iTunes Complete My Album feature: No, thanks

Spain too.

ok, false alarm about the Mel C album, today it appeared in the Complete Album section and so I did. Will be more patient next time...

Cost is precisely the reason I don't buy certain songs from an album. I frequently purchase only the ones I like "best." But if you're a purist about wanting to have the collection of songs as the artist composed and compiled them on an album at a reduced price, the "complete my album" feature is a nice perk. I'm sure Apple scrutinized iTunes consumer buying habits before offering this feature. It works for me!

A couple of things. Many albums already reflect the 99 cents per song price, so there really isn't any discount for completing the album. However (and this is the big deal), on some albums, certain tracks are only available when you purchase the full album. That's one reason why this is a good thing.

Sorry if this has been pointed out before (I am too lazy to read all the posts) but MAYBE IT DOESN'T WORK WITH ALL ALBUMS. I have just downloaded a portion of the new Mel C album with remaining song credits (as I did with many songs before) and in contrast to all the other albums that appear under the "Complete albums" section, the Mel C album is nowhere to be seen. Does anyone know if it takes a certain period of time before the feature becomes active? The section does offer me the new Norah Jones album to complete from which I bought a song 4 weeks ago.

While I do think it was a overly negative post, the function technically DOES have it's audience. Though their implementation leaves alot to be desired. It obviously only has limited labels behind it, mis-reads your entire library giving suggestions for albums you have ripped in their entirety, but then also sometimes albums and EPs that I HAVE bought in their entirety from iTMS show up as a "offer" as well. Looks like another part of the "mini-store" scanning technology not working correctly.

Though I think a better way of offering it would be when you are browsing for new music, it has a "complete my album" logo on the album page, so you know you have the option when buying a track or two that if you like it....go back and get more.

Just a little note that made me chuckle, the CMA even gave me a couple offers for songs I downloaded free from the weekly "single of the week" or "discovery download", thus putting my buying of an album at an even better discount....if I was so inclined and liked them enough.

They still need a longer "Preview" option, I hate listening to 30 seconds of a song only to find out it was the best 30 seconds of the entire album. (since many just give the openings, which are useless when songs nowadays go on for 4-5 min).

Wow, Dave - glad you updated with the caveat, but again: How could this possibly be an Evil Marketroid-Driven Bad Thing? Many people might buy a single after hearing it on the radio, then later decide they really like the artist and would like the whole album. Instead of penalizing them and forcing them to essentially purchase that single again, they are getting a credit for that song, as it applies to the album purchase. One more great advantage to the digital download approach, and a huge new benefit for users who might have been wary of buying singles prior to this.

Major kudos to Apple on this one; it's really a wonderful (and logical)benefit to users.

This is a great idea. There have been several times I've wanted a single while waiting for an album's release, but I hold off knowing that I would have to rebuy the track once the album comes out.

That seems like a really harsh analysis of this. Sometimes you only want one or two songs, and later want to come back for the rest. This is a totally anti-recording industry move, and congrats to Apple for convincing them to allow partial purchases that are more fair in the long run. I think the poster could have done a much better job of thinking about how this feature can benefit people, instead of striving to be a negative blogger.

Was that supposed to be an apology for a horrible post or you standing up for your own horrible post by trying to make it look not-so-horrible?

TUAW: I couldn't agree more--please get an editor!