If you're an avid reader of TDMW, you're already well aware that Microsoft's new Zune will not play tracks downloaded from any "PlaysForSure" DRM partner sites. That means Yahoo! Music, Napster, MSN Music, Urge, AOL Music Now and others are locked out of the new platform and, if you've bought music from any of those services, you won't be listening to it on your new Zune.The BBC seems to have caught the drift, and has a full article on how consumers might respond. The blog-o-sphere and the early Zune lusters have been fully aware of this little catch for quite some time. Still how many people do you think are aware of Zune, and not aware of the pitfalls?
By far, the most bizarre line from the BBC story, which heavily quotes a Microsoft spokesperson, "Windows Media Player will recognize Zune content which might make it possible to put the content on a Plays For Sure device. However, it said it would not provide customer support to anyone attempting this." I'm still trying to parse this. I think in English it translates to, "Oh, yah, you can try all you want but.. it's not gonna work."
[via BBC]
1. So, from shellac->vinyl->stereo8->cassette->CD->DAT->miniDisc
we now have
MediaPlayerA->...MediaPlayerX->MediaPlayerY->MediaPlayerZ
And many of these media players are from the same company.
So, you keep on buying the same music to play on each of the various media players you use.
And some people say the lottery is a tax on the stupid.
Perhaps we should now say 'Selling copies of digital music is a tax on the stupid'?
Posted at 12:39PM on Nov 7th 2006 by Crosbie Fitch