Beatles Collection on Apple-Shaped USB Kind of A Lemon
10:18 am, November 4th, 2009, Nicole Martinelli
The Fab Four still haven’t made it to iTunes, but if you want to shell out $280, you can have some of their stuff on a limited-edition USB stick.
Collectors may crave 16GB key that comes with 14 stereo titles, plus re-mastered 13 mini-documentary films about the studio albums, replicated original UK album art, rare photos and expanded liner notes.
The USB “core” pulls out of an apple, recalling the Granny Smith from the record company founded in 1968. Some 30,000 keys are available from the online store, from December 7 in the UK and December 8 in North America. (You can also pre-order online now.)
If you’re more interested in their music, it sounds like slim pickings for a hefty price – at least one fan, alluneediscash, on the site argued:
“But the BOX SET is only $219! ($179 at amazon) no one loves the beats more than me, but shouldn’t they charge LESS for the usb?”
Which raises the perennial question of when this icon of Brit pop will finally make it to iTunes. Although the Beatles settled the marathon trademark dispute with Apple two years ago, the use of this apple key, meant as a nod to Apple Records, might stir the embers of animosity rather than hasten them for Apple downloads.
Posted by Nicole Martinelli in News, iTunes | Comment on this article
Harrison’s heirs have already made it clear that they believe the music is worth moor than .99¢ per song, and are looking for ways to offer them that don’t include iTunes, et al.
It appears that the music on this USB drive is embedded in the flash content, so unlikely to be playable on an iPod, or anything else but a computer.
Only 30,000 units are being produced, which means this is meant to be some sort of market test. Most will be bought by collectors, not your typical music fan, who has the ability to buy the single CDs.
scott, on November 4th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
The point of this is not the music itself but the collectible. The rest of the music industry needs to realize that the music is only part of the music business. It needs to come up with marketable items with value to collectors in order to sell more music. Limited edition items–although 30,000 of them seems excessive, 5000 would be better–such as this are the only way they are going to make money since people can get the music from numerous sources.
I’d gladly pay for a collectible or, better yet, autographed item from a band I like. As for the music I just might borrow the CD from a friend or have someone burn me a copy.
Hike Every Day, on November 4th, 2009 at 2:46 pm