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Microsoft launches MSN Music, calls iTunes "closed"
updated 07:55 am EDT, Wed October 13, 2004
MSN Music store launches
Microsoft yesterday officially launched its for drive-based players and 65-percent marketshare for all portable players (including flash-based devices), saying that the "iTunes Music Store, with its catalog of over 1 million songs, works with 65 percent of all MP3 players and 92 percent of all hard-drive based music players being sold today. There is a lot of customer choice happening today, it's just that Microsoft doesn't like the choices customers are making." [updated]
MSN Closed
10/13, 08:10am reply
MSN is closed. You have to be using Explorer to buy music on the site. And then assume you want to listen to your music on a cd. Does the cd player in your car play Windows media files? No.
And I already have a music player, it's called an iPod. It plays mp3s, the standard. Can I play Windows Media on it? No.
pliny
Mac Elite
Joined: Apr 2001
Not Only That...
10/13, 08:19am reply
You can only play the music in Windows. That's pretty closed to me.
Horsepoo!!!
Banned
Joined: Jun 2003
Don't make me laugh...
10/13, 08:25am reply
"A lot of people want choice and we offer that.".... coming from someone at Microsoft this makes me both laugh, and vomit...
MichaelNH
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2002
We do have a choice.
10/13, 08:34am reply
Over 80 percent of the HDD MP3 players are iPods. Sales and market share continue to go up.
Over 60 percent of all MP3 players are iPods and sales and market share continue to go up.
Sounds like the majority of people have spoken. Although Mircosoft is demanding a recount in Florida.
mouseketter
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2004
One closed system..
10/13, 08:35am reply
..versus another?
I don't have an iPod and I use iTMS.
Will C
Dedicated MacNNer
Joined: Jan 2001
Microsoft is 1 PLATFORM!
10/13, 08:46am reply
The definition of "closed" is "unusable by others" and that is EXACTLY what MS has done here. Mac users are completely unable to make this "choice".
Such propaganda.
poocat
Grizzled Veteran
Joined: Sep 2000
Will C. Great point.
10/13, 08:47am reply
That is a great point you bring up Will C.
One hears so much about (the great lie) you can only use iTunes with iPod or visa-versa.
But one can make a music purchase from iTunes and burn it to a CD and even (with the right settings and a few extra steps) buy music from iTMS and put it on any mp3 player. Not just the iPod.
But with many other music stores. They are actualy more closed end. You have to use Windows. You have to use IE browser. You have to use WMA. Wheres your choice Microsoft?
mouseketter
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2004
FireFox cant buy!
10/13, 08:57am reply
It appears that the javascript used on the buy button on their site does not work with Firefox.
This then is a truly "OPEN" and cross browser store!
(Can't say I am supprised)
simonlorenz
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Oct 2004
c***!
10/13, 09:24am reply
Wait! iTMS is a closed system? Damnit, why the h*** didn't someone tell me this before. MSN, here I come! Openness and freedom, that's what this country is about! If you all want to live in your little Stalinist world of Apple, that's fine. But my buddy Glaser says that's not what real Americans do. And now that MSN is here, all I have to do is dump my iPod, dump my Mac, dump all that controlled music I got on the iTMS, get a PC, buy new software, and start buying music at MSN, where I'll be able to do with it WHAT I WANT, NOT WHAT SOME LARGE COMPANY ALLOWS ME TO DO! And, with Apple about to go under (I read it on ZDNET or somewhere yesterday), do you really want to own hardware and music you won't be able to use in 6 months. I didn't think so.
And when I read the headline, I got scared anyway and knew I was going to do this. I thought iTunes had actually 'closed' down, and I was going to be stuck.
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
messed-up article
10/13, 09:28am reply
The second quote by Christine Andrews is a repeat of her first quote:
"In response, Apple touted its 92-percent iPod marketshare for drive-based players and 65-percent marketshare for all portable players (including flash-based devices), saying that ""ITunes has done a great job of helping to elevate the [digital music] market," said Christine Andrews, lead product manager of MSN. "We're different because Apple is a closed system. If you want Apple, you have to use the iPod. A lot of people want choice and we offer that."
Was there supposed to be a response quote from Apple?
mymacluvsme
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2004