No MySpace…No Problem

Strangely enough, Apple's retail team took action to block MySpace at the stores, with the intent to…what? Well, it's not quite as obvious as it seems. There are only a few possibilities: the Web site is sapping too much bandwidth, it contains inappropriate content, it attracts an undesirable visitor demographic, or it generates long-term visits that tie up the display computers. Which one do you pick? Bandwidth is never a problem for Apple, who probably has plenty of clout with telecom providers to increase their Internet pipes. MySpace might have some racy content, but it certainly isn't a porm showcase. It would be disappointing to believe that Apple is trying to discourage visitors who typically surf MySpace--which actually has been trending higher lately, with over 40% of them in the 35-54 age range. And lastly, does Apple really believe that disconnecting MySpace is going to free up those display computers? Those who come to surf MySpace long-term will simply move on to an alternate social networking sites, or start playing games, iChat with people or tie up the computer some other way. What increment of MySpace visitors to the stores are going to stay away entirely, or move over to the iPod display tables? Ten percent, 30 percent, 80? They'll be lucky if it's 10 percent. And in any event, behind every MySpace Web surfer is another person waiting for the display computer, ready to check their mail, compose a letter or tie up the computer some other way. Apple bought themselves some blogger headlines with the MySpace blocking, but not much relief from the crowded computers.