Hindsight · review build · data not yet validated
Digital objects such as books, music albums, movies, and software are rapidly distributed as data files through the wireless network, and typically do not have a physical object associated with them.
Grader A: partial
Digital distribution was large but not typical across media in 2009. Digital channels were 27% of global recorded-music revenue in 2009; e-books were small (Kindle sold about 1.5-3 million units by end 2009; 17-21% of Americans read an e-book only in 2011-2012). Movies and software were still mostly sold on discs. Most delivery was wired broadband, not wireless.
Test: Share of media sold without a physical object: music about 27% of revenue in 2009 (above 5%, below majority); books well under 5% in 2009; e-book reading reached about 21% of Americans in 2012.
Grader B: partial
Music went digital first: digital sales passed physical by 2011. E-books were about 3% of US trade sales in 2009 and grew only into the 2012 period; movies and software were still mostly on disc in 2009. Most downloads went over wired broadband with Wi-Fi at the edge.
Test: Share test: digital music ~40% of US sales in 2009 (>5%), majority 2011; e-books 3% 2009, >20% ~2012; across all media mainstream only 2012-2014.