[Sigia-l] Buy or rent?

[Manu Sharma]

Ziya:
"What I think is interesting here is that the non-Apple world has
pretty much given up on download-to-own business, so thoroughly
dominated by Apple."

I'm not sure why you say that. Sony Connect [1] allows downloads of
songs and albums at the same price as iTunes, Walmart [2] does it for
88c and Real Music store [3] for even less. All of these stores are in
the download-to-own business.

But what's really interesting is that _Microsoft_, which is behind the
PlaysForSure technology [formerly Janus], is itself selling music as
downloads [4] and NOT as subscription. This, when back in April last
year when they introduced test version of Janus they were actually
considering the subscription model [5].

Surely, something happened that convinced them to drop it for their own
store when they released it later last year.

Ziya:
"So they are talking up the advantages of the subscription model now
that MS Janus enables them to move digital assets."

Yes, but what's the point. With iPod already having grabbed 65% of the
music player market and Apple making further inroads even in the flash
player market...*where* do you move that music? What good are unlimited
downloads when you can't play them on your fav player?  :)

Manu.


[1] http://www.connect.com/overview.html
[2]
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/catalog.gsp?cat=4104&path=0%3A4104&dept=4104
[3] http://www.real.com/musicstore/
[4] http://music.msn.com/
[5] http://news.com.com/Microsofts+iPod+killer/2100-1027_3-5183692.html