| It all happened so fast, and it was a really exciting time. | | | | and Apple introduced the iPod to the world (2001). |
| First, satellite radio was considered a huge | | | | Now, over 174 million iPods have been sold. |
| breakthrough for the music industry. Everyone was | | | | Estimates say Apple sold another 20 million in the |
| going to benefit: the music industry and the consumer | | | | fourth quarter of 2008. Sales are booming, iTunes and |
| could be happy with this choice. New music markets | | | | other sites are busier than ever, and it is clear that |
| would emerge. Music that could never be heard on | | | | iPods are the new record players, tape decks, CD |
| commercial radio stations would find an audience. | | | | players - they support the digital form of music, which |
| Sales would go up. Consumers would have more | | | | is leading the music industry toward the future. Will |
| choices. | | | | CDs become as obsolete as records and tapes? |
| It was truly a win-win idea with a lot of excitement and | | | | What makes MP3 players even more desirable is that |
| momentum. It was going to change everything. That is, | | | | they aren't only for music: podcasts, news, interviews, |
| until the MP3 showed up. Now satellite radio has about | | | | radio-type shows - everything is moving toward digital. |
| as many subscribers, as people buying iPods in | | | | You or I can make a podcast and upload it to share |
| one-quarter. How did this all happen? | | | | with people in a matter of minutes. Information is |
| What you may remember most is the whole Napster | | | | becoming freer and more fluid with each passing |
| scandal, but that isn't the beginning. The beginning was | | | | moment due to the digital download. |
| the creation of the MP3 form of music, which came | | | | Satellite radio isn't dead yet; Sirius XM expects about |
| along in 1987. While the MP3 format was around, it | | | | 20 million in 2009, with an estimated growth of just |
| didn't develop traction until SubPop started distributing | | | | under 8 percent. They have over 19 million subscribers, |
| music tracks through the format, while also distributing | | | | but they certainly aren't changing the way music is |
| MP3 players in 1999. That year was the year of | | | | listened to in this day and age. Digital downloads are |
| Napster file sharing, and within two years, Steve Jobs | | | | king. |