FAQs

  1. What is the biggest difference between smartphone music consumption in Europe and the US?

    • In Europe, mobile phones are seen as the primary platform for music consumption, while in the US, computers and iPods still dominate.
  2. What are the main challenges facing companies selling music for mobile devices?

    • Different marketing and technological challenges compared to businesses that deliver PC-based online services.
  3. What is the strategy of Vodafone in bridging the gap between mobile and PC music consumption?

    • Aiming to offer a service that allows music purchased on cell phones to be transferred to a PC, and vice versa.
  4. Why is music for cell phones relatively expensive and scarce?

    • The market is still young and the technology is still developing.
  5. What formats are used for music on cell phones?

    • Vodafone offers full versions of songs, while T-Mobile sells re-edited, two-minute versions.
  6. Why are carriers interested in offering music services on cell phones?

    • To attract people to their new 3G networks that can deliver broadband access to cell phones.
  7. How much do songs typically cost on mobile phone music services?

    • About $2.75 per song.
  8. Why are labels hesitant to price cell phone songs at much less?

    • They want to avoid undervaluing their music and because people have been paying $2 to $3 apiece for ring tones without considerable protest.
  9. What are the network capacity issues with delivering music to cell phones?

    • Music files can be large and require a high-speed connection to download quickly.
  10. What is digital rights management (DRM) and why is it important for music on cell phones?

    • DRM is used to prevent the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted material.
  11. What is the Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) and what is its role in DRM for mobile music?

    • OMA is an industry group that has created a standard for managing digital rights for mobile devices.
  12. What is the current state of the cell phone music market in the US?

    • Lagging behind Europe, but growing awareness of music could make the feature as popular as cameras on cell phones.

Summary

The market for music on cell phones is still in its early stages, but it has the potential to become a major force in the music industry. In Europe and Asia, cell phones are already seen as the primary platform for music consumption, and the US is expected to follow suit in the coming years.

However, there are a number of challenges that need to be overcome before the cell phone music market can reach its full potential. These include the high cost of music, the lack of standardization, and the concerns over piracy.

Despite these challenges, the cell phone music market has a number of advantages over the PC-based music market. Cell phones are more portable and convenient than PCs, and they are always with us. This makes them the ideal platform for listening to music on the go.

If the cell phone music market can overcome its challenges, it has the potential to become a major force in the music industry. It could make it easier for people to discover and listen to new music, and it could help to revitalize the music industry.

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