Months after the Google/Lala.com fusion, it would seem a review is in order. Lala.com, originally an online record store (literally, exchanging records/cds, shopping for rare finds, fan sharing, pubescent Pink Floyd fan in the corner riddling the mystery of Dark Side’s coincided timing to The Wizard of Oz) It’s all there.
The site has since spanned to operate as a digital retailer with a twist. Allow profiled users to listen to EVERY song EVER (in the spans of its catalogue, obviously) once, and then allowing users to purchase web versions of the song to stream within their Lala.com profile, or purchasing a downloadable version of the song. These features, combined with users ability to upload their music library and listen countlessly to those songs as well create a nice appeal to the site, as it should.
combative to iTunes, Lala.com Users can upload and listen to their music library ANYWHERE with internet, and with a mobile application in the works, Lala.com would be within hands reach at ALL TIMES. iPods are great but they don’t have a feature to view related artists, check out their bios, see pictures and discover tangental artists without having to access iTunes, and if you’re going to take that step, why not visit Lala.com and hear songs in their entirety?
If that wasn’t encouraging for people to sign up, Lala.com gives you 25 credits for signing up and 5 credits for referrals. That is, 25 songs that you DON’T have to purchase, but instead get to reap the web streaming rewards of unlimited listening.
This is all great for the music listener and mobile enthusiast, however, there’s one draw back.
A BIG DRAW BACK.
There is no security. All that’s required is an active email address. That’s it.
So to prove a point, I have created 5 profiles, each having pseudonyms that may OR MAY NOT be that of my siblings, and have listened to THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON (yes, I am now that kid!) FOR FREE BECAUSE OF MY CREDITS I RECEIVED BY REFERRING MYSELF! (ALL CAPS)
herewithstanding, i will be withdrawing from the left-hanging key from the “a”, i will bargain with those users to refrain from excessive profile creation, and give lala.com a true try, if you haven’t already. it does house a unique network of artists and has exposed new ones to me daily.
though it is like a screen door catching solar winds, it does keep the flies out and lets you enjoy those sweet sweet sunrises. until a new adaptation is assembled, one that houses the interests of both publishers and retailers, lala.com has my card, and i have them on speed dial.
That’s right, Apple has announced today, May 1st, that as of May 31, Lala music service will be no longer available (never say fired). All your Lala purchases will be converted to iTunes Store credit and made available for you as well, so Apple’s got your back.
