Comments on: Spinning Gears :: Why Are Rented Movies Okay but Rented Music Not?

By: Alan Henry

Alan Henry — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 08:05:25 +0000

It’s true – bandwidth is still a problem. And while a lot of improvement has been made in data compression, it’s difficult when you have ISPs with bandwidth caps.

You’re right though – ebooks aren’t really my thing, so I don’t know enough about them to really speak to them: I do, however, know a lot of people who refuse to invest in an ebook reader or in ebooks until they can sell or trade used ones.

By: sjon

sjon — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 15:48:20 +0000

Bandwith is still a problem.

By: David

David — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 01:29:26 +0000

The way we consume these media is different, too. I notice you didn’t really get into ownership/rental of digital books: That’s visual content without the audio, to complete the media types you mention. (Audio only and audio with visual.)

Music you can consume on your way between things without too much loss of concentration.

Movies you can consume in the background and often as the primary focus of your attention.

Digital book consumption is a destination activity. You can’t do it in the background.

Does that factor in? Maybe. I don’t really know, but I’d like to hear what you think.