Plays-For-Sure… but only on Windows.
Just read this very good article that highlights the hypocrisy of those on the Microsoft side of the fence who keep challenging the iPod’s closed system with FairPlay and AAC.
I think what the pundits have missed is the fact that Apple offers a cross-platform solution for its iTMS, iTunes and iPod trio for both Mac and Windows users covering nearly 100 percent of all desktop computer users globally while Microsoft and its PlaysForSure initiative is a purposely designed Windows-only strategy, totally negating any cross-platform compatible option
A good read. I wish a few blinkered journalists would read it.
PlaysForSure - On Windows-only!
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The difference is the same reason why it’s okay for Apple to add a browser to its OS, but not okay for MS to do it. It has to do with monopoly power. MS can’t do things a minority OS can do because they are a defacto monopoly. Certain actions are anti-competitive.
The same is true for Ipods. Apple using a closed system for Ipods is different than anyone else because Apple controls 75% of the market. When they do it, it’s anti-competitive, while in this area Microsoft is the bit player.
Beeblebrox,
I think you missed Chris’ point that with the iPod, Apple is more open (because it supports Windows as well as OS X) than Microsoft. Sincre, Microsoft with their PlaysForSure inciative only support their operating system.
Don’t see how you can blame Apple for being monopolistic with their music player when they support Windows which accounts for around 90% of operating systems out there. On the other hand, Microsoft is afraid to support Mac OS even thought it accounts for only 3%.
Just my 3 cents.
Linux currently has at least 3% marketshare and I don’t see Apple officially supporting it themselves. iPods run on Windows because they *have* to; nobody besides Mac users would even be able to use them if they didn’t. While Microsoft is obviously in the wrong for only supporting their operating system, I don’t think Apple is Mother Teresa for supporting Windows, especially when every other aspect of their product is locked into Apple (can any other MP3 player be used in iTunes? if that program was developed by a company that didn’t sell their own MP3 player it would…). At least Microsoft’s solution doesn’t lock everyone into a Microsoft MP3 player (not that it wouldn’t be the case if they actually had one). - Said by an ex-Linux-user/now-iMac-owner.
I think you missed Chris’ point that with the iPod, Apple is more open (because it supports Windows as well as OS X) than Microsoft. Sincre, Microsoft with their PlaysForSure inciative only support their operating system.
That’s like saying that Windows is “more open” because it runs on more hardware than OS X. It’s an irrelevant point. Running on Windows doesn’t count for anything for either player. In terms of sheer availability, all that means is that 97% of consumers have access to ITMS, while 95% have access to WMP. And it doesn’t make it “more open.” It’s not “open” in any way, shape, or form.
Ipod users can only use ITMS, and Ipods have 75% of the market share. That means that 75% of the market has no choice but to use ITMS. That’s a defacto monopoly and it changes the way they can do business in the same way MS’s monopoly on the OS changes what it can do.
And since thus far Apple refuses to license its DRM, it means that 75% of all revenue from both music player sales and music store sales goes directly to Apple. It would be like Microsoft controlling both the OS and the hardware to run it. Not very pretty.
The statement that iPod users can only use ITMS is false. My iPod is full of mp3s from eMusic, from band and label websites, ripped from my cds, etc. How, exactly, am I being forced to use ITMS? I might buy this argument if the iPod only played DRMed AAC files, but the last time i checked, mp3 was an open format that anyone could choose to support. I’m also not locked into Apple’s AAC format. All I have to do is burn an audio cd from my purchased files, and I can then re-import them in any format I want. Sure it’s not perfect, but I’m not LOCKED IN like I would be if ITMS were to start using WMV files. Yes, it’s sort of a lesser of two evils issue, but I don’t understand how Apple, the company with the LESS RESTRICTIVE system is the bad guy here.
The statement that iPod users can only use ITMS is false.
We’re not comparing formats here. After all, the PFS players also play mp3s ripped from CDs and downloaded from non-DRM sites. Some of them also play wmv format, which does make them a little more flexible.
The issue here is music STORES and how you purchase music. And IF you want to BUY music for your Ipod, you are locked into ITMS. Likewise, if you want to buy music from ITMS, you can only put it on an Ipod. That’s the system we’re comparing here with Windows PFS DRM.
Yes, it’s sort of a lesser of two evils issue, but I don’t understand how Apple, the company with the LESS RESTRICTIVE system is the bad guy here.
