iTunes eyes 1 billionth download

Much as my love of dear little iPod knows no bounds, I'm a little wary—and maybe weary, too—of Apple's current promotion celebrating the impending download of the 1 billionth iTunes song. I mean, it's a big deal for them, but for me, all I really care about is how long I can hold out before the cult of iPod pressures me into buying a video iPod, even with my 20-GB one not yet full. (Oh, and when Apple is going to drop the name iTunes for something more suitable.) The prizes seem a little quirky too, with the exception of the free iMac. A $10,000 iTunes gift certificate? Well, I guess, but it seems somehow exhausting. Ten 60-GB video iPods? You wouldn't have to buy gifts for the family for a while. And what about this "prize"? "Apple will create a full-ride scholarship in your name to a world-renowned music school." What if the winning downloadee's (made-up word!) tastes run toward Celine Dion? Now here's my idea of a grand prize—an iPod-compatible BMW. Endowing a music school can wait. Link via TUAW.

—Posted by Catharine P. Taylor

February 7, 2006 | Permalink