Subscription Services Will Replace Downloads as the Dominant Online Music Model -- While online music stores like Apple's iTunes have attracted millions of customers by selling downloads of songs or albums, changing market conditions will make subscription-based music services the dominant model for selling online music in the future. That is the conclusion of "Online Music: Will Napster Be the Next iTunes as Subscriptions Replace Downloads?" a new report from Strategy Analytics. According to this report, the shift toward subscription music services will be driven by a combination of changing consumer expectations as well as pressure from broadband service providers and record companies. In addition to changing consumer needs, the report notes that many broadband service providers prefer to offer a subscription service, such as Real Networks' Rhapsody, which generates steady monthly revenues and helps deter broadband churn. Finally, major record companies are dissatisfied with the revenue they receive from low-cost download sales, and will increasingly focus on alternative business models for selling music online.
Technology is a compelling catalyst for economic growth across the globe. Artificial intelligence (AI) rides a seismic wave of transformation in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region — a market bolstered by bold government initiatives, swelling pools of capital, and vibrant tech ambition. The latest IDC analysis sheds light on this dynamic market. Despite a contraction in deal volumes through 2024, total AI venture funding surged to an impressive $15.4 billion — a signal of the region’s resilience and the maturation of its digital-native businesses (DNBs). Asia-Pacific AI Market Development The APAC AI sector’s funding story is not just about headline numbers but also about how and where investments are shifting. Even as the number of deals slowed, the aggregate value of investments climbed, reflecting a preference among investors for fewer but larger, high-potential bets on mature or highly scalable AI enterprises. The information technology sector led the AI investment charge. Top area...