iTunes for Windows in October?

[MacRumors]

A Newsweek article (http://www.msnbc.com/news/966392.asp) provides some confirmation on the previously reported (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/09/20030910231353.shtml) rumor that iTunes for Windows will be coming in October.

According to the article, Apple "quietly informed some music insiders that it’s moved up the date for expanding its current Mac-only iTunes for the vast universe of Windows-based PCs to mid-October."

[DrGruv1]

Perhaps more volume = cheaper prices?

[SeaFox]

Yea! Soon I'll be able to use the iTMS. Plus I'll have an easier time navigating my mp3 collection with iTunes' interface on my PC.

[weev]

Time to take over the Empire!

[mdntcallr]

That is a good idea that they sped up the announcement.

I do not know if the news is out yet, I am a music insider.

Microsoft is making their announcement and LAUNCH of their competing service in November.

So it is a good thing that they sped up their announcement

[Fredo Viola]

This is a very very good move, and an important one, if it's true!

[whfsdude]

Maybe this is true. Two rumors :-)

[Caravaggio]

Getting it out sooner than later would be cool, but I hope that they get it right and don't release buggy software. I listen to my PC pals BITCH about quicktime....

Fingers crossed....

[york2600]

Now if only Apple can add Library sharing in the Windows version. I love sharing my music and listening to other people's music in the dorms. It's a really great feature that all my PC friends are way jealous of.

[socbyset]

Heh.. what if Jobs' keynote tomorrow is focused on announcing/previewing the forthcoming iTunes Windows, and there is no Powerbook update.

Not that that's what I want or expect to happen (as I am waiting for the updated 15" myself). But there would be a certain dark humor in it.

Sep. 17 headline: "Mac user community hit by mysterious wave of mass suicide"

Sorry to drag the powerbook updates into this thread, but I couldn't help myself.

[gola]

Hope apple can take care of it´s own, before catering for the Windowsians. Bring iTMS to europe now! Personally I think it is a mistake to make a windows version. It could be the first step towards giving in to the pressure, and become a complete softwarecompany on Intel hardware.

Just wait until they see how much money they can earn by producing great windows-apps....

[TrenchMouth]

does anyone know if iTunes on windows will include AAC support?

well i guess it must if they are going to be able to purchase songs, but with a broader base does anyone thing that Apple might have to change some of the rules for the wintel platform as to what can be done with purchased music?

[blueflame]

hehe, every mac user is waitng for something at this keynote, but only windpws users get something
ironic?
AK

[tny]

Originally posted by gola
Hope apple can take care of it´s own, before catering for the Windowsians. Bring iTMS to europe now! Personally I think it is a mistake to make a windows version. It could be the first step towards giving in to the pressure, and become a complete softwarecompany on Intel hardware.

Just wait until they see how much money they can earn by producing great windows-apps....
Bringing iTMS to Windows is an engineering problem. Bringing it to Europe is a legal problem. Solving engineering problems takes time. Solving legal problems, especially in Europe, takes luck.

[balconycollapse]

I know this sort of goes to the other post about the special edition ipod. But, what if tommorow they not only announce iTunes for wintel but also offer a special iPod for that community. I know that iPod works obviously with pcs but maybe there is something they might give the windows people that the mac heads wouldn't need or want but that would make people line up. Oh well, just a thought. Maybe you guys have some ideas.


-------------------------
Slow motion sliding backwards down the banister two guns blazing...yeah..kinda like that

[hexcalibur]

I was browsing www.pathmethenygroup.com and found a note about a track that is only available through iTMS. The note went on to say that iTMS was mac-only right now, but Windows users would be able to get it "this fall". Hardly a lock, but if Pat Metheny isn't a music insider, nobody is.

An October debut for the Windows iTMS would be great. Now, if they could just get the licensing deal in place so us Canadians could use it to round out our Celine Dion collections.

[yossele]

Well, well, well....
Good luck for the Windows users!
We won't gain from it anything, do we!?

[wiz7dome]

Originally posted by Caravaggio
Getting it out sooner than later would be cool, but I hope that they get it right and don't release buggy software. I listen to my PC pals BITCH about quicktime....

Fingers crossed....

Thats why im not too concerned about Apple releacing ITMS for Windoze ASAP. As it stands now, the crash and burn of Buy (I mean lease per end user agreement without the ability to burn)music.com is the best form of advertisment for iTMS. Keep in mind the amount of Windoze users who have iPods. Those of us in the mac world tend to forget that iTunes by itself is a rock solid app. Even though we may have to use scripts to do things that should be apart of the application, iTunes is not Bloatware. So not only will users get access to the iTMS but a GOOD app. to compliment their iPod.

[Doctor Q]

Five possibilities:

(1) iTunes for Windows finished testing sooner than Apple expected so they are releasing it sooner than expected.

(2) iTunes for Windows isn't as ready as it should be, but Apple felt pressured by the competition and released it early.

(3) An October release date was the plan all along, and Apple said "by end of year" just to be cautious.

(4) An October release date was the plan all along, and Apple purposely hid the fact that it would be out sooner.

(5) This rumor is wrong.

[PHGN]

The sad truth is that I've heard more news about the delay in iTMS Europe and PC than about Microsoft's offering.
Hey, I only realised they had when I read about it in MacUser.

