iPods and cell phones: together as one.

In looking around the internet for my first article I came across this one about how mp3 players are soon going to be obsolete because of the capabilities of the newest cell phones. Cell phones have been able to play music for a few years now but have always been limited by the amount of space in their memory. However, technologies are changing and now phones have the capabilities of connecting to the internet and playing live streaming music from anyone of the numerous sites, such as Pandora.

The author suggests that because of the ability for people to now have unlimited music at their finger tips with these digital music sites their is no longer going to be a need for the traditional mp3 player. Perhaps the most interesting point that the author makes is that people are moving away from wanting to be in control. Consumers no longer want to choose their own music, but want it to be chosen for them and at the same time have it meet their needs.

To me this is the most insightful and intriguing part of the article. I, as well as many others, have always looked at the iPod as one of the most ingenius products in recent memory. The iPod came out at a time when consumers desired control and choice. The iPod is perfect in that it is a geneic product that anyone in the world can buy and the one bought in New York will be the same as the one bought in Tokyo. But the genius part is that it is totaly personal and no two iPods are the same because of the content that the person puts on it.

What is remarkable to me is that there is now a shift from consumer choice in music to having it choosen for you based on your tastes. This change in the market is the reason that sites like Pandora work. The basic premise of music sites like these is that a person will enter a song or genre of music and then the website will play music (like a radio station) that fits the intrests on the consumer. These sites have become so popular because consumers no longer have to think and choose the right song, a program will do it for them. In addition to the automatic playing of music the person often also has the control to choose whether or not they like the song and to play more like it or never to play it again. So in a sense it is really the best of both worlds.

What surprises me the most is that the whole premise behind the iPod is changing and I am curious how Apple will respond. They have adapted somewhat with the iPhone and the iTouch now being able to coneect to the internet and take advntage of these music websites. However, I myself will often listen to my iPod on shuffle rather than scrolling through a choosing a particular song because it is just easier. Apple has been very strong lately in staying a head of the curve, lets see what happens next.