Despite many legal download services using Microsoft's Windows Media technology to deliver their DRM protected tracks, it is not up until recently that Microsoft have announced their plans to join in and start up their own music download service to compete with the rest. Microsoft have previously announced a DRM music store in Europe back in August and expects to offer a US based service via their MSN Website sometime next year.
Microsoft has a clear advantage over the rest as it owns the Windows Media format and nearly all computers have already got Windows Media player. Finally with their very deep pockets, they have no problem tinkering with the price-per-track to beat the competitor's 99 cent pricing. It looks like they will aim for more song downloads rather than earning a profit from it since music download services are not very profitable anyway. So far, Microsoft has declined to announce pricing information, DRM/CD burning restrictions or any further details.
iTunes despite originally being a Macintosh only download service has proven very popular and has served over 17 million downloads to both Mac and Windows customers since its launch back in April. GristyMcFisty submitted the following article from Yahoo via our news submit :
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A company spokeswoman confirmed that Microsoft's MSN Web site will offer such a service, but declined to provide further details. Industry analysts who have been expecting Microsoft's entry say the software giant could shake up the new, fast-growing business of downloadable tunes. The Redmond, Wash.-based company's dominant Windows operating system gives Microsoft powerful leverage, and its deep pockets could allow it to undercut competitors. The marketplace for legal online music services is about to get more crowded with tech behemoth Microsoft Corp. entering the fray. In addition, Microsoft's Windows Media Player '” software that plays music and video files on computers '” is already pervasive, and can be easily adapted to facilitate an online music store from Microsoft. Apple, which helped jump-start the online music business, said it has sold more than 17 million songs for 99 cents each since it launched its iTunes Music Store in April. Since then, a dozen rival offerings have emerged or on the horizon, including services expected from Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Sony Corp, Dell Inc. and Amazon.com. "The current (music) era has all the characteristics of a gold rush," said Phil Leigh, an independent industry analyst with Inside Digital Media. |
It will be interesting to see how well Microsoft do as with a good majority of the population already having the necessary software on their PC and an MSN passport (Hotmail) account, it is just a matter of pulling out a credit card and start downloading. While iTunes have previously ported their iTunes to Windows, Microsoft has done the same vice versa by porting their latest Windows Media player 9 to the Mac. It is not clear if Mac users will be able to use their service like how Windows users can now purchase from the iTunes service.
One problem Microsoft may face is that users who do not like using the Windows Media Player software will be unlikely customers for their download service. This is quite different from the Macintosh side where nearly all Mac music lovers are very happy with its iTunes jukebox application.
Discuss and read more about music download services and file sharing on our Music Downloads, P2P & Legal Issues Forum
Source: Yahoo Technology News
It's a piece of shit! Also, if sends information back to Microsoft.com et al when u r not looking. One way to find out is set up a firewall to block all outgoing traffic to MS. If you are not connected to Internet then WMP is smart enough not to "complain" that it can't "dial out".
Anyway, Linux-based users should have already ditched WMP garbage 
Don't beat about the bush icepax, tell us exactly what you mean...
Apparently Windows Media Player does actually report to Microsoft what songs you are listening to, particularly if you listen to WMA tracks. I knew someone use to love the WMA format due to Microsoft’s claim to be superior to MP3 and use to download their tracks in WMA format preferably over MP3. When they installed Windows Media Player 8 (at the time), over 200 of their WMA tracks were revoked as they have been reported as illegally distributed. Top news
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