that peer five age into the iPod ’s possible future . Given Tuesday ’s so - called“unforgettable ” iTunes - relate announcement , I thought it might be a right thought to revisit that piece and see just what remains to be done .
Already accomplished
First , what ’s been crossed off the list .
Widescreen iPodDone , thanks to the iPod touch , iPhone , and iPad .
Untethered iPodIn regard to the request for wireless headphone , Bluetooth andA2DPhave taken upkeep of that very nicely with iOS gimmick . Wireless syncing ? Still not there , but break another kind of announcement ( which I ’ll discuss shortly ) , it may be far less necessary for media .
Media recommendationGetting there . Apple ’s Genius feature unfeignedly is a slice of whizz .
Social mediaToe dip in pool . Apple still has n’t quite wrapped its practical head around social networking , but at least its explore the idea of friends connecting with friend to tattle about and recommend medium .
On - gimmick media purchaseThis one , as I described it , took a sight less than five class :
Still waiting
And what remain undone ?
Subscription and streamingThe Holy Grail . In April 2007 , just around the time Steve Jobs urged track record label to degenerate DRM , hesaid this to Reutersabout subscription euphony avail :
“ Never say never , but customers do n’t seem to be interested in it. … People need to own their music . ”
This repeats something Jobs said when the then - named iTunes Music Store first spread . My Leslie Townes Hope is that on Tuesday Apple takes vantage of Jobs ’ equivocation and opens the gate to iTunes streaming . And not simply because I count myself among the minority of Mac users who use and appreciate its convenience . But also because the earthly concern has change and I ’d care to see Apple change with it .
Back in 2006 subscription meant using your computer or a very few home - based music players to take heed to streaming content . This is n’t the way most people consume medicine — they want it on - the - go , in the motorcar , and in any and every part of their base . Thanks to portable and TV - based gadget — the iPhone , iPod touch , iPad , and Apple TV — we have equipment that can fork out on that desire .
give devices with the power to deliver medium just about anywhere a Wi - Fi - or - other wireless electronic internet is uncommitted , to shackle these gimmick in such a way that you’re able to listen to only the small aggregation of music you ’ve purchased — and synced across a telegram , for heaven ’s saki — is positively olde worlde .
Subscription services such as Mog , Napster , Rdio , and Rhapsody have stepped up to deliver unlimited exploiter - pick out music for a fee and , with iOS apps that stream their content , are an attractive alternative to the way Apple is presently doing things . But , much as I care and use these services , the truth is that Apple is today ’s king of musical capacity . The iTunes Store has a far more over catalog , its Genius feature , now great , would be whole awesome when you could listen to anything iTunes has to tender ; andeveryonehas an iTunes account , making the hereafter of Quaker - to - admirer testimonial with a severely overhauled Ping brightly indeed .
Only Apple has the power to make subscription palatable — even desirable . So , hard as it makes typewriting , my fingers are crossed that November 16 , 2010 truly will be a day in iTunes ’ history that we ’ll never forget . stream the entire contents of iTunes ’ catalog would make that so .
