The next chapter in the story of the competition between Microsoft and the iPod alongside iTunes continues this week with the tech giant launching the URGE music service and Windows Media Player 11.
Windows Media Player 11 is the latest version of Microsoft’s free multimedia application. URGE is a music service developed in partnership between Microsoft and MTV.
URGE—Microsoft’s music service primarily accessible through Windows Media Player—will provide users with the latest songs, as well as the top hits on the charts…
Initially, Microsoft’s service will offer around 2 million songs. Users can choose one of two payment options: If users want to listen to those songs on their PC, they will need to pay a fee of $9.95 per month, or pay $14.95 per month to download songs for use on other compatible multimedia applications that support Microsoft’s format.
Additionally, URGE also offers users the option to pay directly for each song downloaded at a fee of $0.99 per song. Unlike monthly subscription services, with the pay-per-song model, users can continue to listen to the downloaded songs as long as they continue to pay for them.
The URGE service is expected to officially launch tomorrow (May 17).
The Interface of Windows Media Player 11
Meanwhile, Windows Media Player 11—a feature of Microsoft’s new operating system version, Windows Vista—will also launch a beta version this week with entirely new upgrades aimed at competing with iTunes.
The core of Windows Media Player 11 is the URGE music service. This service is fully integrated into the new multimedia application version from Microsoft.
Initial reactions from users testing Windows Media Player 11 and the URGE service are sure to make Apple sit up and take notice. Test participants reported that they could access a more comprehensive music collection compared to browsing through lists of similar songs as seen in previous versions of Windows Media Player or even iTunes.
Another new weapon for Microsoft in this competition is the handheld music player, Clix—a result of collaboration with multimedia device developer iRiver and Microsoft.
Clix is quite similar to the iRiver U10, which was introduced at the end of last year, but has been enhanced with many new features.
iRiver is a well-selling handheld music player, ranking just behind the iPod. Perhaps after this, Apple will no longer be able to rest on its laurels.
Hoàng Dũng
