Apple doesn't support competition?

[Monorail Man]

In a Spinoff from the Mac vs. PC debate, it would seem as if Apple's plan about iTunes is nothing but Apple, and allows no competition.

Let's say you've got an iPod. You've got 1 choice to sync it to your PC/Mac, iTunes, and MP3. It's syncs to some funky AIFF, and it only works with the iPod. The iTunes store, Mac only. Great for Mac freaks, but no 3rd party stuff.

Now, for once, Microsoft is actually allowing competition! Take just about any music device that you can think of. As long as it shows up as a Hard Driver, and supports MP3, it works with Windows Media Player 10. Plus, you've got a choice of formats (WMP10 can now rip to MP3 [for free])!. With the correct device, you can even get Video. (Not just crappy Photos!). Looks like Microsoft has Apple beat in the music department for features. :p

[Kevy Baby]

I had a big ol' honkin response written, but decided it's not worth it

[NirvanaMan]

Well if you owned the most popular mp3 player by far, would you invite others to share the love? Nope. Those apple folks didn't get rich by being stupid. It's a no brainer. They have a solid buisiness model and were able to do what IBM couldn't. They own all the hardware and software for a single platform. Damn it must feel good to be the man. Jobs...is da man.

[Stan4dSteph]

iTunes works on PCs and Macs. I have it installed on both platforms right now.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

The iTunes store, Mac only. I was under the impression that I could buy music from iTunes and play it on my PC. I have iTunes installed and use it to configure my iPod, and it has links on it to the iTunes site, I just haven't checked that out yet.

[mamabot]

I have downloaded music from the iTunes Music Store on my Dell, with the same results as if I had done it on my iMac. First song purchased from there at home? MC Hammer, "You Can't Touch This". (Please don't flame, it was for the kids.)

Thought I highly recommend not using the music store if you have dialup. It took me forver to dl a Duran Duran album.

[Monorail Man]

Sorry, didn't mean the store was Mac only, but that, again, it only worked with Apple products.

[Demigod]

I don't like iTunes. I don't need a damned store to buy songs from. The two songs I bought it from it wouldn't let me burn them to a CD or copy to my Axim.

I use Moodlogic. For me, works better with less overhead.

[Tramspotter]

Do you trust Microsoft with your information and what you burn? They have a history of treating all their costumers like criminals and knowing what's best for them. (After all Redmond has repeatedly been caught and tarred for collecting information from users with or without their knowledge!)

I believe there is a PC version for I-tunes that will play most (OPEN FORMATS)

Microsoft likes to make its Pocket PC devices convert to their closed WMF files (a big hassle and technical boondoggle)

You think MS supports OPEN anything????

Only when forced by a groundswell for a particular format or they have a vendor by the short-hairs do they swap Dev Kits or anything...

[BarTopDancer]

I was under the impression that I could buy music from iTunes and play it on my PC. I have iTunes installed and use it to configure my iPod, and it has links on it to the iTunes site, I just haven't checked that out yet.

iTunes music store works with both Mac and PC. I have used it a few times. I also love the free downloads and have been turned on to some new artists. from them.

Music bought from the iTunes store can be burned to an unlimited amount of CDs, transfered onto someting like 5 different iPods and played on something like 5 computers from that. They have a very liberal share policy.

[DisneyFan25863]

If you don't like the Apple style, don't buy their products. I think they will live, because something like 67% of all MP3 players are iPods :D