Rumor: MS plans free song ploy to convert iPod users
Microsoft Corp. may be exploring a go-to-market strategy for its upcoming digital media player that would include giving iPod converts free access to download songs already purchased from Apple Computer's iTunes Music Store.
"Microsoft will still have to pay the rights-holders for the songs, but they believe it'll be worth it to acquire converts to their new player," the publication said. Apple, of course, could then alter the way it stores and categorizes iTunes files, rendering Microsoft's software inoperable.
Currently, songs purchased from Apple's industry leading iTunes Music Store cannot be played on competing devices, which could deter iPod owners from switching to rival players.
Recent media reports have suggested that like Apple, Microsoft plans to enter the digital media player and digital download markets later this fall with its own end-to-end model, where it will control all aspects of the inter-working technology.
In its report on the subject, Engadget corroborates rumors that Microsoft's player will include Wi-Fi capabilities and says the device will pack a screen that's "bigger than that of the iPod video."
Microsoft reportedly plans to launch the device by November and follow up in 2007 with a MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) service where Windows Mobile-powered HTC handsets will be able to communicate on the same social network as the company's digital media player.
70 Comments
It doesn't seem that long ago when Microsoft was the feared dominant invincible beast. Now, they are just floudering trying again and again to make money off of anything besides Windows and Office. This just seems like such another wasted effort by Microsoft. Here's an idea; come out with a great user-friendly product. It will never happen.
"I got a bigger wee-wee than you!"
Ploy? Floundering?
I must be losing some of my fanboyism because I don't see this as anything like that at all.
I think this is an excellent marketing decision on Microsoft's part. It's a great way to counter Apple's lock-in stragety with the iTMS (I'm amazed the record companies agreed to do it.)
If their music player and software both work on a Mac and their new music player offers things the iPod doesn't, I would actually consider switching to their product.
Realistically though, I doubt that what they come out with will be fully compatible with the Mac (if at all), and if it is, I find it unlikely that there will be enough benefit over the next iPod offering for me to switch.
As per another post I made:
Regarding the news about Microsoft giving free copies of already purchased iTunes music, this could be a good thing for some people, but it will have a very small overall affect on the market. What many people are forgetting is that most of the people who use PCs and would think about switching to a Microsoft player are the same people who don't want to bother learning new software, buying new hardware, and going through the process of moving their music (and video) library over to another program and player.
I think this is an excellent marketing decision on Microsoft's part. It's a great way to counter Apple's lock-in stragety with the iTMS (I'm amazed the record companies agreed to do it.)
If you re-read the article, you'll see that the record companies didn't give them permission to give out free songs, Microsoft is going to be paying for each of those songs (although probably at a discounted price).
I think it would be funny to install Microsoft's music player, download the free songs, and then not use them, giving Microsoft a gigantic bill for nothing.