Russ (The NDP Group), the moderator, started the panel with some stats and current numbers…including that ninty five percent of cell phone users haven’t downloaded or sideloaded music onto their device. Wow…

BUT…

Dave Jaworksi of Passalong says his discussions with Palm revealed that seventy percent of people who had a device that was capable of holding/playing music did listen to music on their phone.

Scott from Amazon says “every decision is made based on customer patterns.” Yay - Their number one customer response (they’re really working on making sure they get feedback) has been…

“Thank you.”

Double Yay.

The format and the pricing and the value is resonating. People get it. And they appreciate it.

Same thread came up in this panel as yesterday - doesn’t matter how cool the technology is…it has to work. My grandma has to be able to use it and not worry about all the restrictions, loopholes, format wars, and technical hiccups getting in the way and causing unnecessary headaches and frustrations.

Scott Ambrose Reilly from Amazon - check out the store they recently launched…other than recommending Reba McEntire for me [shudder] it’s a great start and here’s hoping a big industry upset…

Some of the questions for the panel…not many were addressed by the speakers unfortunately…

UPDATE: I spoke too soon - next week Amazon is launching their digital music affiliate program. Cool.