Comments on: HMV to go Web 2.0

By: Marc

Marc — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 14:49:23 +0000

Why don’t HMV offer a free digital downloaded of all CDs ordered from their site? It could be DRMed, I wouldn’t mind. It would mean I get the music seconds after I buy it, so impulse buyers will be happy. I will be less inclined to rip the DRM free CD when it arrives in the post, but I will have a CD that will be with me in 10 years time and the ability to it play on any device.
It’s a silly question. They obviously wouldn’t get the permission from the record companies – but I think it would be a good idea.

By: Gary

Gary — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 16:55:03 +0000

My HMV experience is always the same. Wander in, see something I fancy, look at the price, exclaim “you’re having a laugh!” and go elsewhere.

> there’s nothing online to match the experience of standing in front of a shelf full of books or records or films and being able to just reach out and look at any of them in a second. Whoever figures that out online first will make a fortune.

Apple’s coverflow would be good for that. I could have sworn I saw it used in the itunes store the other day, but I’m buggered if I can remember where (or find it again). It’s been one of those weeks, and I may be thinking about an iPhone video instead :)

> That is absolutely hilarious.

Credit where credit’s due, they tried hard with their soundbite:

he Artist Formerly Known as Prince should know that with behaviour like this he will soon be the Artist Formerly Available in Record Stores.

That’s almost bad enough to be one of my jokes.

By: Squander Two

Squander Two — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 09:41:47 +0000

Some of us still like physical CDs, as opposed to downloads — and of course there’s always the vinyl market. HMV have a headstart in these markets, so why not concentrate on that? If they want a unique selling point, how about “We have a massive warehouse containing loads of records that other shops don’t stock, and if you want something we don’t have, we’ll try to find it for you?” The former is currently true and the latter could be their new gimmick. I used to use the HMV site (back when I was still buying records regularly) because they had excellent stock. Got the Boom Boom Satellites Seven Ignitions EPs from them, which I couldn’t find anywhere else at the time.

And there’s something no online retailer has managed yet: recreating the browsing experience. I bought some books in Waterstone’s a couple of weeks ago, and it was so long since I’d used an actual bookshop that I found the experience quite weird — but in a good way. Amazon try with their whole “You might like this” thing, but it’s very click-heavy: there’s nothing online to match the experience of standing in front of a shelf full of books or records or films and being able to just reach out and look at any of them in a second. Whoever figures that out online first will make a fortune. And unless people like HMV decide to try originality, it’ll be Amazon.

> entertainment retailers are throwing fits because Prince is apparently planning to give away his new album for free … the Entertainment Retailers Association’s threat to stop stocking Prince’s back catalogue

That is absolutely hilarious.