Ringtone Success Doesn't Mean Mobile Music Success
The success of ringtones has led some to believe that downloading music will be a killer 3G app. But analysts at Ovum warn that the two are not connected. Ringtones are about personalization. Downloading music is about instant gratification. The problem with the latter is that there are a number of less expensive ways to cure your music craving. The key for mobile music applications is to compliment existing channels, not replace them. And given the lackluster efforts by the labels for wired download services, there is no reason to believe they will offer anything compelling for wireless users anytime soon.
