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The Apple iTunes Store is a technological breakthrough that may go down in history as one of the biggest paradigm's shifts in the music industry. I cannot remember such a major change in the distribution of a product as the Apple iTunes store. It's possible that a single business model built around the highly successful Apple iPod will be a primary contributor to the almost certain extinction of many of today's retail music outlets within the next couple of years.

Move over CD stores, and make way for this Store. With a better selection, pricing than any CD store could ever provide, it is easier to integrate with the iPod than any other store. Because no one has sold more songs, or become a driving force for more expansion of the kinds of media available to download (legally), the iTunes Store also provides an integrated experience with a digital media player. It is no shock that online music stores like Rhapsody and Napster would like to be more like the iTunes store especially since it is a great service, along with an amazing selection of albums and songs to search, preview and buy.

However, with every great service, there is a drawback. The store's main obstacle is that if you try to download a lot of content, you end up spending a lot of money. Services like eMusic that offers a flat-fee plan has become a very attractive alternative to this store. In time, it is possible they could follow eServices concept, but with their current pricing and contract models, it won't happen anytime soon.

The author is an independent internet publisher and often shares valuable consumer information. He frequently writes about consumer tips related to Apple's iTunes store and articles how to utilize the iTunes music store to download MP3's to your iPod.

Source: www.articlecity.com