Jeff Campbell
02-16-2009, 08:00 PM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/article/total_music_gets_kiss_of_death/' target='_blank'>http://www.ipodobserver.com/ipo/art..._kiss_of_death/</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"iTunes Store competitor Total Music won't be giving Apple a run for its money now that its backers have pulled the plug. Universal Music and Sony BMG decided to stop funding the subscription-based music service because of the weakening economy, and competition from online streaming music services and the iTunes Store, according to Billboard."</em></p><p><em><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/at/auto/1234491565.usr105634.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></em></p><p>This was destined to fail, initially building the subscription into the cost of the device so I have to use their device if I want to get this type of service from them. That had no appeal to me at all. When that wasn't working they made it a subscription service that could be bundled with the your own music player, but then there was that pesky Justice Department probe into the acquisitions the company was making. Say what you want, iTunes just works, especially now that they are DRM-free. Best part is iTunes is legal and not in any danger of going away anytime soon. </p>