Insiders at Facebook have leaked that they are investigating the possibility of their very own music store… Which would, in effect, be direct competition for iTunes.
It is interesting that they have recently launched their Facebook Music service, which allows you to follow artists and buy the music via iTunes. This might have been the ’seed’ that has got Facebook execs thinking.. ‘Hey, lets cut out iTunes and put up our own store! More money for us!’. I’m sure the discussion was more in-depth than that, but you get the picture.
Any way you slice it, Facebook is reportedly in talks with major labels to offer unique content of their own. The deal is rumored to include free ad-backed streaming audio similar to what you see on MySpace profile pages. Also, paid MP3 downloads would be available and usable on any OS.
What do you think? Facebook is certainly used by millions and millions and millions… They have the audience and leverage to give something like this a shot in my opinion. They key will be, what can they do to make it better, easier and more unique than iTunes? Or do they even care… Put up a good store backed by many labels, and start taking chunks out of the market Apple has dominated for the past while!?
[via electronista]
written by Mr. Mayor \\ tags: FaceBook, Facebook Music, iTunes
March 5th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Interesting turn of events if it is true.
Given the popularity of Facebook, plus the push Facebook has made with all cell phone providers (US and Canada at least) to have Phone compatible versions of facebook available… a Facebook Music Store could be quite the competition.
Just the other day I was asking a sales rep at Rogers (the only sales rep I deal with due to his knowledge of the services, and his truthfulness so far) there are special data plans specifically tied to accessing Facebook.. and only facebook, from your mobile phone.
I’d love to see this come to life, I fell competition is healthy and pushes innovation. Apple does well when it has someone chasing them.