Google gave people access to content and services for free. They gain advertising revenue from offering access to other people’s content. I find myself suspicious of the motivations of advertising-funded businesses — Google’s users are, in the large part, not their customers. They are just information-generating assets, to be sold to advertisers. There is something unpleasant about that.
Apple’s greatest gift to us is that it made it acceptable to pay for content online. The iTunes store, and the hardware devices that interact with its content, are Apple’s most important contribution to our culture. Without iTunes, the masses wouldn’t buy music online, and the music industry would be much less healthy than it is now. Without Apple’s strong negotiating position, mainstream music would still have DRM. And without people being conditioned to pay for music online, I don't think we would have the current mainstream acceptance of paying for television, films, and books in downloadable form.
So my vote goes to Apple, for giving artists and creators an income in a world where their content can be accessed through Google for free.
When I bought an mp3 a few years ago, I was surprised about how many different places were offering them for sale. I got it from Tesco, without DRM, I believe.
I'm also not sure what you mean about being conditioned to pay for it? Lots of people are still happily downloading for free.
Regarding reading - Apple's view of a future where you can only read something on their platform and hardware is not one I like. "Get the website app for your IPad/IPhone" is the new "Best Viewed In Internet Explorer" - except worse, as at least sites usually worked somewhat on other browsers.
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andrewducker) wrote2011-08-28 09:58 pm
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Apple’s greatest gift to us is that it made it acceptable to pay for content online. The iTunes store, and the hardware devices that interact with its content, are Apple’s most important contribution to our culture. Without iTunes, the masses wouldn’t buy music online, and the music industry would be much less healthy than it is now. Without Apple’s strong negotiating position, mainstream music would still have DRM. And without people being conditioned to pay for music online, I don't think we would have the current mainstream acceptance of paying for television, films, and books in downloadable form.
So my vote goes to Apple, for giving artists and creators an income in a world where their content can be accessed through Google for free.
no subject
I'm also not sure what you mean about being conditioned to pay for it? Lots of people are still happily downloading for free.
Regarding reading - Apple's view of a future where you can only read something on their platform and hardware is not one I like. "Get the website app for your IPad/IPhone" is the new "Best Viewed In Internet Explorer" - except worse, as at least sites usually worked somewhat on other browsers.