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13 Feb 2006
San Francisco start-up Pioneers of the Inevitable has released an early version of its Songbird media player that aims to deliver an open source alternative to iTunes and Windows Media Player.
The project is labelled the 'Firefox of MP3' in a reference to the success of the Mozilla Foundation's open source browser in eroding Internet Explorer's market share.
"We share the Mozilla Foundation's mission to preserve innovation and choice on the internet," the developers state on their website.
The current version of the application is a 'proof of concept' designed for testing only. It is not meant to replace any current music players, the developers warned.
Songbird supports all popular music formats, including MP3, AAC and WMA. It will not currently play songs that use digital rights management, such as music purchased from the iTunes music store, Yahoo Music or Napster.
The developers plan to add support for DRM-protected Windows Media Audio files in the future, but are unable to expand support to music from the iTunes music store because Apple does not provide the necessary APIs.
Songbird will be able to support multiple online music stores. The preview version provides access to services including Amazon, Audible, Connect and Mp3tunes.
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Do you agree?
Threat to innovation ?
Threat to innovation? Threat to capitalism? thats not true. We have now more choices, thats the good of capitalism. Thats the freedom we are looking for.
Posted by: Anonymous 20 Feb 2006
For linux boxes would be best
This will be great for linux boxes. I couldnt find anything besides rhythm box that was similar to itunes orginazation on fedora. maybe this will be the answer. As for os x itunes suits me for now. windows... yea... um .... sure...
Posted by: lex luthor 18 Feb 2006
Threat to innovation
I see this as nothing but a threat to innovation and capitalism. iTunes is the gold standard. It is not wise to water down the mix. I will continue to use itunes and buy my music legally from iTunes. If a competitive system comes out with better stuff I will consider it. IT IS OK TO BUY SOFTWARE. If you want to break the Microsoft / Windows Monopoly you do that through supporting Apple not buy using half baked software.
Posted by: Brad 14 Feb 2006
NOT iTunes, but Windows Media Player
Impossible to go for iTunes then. They go to replace Windows Media Player, not iTunes. But the title is catchier this way huh :-)
Posted by: Jan Morren 14 Feb 2006
don't forget your ephpod!!
Don't forget your copy of ephpod to copy files from your iPod back to your computer if your computer dies! I was really upset at Apple because they say "no way" and even if you bought the songs their answer is "buy them again". They just don't support going from iPod to computer. Really dumb idea. Anyway I found ephpod and it works so slick I have uninstalled iTunes!
Posted by: tim 13 Feb 2006
Not neccessarily...
But it will most likely come to be. However on needs to realize the tangled web of music not seen in the Web-based world of browsers. MP3 encoding can only be done with a license, and WMA as well. This could be the beginnings of an excellent player/encoder, but make no mistakes about it the odds are against it.
Posted by: Technophile 13 Feb 2006
CRAP !!
It looks like an iTunes styled app as well!
Posted by: Technophile 13 Feb 2006
Support for other formats
As they're open-source they're also supporting flac and ogg vorbis, so people will have the choice to get music in a format unencumbered by patents.
Posted by: Linux User 13 Feb 2006