BP Editors
Since the start of 2011, top technology companies like Google, Apple and Microsoft have been ramping up efforts to push consumers on their cloud computing services. Before we continue, I’m sure some of you are wondering what the “cloud” is. Polls show 60% of Americans don’t understand what this new computing term means. The cloud is simply a virtual storage hub that can be accessed from any device. Consider Google Docs: you can upload your files to the service and then access them from any computer or smartphone.
One question being dodged by most analysts is how cloud computing will affect the music. Best Buy, Amazon and Apple have released cloud music services that require you to buy their music or pay a monthly fee. Apple is even charging users just to upload to their iCloud service. It was only a matter of time and now there is finally one startup out of New York that is allowing consumers to upload and stream their music for free.
CloudPlayer.me is the only cloud music service offered free of charge to users. The product intends to eliminate hard storage and create a massive virtual database of music. Think of it this way: you have 500GB of music, you can’t fit that all on your iPhone, can you? However, if you upload it to a cloud storage solution you can access all of your music from phone’s browser and not have to use any of the hard disk space.
The value proposition is surely there. CloudPlayer.me will make waves in the music industry during 2011. The music industry appears to be on its last legs after their failure to deal with the Torrent industry. It seems the cloud computing industry will be the final nail in the coffin. 11 years ago the RIAA ruled against MP3.com because they allowed users to stream music on the website. Will the RIAA come after CloudPlayer.me next?
The founder of CloudPlayer.me, Adam Raymond, believes they will have to eventually. After all, the RIAA ruled the only way music can be played on the cloud is through a pay-per-stream basis. Adam has said he will stick to his guns and keep the service free. As the CloudPlayer.me service grows rapidly, he is expecting trouble from the RIAA soon enough. The question now is: Who will win the same battle that took place 11 years ago – the masses of Internet users or the government establishment? Let us know what you think in the comments.
