TELECOM Digest OnLine - Sorted: iPod Shuffle = New Radio ?

iPod Shuffle = New Radio ?

Barry L. Ritholtz

I've been thinking about the iPod Shuffle since its introduction this
week. The early critique of the newest Pod is its lack of a readout or
screen -- even a small one -- to see what song is playing or up next.

The more I think about it, however, the more I think this (valid)
criticism is misguided. It misses the point entirely. The Shuffle
isn't supposed to be replacing a full featured MP3 player. Rather, it
is a substitute for a similar experience of getting music you know and
like -- on the radio.

Only you cannot do that anymore. McMusic dominates the airwaves,
preprogrammed from some fluorescent lit, over airconditioned,
windowless, soulless dreary office complex somewhere in the bowels of
Texas.

You can thank the 1996 telecommunication act for radio's massive
consolidation -- and really bad music on the radio.

The iPod Shuffle is yet more evidence of Radio's ongoing decline.
Recall we first discussed this last July in Radio's Wounded Business
Model. Barrons picked up the meme weeks later, running a very similar
criticism.

Where does that leave the fans of music, people who used to be
radio listeners?

The iPod Shuffle. Its the new radio.

http://bigpicture.typepad.com/comments/2005/01/ipod_shuffle_ne.html

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