APPLE, and the four largest record labels, are reportedly working together to stimulate digital sales of full albums by bundling a new interactive booklet, sleeve notes and other interactive features with music downloads, in a move it hopes will change buying trends on its online iTUNES store, reports THE FINANCIAL TIMES [Requires free registration].
That partnership comes admist rumors that APPLE is working quickly to offer a portable, full-featured, tablet-sized computer in time for the CHRISTMAS shopping season, "in what the entertainment industry hopes will be a new revolution. The device could be launched alongside the new content deals, including those aimed at stimulating sales of CD-length music, according to people briefed on the project," writes FT.
While digital music remains the one growth area in years of down sales for the music industry, buyers continue to choose single tracks, rather than full albums. APPLE's plan is to work with EMI, SONY MUSIC, WARNER MUSIC and UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP, on a project the company has codenamed "COCKTAIL," according to four FT sources.
The report says APPLE and the record labels are working towards a SEPTEMBER launch of "COCKTAIL", which they hope will boost interest in full albums by bundling liner notes and video clips with the music. "It’s all about recreating the heyday of the album when you would sit around with your friends looking at the artwork, while you listened to the music," said one executive familiar with the plans. "It’s not just a bunch of PDFs," said one executive. "There’s real engagement with the ancillary stuff."
Apple's new device would reportedly have a new touch-sensitive screen -- and may be up to 10 inches diagonally. It will connect to the Internet like the iPOD TOUCH -- "probably without phone capability but with access to APPLE’s online stores."
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Sounds interesting!
