It seems the big labels are in final destruction phase. They are completely locked in iTune and probably couldn't bring themselves to sign with Google and Amazon, let alone imagining what will happen next.

So they will be tied permanently inside iTune. The problem, we are now about to enter post iTune era.  Where even iTune is too cumbersome and complicated to buy and listen to music in non apple smartphone/tablet environment.

Google and Amazon obviously try to offer a cloud service where you store your music once in the cloud and you can listen to it any way you want it. With few problems a) it seems about to turn into a simple crude cloud storage service. no sale, slow transfer, no reliable suggestion service. b) wireless/telcos are expensive c) There is still no reliable way to hook up all these devices to stereo system.

If I have to choose, it probably be combination of all the above, except the parts are not in the order apple or google want them to be.


Anyway, Imagine a smartphone/tablet software player where when you play a file, all sort of information will pop in your screen. Brief note, artist bio, list of previous works, performance schedule, latest news, video, and way to buy tickets.

This will require a) universal id for that file b) a cloud server to feed all those pictures, text, news, map, tickets c) method of payment d) entire system that people can trust (no spying, no spamming, no virus, no overcharge, etc.)

essentially, a music file will act more like part of software instead of current discreet unit of mass produced widget.