On March 19th 2015, it was announced that music streaming services had earned more revenue than CDs in 2014. The news is a reflection of new figures released by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America). The figures also show that digital downloads are also in decline, while sales for vinyl are on the rise.
Revenue from streaming services such as Pandora, Spotify, YouTube, and Vevo reached $1.87 billion dollars in 2014, while CD sales accounted for $1.85 billion dollars. The margin is small but may be evidence that streaming services could at some point become the music industry's top revenue gainer.
Over all physical sales were still strong. Physical sales were responsible for 32% of the market while streaming only accounted for 27%. The RIAA maintains that over all music industry revenues remained flat in 2014. In light of that fact, what do to the streaming numbers mean? While some may say that this is clear evidence that music fans prefer not to own their own copy of their favorite releases, the resurgence of vinyl would suggest otherwise.
Even with its modest gains in the last several years, the fact that people are returning to the vinyl format says a lot about the long form presentation's ability to provide the consumer with something that they physically own. Also, while steaming has managed to over take CDs, it has yet to undo digital downloads, even though sales of downloads are in decline. The biggest problem that streaming services face, is how much they are willing to pay recording artists whose content they depend on heavily.
If artists continue to feel that streaming is devaluing their music, their will continue to be more of them pulling their music from those services. Right now, everybody want to get in on what looks like a good thing. But, without the music of recording artists, the whole thing will not happen. It is possible, however, that this is just a shakeout period as new technologies begin to reach more and more people, and the newness of said technologies begins to wear off. If in time this turns out to be the case, then what we may one day find, is a balance between virtual and physical platforms.
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Mysterious Lights on Dwarf Planet, Ceres
On February 19th 2015, The NASA Dawn spacecraft took photos of two bright spots on the dwarf planet Ceres, in the asteroid belt. The photos, which were taken at a distance of 29,000 miles, revealed a second spot of light in addition to a first spot which was observed in photos taken at a distance of 238,000 miles on January 16th 2015.
Both bright spots appear to lie within the boundaries of a crater. Scientist aren't sure what these bright spots are. One theory is that since the lights seem to disappear as they rotate into darkness, that it's likely that they are areas of salt. It is also being suggested that the lights could be lava or the result of some kind of volcanic activity.
The Dawn spacecraft entered orbit around Ceres on March 6th, 2015 at 16 percent of the distance between the Earth and the Moon. The space craft is 310 million miles from the Earth. The Dawn spacecraft was launched in September of 2007 with a mission to investigate the two most massive bodies in the asteroid belt, Vesta and Ceres. It explored the asteroid Vesta between 2011 and 2012.
The Dawn spacecraft is due to pass into a black out period when it passed behind the sun. Scientist at NASA expect the the spacecraft to transmit even clearer photos by mid to late April 2015, when it becomes visible again. If all goes well the Dawn spacecraft should reach its science mapping orbit by December 2015 and complete its primary mission by June 2016.
Both bright spots appear to lie within the boundaries of a crater. Scientist aren't sure what these bright spots are. One theory is that since the lights seem to disappear as they rotate into darkness, that it's likely that they are areas of salt. It is also being suggested that the lights could be lava or the result of some kind of volcanic activity.
The Dawn spacecraft entered orbit around Ceres on March 6th, 2015 at 16 percent of the distance between the Earth and the Moon. The space craft is 310 million miles from the Earth. The Dawn spacecraft was launched in September of 2007 with a mission to investigate the two most massive bodies in the asteroid belt, Vesta and Ceres. It explored the asteroid Vesta between 2011 and 2012.
The Dawn spacecraft is due to pass into a black out period when it passed behind the sun. Scientist at NASA expect the the spacecraft to transmit even clearer photos by mid to late April 2015, when it becomes visible again. If all goes well the Dawn spacecraft should reach its science mapping orbit by December 2015 and complete its primary mission by June 2016.
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Solar Plane Attemps Round The World Flight
On March 8th 2015, a solar powered airplane named the, "Solar Impulse 2," took off from Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. The planes pilots, Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg are attempting to fly their plane around the world. The plane flew the first leg of its journey 910 miles to Muscat and Oman at a speed of 45 kilometers an hour. The flight took 13 hours.
The "Solar Impulse 2," is very light. It weighs less than 5,070 pound or about as much as a full sized pickup truck. It has a wingspan of 236 feet which is wider than a 747. Its has four electric motors with propellers each measuring 13 feet in diameter. The "Solar Impulse 2," is a solo pilot craft with an unheated and unpressurized cockpit that measures 3.8 meters. Inside is a reclining couch seat that has a removable bottom for a toilet.
