Microsoft Prepares Alternative To Apple iTunes

bmarklein writes "According to CNET, Microsoft is working on a version of its DRM software that supports expiration of files on portable devices. Combined with a subscription service like Pressplay (soon to become Napster) that allows unlimited "tethered" downloads, you'll be able to fill up your high-capacity player with new music for a flat monthly fee. Of course it will expire once you stop paying the sub fee, but which do you think is the better deal: $7500 to fill a 30GB player (7500 songs at $1 each) with iTunes Music Store, or $120 a year with the ability to swap in new music whenever you want? How much is it worth to you to "own" the bits?"

Comments

Not out Yet

[Anonymous Coward]

. . . but already a failure.

Surely not even the RIAA...

[AtomicX]

Surely not even the RIAA is mad enough to trust Microsoft with the security of its' music? Oh wait...

Do my eyes deceive me?

[crashnbur]

Or is that a Slashdot story with a bias in support of a Microsoft product over an Apple product?! I thought I'd never see the day...

But, seriously, a flat rate makes a helluva lot more sense to me than a per-song rate. Some songs are longer/better than others, and I'd hate to have to pay the same dollar for Blur's "Song 2", which kicks ass but is barely two minutes long, as I have to pay for Metallica's "One", which is arguably as good in its own ways and is nearly four times as long.

Penny per Megabyte or flat monthly rate, whichever is cheaper! Every body wins!

Don't overpay for music

[briggsb]

Like apple users are doing.

Re:7500 songs in 30 GB = 4MB/Song??

[Anonymous Coward]

Will it work on Linux (that would be interesting from Microsoft) ?

Nah, you're probably going to have to stick with the generous, loving people of Apple for their superior cross platform music delivery to get music on Linux, unlike those evil people at Microsoft. Oh wait....

Why?

[Migrant Programmer]

At the risk of coming off as a low-down thief (aren't we all...), why on earth would anyone do this? If you have access to a store and you're looking to load items in your pockets, I see no incentive when you can get any item you want, as many as you want, FOR FREE with a quick grab or using one of the dozens of shoplifting techniques now available.

There are, as I see it, some advantages to buying the item (directly support producers, etc.), but what's the incentive to buy this unless the customer is so clueless that they do not even know about shoplifting?

Re:7500 songs in 30 GB = 4MB/Song??

[Anonymous Coward]

Funny how wild, incorrect, and easily verifiable negative conjecture about MS always gets modded up, isn't it? Same with any incorrect, and easily verifiable positive statements about Apple (or Linux).

Hey, maybe microsoft will require a new license every DAY you'd need to obtain over the phone (toll call) for each PC you have every single time you want to boot your PC. They might require some brain implant to look at the screen, too. You never know, they ARE Microsoft. Apple, on the other hand, will begin to incorporate time-release cancer fighting chemicals in the keyboard and mouse with each new mac they sell! Apple INNOVATES!

Now mod me up, bitches.

Re:I like owning my music

[TheRaven64]

CD: $10.
Song from iTunes: $0.99
Not paying a cent to Microsoft: Priceless

Geez

[Anonymous Coward]

Can Apple do anything without Microsoft copying them?

Rent or Buy and own?

[joshsnow]

I'd rather buy and own. That goes for anything - The house that I live in, the car that I drive, the clothes that I wear (unless I'm attending a one-off function) THE MUSIC THAT I LISTEN TO etc.
Kinda like do you get married or rent a woman...
Ok, so this is slashdot...

Re:How much is it worth?

[evilviper]

SARCASM:

I have spent a total of $0 on Gnutella, and I can say that the user experiance is very good, and with the "Download Queue" feature I could easily download $100 worth of songs, without even noticing. ;-)