Microsoft unhappy with HP, Apple music pact; says deal will ‘limit choice’

33 Comments

“HP’s move to release an own-branded digital-music player based on Apple’s iPod

33 Comments

  3. Let’s see, Dell and Microsoft angry over the Apple/HP announcement? I’d have never guessed. “Windows is about choice…”, that’s a good one. Reminds me of Ford. “You can choose any format you like as long as it’s WMA”. What a joke. The thing is, the consumers have already chosen. They chose the iPod, and iTMS. That’s *WHY* HP partnered with Apple! Duh!

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  4. “Over time, however, customers will want industry standard choices.”

    Last time I checked, AAC “IS” an industry standard. WMA is not. They know not what they speak.

    This type of press is indicative of ONE THING – they’re worried.

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  5. Yep, I’m sorry to say that this time, the “industry standard choice” is Apple and the iTMS, not you guys… ” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”wink” style=”border:0;” />

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  6. How is HP making a mistake by going with the industry leader in online music and mp3 players? And since when did WMA become an industry standard? It’s not a standard when it’s developed behind closed doors and then shoved down consumers’ throats. Oh, and the only choice consumers are making is not to play WMA files. The iPod can play anything else.

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  9. Hey – MicroSoft says that customers should be offered “Industry Standard Choices”…

    Got news for ya, Billy… iTunes ACC format has over 70% of the market share. It IS the industry standard!

    Tough luck, MicroSoft. ” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”grin” style=”border:0;” />

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  10. iTunes allows you to rip to MP3. How does that limit you?

    It says a lot when Microsoft includes a music player with their O/S and OEM companies THEN FEEL COMPELLED to partner with a third party (Apple) to provide an attractive product for their customers.

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  11. Fact. Everyone is getting fed up with Micro$in.

    HP made a smart move…if you can’t beat ’em, then join ’em. This instantly gives them the top of the line player with the top of the line music store and gives Apple recognition within 30% of the PC market. Dell is checking its drawers.
    I predict that within six months there will be other deals like this
    Why settle for a proprietary(sp) lower quality WMA player when you can have a higher quality AAC open source format on a licenceable hardware, not proprietary, music player.

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  14. “Windows is about choice – you can mix and match software and music player stuff. We believe you should have the same choice when it comes to music services,”

    What MS really means: any choice other then iToons/iPod helps ensure the use of Window OS, which is the choice they support. Their belief in “choice” means anything that’s made for window and has no possibility of convincing people to switch to the Mac OS. “Hey, I like this ‘iToons/iPod’ stuff, Apple seems to be a great company, let me try one of their computers this time around.”

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  15. This is the ‘genius’ of BG3. Selling people on the notion of ‘choice’.

    He convinces so many people into the idea of choosing any BRAND of WinPeeCee. But, it’s like choosing any brand of cornflakes.

    MB: When you open the box, what do you find?

    PCowner: D’uh, I dunno MacBuddy. What do I find?

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  16. This is the crock of the century. I don’t mind being limited to a “choice” of the best complete hardware and software solution.
    If your hobby is building PC’s from various 3rd party hardware vendors, then build one. But I want a longterm solution that is secure and reliable.

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  18. Again, I do see Microsoft’s argument: I can buy my PC from Dell, HP, Gateway, etc. I can buy my player from iRiver, Creative, Dell, etc. I can buy my music from Napster, MusicMatch, BuyMusic, etc. Lots of choices.

    But I’m not sure that “consumers” care that much. Consumers want everything to work seamlessly and will buy from one vendor to help insure this. In fact, HP is working on their consumer products to make sure this happens (ie, your HP camera will work easily with your HP computer).

    Hopefully, we will see Apple license Fair Play(tm) to other music stores that want to use it. It’s my understanding–but it’s tough to see through the FUD–that AAC players will play music from iTMS (Atomic Bomb, on these forums, claims it works fine).

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  20. You see people want options. They want to mix and match. They want everything to operate with almost reasonable performance (with Microsoft only products), stagnant products lacking any real imagination released in small bug-laden dribbling increments as to maximize MS profits. The Apple/HP pact threatens this beautiful utopia where mindless consumers run wild (and with perfect obedience;)
    That’s the problem bed-buddies Dell and MS have. Should be interesting!

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  21. My main concern is over FairPlay. Why hasn’t it been licensed by anyone? The other AAC devices don’t seem to be FairPlay aware. I have no doubt that AAC is here to stay, but for legal downloads WMA seems to be heavily adopted. The music sellers that use AAC, and that have made deals with the labels, seem to be creating their own security measures rather than adopting FairPlay. Why is that?

    I’m starting to see Microsoft’s point of view, but it’s not the sound format that matters–it’s the DRM. If a consumer wants to spend a lot of money building a digital music collection, they want to feel sure that it will be playable on all the newest hardware for many years to come. Not just iPods and the like, but the bigger sound systems that will inevitably appear. Next-gen supersound Tivos will probably support WMA, MP3, and AAC. Will they decrypt FairPlay files?

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  25. Is an AAC/Fairplay file downloaded from the iTunes Music Store playable on any other portable digital music player other than the iPod?

    If i drink alot of Pepsi and get a lot of free downloads from the iTunes Music Store, do i have to get an iPod to play them on the go, or will any other players work?

    Reply

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