iTunes
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January 29, 2010
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Performances by Justin Timberlake, Alicia Keys, Coldplay, Madonna and a collaboration between Jay-Z, Rihanna and U2 stars Bono and The Edge all made the iTunes digital album which became the first such release to top the U.S. charts this week.
According to Billboard.com, Hope For Haiti Now became the first project to simultaneously occupy the number one spot on iTunes' US album, song and TV charts. Music sales tracker Nielsen Soundscan said the album sold 171,000 copies to date.
Of the 19 available songs, "Stranded" by Jay Z, Bono, The Edge & Rihanna (131,000) has the most downloads, standing at No. 8 debut on Digital Songs and a No. 16 start on the Hot 100.
The other track from the Haiti benefit to debut on the charts is "Hallelujah" by Justin Timberlake & Matt Morris featuring Charlie Sexton which sold 64,000 downloads and entered Hot Digital Songs at No. 24 and the Hot 100 at No. 48.
What an amazing accomplishment!
April 7, 2009
Many songs will remain priced at 99 cents while some older and less popular tracks are expected to fall to 69 cents.
But newer and more popular songs got a 30% price increase and are now available for $1.29 per download.
"[B]ased on what the music labels charge Apple, songs on iTunes will be available at one of three price points -- 69 cents, 99 cents and $1.29 -- with many more songs priced at 69 cents than $1.29," said Apple chief executive Steve Jobs.
Apple's iTunes is the world's largest retailer of music, so this comes as no surprise. Plus, there has been an ongoing battle with artists and record labels over royalty fees, so they needed to hike up their prices in order to maintain the same profit. What are your thoughts? Is it fair to the consumer?
