Apple reveals plans to phase-out music downloads by 2019 (hopes to jettison such clunky inefficiencies as customers, electricity, and music itself by 2029)

Apple reveals plans to phase-out music downloads by 2019 (hopes to jettison such clunky inefficiencies as customers, electricity, and music itself by 2029)

Here’s hoping you’re over your Holiday Blues, consumers; because there’s lots more bad news on the way! In addition to Apple’s recent shitstorm, where the tech giant admitted to slowing down older iPhones through iOS, a quieter announcement has also emerged. The company will be phasing out music downloads in early 2019, shortly after the 2018 holiday season.

While considered an aggressive schedule by the company, this news actually might not seem too devastating for many consumers who already prefer their music streaming. Music downloads, like physical album purchases, have been declining for years, according to both the Nielsen ratings company and market research company Statista. Hell, the trend should be accompanied by a downward slide whistle (or something like that).

While it does make little sense for Apple to continue offering a service that its users are finding less valuable every year, the decision doesn’t mean the Cupertino company is suddenly listening to its customers or anything. With a track record of discontinuing its products (recently iPod Nano and Shuffle) as well as forcing limited hardware on its user base (uhh, a phone with no headphone jack??), the forthcoming choice is primarily one that makes financial sense for the company.

But it’s also a strategic move to combat its competitor Spotify, who counts 60 million paying subscribers, double that of Apple Music. With Spotify reported to be going public any second now, Apple Music is clearly aiming to optimize itself as a bigger player in the streaming music space.

When the digital download service ceases, Apple will transition any previous purchases over to Apple Music – failure to honor any past purchases would surely cause another PR nightmare. But for many, the streaming model is the dominant mode of consumption, and digital music purchases are a service that won’t be missed. But…EVEN STILL:

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