"Jobs correctly predicted that attempts by the major labels to find a technological solution to piracy would fail. When it came to subscription music services, he said the public would reject them."
I think most people on HN have predicted the same thing. To create something like iTunes, presumably a huge army of lawyers was necessary. Not saying that other people could have been as successful, but it was definitely not something some guy in a garage could have done, because of the legal issues.
An army of lawyers, plus a brilliant rock-star entrepreneur usually described as "the smartest man in the room" who can pull it off, based on smarts and bravado.
Definitely not saying just anybody could have done it, with enough lawyers on his hand. Also the iPod itself probably helped (I guess it was part of the sales pitch to the music industry).
I think most people on HN have predicted the same thing. To create something like iTunes, presumably a huge army of lawyers was necessary. Not saying that other people could have been as successful, but it was definitely not something some guy in a garage could have done, because of the legal issues.