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Microsoft's Music Subscription Service

Posted by Zonk on from the itunes-has-company dept.

An anonymous reader writes "In a bid to compete with Apple's iTunes music service, Microsoft is planning to set up its own subscription-based online music store later this year. It is said to be working with record labels and copyright holders in preparation for the launch. Last September, the company unveiled its MSN-branded music site but it didn't have a subscription plan." From the article: "The tentative features of the new service -- which is still under development -- include advanced community aspects and playlist-sharing. But sources say Microsoft is also considering a more direct attack on Apple, seeking rights from copyright holders to give subscribers a new, Microsoft-formatted version of any song they've purchased from the iTunes store so those songs can be played on devices other than an iPod."

11 of 364 comments (clear)

  1. Summary. by Eric_Cartman_South_P · · Score: 4, Funny

    1) Every idiot in PC Magazine will go "WOW! Can't wait"
    2) Store opens up. Late.
    3) User interface sucks.
    4) iTunes keeps on truckin'.

  2. Caution: sarcasm follows... by TripMaster+Monkey · · Score: 3, Funny


    Music online???

    Boy, that Microsoft sure is innovative...

    ^_^

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    ~ |rip/\/\aster /\/\onkey

  3. Whew by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Oh, thanks goodness. I was afraid the RIAA already made the music industry as soulless and profit-hungry as it could get.

  4. DRM by Poromenos1 · · Score: 3, Funny

    so those songs can be played on devices other than an iPod.

    But only once...

    --
    Send email from the afterlife! Write your e-will at Dead Man's Switch.
  5. Me Too! by Horrortaxi · · Score: 2, Funny

    Mother: Now Microsoft, if all the other companies jumped off a bridge it doesn't mean that you have to.
    Microsoft: Of course it does!

  6. naaaahhhhhhh........ by rwven · · Score: 2, Funny

    Microsoft copying off someone else? Imagine that??!! Seriously, mod me down if you want, but does MS EVER do anything first or on their own? This is so pathetic is makes me wanna spit...

  7. Re:.mp3 format? by porcupine8 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Hey, you're right! You should go tell the RIAA that, I bet they'll let Apple switch as soon as they hear your well-reasoned argument.

    --
    Warning: Apple/Nintendo fangirl. Likes her electronics cute & cuddly. May be rabid.
  8. My Hero by flood6 · · Score: 5, Funny
    "give subscribers a new, Microsoft-formatted version of any song they've purchased from the iTunes store so those songs can be played on devices other than an iPod."

    Thank God we have Microsoft to save us from vendor lock-in!

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    SEO Firefox Extension
  9. Re:Do we really nead another one? by SpinyNorman · · Score: 3, Funny

    This one's got Microsoft innovation built in - Clippy support.

    "I see you're downloading from iTunes - would you like to switch to MSMusak.com instead?"

  10. Re:Dude Bill by pixelpusher220 · · Score: 5, Funny

    I believe he's successfully stayed away from the 'Quality Software' niche, no? ;-)


    --
    People in cars cause accidents....accidents in cars cause people :-D
  11. Yay! by arootbeer · · Score: 2, Funny

    Free music from Microsoft!*

    <legal>*Free music may not be available at product launch. However, music is expected to be available for free within 48 hours of the release of this product. For more information please consult your local software cracking consortium. No, of course you don'thave a local software cracking consortium. All rights rese...hey! Give those back!</legal>