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For six years, the Internet Nexus served as my technology blog, but I've since started blogging at the SuperSite Blog instead. If you're looking for the blog, please head there. --Paul

Thursday, April 07, 2005

Apple work with Microsoft? Let the people decide

Silicon.com:

A mandate is under discussion ... which would oblige Apple to ensure iTunes and its other digtal music products worked with offerings from archrivals including Microsoft and Real.

The news isn't ideal for consumers - anyone thinking of swapping their iTunes-bought music from an iPod to a Zen Micro, or transferring their Napster-bought music the other way, will have a real problem. For the less tech-savvy, one standard platform could be an answer to their prayers and make the whole music and music player buying experience less of a hassle.

So is it time for a little bit of government-sponsored friendliness between the Cupertino and Redmond DRM folk?

So I've always been of the opinion that Apple needs to open up its iPod to other music services and open up its FairPlay DRM scheme to other devices. But that's just an opinion. I don't think this is a case where the government should step in. Ultimately, as long as people have choices, the market will decide which products and devices are successful.

[ Posted at 3:06 PM | Permalink ]