MTV and Microsoft to launch itunes competitor

Mattress · 15th May 2006, 15:26

MTV, Microsoft Team Up to Take On iTunes

Quote:

At launch, Urge will have more than 2 million tracks, which can be purchased individually at 99 US cents or as full albums starting at around $9.95.

The service also will offer unlimited downloads at a monthly rate of $9.95, or $14.95 for the ability to transfer songs to any of more than 100 compatible portable music players.

Initially, Urge will also feature streaming videos, with video downloads becoming available for purchase later this year.

Urge will also be the featured music service on Microsoft's media player, which will continue to have built-in links to several other services.

Quote:

Also, like established rivals RealNetworks' Rhapsody and Napster, Urge is not compatible with Apple's Macintosh computers or its market-leading iPod digital music player.

They're not really competing with itunes if it's not iPod compatible. That's just dumb.

zootm · 15th May 2006, 16:30

Apple won't let anyone be compatible, with DRM, unfortunately.

Mattress · 15th May 2006, 17:53

if they really wanted to make a killing they would sell in MP3 format. Or FLAC, then even Scor would be in on the action.

gaekwad2 · 15th May 2006, 17:58

zootm · 15th May 2006, 18:22

Quote:

Originally posted by Mattress
if they really wanted to make a killing they would sell in MP3 format. Or FLAC, then even Scor would be in on the action.

Nice to think, but wouldn't work.

xzxzzx · 15th May 2006, 18:39

Quote:

Originally posted by zootm
Nice to think, but wouldn't work.

Why not?

zootm · 15th May 2006, 19:11

Because that's not a major selling point. To think that there's a substantial number of people avoiding online music stores because of DRM is a fantasy, and not backed by the numbers. Not to mention the fact that DRM is demanded by several large labels, which is outwith the control of both MTV and MS.

If you're not after music from such labels, there's already several online stores which operate without DRM (and without dodgy Russian loopholes, to boot).

Mattress · 15th May 2006, 20:24

I dunno, I think it might be great a selling point. Works on pretty much any portable player, make as many 'backup' copies as you want, burn it onto a CD, whatever.

No limits to fair use rights. I'm sure people who currently shop at itunes don't really like the limits imposed on them.

zootm · 15th May 2006, 22:08

The problem is that even when they do care, it doesn't hugely discourage them. It doesn't seem to be a huge factor. Unfortunately.

Omega X · 15th May 2006, 23:10

ON another tip:

WMP11 is looking awesome. Even on XP.

ITs really starting to waver my loyalty for Winamp.

Though is sorta reminds me a little of Songbird.

xzxzzx · 15th May 2006, 23:48

Quote:

Originally posted by zootm
Because that's not a major selling point. To think that there's a substantial number of people avoiding online music stores because of DRM is a fantasy, and not backed by the numbers. Not to mention the fact that DRM is demanded by several large labels, which is outwith the control of both MTV and MS.

If you're not after music from such labels, there's already several online stores which operate without DRM (and without dodgy Russian loopholes, to boot).

It won't "work", or it won't happen?

fastingaciu · 16th May 2006, 02:17

Quote:

Originally posted by gaekwad2
[Image]

zootm · 16th May 2006, 07:38

Quote:

Originally posted by xzxzzx
It won't "work", or it won't happen?

Won't work. Unless all companies allow their music to be released with DRM (which won't happen in the near future), and even then the change may not be hugely significant.

drewbar · 16th May 2006, 07:57

Every week a hardware company releases a "iPod killer" which flops. Every month a content company releases an "iTMS killer" which flops as well.

Besides, give if a few months and there will only be the top three albums left in the store and just a bunch of crappy TV shows to download.

Omega X · 16th May 2006, 17:57

Quote:

Originally posted by drewbar
Every week a hardware company releases a "iPod killer" which flops. Every month a content company releases an "iTMS killer" which flops as well.

Besides, give if a few months and there will only be the top three albums left in the store and just a bunch of crappy TV shows to download.

That's because none of them can get it right.

Microsoft is starting to get it with WMP11 but as for content providers...well...no.

And as for DAPs, it seems that none of them can create an intuitive enough interface. Creative got it half way right. but the rest are just iffy.

15th May 2006, 17:53	#3
Mattress Forum King Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 4,577	if they really wanted to make a killing they would sell in MP3 format. Or FLAC, then even Scor would be in on the action. Besides shooting out a big blank from your buttock, you can feel as if your root chakra leaked sweet hot mucus.

15th May 2006, 20:24	#8
Mattress Forum King Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 4,577	I dunno, I think it might be great a selling point. Works on pretty much any portable player, make as many 'backup' copies as you want, burn it onto a CD, whatever. No limits to fair use rights. I'm sure people who currently shop at itunes don't really like the limits imposed on them. Besides shooting out a big blank from your buttock, you can feel as if your root chakra leaked sweet hot mucus.

16th May 2006, 07:57	#14
drewbar Sawg 2.0 Major Dude Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 5,916	Every week a hardware company releases a "iPod killer" which flops. Every month a content company releases an "iTMS killer" which flops as well. Besides, give if a few months and there will only be the top three albums left in the store and just a bunch of crappy TV shows to download. Count with us! Jan 1st, 12AM (PST, GMT -8) 2010 - 282,246

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15th May 2006, 16:30	#2
zootm Forum King Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: the nether reaches of bonnie scotland Posts: 13,375	Apple won't let anyone be compatible, with DRM, unfortunately.

15th May 2006, 17:58	#4
gaekwad2 Foorum King Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: bar2000 Posts: 11,457

15th May 2006, 19:11	#7
zootm Forum King Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: the nether reaches of bonnie scotland Posts: 13,375	Because that's not a major selling point. To think that there's a substantial number of people avoiding online music stores because of DRM is a fantasy, and not backed by the numbers. Not to mention the fact that DRM is demanded by several large labels, which is outwith the control of both MTV and MS. If you're not after music from such labels, there's already several online stores which operate without DRM (and without dodgy Russian loopholes, to boot).

15th May 2006, 22:08	#9
zootm Forum King Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: the nether reaches of bonnie scotland Posts: 13,375	The problem is that even when they do care, it doesn't hugely discourage them. It doesn't seem to be a huge factor. Unfortunately.

15th May 2006, 23:10	#10
Omega X Forum King Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: A Parallel Dimension Posts: 2,253	ON another tip: WMP11 is looking awesome. Even on XP. ITs really starting to waver my loyalty for Winamp. Though is sorta reminds me a little of Songbird.