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Microsoft developing rival to iPod
Not surprising. Microsoft has always seemed to me like it was trying to be all things to all people. Makes for a very scattershot approach, and can be quite annoying when, say, your home computer that only you use requires username login info in order to set it up. There are certain features of XP Home that make sense on a company computer, but have no place on a one-person machine. Besides, if you bother to read the EULA of XP Home, you're not allowed to operate a business using XP Home.
One of the major reasons for iTunes' dominance in the download industry is the fact that they are the only ones providing Mac-compliant DRM! Given how popular the iPod is, and given the fact that there are a lot of Mac users in the world, it's not surprising that the webstore that provides content for Mac computers is the one that rules. Windows may be the dominant opsys, but that doesn't mean there aren't other opsys users out there, and insisting on using Windows-dependent software for selling digital content is short-sighted and foolhardy. There is a strong anti-Windows backlash out there, and it continues to build with every arrogant "Of course you need Windows" seller.
That is also part of the iTunes advantage - who wants to pay a monthly charge when you only want a few songs? Besides the question - when you have a monthly subscription, do you get to keep the files, or do they only work as long as you're subscribed? Personally, I hate paying for stuff that I can only access as long as I keep paying for it, month after month. I like to keep my files; that's why I was less than pleased with the new Napster, which I only tried after it had become a pay service.
One thing that would be an improvement, IMO, is having a web store that doesn't require users to download and install a whole new program. I have a web browser for a reason - I don't like having to use iTunes' clunky UI. Same goes for Sony Connect - took forever to get it to work for me. Users want to be able to decide for themselves which program they use to play their audiovisual files. I, personally, prefer Winamp, because it's free and customizable and works with almost everything. Others prefer Windows Media Player because that's what comes on their computers. Frankly, the number of independent software packages for playing AV files is huge, and almost every one of them has a following. To the best of my knowlege, the only reason anyone uses the iTunes software is so they can download files from iTunes' website. (I also objected to having to create a personal account complete with credit card number in order to download files labeled as free - if it's free, you shouldn't need my credit card number, thank you very much!)
Still, "hang out" at a webstore? Why in the world would anyone "hang out" at a webstore? Or any store, really? Amazon has been adding messageboard capabilities, but seriously, while I love Amazon and make lots of wishlists (and sometimes lots of purchases) there, I can't imagine going there every day to see what someone has posted about this or that book or DVD. Is this "source" trying to compare iTunes to MySpace or what? They're two totally different animals; websites with different purposes have different measures of success, and I would venture to say that any webstore selling digital content is going to have to pass on the "hang out" factor that makes MySpace and LiveJournal successful. You don't judge a sedan by its ability to pull a horse trailer, and you don't judge a work truck by its ability to carry a family of four in comfort.
I think that no one has quite gotten the hang of this digital sales world yet. The winner will be whoever finds a way to offer downloads to anyone in the world, using any opsys and any browser.
Microsoft Corp. is developing a music and video device to compete with Apple's iPod and creating its own music service to rival Apple's iTunes, sources familiar with the plans said on Friday.
Not surprising. Microsoft has always seemed to me like it was trying to be all things to all people. Makes for a very scattershot approach, and can be quite annoying when, say, your home computer that only you use requires username login info in order to set it up. There are certain features of XP Home that make sense on a company computer, but have no place on a one-person machine. Besides, if you bother to read the EULA of XP Home, you're not allowed to operate a business using XP Home.
Microsoft's software technology has provided the copyright protection framework for a number of subscription music services globally, some with well financed backers including Yahoo Inc. But Apple Computer Inc. remains dominant in the multimillion-dollar field of music and device sales.
One of the major reasons for iTunes' dominance in the download industry is the fact that they are the only ones providing Mac-compliant DRM! Given how popular the iPod is, and given the fact that there are a lot of Mac users in the world, it's not surprising that the webstore that provides content for Mac computers is the one that rules. Windows may be the dominant opsys, but that doesn't mean there aren't other opsys users out there, and insisting on using Windows-dependent software for selling digital content is short-sighted and foolhardy. There is a strong anti-Windows backlash out there, and it continues to build with every arrogant "Of course you need Windows" seller.
Most iTunes rivals charge monthly fees to access a catalog of entertainment, but some allow consumers to buy single songs for about $1 each. Microsoft's service will emphasize the pay-per-download, or a la carte, model, sources said. A subscription component will also be offered, according to early accounts of the planned service.
That is also part of the iTunes advantage - who wants to pay a monthly charge when you only want a few songs? Besides the question - when you have a monthly subscription, do you get to keep the files, or do they only work as long as you're subscribed? Personally, I hate paying for stuff that I can only access as long as I keep paying for it, month after month. I like to keep my files; that's why I was less than pleased with the new Napster, which I only tried after it had become a pay service.
One source, who has seen a demonstration of the service, said it was an improvement over iTunes.
"They have been developing technologies that have really good music discovery and community," another source said. "iTunes is the 7-11 (of music stores). You don't hang out there."
One thing that would be an improvement, IMO, is having a web store that doesn't require users to download and install a whole new program. I have a web browser for a reason - I don't like having to use iTunes' clunky UI. Same goes for Sony Connect - took forever to get it to work for me. Users want to be able to decide for themselves which program they use to play their audiovisual files. I, personally, prefer Winamp, because it's free and customizable and works with almost everything. Others prefer Windows Media Player because that's what comes on their computers. Frankly, the number of independent software packages for playing AV files is huge, and almost every one of them has a following. To the best of my knowlege, the only reason anyone uses the iTunes software is so they can download files from iTunes' website. (I also objected to having to create a personal account complete with credit card number in order to download files labeled as free - if it's free, you shouldn't need my credit card number, thank you very much!)
Still, "hang out" at a webstore? Why in the world would anyone "hang out" at a webstore? Or any store, really? Amazon has been adding messageboard capabilities, but seriously, while I love Amazon and make lots of wishlists (and sometimes lots of purchases) there, I can't imagine going there every day to see what someone has posted about this or that book or DVD. Is this "source" trying to compare iTunes to MySpace or what? They're two totally different animals; websites with different purposes have different measures of success, and I would venture to say that any webstore selling digital content is going to have to pass on the "hang out" factor that makes MySpace and LiveJournal successful. You don't judge a sedan by its ability to pull a horse trailer, and you don't judge a work truck by its ability to carry a family of four in comfort.
Microsoft joins a crowded field of competitors in the music service sector, including an entertainment device and service expected to be launched by Internet retailer Amazon.com Inc.
Amazon plans to heavily subsidize the cost of the digital device, much like wireless service companies do with the cell phones they sell, one source said. Some of the devices will come preloaded with music.
I think that no one has quite gotten the hang of this digital sales world yet. The winner will be whoever finds a way to offer downloads to anyone in the world, using any opsys and any browser.