Apple’s system is actually more restrictive, but that’s not really the point. Even if it were only as restrictive, the fact that it’s a defacto monopoly changes the way it is able to do business.
To use the OS analogy again, Windows is actually LESS restrictive than OS X, since you are not locked into MS hardware, but it’s STILL a monopoly and it’s still limited as to what it can do because of it.
iPods run on Windows because they *have* to; nobody besides Mac users would even be able to use them if they didn’t.
I agree. Windows compatibility for the Ipod has nothing to do with being “open.” Apple wants Ipod to dominate the market, and they can’t do that if the Ipod only works with Macs. If they were interested in opening up the system, it would work with all music stores, but it doesn’t. The only music store it works on in Windows is the one owned by Apple.
And IF you want to BUY music for your Ipod, you are locked into ITMS.
This is simply NOT TRUE. As I stated above, I have PURCHASED music from eMusic, and from both band and label websites that I can play on my iPod. How am I locked into ITMS?
And, on the other hand, if I want to buy music from ITMS and put it on my PFS player, all I have to do is burn an audio cd and reimport it as mp3 files. Can the same thing be said for converting files from a PFS store?
I think it is a great overstatment of the importance of the Mac market share to say that the itms/ipod closed system is more open than the windows only plays-for-sure system.
That said, I completely agree with the author’s problems about recent reporting this way. The primary concern with closed systems seems to be confusion of the consumer, according to everything I see. Now, according to this article, the consumer will be confused when he or she discoveres that plays for sure doesn’t include macs. But that’s a small market, and one that knows to watch out for incompatabilities. Recent articles seem to say this: you’re going to get an ipod, and it won’t work with the songs you purchased, or you’re going to get songs on itms, and it won’t work with your creative player-either of which lead to confusion. For this, apple is faulted.
But that’s a silly observation, because it is most likely, that if a consumer purchases songs online, they will be purchased from the itunes music store-and so all is well with the ipod, but plays-for-sure players, are actually unlikely to play with the music you’ve purchased. Likewise, if you buy a song that plays for sure, chances are, you’re player is an ipod. Again, confusion and incompatability.
So, perhaps Microsoft will beat Apple in the long run. But it won’t be by compatability, just enough advertizing that the public thinks they should go with Microsoft, on account of compatability.
The difference is the same reason why it’s okay for Apple to add a browser to its OS, but not okay for MS to do it.
What a complete BS-argument! MS didn’t just “add a browser to the OS”, it tied it deeply into the OS, while breaking things on purpose for other developers (just ask Netscape). On the other hand, Apple does indeed offer a default browser, but the underlying tech (WebKit) is accesible to others (Firefox, Camino, etc.).
As for the iPod-issue: As soon as MS offers a working version of WMA for Macs, talk to us again!
This is simply NOT TRUE. As I stated above, I have PURCHASED music from eMusic, and from both band and label websites that I can play on my iPod. How am I locked into ITMS?
Correction noted, nat. Although I think it’s safe to say that selling Ipod compatible mp3’s is NOT the norm, your point is taken. What I’m hoping is that other stores follow suit with this model. I’m also hoping that more plug-ins come out, like the new one for Winamp, that allow you to use the Ipod with software other than Itunes.
What a complete BS-argument! MS didn’t just “add a browser to the OS”, it tied it deeply into the OS, while breaking things on purpose for other developers (just ask Netscape). On the other hand, Apple does indeed offer a default browser, but the underlying tech (WebKit) is accesible to others (Firefox, Camino, etc.).
It doesn’t matter. Apple could do everything MS did with browsers (OS X requires you to set the default browser from inside Safari, how’s that for being tied deeply to the OS?) and it would be okay. Users might not like it, but it would not be illegal or an abuse of monopoly power as it was with Windows.
As for the iPod-issue: As soon as MS offers a working version of WMA for Macs, talk to us again!
WMA works for Macs.
It doesn’t matter. Apple could do everything MS did with browsers and it would be okay. Users might not like it, but it would not be illegal or an abuse of monopoly power as it was with Windows.
And the proof for this unfounded assumption is ... where?
OS X requires you to set the default browser from inside Safari, how’s that for being tied deeply to the OS?
That’s pretty good, considering that with two clicks you can use Camino and never have to worry about Safari again. Actually, you could just delete Safari and use whatever other browser you want. Try that with IE.
WMA works for Macs.
It does? Go to http://www.npgmusicclub.com and try to purchase “Musicology” for your Mac. Good luck!