Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Microsoft to Launch Online Music Store

Posted by samzenpus on from the everyone-else-has-got-one dept.

yonnage writes "Microsoft is expected to enter the online song store market this week, which should put the software giant head-to-head with Apple Computer in the music business at last. The launch of Microsoft's iTunes rival will be timed along with the beta release of Microsoft's new Windows Media Player 10, expected on Thursday, sources say. The store will also be in beta mode, lacking some of the features that will be added later, sources said."

9 of 416 comments (clear)

  1. From the bonus disc by Lord+Grey · · Score: 5, Funny
    "The big business goal here is Microsoft wants to promote the Windows format to sell more PCs and to get people to upgrade," Directions of Microsoft analyst Matt Rosoff said.
    Director: Cut. OK, that's a wrap.

    Rosoff: Wasn't I supposed to say this bit about how we allow customers to burn downloaded playlists ten times?

    Director: Oops. Sorry. I forgot to blank that out.

    Rosoff: And what's this Apple logo doing over here?

    Director: Like I said, I forgot to blank some things out. We're done. Thanks. Go home.

    --
    // Beyond Here Lie Dragons
  2. It's about time! by romper · · Score: 5, Funny

    Finally, an alternative to the monopolistic Apple iTunes!

    Oh, wait...

    --
    Right is wrong when left is right.
  3. RIAA:Microsoft::plump:fat by paiute · · Score: 5, Funny

    The RIAA should love to be associated intimately with Microsoft for the same reason that a plump girl should hang out with fat girls - to look good by comparison.

    --
    If Slashdot were chemistry it would look like this:Cadaverine
  4. Monopolies of the world- Unite ! by cbelt3 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Let's see- Micro$osft unites with RIAA and MPAA. Next up will be Micro-Pec Oil, Micro-China Manufacturing, etc.... Does anyone else see the impending doom ?

  5. Next week's article... by k4_pacific · · Score: 4, Funny

    A group of hackers announced today that they have cracked the DRM on Microsoft's new online music. Upon hearing the news, Steve Ballmer responded by getting mad and punching a hole in the wall.

    --
    Unknown host pong.
  6. Re:Prediction by TopShelf · · Score: 5, Funny

    Many around here think Microsoft has been a big pile of Number Two for quite a while now...

    --
    Stop by my site where I write about ERP systems & more
  7. Funny quote... by farzadb82 · · Score: 4, Funny
    "The store will also be in beta mode, lacking some of the features that will be added later, sources said"

    Isn't this how all their software works ?

  8. Lacking features by Hieronymus+Howard · · Score: 5, Funny

    The store will also be in beta mode, lacking some of the features that will be added later, sources said.

    Like security?

  9. Re:Monopoly hadware versus monopoly software by Curunir_wolf · · Score: 4, Funny
    Except that WMA is the *worst* music compression format ever, bar none (assuming, that is, you have ears).

    Converting a song to WMA is kind of like bootlegging a concert by sitting in the nosebleed section of a coliseum and recording with a palm-sized dictaphone with a built-in mic. Sure it sounds a *little* like the music. But who would want to listen to it. Much less *pay* for it.

    I'd rather listen to my dad play Glenn Miller Orchestra tunes on a kazoo than be subjected to anything encoded in WMA.

    Don't even get me started on all that "Please wait while we contact the server and check out your license to play this song..." crap that goes in Windows Media Player.

    If this is going to be the competition for iTunes, they've got nothing to worry about.

    --
    "Somebody has to do something. It's just incredibly pathetic it has to be us."
    --- Jerry Garcia