Apple Music Revolution

Apple Music Revolution

January 2001 – Apple launches iTunes; a digital jukebox.

October 2001 – Apple launch their first generation iPod. Launch came in the mist of a poor financial climate and just a month after the 9/11 tragedies.

The launch of iTunes and the iPod was a fine example of vertical integration for Apple.

This easily used MP3 player rapidly became a fashion symbol with the white head phones becoming a symbol for status.

At the time, the key problem for the record industry was selling their product online. The problem for apple was getting the big five to agree to sell their songs on iTunes.

April 28th 2003 – Apple launches iTunes store online after receiving approval from major five record labels. Five days after the launch of the iTunes store Apple sell over one million songs.

Vertical Integration – Apple able to offer jukebox and online store.

December 2004 – Apple sell 200 million songs to date.

October 2005 – Apple adds support for video to the iPod. An example of convergence.

January 2009 – Apple go DRM free, In an effort to tempt consumers away from illegal file sharing websites by providing a better service.Apple virtually secure the future of the music industry by digitalising it.

TuneCore – This provides everyone with the chance to get their music onto iTunes for a one-off price. Meaning focus is no longer with record label it’s with distributor.