subject: Clearing Some Fog in the Music Cloud [print this page] Clearing Some Fog in the Music Cloud Clearing Some Fog in the Music Cloud
The internet has caused quite the headache for the music industry. While it's launched some careers, it's crippled record sales for others. With the recent crackdown on LimeWire, resulting in a complete shutdown, I found myself wondering what was next. It seems like the music industry is all over the place. Now, there are sites that use cloud computing, known as the music cloud, which allow users to stream music for close to nothing. You can buy music from iTunes. Then, of course, there's the old-fashioned way. Go down to your local record storeif it's still in businessand pick up a few CDs.
Most people are familiar with iTunes. And, I hope most people know how to physically buy a CD. However, there seems to be a fog surrounding cloud computing and the music cloud. At this point, services like Rhapsody and Pandora are household names. But what's on the cutting edge for music in the cloud? Do I still have to pay for music in the cloud? Am I better off sticking with iTunes?
Well, I won't pretend to have all the answers, but hopefully I can provide a little clarity. Basically, the music industry is trying to feel out the business potential with cloud computing and the consequences of releasing music into the cloud. Essentially, for a free, ad-based music cloud, record labels have one shot to negotiate a stream of revenue.
So what's the bottom line? The goal is to establish a service, using cloud computing, where users can access their music from any device connected to the internet. It'll be like Flickr for music. Ideally, the service will be free to users, provided they can listen to a few ads here and therethe service has to make money somehow. Now, for those of you familiar with Spotify, you know this already exists. Well, not in the United States. Services like Spotify, as well as big wigs like Apple and Google, are working to reach U.S. soil.
In a world where people can now pirate music, pay for music online, and buy CDs in a store, it'd be nice to have one free service where anyone could access music. Artists make music for money, sure. But they also make it so people can hear it. Fortunately, through cloud computing, we're not a long way off from a universal record storewhere it's all free.
