[Article] Ayu takes digital music to the "Next Level"

[Tom Punks]

Originally Posted by KarenPang

she sure's smart in thinking such a concept

I wouldn't be surprised if other major labels will follow her eg. in due time as physical CD sales are declining every year it goes by

I doubt that. The reason physical CD sales is declining is because it's more convenient and cheaper to buy an album/single online. This REALLY doesn't offer anything new that would motivate people to buy USB sticks instead of buying songs from iTunes, except for the appeal of having a pretty Ayu USB stick.

Think about it... If you REALLY want the songs in .mp3 format or whatever versus having them on a CD, which are you more likely to do..? Are you more likely to spend $15 or whatever to buy the songs from iTunes, or $70 for the same songs plus a little stick?

And as for CD vs. USB stick... Well I can play the CD in my car, a portable CD player, a DVD player, my computer, etc., and the CD is better quality. Whereas I can play the USB stick in... probably just my computer. Plus it's probably non-copyable and less quality than CD.

To me, the USB stick thing just doesn't make sense.

[jbrat2219]

Originally Posted by Tom Punks

I doubt that. The reason physical CD sales is declining is because it's more convenient and cheaper to buy an album/single online. This REALLY doesn't offer anything new that would motivate people to buy USB sticks instead of buying songs from iTunes, except for the appeal of having a pretty Ayu USB stick.

Think about it... If you REALLY want the songs in .mp3 format or whatever versus having them on a CD, which are you more likely to do..? Are you more likely to spend $15 or whatever to buy the songs from iTunes, or $70 for the same songs plus a little stick?

And as for CD vs. USB stick... Well I can play the CD in my car, a portable CD player, a DVD player, my computer, etc., and the CD is better quality. Whereas I can play the USB stick in... probably just my computer. Plus it's probably non-copyable and less quality than CD.

To me, the USB stick thing just doesn't make sense.

I don't know about that, the USB sticks are selling like hotcakes and you don't just get the songs, you get the videos and digital booklet as well. Slap on limited edition and collectors item and you have yourself a bunch of sales. Even people here are scrambling to find places to pre-order them. So it may not be something "new" per-se but it's still something new that's she hasn't done before.

But I do agree, if everyone starts releasing USBs, it's not going to overthrow the convenience of digital downloads.

[Tom Punks]

Originally Posted by jbrat2219

I don't know about that, the USB sticks are selling like hotcakes and you don't just get the songs, you get the videos and digital booklet as well. Slap on limited edition and collectors item and you have yourself a bunch of sales. Even people here are scrambling to find places to pre-order them. So it may not be something "new" per-se but it's still something new that's she hasn't done before.

But I do agree, if everyone starts releasing USBs, it's not going to overthrow the convenience of digital downloads.

Sorry, I didn't mean specifically this release... I meant that I doubt this will be a way to get physical sales up like Karen said. It's much more expensive and just has less benefits than an actual CD, so I don't see USB format bringing up physical sales ever.

[ストロボ・EdGE]

Originally Posted by Tom Punks

I doubt that. The reason physical CD sales is declining is because it's more convenient and cheaper to buy an album/single online. This REALLY doesn't offer anything new that would motivate people to buy USB sticks instead of buying songs from iTunes, except for the appeal of having a pretty Ayu USB stick.

To me, the USB stick thing just doesn't make sense.

I feel the same way! Although it is kind of innovative, it just doesn't make sense; you can download it for 2000 yen at iTunes instead of paying 7000 for a stick...

[Chef+Vanny]

6800yen for a USB+ayu songs=GOOD BARGAIN ok agree
"USB in Japan cost 4000-5000yen WOW!

but i prefer physical disc.......