ScatterTunes™ new V-album technology gains added traction in country markets with the June 8 release of product from Big Machine and Valory Music artists Taylor Swift, Reba, Jewel and Justin Moore. Other albums listed on the ScatterTunes website as available in the new V-Album format include artists Lee Ann Womack, Trace Adkins, Darius Rucker and Dierks Bentley. As part of a special introductory offer, ScatterTunes plans to give away 100,000 copies of the Taylor Swift Fearless V-Wrap which contains the added features but not the music.
The new format relies upon proprietary software which must first be downloaded and installed before one can purchase and/or enjoy the V-Album features. In addition to MP3 tracks, consumers can find lyrics, photos, videos and links to artist merchandise plus concert tickets. In order to move purchased MP3 files via this new format onto an iPod, iPhone or other MP3 player it is necessary to import the tracks into iTunes. It is possible to set a preference so that newly purchased songs always get imported, but either way it seems to create a double entry organization strategy that seems to make the process more complicated, not less.
ScatterTunes describes itself as a “unique digital kiosk…a rich media tool to purchase and manage your MP3 music. The main attractions are the immersible and interactive V-Albums that can only be purchased from ScatterTunes.” The company says its iBoard software, “will quickly become your favorite tool for purchasing and managing MP3 music.”
Well, maybe this will become a favorite tool for some, but considering how difficult country fans find it just to download a track from iTunes or Amazon, this multi-program digital software installation may pose a challenge many aren’t quite ready to overcome. In many ways ScatterTunes seems to be like an iPhone App, except that it lacks portability—you have to be at your computer to use it. That is a serious drawback to adoption. And isn’t the single biggest challenge to make purchasing easier so consumers can enjoy the music however, wherever and whenever they want?
Pricing for the V-Album features for the Lee Ann Womack, Darius Rucker and Dierks Bentley albums was $12.99—$3 more than the same albums at iTunes.
Click on the V-Albums promo video below and make up your own mind. Better yet go download the proprietary software…
Category: Featured, Label, Sales/Marketing
About the Author
David M. Ross has been covering Nashville's music industry for over 25 years. dross@musicrow.comView Author Profile
