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

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

[alienw]

Are you retarded? Apple songs are encrypted. You can't decode them unless someone cracks the DRM. Thus, you can't play them on Linux any more than you can play WMA files (which are, incidentally, quite well supported by mplayer -- unless there's DRM).

what it's worth to who??

[bninja_penguin]

First off, all my macs run Linux, as they are too old to run OSX, and I don't have an iPod, so I don't really know the answer here: Are you saying that with Apple's music service, you can't swap out the songs whenever you like?? They are forever and only on that one iPod?? As for "owning the bits," with that comment, I feel you're attempting a large troll. I mean, I could say, gee, how much is worth owning a house to you?? $200,000 dollars to own, vs. $8,400 dollars a year to rent?
In a major kharma burning move, I must say, you must be one of those people who like to lease their vehicles, rent their place of residence, and license their software on subscription terms, yet "own" a pet. Why don't you try owning something, anything....
Or you could just fuck off with your comments, and go back to your safe little world where you must enjoy the feeling of paying someone a monthly fee, forever, (at least until the lease is up), then having to do it all over again, with someone else, for the same thing, and never getting to do what you really would like to do with what ever it is you're renting. I have never seen a lease or rental agreement where I could add a patio deck to a house, or put a lift kit on a 4X4 that's leased, or on and on and on. Just go away......