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The price of popularity: "hottest" iTunes songs will cost $1.29 on April 7

Remember in 2007 when Apple started selling "iTunes Plus" tracks as DRM-free and 256 kbps AAC files? Much later you were able to upgrade your songs on a per-track basis, if you were so inclined. Well, get ready for more pricing changes. The LA Times reports a date has been set for the kickoff of the variable pricing model Apple announced at Macworld this year: April 7. While I doubt most people care about a slightly better listening experience (seriously, have you used an FM transmitter to play music in your car?), I think simply paying more because a song is popular won't go over so well.

I'm not alone in thinking there will be backlash against the policy of selling more popular songs at a higher price. Jim Guerinot, who manages Nine Inch Nails, a pretty vocal opponent to the labels' stranglehold on the industry, feels the increase in prices will only ramp up piracy -- again. I'm inclined to agree.

Yes, we knew this was coming. But the average consumer embraced the iTunes Store not only because it was Apple, or the iPod, or iTunes itself, but also because the one-price-fits-all model is easy to understand. People don't pay taxes with Zune Points or Disney Dollars, they prefer to think "Hey, it's just a buck." The psychological impact of having a price point at $0.99US for everything makes impulse shopping a no-brainer. Just ask all those fart app devs.

The only upside is that less popular songs will be priced lower. Essentially, it's the bargain bin of the iTunes store, featuring one-hit wonders and college radio flops and a random assortment of attic-dwelling musical pieces as low as $0.69. I only hope it doesn't play into the theory of perceived value, which Joel Spolsky noted when iTunes Plus tracks debuted. Apple also said at Macworld "many more songs" will be available at 69 cents versus the $1.29 price point. It'll be interesting to see what develops and if sales suffer as a result of the changes. The labels certainly love variable pricing, and they've been right about this new digital era all along, haven't they? In the meanwhile, get your Top 40 Radio fix while you can; it'll soon be a premium experience to join the "in" crowd.

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Remember in 2007 when Apple started selling "iTunes Plus" tracks as DRM-free and 256 kbps AAC files? Much later you were able to upgrade...
 

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Kelsey

I completely agree with Jim Guerinot, the increase in prices will only lead to an increase in pirating. Why would anyone pay 1.29 for a song when they can download it for free somewhere else. The Millennial generation is very technologically advanced and I believe that we are being underestimated by the music industry bc i know they are the driving force behind this increase. I found a video that compiles various opinions from a bunch of different media outlets. Some good, some bad, and some HONEST!

http://www.newsy.com/videos/itunes_changes_its_tone/

April 08 2009 at 5:53 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Wes

there isnt any way i'll be buying from itunes when they do this, screw that.

April 01 2009 at 3:00 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
robocrump

Here's a thought, just leave the popular songs alone at 99 cents and drop the price marginally for less popular tracks.

I realize the purpose is to cut as high of a profit as possible on someone else's good work, but all this will do is make pirating music seem like that much better of an option and drive away potential customers.

March 27 2009 at 8:44 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Hi Kenneth

Quick everyone! Low rank everything!

March 27 2009 at 3:14 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mystic

Blame the music industry, not Apple.

March 27 2009 at 12:56 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Johnny Thrash

I won't buy music at 1.29 a song. It's just that simple.

March 27 2009 at 8:55 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Hank

Am I the only one who sees the hypocrisy in crying that the record company is greedy and then saying you'll go steal the song to save $.30? Greed, it appears, runs both ways.

March 27 2009 at 8:42 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Hank's comment
colouroflight

Actually you'd save $1.29 by downloading (not stealing) it.

March 27 2009 at 10:54 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
h0mi

Is 30 cents really that big of a deal breaker for music? Geeze.

March 27 2009 at 7:44 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Andrew

The music website Amie Street does this but its slightly different:

Tracks start as free (i think...or something like 10cents)
The price only increases as the customers recommend them

i much prefer that way, rather than itunes deciding whats popular.

March 27 2009 at 4:57 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
colouroflight

With any luck this will increase piracy and the record industry will see that we won't put up with their shit.

March 27 2009 at 2:41 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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