It was about time. I knew this time would come eventually. And now, that time is here. Apple finally surpassed everyone else in the digital music download services. And looking at the CD trends stated by NPD, it does not look like this trend is going to let up. Here is how Michelle Quinn and Dawn C. Chmielewski from the Los Angeles Times describe it:

NPD Group, based in Port Washington, N.Y., did not release figures on how many albums each company sold. It said it counted every 12 singles sold as one album, and that Apple probably received a boost during the two months by people cashing in iTunes gift cards — which Wal-Mart and other retailers also sell — received during the holiday season.

So it looks Apple might have had a sales boost for certain parts of the year. In my own opinion, Apple would have dominated the market even if they were counted in a more accurate way. Although I am an avid user of iTunes myself, I do have to say that it does have some flaws. First and foremost, from what I recall from reading other forum posts, you can only redownload your lost iTunes songs ONCE. And to do that, again from what I recall, you have to go through a more or less complicated talk with Apple support. Also, some of the songs on movie soundtracks could ONLY be purchased when you buy the whole album. That is another flaw that has irritated me so. I have yet to know why Apple does these kinds of things, and I am interested in knowing. But for know, I am hanging with iTunes, until other competition, like Sony BMG, blows them out of the water (hopefully ).

VIA Los Angeles Times

It’s about time Apple puts their focus on corporate needs. When the iPhone first came out, I knew it wasn’t going to cater to the needs of corporations. They appeared to be aiming towards the general working population. But I am glad to see that Apple knows that it has a wider user base to attract.

Apple’s recognizing of corporate needs is only the first step into the arena. They also have to maneuver their ways through federal restrictions and corporate demands to sell a successful product. Things that could get into Apple’s way include true data encryption, firewall, data protection, secure VPN intranet access, and much more. Sounds like a lot of demands, but if Apple can pull this off, they will be on their way to a much better future.

I highly doubt Apple will be able to attract a large audience if they don’t lighten up about the carrier restrictions in some way without breaking the contract with AT&T, which is as possible as licking my elbow . If only there was a way for this to happen, then I would be happy with my shiny iPhone on my grungy T-Mobile service (with no 3G, I may add). Many corporations have special deals with other cell phone carriers, especially with ones that have fast DSL-like mobile broadband (Verizon). Considering this, it may lessen Apple’s profits from creating an iPhone 2.0.

VIA ComputerWorld