Blogcritics: Comments on Can Microsoft Spank the iPod?

Comment by TDavid

Mon, 5 Apr 2004 11:28:47 EDT

Phillip - we had this discussion, what, six months ago? :) Traditional radio and satellite radio don't compare to the BYOM (bring your own music) model. If and when users can program satellite radio stations of their own, then there could be a viable comparison. This isn't a knock on Satellite radio, though, because I'm sure there are some great stations and radio programming by others can open up new avenues of music one might not otherwise explore. But, IMHO, the comparison is apples and oranges.

Comment by Phillip Winn

Mon, 5 Apr 2004 11:08:45 EDT

Eric, I've been using a service like this for some time: It's called radio, and it's free! Oh, wait, you mean you want no commercials? Then it's called XM or Sirius satellite radio. Yeah, yeah, you can pick and choose what to play. Somehow I don't see this as worth it relative to free radio. But maybe I just live in an area with decent radio stations.

Comment by TDavid

Mon, 5 Apr 2004 09:54:41 EDT

I took a guess at how this proposed "clock" would function (see trackback). When files are transferred to the device they are ultimately going to carry the DRM licensing and there will still be a need to sync up and renew the license to a PC that has internet connection (or the device itself, if it is internet capable). For me, choosing which online music provider (and I've tried many of them) boils down to selection. To date, Rhapsody has the best selection for streaming music, and hence the reason I've been a subscriber for over six months now. Napster has more freedom than Rhapsody, but the selection isn't there.

Comment by johnboy

Sun, 4 Apr 2004 19:07:41 EDT

As long as you've got an analogue line-out and a line-in on your sound card there's no security,. Yes yes, loss of quality. 99% of the population won't be able to hear the difference.

Comment by Eric Olsen

Sun, 4 Apr 2004 16:55:16 EDT

As I understand it, you wo't be able to (legitimately) burn it to CD, but you will be able to load it to compatible players (referred to as "MP3" players, but technically it's the Windows format), but the songs will self-destruct if and when you discontinue the service, so it really is "renting." This isn't the final answer that some kind of blanket license would be that comes without restrictions of any kind, but it is a step in the right direction to have access to a vast catalog for a low price, and to be able to take it away from the computer. Please remember, however: I am a technical nincompoop.

Comment by particleman

Sun, 4 Apr 2004 16:20:11 EDT

and what's the story on the 'time-out' stuff? so when you stop paying, the file becomes unplayable, both on your PC and porta-mp3 device? will the file allow itself to be burned to cd? Eric, O Microsoft Ambassador, please enlighten me.

Comment by Jim Carruthers

Sun, 4 Apr 2004 15:47:24 EDT

The big problem is that I don't think M$ can execute it (unless they are buying a company which has actually accomplished this) since they have a really bad track record with media and networking -- they just don't get it and trying to wrap everything up in a DRM straightjacket isn't what the market wants. Trying to sell what people don't want to buy isn't their strong suit, telling them what they will buy, or else, is more where they're at.