While Microsoft may be preparing to launch Zune, its competitor to Apple, some may still remember that Microsoft has previously launched a music service back in 2004, called the MSN Music Store. However, with the Zune launch just under two weeks to go, Microsoft will be stopping its MSN music site's downloads on November 14th, to coincide with the Zune launch. From that date on, its customers will either be redirected to the Zune Marketplace service or to RealNetwork's Rhapsody service when they go to purchase content on MSN music.
Unlike MSN Music, the upcoming Zune service and players will be incompatible with existing Windows Media DRM devices, which means those who choose the new Zune service will need to replace their existing "PlaysForSure" WMA compatible player (if they have one) with a Zune media player. This comes as Microsoft is aiming to replicate Apple's success with its iTunes service and iPod series. However, as Microsoft settled with RealNetworks back in 2005 agreeing that no music service would be promoted greater than RealNetworks, Microsoft will be promoting RealNetworks through MSN Music also. RealNetwork's Rhapsody does have the advantage of supporting WMA DRM compatible hardware as well as the iPod series (purchased downloads only), so consumers who choose this route can continue using their existing player that worked with MSN Music.
While Microsoft is trying to satisfy RealNetworks, unfortunately they have already angered some of its long-time partners which include manufacturers and other online music services that use Microsoft's WMA and DRM technologies. After the Zune launch, Microsoft plans to do a make over of its MSN Music site with an aim to host live concerts, post musician interviews and make its Radio service available free of charge. MSN Music Customers who have already bought music through the service will be able to continue using the tracks as before, subject to the DRM restrictions that are in place.
At the moment, there is no clear sign in the ‘Important Changes’ section of Microsoft’s MSN Music website that its Zune service may be incompatible with customers existing MP3 players. I wouldn’t be too surprised if there will be customer’s really upset forking out on a supposedly “PlaysForSure” MP3 player only to find out that it will not play music bought on Zune, particularly if Microsoft completely leaves out support for all but Zune players.
Thanks to GristyMcFisty for letting us know about this news. Further info can be read on c|net.
