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Microsoft Unhappy With HP's iTunes Decision

rbrandis writes "The general manager of Microsoft's Windows digital media division David Fester has suggested that iTunes' emerging dominance would be bad for consumers, because it would limit them to the iPod, as opposed to limiting them to Microsoft based products. In a moment of what must have been an attempt at ironic humor he said, 'Windows is about choice - you can mix and match software and music player stuff. We believe you should have the same choice when it comes to music services.'"

14 of 1,020 comments (clear)

  1. choice by Kevin_Cedrone · · Score: 0, Troll

    And in this instance, I believe Microsoft is right.

    I would pay for the mp3s I had if I wasn't required to have an iPod.

  2. Hang on... by Cosmik · · Score: 0, Troll

    I'm sure Microsoft as intellectual property rights on monopolies.

    We've had the warm-up match, now I want tag team action!

    Microsoft & SCO VS Apple & Linux

    Let's get ready to ruuuuuuummmmbble!!!

  3. Ipod choice by KarmaOverDogma · · Score: 0, Troll

    I think Microsoft's main complaint here, and I agree with them, is that if you want to use the popular iTunes service, you have no choice but to use an iPod.

    It probably would be more fair to all to be able to use the iTunes service without having to use an iPod exclusively, but that would require all the other mp3 player types to play nice with each other (very unlikely) and iTunes (Apple) probably is not inclned to be this accomodating given the fact that their distribution product (iTunes) is doing just fine, thank-you.

    In essence, Microsoft is complaining about the same type of quasi-monopolistic practices that it has been engaing in for quite some time, which make them the quintisential case of the pot-calling-the-kettle-black.

    But they just so happen to be right, IMO.

    .

    --
    uR iGn0ranc3, Their Power
  4. HP is sad by 110010001000 · · Score: 0, Troll

    What a sad end to a once-proud engineering company. HP is now reduced to flogging low margin gizmos in an effort to survive. Carly truly needs to be removed.

  5. dirty tricks by RedyBubble · · Score: 0, Troll

    Yeah, your perhaps right.
    But Apple don't have to try dirty tricks : no one want to compete with ITMS on the "so-small" mac-market :)

    Mac-addict.

  6. further evidence poster is a moron by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Troll

    "In a moment of what must have been an attempt at ironic humor he said, 'Windows is about choice - you can mix and match software and music player stuff. We believe you should have the same choice when it comes to music services.'"

    The quote is 100% accurate. MS provides an OS that allows 3rd party aplications to run under it. He didn't say anything about compatibility with other OS's. The studipity as /. never ceases to amaze me. The only irony is that a supporter of a company whose business model is to lock you into their hardware using their software, would dare criticize MS, oh wait that's hypocrisy, not irony. MS and Apple are both guity. Apple is not taking the high road here.

  7. Re:Convicted Monopoly by geekee · · Score: 1, Troll

    " One Platform: x86"

    If by one platform, you mean 4 processor companies, countless motherboard makers, etc. then yes. With Apple you get 1 motherboard maker, Apple, in boxes made by one company, Apple. If you don't see the difference..., well lets just leave it at that. "One Version: whatever they haven't killed updates and support for, today."

    The only reason win98 support was threatened was due to Sun lawsuits over Java, and their implications for MS legally selling win98, so blame sun if you don't like MS retiring a 5 year old os. Sure MS is upset they're not seeing a piece of the business, but that doesn't mean their point isn't valid. Apple and Sun both do it. They get you hooked on their OS, and then your stuck buying their hardware.

    --
    Vote for Pedro
  8. Re:Apple Choice vs. Microsoft "Choice" by ps_inkling · · Score: 1, Troll
    And Apple, for all their ills as far as co-opting technology in ways distressingly similar to Microsoft, has never been known to utterly decimate the competition or actively belittle or disparage them.

    Ask independent dealers.

    Since the opening of the company-owned stores, the smaller distributers of Apple products have slowly been squeezed out of the market. Required minimum orders have increased, margins have decreased, and many small shops have either closed or consolidated.

    I cannot find the article, but Apple has used the Macintosh registration process to harvest e-mail addresses in order to lure customers who bought their Macintosh from a distributer/dealer to purchase accessories from the Apple store at a discount to the dealer price.

    As an Apple dealer, I wouldn't wait too long to sell the business. Apple will continue to squeeze all of the dealers out of the market, concentrating on locations where an Apple store is already present.

  9. Re:choice? by The+Patient · · Score: 0, Troll
    Your free web-based e-mail account can end in either msn.com or hotmail.com... your choice!

    Incorrect. Several other free web-based e-mail applicatons run on Microsoft operating systems.

    You can browse the web with either Internet Explorer or MSN Explorer... your choice!

    Incorrect. Several other browsers run on Microsoft operating systems.

    You can read your e-mail with Outlook Express or Outlook... your choice!

    Incorrect. Several other e-mail applications run on Microsoft operating systems.

    You can use Windows XP Home or Windows XP Pro... your choice!

    Incorrect. Microsoft is not able to force you to run a Microsoft operating system.

    You can use WMA files with any music player that has paid the appropriate fees to Microsoft, plenty of choices available in the market!

    Correct. A plethora of players support WMA.

    You can get WMA files from any music service that has paid the appropriate fees to Microsoft, plenty of choices available in the market!

    Correct. A plethora of services exist which provide WMA files.

    As you have said, there are plenty of choices.

  10. Cool. now I know Uncle Fester's first name. by Ralph+Spoilsport · · Score: 0, Troll
    David.

    What a mouthpiece for Satan. I often wonder how people like that sleep at night.

    RS

    --
    Shoes for Industry. Shoes for the Dead.
  11. Re:NEWS FLASH! by Wesley+Willis,+RIP · · Score: 0, Troll

    Anyone know what this guy is talking about?

  12. Re:Bad for consumers? by Troed · · Score: 0, Troll

    Only an (american) idiot considers the above "Insightful".

    Globalization - Communism in disguise

  13. Re:People may hate Windows Media Player... by clontzman · · Score: 0, Troll

    That's funny, because iTunes also supports multiple players and platforms.

    What players other than the iPod does it support?

    Ah, the iPod mini. Thanks.

  14. Now I see how to get modded up by delinx32 · · Score: 0, Troll

    I don't usually read MS bashing threads, but the rest of the news blows today. Aparently all I have to do is say MS sucks to get modded +5.

    MS Sucks!
    MS Sucks!

    I said it twice, now you owe me 10.

    --

    --
    Ah screw it, you're not paying attention anyway.