ScottB

These days everybody is a twittering about an Apple patent that portends to show how to make audio more responsive by storing snippets on the local device in order to accelerate playback. I haven't read it yet, but one thing I know, as do you, before they get it going we will have almost universal 3G coverage for a reasonable price with family data plans and all at every dropping prices...and then Apple's elegant technology won't matter anyway. Bandwidth, storage and compute power all follow their own 1/2X cost every 18 to 20 months. Where there is interest and demand...it will be met. The tide will come...no matter what.

Couldn't agree more, but we are dinosaurs. Brings to mind the "kids" that can't do anything or go anywhere without ear buds! I wouldn't hire them either...and besides they have nothing to say that is worth listening to (of course this is probably because they never listen either.) One thing I can guarantee, on assembly lines in Japan, Korea and China...there are no ear buds permitted.

While both Amazon and Google's first cloud entries may be lacking, the trick is to launch something and morph it into the killer app for consumers. The real issue is buy a license...access anywhere and anytime without bothering or worrying about file management, copies or access!<br /> <br /> They will get there and the content owners don't yet see that this is the best deal for them...you can't illegally share what you don't need!

Chris,<br /> <br /> Very nice review of all the available options. Although I do know that this site and blog relate to "audiophiles" we need to consider mass market. There was a day when only raw CD data files were considered "quality". Of course that excludes those who can't stand a digital sampling bandwidth limit and refused to drop analog audio (records.) For the mass market, convenience will dominate. Accessing licensed audio from anywhere (car, phone, PC and audio system) at any time...will win!<br /> <br /> I respect your position but it is more like the unfair situation with the spelling of words. If enough people incorrectly spell a word...it magically becomes...correct!