EMusic
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Description
eMusic[1] is a program very similar to iTunes where you can download music to your hard drive. They focus more on selling the independent labels then the mainstream music like iTunes. eMusic downloads are available in mp3 format and are DRM free, meaning the download will work on any mp3 player. eMusic is known as a cousin to iTunes. They sell music much more inexpensive than iTunes.
History
eMusic started in 1998 and was known as a program called GoodNoise. One year later they changed their name from GoodNoise to eMusic. In early 2000, eMusic started the first subscription based digital music service where you could get a subscription to download music. This was far more advanced than things we had seen. By 2003, eMusic had over 100,000 subscribers. They have now sold over 300,000 music downloads in over 26 Nations. They offer over 6 million songs and guarantee all music to be DRM free meaning you truly own what you pay for, unlike what iTunes offers. In 2007, eMusic became the first service to sell audiobooks in the mp3 format. Many other companies have followed this great idea from eMusic.
Pricing
Subscription prices are as follows:
eMusic Basic = 35 FREE downloads with your 7-day trial. 24 downloads for $11.99 per month thereafter ($0.50 per song).
eMusic Plus = FREE downloads with your 7-day trial. 35 downloads for $15.89 per month thereafter ($.045 per song).
eMusic Premium = FREE downloads with your 7-day trial. 50 downloads for $20.79 per month thereafter ($0.42 per song).
eMusic Connoisseur = FREE downloads with your 7-day trial. 75 downloads for $30.99 per month thereafter ($0.41 per song).
If you don’t want to pay for the subscription prices, you can also buy eMusic Booster Packs. Prices for the booster packs are:
10 song downloads for $4.99
25 song downloads for $9.99
50 song downloads for$14.99
About
eMusic is all about the long tail. They are focused on independent label companies and not the big record labels that MTV and the radio play. eMusic wants the users to connect together and use word-of-mouth to share good bands and really get names out there. They think that MTV and the radio are missing great bands by only focusing on the main labels and want to help smaller bands get their music out there. eMusic allows for users to listen to and explore music for a fraction of the price as iTunes. It also has many blogs and ways for users to connect and share their thoughts on the different music that they have heard.
One thing that eMusic has are journal’s and editorial contents that are from many of the top known music journalists and better artists. They use them to try and find upcoming bands and point them in the direction of listeners. This benefits both the listener and the artist, getting good music to one and exposure for the other. eMusic has a state-of-the-art technology that recommends different artists for the user. It combines computer technology along with the users analysis and with the combination, the best possible artists get discovered by the user that likes their music.
References
The eMusic Story. http://www.emusic.com/about/index.html
eMusic history in brief. http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-5758585/eMusic-history-in-brief.html
CNET editors' review. http://reviews.cnet.com/music-services/emusic/4505-9240_7-30974740.html