05-18-2006, 04:15 PM
http://www.itworld.com/Tech/5051/060516msmtv/
Microsoft Corp. on Wednesday will release a beta version of Windows Media Player 11, a more stylish version of its media software that mimics the sleekness of its main competitor, Apple Computer Inc.'s iTunes.
The media player will be launched in conjunction with an online music store from MTV Networks that has been integrated with Microsoft's media software, allowing users to search and download songs and albums. The partnership, announced in January, unites two industry giants -- Microsoft and MTV -- against Apple's market-leading iPod media players and iTunes music store.
MTV's music service, called Urge, will have an online catalog of 2 million songs. Users will be able to download single tracks or albums, similar to iTunes, or pay a monthly subscription fee to access to the entire catalog, a feature offered by other rivals such as Yahoo Inc. and Napster LLC. MTV will charge US$0.99 cents per song and $9.95 for most albums.
...
It's a direct face-off, since songs from the Urge service will not play on the iPod, just as songs from iTunes can't be played easily on non-Apple devices.
Microsoft Corp. on Wednesday will release a beta version of Windows Media Player 11, a more stylish version of its media software that mimics the sleekness of its main competitor, Apple Computer Inc.'s iTunes.
The media player will be launched in conjunction with an online music store from MTV Networks that has been integrated with Microsoft's media software, allowing users to search and download songs and albums. The partnership, announced in January, unites two industry giants -- Microsoft and MTV -- against Apple's market-leading iPod media players and iTunes music store.
MTV's music service, called Urge, will have an online catalog of 2 million songs. Users will be able to download single tracks or albums, similar to iTunes, or pay a monthly subscription fee to access to the entire catalog, a feature offered by other rivals such as Yahoo Inc. and Napster LLC. MTV will charge US$0.99 cents per song and $9.95 for most albums.
...
It's a direct face-off, since songs from the Urge service will not play on the iPod, just as songs from iTunes can't be played easily on non-Apple devices.
