“Apple Computer Inc. has emerged as an increasingly important player in the music industry because of the success of its iPod digital players and its online music store,” Reuters reports. “Hopes are high among the makers of instruments and accessories that Apple, with its recently introduced ‘GarageBand’ program, can have the same energizing effect on their market that the computer maker’s iTunes digital music store has had for recorded music.”
“‘For us, all of a sudden music is the No. 1 priority of the company,’ said Rob Schoeben, Apple’s vice president of applications marketing. ‘We’re trying to be a part of the music evolution overall. In a digital environment, our iPods and iTunes are making people excited again about acquiring music. Now we’ve added musical creation to that lifestyle,'” Reuters reports. “The GarageBand program essentially turns a Macintosh computer into a recording studio, enabling users to write and record their own compositions by plugging a guitar or keyboard into the PC and sampling from prerecorded tracks.”
“That type of software has long been available from other firms, but analysts say Apple’s marketing clout and easy-to-use design will kick-start the market. ‘It’s a pretty significant innovation for a targeted audience of amateurs,’ said Phil Leigh, analyst with Inside Digital Media. ‘I would say this niche market has historically been in the tens of millions of dollars, but Apple could theoretically triple the market. If it expanded it into the PC market, it could increase the market tenfold,'” Reuters reports.
Reuters reports., “Noah Dater, head of marketing for SoundToys, a maker of ‘plug-ins’ that extend the functionality of programs like GarageBand, said Apple created an attractive entry point for teenagers with dreams of rock ‘n’ roll stardom. ‘We’re excited because the level of knowledge among 13-year-olds will improve with GarageBand, who will then move up to more complex programs,’ Dater said.”
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