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Microsoft considering a subscription-based music service

Microsoft said on ZDNet's interview that it is "considering" a subscription-based music service later this year. The plan is an obvious threat to other online music stores that embrace the monthly subscription model, most notably to Napster. Napster is also using Microsoft's WMA technology and DRM service in its music store, so Microsoft's plans could work against one of its largest technology licensees.

Microsoft launched its own per-song online music store back in September, 2004, but haven't managed to topple Apple's iTunes in terms of popularity and is also lagging behind Napster in terms of customers and revenue.



According to Microsoft, the new service would offer features like playlist-sharing and would provide additional "community features" that would allow users to interact with each others.

Microsoft's announcement sent Napster's shares down by 4 percent, while Apple's share price fell 4.9 percent after the report was published.

More information:

ZDNet
BBC

Written by: Petteri Pyyny @ 14 Jun 2005 1:06

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• 4 comments

• etherz

  Still waiting for DRM-less downloads!

  14.6.2005 10:07 #1

• nonoitall

  Me too. Until I actually own what I download, they won't get a penny from me.

  14.6.2005 11:28 #2

• westbrom

  me too, getting nowt off me...
  
  
  boing boing baggies baggies

  14.6.2005 13:55 #3

• phaserule

  M$ and music, that's like having spyware providing your telephone and internet service. Hmm, do tc/ip packs hit the internet everytime you play a song?
  
  *It's a half of a glass of water, full or empty does not change that.*

  15.6.2005 12:06 #4