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14 Dec 2005
Microsoft and MTV today unveiled plans to jointly develop a digital music service for users of the next-generation Windows Media Player.
The service will offer downloads of MTV programmes, original content, online radio and over two million songs from top labels.
The giants of entertainment and software announced that they are developing the service, dubbed Urge, for a scheduled consumer launch in 2006.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the offering will be designed to be incompatible with Apple's Macintosh and iPod systems.
The Urge technology will be built by Microsoft, after which ownership and operation will be taken up by MTV Networks.
Although exact pricing of the service is still subject to negotiation between the two partners, MTV stated that users will be charged according to their selection of individual song downloads or pre-paid subscriptions.
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Do you agree?
AT LAST
At last, there is a computer that just work, and it don't crash No, I'm don't talking about microsoft, but about apple. No invention will change the good name of Apple. Itunes the best
Posted by: mr Apple 21 Jun 2006
moneygrubbing imitators
Comments on innovations from Apple Computer (like GUI, Newton, iMac, iTunes) always are negativ. But when those people see that there is money to grab, then they will be there like vultures. But there is hope. iTunes users showed that they prefer legal offers. So they probably show copyist their back side. hello again
Posted by: hello 18 May 2006
yea...and apple is very compatable
It's hillarious that everyone points at microsoft and complains about compatibility. I tunes and I pods arn't compatible with other MP3 players or services, and no one is complaining about that one.
Posted by: SmartDude 28 Apr 2006
Good on Microsoft
Good on Microsoft. I do not like apple anyway. Illogical ways of working. I trust Microsoft and don't mind if I don't have other options! I will always buy Microsoft - Proved reliability!
Posted by: Mike Moore 09 Feb 2006
End of the iPod monopoly?
It can't be long before Apple's lock-everybody-in, proprietary model crumbles -- it's under assault from the key input manufacturer for MP3 players (Sandisk), the content providers are fed up with pricing inflexibility, and now a strong challenge from MS. As a consumer, I couldn't be happier and my choice to rip everything into MP3 rather than AAC looks like it will be vindicated.
Posted by: Bob 10 Jan 2006
MP3 is the way forward
Apple made a mistake getting behind in the mobile phone music market. iTunes is incompatible with most mobile phones, and their entry into that market is belated to say the least. Why carry an iPod and a mobile? I will be sticking to MP3 and looking forward to the offering from Microsoft and MTV.
Posted by: Lee 08 Jan 2006
You IPOD Idiots!
It is not that MS is going to make their incompatible with IPOD - IPOD has the proprietary system! MS is simply not in business to give Apple licensing revenue. Ever ask yourself why you "have" to do things certain ways with Apple? I don't have to install a single piece of software, just drag and drop my MP3's to my rio carbon. Anybody could write an interface to manage your music and move MP3's that way. Does Apple let you do that? No, you must use ITunes and only ITunes. Does Apple even let you load actual MP3's on your IPOD? Do your homework! And to the other guy, do you really think Apple has licensed all the content worthy and MS should simple go to them? LOL! You're ignorance is dangerous!
Posted by: John 15 Dec 2005
Microsoft and MTV
Interesting... I can get music videos and really stupid game shows off of the MTV site or engaging and enriching content off of the Apple Site. This is another last ditch effort for Microsoft to try and get in the game. Sorry... Not interested. iTunes and iPod are the coolest. I like $.99 per download and $1.99 per episode. I don't like having to pay monthly to keep my songs. Go Apple
Posted by: Brad 15 Dec 2005
MTV RIP
MTV, once a pioneer and trendsetter - now a dinosaur. iPod + iTunes from Apple has won this market. If they want to sell content they should partner with Apple. Partnering with Microsoft is selling your soul.
Posted by: iPod + iTunes 15 Dec 2005
Why incompatible?
Making it incompatible with ipod isnt going to win over too many fans
Posted by: deadhippo 15 Dec 2005
iPod and Microsoft
microsoft and mtv trying to shut out iPod. Screw them stay with the iPod, they did it first and best why switch.
Posted by: jaymonski 15 Dec 2005
Microsoft owns stock in Apple.
Dosent Microsoft have substantial holdings in Apple? Much of these rival companies have officers on each others board. If either wipes the other out, no big deal.
Posted by: Change Agent 15 Dec 2005
Not interested
Not interested.
Posted by: JF 14 Dec 2005
Everyone watches a train wreck...
Music incompatible with IPods?!!! I'd love to meet the genius that came up with that marketing ploy. I'll bet it is that same guy that came up with the "new Coke" over a decade ago. In any case it is sure to find the same public reception.
Posted by: Steve (The BanjoNut) 14 Dec 2005
Incompatible with Apple
So Microsoft are going to get sued again for monopoly abuse. When will they ever learn that consumers want compatibility. They should be producing solutions for all not trying to lock people into their monopoly OS product.
Posted by: Alan 14 Dec 2005
there goes microsoft again
wow microsoft just wants a monopoly it's amazing they want to take over everything if they were smart they would use mp3 instead of wma. I personally think it's not going to be that popular unless MTV advertises lots and lots. The problem is going to be whether microsoft will bring out wannabe Ipods
Posted by: Heikell Perez 14 Dec 2005
it figures
Well - that's a free market for you. Everything has to be proprietary though doesn't it?
Posted by: Ronald L. Arnold II 14 Dec 2005
MS didn't design the iPod
"...the offering will be designed to be incompatible with Apple's Macintosh and iPod systems." It is Apple who has designed the iPod to be incompatible with all other software services. If users want to use this service with their iPod, it is Apple's business model they should blame.
Posted by: Moloch 14 Dec 2005
Interesting...
It had to have happened at some point...Although Microsoft can have all those lame pop stars all they want. True musicians and fans of music will stick with Apple...
Posted by: Josh 14 Dec 2005
They want you to PAY?
I thought MTV was Marketing Television, all about enticing you to buy, buy, buy. So if their content is essentially 100% commercials, their music and video download service should be free, too, thus encouraging people to buy the actual songs at their favorite store: iTunes. Just be glad iTunes doesn't sell concert tickets.
Posted by: Ed Grimley 14 Dec 2005
Just what I always wanted.
I dont see any benefit of giving Microsoft nor MTV yet one more peice of the pie. Hmmm, software built by MS? The anticipation is killing me.
Posted by: Scott 14 Dec 2005
Lack of Reason
Wonderful. First they complain that Apple isn't playing fair and allowing other firms benefit by allowing their music be played on the Apple iPod. Now they are doing an Apple by not letting everyone use their music. Anyone else see a problem here?
Posted by: James Taylor 14 Dec 2005
Incompatible with iPod?
Yeah, great business move... They had better offer something worth purchasing another portable music player for.
Posted by: Phillip M. 14 Dec 2005
Lame...
iTunes and iPod are so engraned, and the Apple operating system is picking up steam. Why would they NOT make it compatible? I for one have been finding alternatives to MS and will continue to do so - Urge will never be found on my computers.
Posted by: JJW 14 Dec 2005
MTV and MSFT
Why wouldn't they join forces? they are two long-in-the-tooth has-been companies that ceased to be relevant, or hip, years ago.
Posted by: Thomas Barta 14 Dec 2005