Zune can't play MSN tunes

MICROSOFT'S iPod competitor, the Zune, is going to cause a few problems for punters of the software giant's existing MSN Music store.

According to the BBC, MSN Music store formats will not work on the Zune, meaning that loyal customers will have to buy them again.

Vole is killing off the MSN Music Store when the Zune comes out on November 14, but the question of what will happen to those who spent a fortune on MSN Music Store formats has not been addressed. Likewise makers of MP3 players which are built to work with the MSN store will also find that their players will not work.

The problem comes because Microsoft has taken the Zune out of the "Plays For Sure" initiative. The initiative aims to make sure that music bought from services backing it would work with players that supported it.

This included Hardware makers such as Archos, Creative, Dell and Iriver, also backed the standard. Vole says that Windows Media Player will recognise Zune content which might make it possible to put the content on a Plays For Sure device. But it will not tell punters how to do this.

So why is Microsoft being such a bastard? According to the Beeb it is copying the Apple business model exactly. This involves control both the device and music service, to make sure you milk as much cash out of punter's as possible. µ

L'INQ
BBC