Music industry to sing a new tune - Your Life - technology forecasted to deliver music to consumers faster and cheaper - Brief Article

USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education), Jan, 2004

In the next few years, going to the mall to pick up the latest compact disc by the newest band or pop star will be a thing of the past, proclaims futurist Eric Garland. As wireless devices grow less expensive and consumers become more comfortable buying online, traditional methods of music delivery will become obsolete. "As wireless communications, recording, digital funds transfer, and other technologies progress, it will be easier and less costly for musicians to reach their audience;' he told the World Future Society, Bethesda, Md.

By forgoing pressing, trucking, and warehousing discs as well as avoiding other costs associated with merchandising, tomorrow's musicians will get their songs to the public quicker. "In the future, wireless broadband Internet will make music into nearly a pure service industry. Hard goods will rarely be invited to the party when consumers can purchase the service of music either directly from the artist or from virtual record companies."