I’ve been thinking a lot about music availability (or the lack of) lately.

As it stands, you can buy a CD, or download music (legally or not). There’s really not been a lot of crossover between the online world of music and the slowly-fading record store. I once loved going to a record store, especially a used one, to buy CDs or just to see what was available. Now, I get my music almost exclusively online. I stopped shopping at an actual store when I bought my iPod.

I found myself wishing there was a way to tie online shopping and physical shopping together. Turns out, there is, in the form of a digital media kiosk. I had the idea, but I wasn’t sure if anyone had developed such a thing yet. It has been developed by a couple different kiosk companies, but I’ve yet to see any record companies or chains adopting it.

Here’s the basic idea. A mall, record store or other retail establishment places a kiosk at their location. The kiosk, likely complete with a touch-screen or keyboard, would be linked to an online digital music/media store. You would search for the music you want, then swipe your credit card to purchase the tracks. Alternatively, there could be Paypal support or the option to login to an account that could be billed. A USB port on the kiosk would allow for the delivery of music files to your device. Obviously for iPod, there would need to be a bit of software to allow transport to the iPod, but most other players could be attached and downloaded to with no problem.

What if the USB port malfunctions, there’s a power outage or other issues before you can get your music? Each transaction will include a unique code, which stores what files you’ve purchased. This code could be printed on a receipt or emailed to you. This would allow you to take your device to a different kiosk or home to your personal computer, enter the code, and download the files. This would, of course, have to be limited to a certain number of downloads. For instance, you can use the same code to view/download your MP3s 3-5 times. Another bonus to using a limited use code system is the possibility of gifting MP3 downloads from the kiosk. Stop by the kiosk, enter a friends email or mailing address, and a code is sent to them so they can download music at home or a kiosk nearby.

Speaking of MP3s, the kiosk would certainly need to carry a standardized media format, preferably MP3, so that any PMP or USB flash drive could be used to download the tracks.

I really think the kiosk would be a great idea. You hear a song on XM, on the radio, or while sitting in a restaurant, and you want to get the song before you forget what it was? Go to the nearest kiosk and download it!

Well, that’s my food for thought today, I am off to work. :)