"If you build it they will come"

That is exactly what IF Music did and yes…they are certainly coming!

Just a few years ago who would have imagined that you could store your entire music collection on a tiny device you can hold in your hand? These days for less than $200 you can buy an iPod that will hold 30,000 four minute songs…that is 2000 hours of music or over 83 days, 24 hours a day without a single repeat of a track!

It was not too many years ago that we all had jewel cases stacked everywhere that comprised our music collections and many of us still do. Before that those of us of a “certain age” collected our music on vinyl and it was not uncommon to see large stacks of albums stuffed into crates taking up huge amounts of space and often getting scratched or ruined in the process. A collection of over 2775 LP albums can now be carried with you on a single iPod or MP3 device. That is over 60 milk crates worth of albums in your pocket!

But enough with the mathematics…the bottom line is that today’s music collectors can collect vast amounts of music, far beyond what we did in our youth, while keeping it all right in the palm of their hand! Every so often milestones are announced that put into perspective how far we've come, the direction we're heading and hopefully give us a peek into the future. The milestone announcement of the first digital camera reminded us of how much photography has evolved putting film developers and traditional camera makers on notice that things were about to change. The same could be said for other milestone announcements: the first car, the first mobile phone, the first VCR etc., etc.

Before you let out a yawn, consider the following: since its introduction just a few years ago the MP3 music file has had a significant impact on our lives in a relatively short period of time. Even if you've never owned a computer, this data file and the devices that evolved to hold them has changed your life. This is evidenced in the closure of music stores by the thousands and the rapidly disappearing CD format from the remaining stores. While a declining selection of CD’s is still available in most major department stores they are rapidly taking a course that cassettes, 8-tracks, LP’s, 45’s and 78’s have taken over the past 50 years all thanks to the popularity and ease of digitally downloaded MP3 music and the amazing array of low cost devices that hold it and play it in every conceibable way. For those whose massive collections of music exceed 2000 hours, hard drives are available four under $100 enabling users to store a Terabyte or 17,066 hours…almost two years worth of non-stop music on a single device the size of a paperback book. For many the massive choice of music available coupled with the incredible and inexpensive technology has made the hobby of collecting music an obsession or what can almost be affectionately called an addiction…and all thanks to this new technology which continues to grow by the minute.

As can happen with all change there can be some very positive aspects that are lost along the way. Certainly the ability to socially enjoy and purchase music outside of the home and with friends in a public setting is one of these. In years gone by record stores were an important part of the community, particularly for those 25 and under in age. What music you didn’t learn about or share in the record store could be easily achieved by the juke box in the local pizza parlor or hamburger stand. While those days are long gone the desire for people, and particularly young people, to get out of the home, socialize with friends and discuss, debate, enjoy and buy music is stronger than ever.

Virtually anything today can be purchased over the internet or via the phone for home delivery. Clothes, video games, DVD’s, restaurant food, or any other consumable is available at the touch of a mouse or phone key yet people flock to malls, restaurants, shops, etc. We are truly social creatures and the desitination is often secondary to the journey and the company that is involved…all outside the confines of home. DVD kiosks continue to expand and flourish despite the massive selection on cable TV, the internet and the availability of inexpensive mail order DVD rentals simply because they are an convenient, inexpensive way to interact outside the home even when the interaction is with an innovative machine, though more often this evolves into a discussion with other like minded customers who frequent the kiosks. After a few of these successful interactions the new way of purchasing quickly becomes a conditioned habit and the new method replaces the old very quickly.

We have spent years researching, developing and refining the IF Music kiosk so that it will instantly deliver those enjoyable, social, fun, convenient interactions for everyone from small children to seasoned techophiles to the most senior of citizens…all of whom share a love of music and a desire to be out of the home. With each successful test we have continued to refine our kiosk and service to deliver more value, more excitement and more fun to the point where the world’s finest retailers have actually beat a path to our door looking to enhance their customers lives and rekindle the excitement of the record store or the pizza parlor in an entirely new way. At the same time the worlds experts on music enjoyment…the record companies, from major labels to small independents all know that the MP3 format is the way of the future and all lament the lack of new, public, social, fun ways to enjoy these. They too have seen, touched and trialed the IF kiosk with huge success and yet we insisted we would make it better still.

No matter what the product is nothing will ever take the place of an out of home experience. We believe that something this important, this new and exciting demands perfection in every aspect of its appearance, construction and operation. We have achieved this and we thank you for your patience…it will have been well worth it we promise!!