I've had a week to mess around with iTunes, and I have to say I am quite pleased thus far. It would also appear that I am not alone in this regard, as many technology editors have been weighing in with their evaluation of the pay-music-service. There has been some discussion about Napster 2.0 slated to come out next week, though those privy to advanced beta releases of Napster 2.0, still declare iTunes to be the hands down winner. Though I do feel somewhat limited by iTunes selection of 450,000 songs, I know that this number is on the rapid increase, and it is only a matter of time before the RIAA realizes they have beaten all the money they can out of 14 year olds and turns their online media distribution ambitions over to the capable hands of Steve Jobs & Apple.
So who seems to be caught with their pants down?... THAT would be Microsoft who in a press release early this week, essentially BEGGED Windows users to avoid giving into the hype surrounding iTunes. On what grounds does Microsoft make this argument? Well, according to MS press agents, iTunes limits the music lover's right to choices when it comes to online digital media. Does anyone else think its a little funny that Microsoft, arguably one of the largest monopolies in recent history, is trumpeting the value of 'choice', as a reason to avoid their competitor’s products?
Though in an odd way, I can understand MS's desperation when it comes to Apple. Frankly, I've never been more inclined to buy an Apple computer as I have in recent months. It's also no secret that Apple is dominating the multimedia hardware market w/ devices like the iPod. The iPod is the portable digital music solution to which all other devices are compared. The only portable media device to best the iPod was the Second Generation iPod. The best Microsoft has been able to do is pay of companies like sony to develop their products to work exclusively with the Window platform. There's that 'CHOICE' they're talking about.
The bottom line is that when it comes to legitimate music download services, MS offers - oh lets see, NOTHING; a shitty media player that they force down EVERYONE’S throat, and that’s about it. I'm sure I will be weighing in with my own evaluation of Napster 2.0 when Roxio releases it as a PAY service next week, but I don't expect myself to stray from iTunes too soon because of my need for iPod interoperability.
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