Microsoft advice on MP3 players


Who knew? Microsoft doesn't like the iTunes Music Store... Their logic is a bit bizarre, though, and kinda reflects the whole user experience with Windows. See if you can spot it:

Microsoft Windows Media - Buying a Flash Memory MP3 Player

6. Don't get locked into one online store.

Have you ever been on the hunt for a particular song? Some obscure indie rock tune or rare jazz performance you heard on the radio? You might have to shop at more than one store before you find the song you're looking for. Having the flexibility to choose from over 1 million tracks of music from multiple online music stores such as MSN Music, Napster, MusicMatch, and Wal-Mart can be the key to getting the music you want. Several stores even offer subscription services so you can download all the songs you want for about the cost of a CD each month.

Yup. Even though there is one music store out there with a million songs, and it works flawlessly with your portable player, it's actually better to have to be able to use several stores to have that same million-song catalog available.

Because, you know, having to go through one store (doh. they don't have it), then another (doh. not here either), and finally a third (hey! they have it! that was convenient!) is actually much better than just, say, opening iTunes. And clicking the "Buy Song" button next to the song.

Be sure to check out Crazy Apple Rumors' take on the Microsoft "article".


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