The aircraft is powered by lithium-ion batteries that are recharged by 17,000 solar cells. Piccard and Borschberg are attempting to be the first to fly around the world using only the power of the sun, in an effort to show that the technology can be used to reduce the use of fossil fuels. They believe that solar power is the fuel of the future and view it as a source of clean, renewable energy,
The "Solar Impulse 2," is very light. It weighs less than 5,070 pound or about as much as a full sized pickup truck. It has a wingspan of 236 feet which is wider than a 747. Its has four electric motors with propellers each measuring 13 feet in diameter. The "Solar Impulse 2," is a solo pilot craft with an unheated and unpressurized cockpit that measures 3.8 meters. Inside is a reclining couch seat that has a removable bottom for a toilet.
The aircraft is powered by lithium-ion batteries that are recharged by 17,000 solar cells. Piccard and Borschberg are attempting to be the first to fly around the world using only the power of the sun, in an effort to show that the technology can be used to reduce the use of fossil fuels. They believe that solar power is the fuel of the future and view it as a source of clean, renewable energy,
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
More Serbian Craters
On February 24th 2015, it was announced that two mysterious craters found in Serbia last July were not the only ones. Researchers have now found a total of seven craters so far, and it is believed that it is possible that there may be more. Two of the craters have turned into lakes, while another is rimmed by 20 mini craters.
Vasily Bogoyavlensky, a scientist with the Moscow based Oil and Gas Research Institute has called for more and serious research of the cause of the craters. He believes that rising global temperatures may have caused the permafrost to melt. This melting in turn has caused pockets of methane trapped beneath the surface of the ice to explode, releasing the gas into the atmosphere.
Five of the craters are located on the Yamal Peninsula, while another crater labeled B2 is located in the Yamal autonomous district, which is home to a major oil field. Bogoyavlensky's concerns are two fold. Workers in the oil fields may be at risk from explosions of pressurized gases if there is more melting of the ice. His other concern, is that more methane being released into the atmosphere may add to rising global temperatures. This could cause more ice to melt.
Bogoyavlensky says that he doesn't want to scare anyone, but it is known that even though methane doesn't last long in the atmosphere, it can however cause more of an increase in climate change than CO2. He say that not enough is known about how the craters were created and an urgent investigation is needed.
Vasily Bogoyavlensky, a scientist with the Moscow based Oil and Gas Research Institute has called for more and serious research of the cause of the craters. He believes that rising global temperatures may have caused the permafrost to melt. This melting in turn has caused pockets of methane trapped beneath the surface of the ice to explode, releasing the gas into the atmosphere.
Five of the craters are located on the Yamal Peninsula, while another crater labeled B2 is located in the Yamal autonomous district, which is home to a major oil field. Bogoyavlensky's concerns are two fold. Workers in the oil fields may be at risk from explosions of pressurized gases if there is more melting of the ice. His other concern, is that more methane being released into the atmosphere may add to rising global temperatures. This could cause more ice to melt.
Bogoyavlensky says that he doesn't want to scare anyone, but it is known that even though methane doesn't last long in the atmosphere, it can however cause more of an increase in climate change than CO2. He say that not enough is known about how the craters were created and an urgent investigation is needed.
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Apple's Beats Integration Plans
It was announced on February 4th 2015, that Apple is in the process of integrating Beats Music into iTunes as it works to create a new subscription music service to rival Spotify. Apple will not just create a Beats app for iPhones, iPads, or Macs, but it will deeply integrate Beat into its mobile iOS, iTunes Media Store, and even, Apple TV.
Beats Music users will be able to merge their existing accounts with Apple/iTunes IDs. The mobile app's design will move away from the Beats' traditional red and black and will have a user interface that has the look and feel of iTunes. There will also be new social features added for sharing music and playlists. A search feature will allow users to search for any song in either the iTunes or Beats catalogs. It will also be cloud based.
Apple had hoped that it would be able to release the new service by March 2015, but it has been in negotiations with the major labels in an effort to offer the new service at a lower price than Spotify. Right now, Spotify's service is being offered for $9.99 a month. Apple had been trying to get a deal that would allow them to offer their service for $5.00 a month. However, Apple was reportedly able to reach an agreement that will allow them to offer its new service for $7.99 a month.
Apple's new streaming service will be available for android as well as iOS. This will be the first time that the company has created an app for android as an in house project. However, no Windows phone app will be available. Because of delays in the negotiation process, Apple may be forced to wait until its annual WWDC (World Wide Developers Conference) in June, to announce the release of its new streaming service.
Beats Music users will be able to merge their existing accounts with Apple/iTunes IDs. The mobile app's design will move away from the Beats' traditional red and black and will have a user interface that has the look and feel of iTunes. There will also be new social features added for sharing music and playlists. A search feature will allow users to search for any song in either the iTunes or Beats catalogs. It will also be cloud based.
