[Am-info] Microsoft: iTunes Store too limited for Windows users

[Mitch Stone]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/mc/20031017/tc_mc/ 
microsoftitunesstoretoolimitedforwindowsusers

Microsoft: iTunes Store too limited for Windows users

By Jim Dalrymple MacCentral

On the eve of the iTunes Music Store introduction for Windows-based  
personal computers, Microsoft's General Manager, Windows Digital Media  
Division, Dave Fester posted his thoughts on iTunes for Windows. In his  
comments, Fester concludes that iTunes is too limited for Windows users.

"Unless Apple decides to make radical changes to their service model, a  
Windows-based version of iTunes will still remain a closed system,  
where iPod owners cannot access content from other services," said  
Fester. "Additionally, users of iTunes are limited to music from  
Apple's Music Store ... this is a drawback for Windows users, who  
expect choice in music services, choice in devices, and choice in music  
from a wide-variety of music services to burn to a CD or put on a  
portable device. Lastly, if you use Apple's music store along with  
iTunes, you don't have the ability of using the over 40 different  
Windows Media-compatible portable music devices. When I'm paying for  
music, I want to know that I have choices today and in the future."

When asked how the iTunes Music Store differs from Windows-based  
services, Fester talks about Napster ( news -web sites ) and the  
different types of options it will offer users. Fester concludes that  
it will be the best experience that ultimately wins over consumers.

"All told, music fans should look for services that offer the best  
experience and take advantage of the best digital media platform  
available on Windows. With Windows Media 9 Series, you get faster  
starts, better quality music, and support for the most devices," Fester  
said.

For its part, Apple still feels they have the best offerings in the  
market today and didn't seem too worried about Fester's comments.

"If someone buys music from another source and it can't play on the  
number one digital music player, that would probably be very  
disappointing for them," Rob Schoeben, Apple vice president of  
Application Product Marketing, told MacCentral. "With our solution, we  
provide seamless integration of all the component parts that you want  
and it creates a compelling enough experience that you can do what you  
want to do and that is enjoy music."

"We think the leading portable music player, the leading music store  
and the best jukebox is a fantastic offering for consumers," said  
Schoeben.