That's messed up.

I, as a Beatles fan, thought this was a joke someone was pranking over the internet and I thought it would be completely unfair if it was real. After going to the Beatles' official website, I found that unfortunately, it is real. On December 8, “remembering” John Lennon’s death, Apple Corps. and EMI will release the whole Beatles catalog, again, remastered, again, on a USB device.



From the Beatles.com site:

Following the 9.9.09 debut of the digitally re-mastered catalogue on CD, Apple Corps Ltd. and EMI Music are pleased to announce the worldwide release of a limited edition of 30,000 Beatles Stereo USB apples on December 8th.



This unique, apple-shaped USB drive is loaded with the re-mastered audio for The Bealtes' 14 stereo titles, as well as all of the re-mastered CDs' visual elements, including 13 mini-documentary films about the studio albums, replicated original UK art, rare photos and expanded liner notes. A specially designed Flash interface has been installed, and the 16GB USB's audio contents will be provided in FLAC 44.1 Khz 24 bit and MP3 320 Kbps formats, fully compatible with PC and Mac.

Now, for the fans that already bought the Stereo or Mono Box sets (last one being the best thing ever), it would be just overkill, but it’s really not: The USB drive will include the whole stereo catalog on FLAC and MP3 formats. The FLAC format will be coded on 44.1Khz/24 bits and the MP3 format on 320 kbps. FLAC files, being 24 bit-coded, will have a better resolution than the CDs (which are 16 bit-coded) the fans spent all their savings on. Therefore, Apple is “forcing” the fans into buying something that will sound “better” in your computer’s small and puny speakers. They are targeting the audiophiles and beatlemaniacs, thinking they can get away with, once again, the line "limited edition of 30,000". Screw them.

I personally think this is outrageous and it seems EMI wants to milk the beatles cow tit as hard as possible. I can understand the fact that they want to fight bootlegging and piracy over the internet; but by doing this they are just proving they’re an enemy of the people they’re supposed to please. Why didn’t they release this USB on 09/09/09 along with the Mono and Stereo boxes? Why did they have to wait? They know there are fans out there who will buy this piece of plastic. It’s more than a rip off, it’s a slap on our faces and proof that Apple and EMI have learned not only from Allen Klein but also from the most leecherous and money-grabbing HMOs and insurance companies.

The price of this "apple" ranges in the $200, and of course, it’s just a thumb drive with the coolest music ever recorded. And those high quality FLAC files will be found by mid december over the internet. I am a supporter of fair trade policies, anti bootlegging and I bought my Beatles Mono Box Set. But in this case, I have to say: Don’t buy this junk. The sound quality will be better and you’ll have a better listening experience if you plug your computer to your Hi Fi audio system, but you’ll know EMI just stole you blind. Stick to those CDs you bought last september, in Mono or Stereo, and to those beautiful vinyl and cassette records.

Now, EMI can redeem themselves. How? They know how: by RELEASING THE BEATLES CATALOG ON BLU-RAY 192/24, the highest audio quality available, and let the music of the Beatles play on forever, or until a better format comes along.

They would be able to make more money than what they are expecting to make with the USB junk and even with the CDs. Blu-Ray format is not too widespread over the internet and it's way hard to make illegal copies of. Paul McCartney kinda suggested it on Rolling Stone: "there's always time". I guess he still needs to fix that hole in his bank account after Heathergate.

John Lennon’s ashes are spinning in a dirt devil now. George Harrison's soul will cast a Shiva curse not even Indiana Jones will be able to stop. We fans deserve better. Don't buy this USB junk.