Microsoft To Launch Music Store With No iPod Support

By Alexis Kayhill • Wednesday, August 25, 2004 • Home » Commentary »

The key with Microsoft’s entry into the music market is marketing ability. Rolling Stone says Microsoft has the ability to funnel 350-million Internet users a month to their online music store through Hotmail, Messenger, and various MSN sites.

Is this serious competition for Apple’s iPod, iTunes, and iTunes Music Store?

“Microsoft is joining an increasingly competitive field. In the past year, high-profile stores have been launched by Wal-Mart, Napster and RealNetworks. Wal-Mart sells songs for eighty-eight cents, eleven cents less than iTunes or Microsoft. Many of the online stores seem to be timing promotional efforts to coincide with Microsoft’s launch.”

Both the iPod and online music sales have been hot the past year. Apple has sold over 4-million iPods and it’s the number one portable music player. The iTunes Music Store claims approximately 90-percent of the legal online music market.

According to Rolling Stone: “Microsoft is joining an increasingly competitive field. In the past year, high-profile stores have been launched by Wal-Mart, Napster and RealNetworks. Wal-Mart sells songs for eighty-eight cents, eleven cents less than iTunes or Microsoft. Many of the online stores seem to be timing promotional efforts to coincide with Microsoft’s launch.”

Click Here for the full Rolling Stone article.

Editor’s Note:
What will happen? Will incompatibility upset Apple’s iPod customers who won’t (easily) be able to move Microsoft music to their iPods? Will HP’s branded iPod help keep Apple competitive? Or, is this deja vu and 1984 all over again?

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For a Point-Counterpoint review of Microsoft’s entry into online music sales, read “Microsoft Declares War Against iPod and iTunes Music Store.” Click Here for the details.

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Classy Mac360 Photo By Alexis Kayhill | I'm a 20 year Mac user veteran, writer, photographer, wife, and mommy. I live in sunny San Diego with my husband, three children, two dogs, one mean old cat, and an SUV with a back seat full of beach sand. Follow me on Twitter.

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