dithers

Will Music Sales Be Profitable for Record Companies in Ten Years?

I meant to add that 'quality' is a subjective and culture driven concept - todays music fans are mostly VERY happy with the quality of MP3 files - its not up to 'audiophiles' to set some arbitrary standards for others.

Eventually high quality sound files, exceeding that of all other files, will be available.

It still wont save a dying business.

Will Music Sales Be Profitable for Record Companies in Ten Years?

Music isnt an 'essential service', so it can decline when people decide that they have more importnant things to spend cash on.

30 years ago, most people had older cars and did work themselves, but now, most have newer cars.

30 years ago no-one had a personal computer with the ability to get digitised files of all types from out of a wire - now they do.

Owning a personal computer costs about $500 - $700 year, at least.

This money comes directly from Music, Movies, etc.

Music has always had a low priority - its just sound - and it is impossible for the Music Biz to suddenly give it 'added value' - if they coulda, they woulda.

Digitised files, easy sharing with friends, buy only the tracks you like, other things to spend your cash on.

Music is settling to its level, according to the wishes of consumers, and the competition for the consumer dollar.

Music, although I love it, just does NOT have the dollar value that the Music Biz thinks it does.
They have a business that is horribly anachronistic, but they wont accept that.

Too bad. Amazon, Apple, etc are the new music businesses - its only a matter of time before artists will go DIRECT to the digital file providers.
Then the game will be over for EMI, Universal, and the rest.

The Music Biz: Something Important Is On The Horizon

Sorry, just not going to happen. File this with flying cars - and pigs, for that matter.

This prediction needs so many components to occur,not the least a large chunk of human behaviour change, and a total lack of profit for all this streaming.
No chance.

Hey Microsoft, I've Got A Better Idea

Microsoft are doomed to decline, albeit slowly.
They are incapable of doing anything new.

Its important to remember that M$ were successful when computing was new - now that its a mature market, their Windows OS is exposed as a giant hack.

Although they are still making billions every year, they are also losing billions on EVERY product except Office and Windows.

Ballmer is a ridiculous figure as a CEO - they need to find someone much younger, who can think clearly, but they wont do that.

They just cant change. Thats why they are doomed.