Microsoft Opens MSN Music Store

pbranes writes "Microsoft has opened their online music store today with 1 million songs and it will be officially opened tomorrow when Windows Media Player 10 is released. Music costs $0.99 and $9.90 for albums ($0.09 less than iTunes). Also, music is at a higher quality - 160kbps VBR. You can browse the site with Mozilla, however, ActiveX is required for full functionality so IE is required to use the store. Also, Microsoft takes a hit at Apple for not licensing iPod functionality to third parties (kind of ironic when ActiveX is required to use the site).... If you are an iPod owner already and unhappy about this policy, you are welcome to send feedback to Apple requesting that they change their interoperability policy."

Comments

Funny pattern

[Zareste]

First, Apple invents the first major GUI but makes some dumb decisions; Microsoft rips it off and makes billions.

This happens over and over for years. Now, Apple invents the first major online music store but makes some stupid decisions (FairPlay); Microsoft rips it off, removes the 'stupid decision' part and probably makes billions. I'd swear Apple is TRYING to give MS the monopoly.

Re:AllOfMP3

[delus10n0]

I'd love to use AllOfMP3, but they don't take American Express. Worthless.

Their model of "fill up your account with credits and then download" is a bit flawed as well. I just want to be able to select a track/album, and download it ala iTunes. Bill me automagically, please. Not in these blocks/chunks.