Apple had hoped that it would be able to release the new service by March 2015, but it has been in negotiations with the major labels in an effort to offer the new service at a lower price than Spotify. Right now, Spotify's service is being offered for $9.99 a month. Apple had been trying to get a deal that would allow them to offer their service for $5.00 a month. However, Apple was reportedly able to reach an agreement that will allow them to offer its new service for $7.99 a month.
Apple's new streaming service will be available for android as well as iOS. This will be the first time that the company has created an app for android as an in house project. However, no Windows phone app will be available. Because of delays in the negotiation process, Apple may be forced to wait until its annual WWDC (World Wide Developers Conference) in June, to announce the release of its new streaming service.
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Clouds Over Mars
On February 16th 2015, it was announced that scientists had no explanation for the appearance of cloud plumes seen rising above the surface of Mars. The data being used was provided by amateur astronomers who first observed the clouds in the spring of 2012.
The cloud like plumes were enormous, reaching a height of 250 km above the Martian surface. The most logical of explanations is that the clouds were caused by either ice crystals or carbon dioxide gas. But due to the thinness of the Martian atmosphere, neither explanation seems plausible. One of the plumes developed in about 10 hours and lasted for 11 days.
Apparently, this was not the first time that the clouds of Mars had appeared. A look through the Hubble Space Telescope image archive from 1995 to 1999 and from 2001 to 2014 revealed an occasional cloud at the limb of Mars, but only at a height of up to 100 km. However, one set of images taken from Hubble on May 17th 1997 did reveal an abnormally high cloud plume similar to those that were seen in 2012.
Some scientists believe that the clouds might have been the result of an aurora like those found at the north and south poles here on earth. The northern and southern lights here on earth are caused by charged particles emanating from the sun and colliding with the earth's electromagnetic field. Mars does not have a magnetic field. Instead it only has pockets of magnetization, of which one cloud was observed over such an area.
But to explain the 2012 incidents, an aurora would have been 1,000 times brighter than the northern lights. There was not enough solar activity to produce that effect. So it is, that the clouds on Mars continue to go unexplained.
The cloud like plumes were enormous, reaching a height of 250 km above the Martian surface. The most logical of explanations is that the clouds were caused by either ice crystals or carbon dioxide gas. But due to the thinness of the Martian atmosphere, neither explanation seems plausible. One of the plumes developed in about 10 hours and lasted for 11 days.
Apparently, this was not the first time that the clouds of Mars had appeared. A look through the Hubble Space Telescope image archive from 1995 to 1999 and from 2001 to 2014 revealed an occasional cloud at the limb of Mars, but only at a height of up to 100 km. However, one set of images taken from Hubble on May 17th 1997 did reveal an abnormally high cloud plume similar to those that were seen in 2012.
Some scientists believe that the clouds might have been the result of an aurora like those found at the north and south poles here on earth. The northern and southern lights here on earth are caused by charged particles emanating from the sun and colliding with the earth's electromagnetic field. Mars does not have a magnetic field. Instead it only has pockets of magnetization, of which one cloud was observed over such an area.
But to explain the 2012 incidents, an aurora would have been 1,000 times brighter than the northern lights. There was not enough solar activity to produce that effect. So it is, that the clouds on Mars continue to go unexplained.
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Earth's Inner Core Has An Inner Core
On February 10th 2015, it was announced that scientists have discovered that there is an inner core within the inner core of the earth. A team of researchers at the University of Illinois used seismic waves from earth quakes to make this astonishing discovery.
What makes the inner-inner core so unique is the way that the iron crystals, which the inner core is made of, align. The iron crystals of the inner core align north and south along the earth's axis. The iron crystals of the inner-inner core, however, align east and west along the plane of the equator.
While multiple components of the inner core have been suggested some 10 years ago, this is the first time that a distinction in polarity has been determined. The discovery was made using technology that collects data from the resonating waves of a tremor's aftermath. The jolt from an earth quake is similar to that of a hammer striking a bell.
It was noted by one of the researchers that the coherent signal enhanced by the technology is clearer than the ring itself. When the scientists looked through the inner core, they discovered that it had some complex structural properties. The inner-inner core is believed to be about half the size of the inner core, and could hold some clues to how the earth evolved.
What makes the inner-inner core so unique is the way that the iron crystals, which the inner core is made of, align. The iron crystals of the inner core align north and south along the earth's axis. The iron crystals of the inner-inner core, however, align east and west along the plane of the equator.
While multiple components of the inner core have been suggested some 10 years ago, this is the first time that a distinction in polarity has been determined. The discovery was made using technology that collects data from the resonating waves of a tremor's aftermath. The jolt from an earth quake is similar to that of a hammer striking a bell.
It was noted by one of the researchers that the coherent signal enhanced by the technology is clearer than the ring itself. When the scientists looked through the inner core, they discovered that it had some complex structural properties. The inner-inner core is believed to be about half the size of the inner core, and could hold some clues to how the earth evolved.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)