[alia]

All I have to say is Wooooooo hooooooooo! :D

Alia

[bluedalmatian]

"
The sad truth is that I've heard more news about the delay in iTMS Europe and PC than about Microsoft's offering. "

Thats a good thing surely!?

I wouldn't mind if MS supported open standards ...... and if Windows Media Player actually had a reasonably attractive & intuitive interface!

[PHGN]

No no sad for MS. you have to feal a bit sorry for them (though it is their fault)

[mmmbop]

Originally posted by tny
Bringing iTMS to Windows is an engineering problem. Bringing it to Europe is a legal problem. Solving engineering problems takes time. Solving legal problems, especially in Europe, takes luck.

I wonder if Apple across Europe were/are holding out for a launch continent-wide. But if the wait drags on any longer, I would prefer to see a staggered launch, so countries where the 'big five' have reached agreement with Apple go ahead and launch iTMS.

Apple won't be able to charge a round figure (like 99 cents) across Europe anyway, because not all EU countries are in the Euro.

It must be a legal headache, but it will be frustrating for us Mac users in Europe if Apple bring out the US Windows version first. We buy their products, why can't we buy their services as well?

[mdntcallr]

Frankly, I am glad that Apple moved up their windows launch for iTunes. We need it out there and get apple the market.

Why does the date matter so much? Well, Microsoft is introducing and launching their competing Online Music Service in November.

Yes, you heard me right, in November. That is probably what got slow apple to speed their timeline up. Yes i know i printed it before, but this is a big deal.

Why is this a big deal? well, MSFT loves to copy Apple. How long till MSFT has their own hardware like an iPod to play WMA copy protected media?

Not long at all, and a whole group of assorted copy cats.

Nothing beats the best and first. Apple!

Best,

Mdntcallr

[PHGN]

Just so long as they dont do 0.99EURO (little less than 1.13USD) and 0.99GBP. Which knowing the UK they might.

(FYI 1GPB=0.62USD=0.71EURO)

[greenstork]

Originally posted by gola
Hope apple can take care of it´s own, before catering for the Windowsians. Bring iTMS to europe now! Personally I think it is a mistake to make a windows version. It could be the first step towards giving in to the pressure, and become a complete softwarecompany on Intel hardware.

Just wait until they see how much money they can earn by producing great windows-apps....

Do you seriously believe that Steve Jobs will make an announcement in Europe about iTMS for Windows and not release iTMS for European Mac users? He is just not that stupid.

[edenwaith]

Sorry, but I'm going to have to vote NO for this rumor. I'm not going to place any expectations for a Windows iTMS any time except before 1. January 2004. If that happens, then Apple held up their side of the bargain. I hope that many Windows users discover it and enjoy the use of the program.

[Java]

Originally posted by PHGN
No no sad for MS. you have to feal a bit sorry for them (though it is their fault)

I can't feel sorry for Microsoft. Their choice. Their loss.

[wiz7dome]

I think the iPod is on its way to becoming a solid standard. In the world of DJing, the Technics 1200 (and 1210's) are the standard and have been for years. Sure there are plenty of turntables that have more features, less expensive, etc. But it all comes back to the 1200. More and more when people talk about portable Mp3 player, people "think" iPod. Not because its forced on them (think windows) but because of its design, ease of use, storage capacity, and yes.....the coolness factor!!!!:D :D

The point is, Apple has more of a selling point. All the other services need to answer the question "will this work with my iPod?" and "How easy will it be to transfer song to my iPod?" These are questions that have answers most Windows user wont like. Along comes Apple with a simple app. that works the way its designed to, easy to navigate, does not look so damn stupid, works with the iPod, and has access to iTMS.

All Apple needs is an ad campaign that wont screw it up!!!

[PretendPCuser]

Word, greenstork!

Peeps think SJ would announce Windows iTunes Music Store for the US, in France? C'mon, they hate us enough. Now, if he were to come out and announce the service for Europe, that would make the most sense. (OTher than new PBs...available today).

We'll hear in a couple hours.

Anyway. I just threw down money for a rock for my gf (fiancé-head), so either way, i'll be sitting on the sidelines for the duration of this, next, and most future Apple announcements. But good luck for everyone holding out for the G5. I wish you all the best in your quest!

Now if i can only find a way to stop spending money on music...heh


mike

[Cappy]

Frankly I would like to see Apple make available to developers the ability to play songs from the itunes store on other portable players even if it means licensing out anything needed from the ipod. I'd also like to see Apple develop for the windows users some sort of plugin so that a non-Apple player such as Winamp can play their itunes music.

Apple needs to decide if they really want to make a big, longterm splash over the other online competition or continue the small marketshare idea of doing business like they seem to always settle for in every field they enter.

One big plus will be if Apple gets more involved with the cell phone folks and allow pulling songs down from the itunes store and listen to them all via your cell phone. I've got Realplayer on my cell phone now(Nokia 3600). Where's Quicktime?

[crazedbytheheat]

Whether or not you like windows, this is, IMO, a GOOD thing. There are a lot of PC users out there and they're going to be buying music to go with their iPods. A bigger market translates into more artists and labels wanting to put their songs on iTMS. Plus, the extra change Apple makes will enable it to a) pay off the Beatles and b) keep inventing cool new stuff for us to buy.

[dongmin]

Originally posted by tny
Bringing iTMS to Windows is an engineering problem. Bringing it to Europe is a legal problem. Solving engineering problems takes time. Solving legal problems, especially in Europe, takes luck.

actually bringing iTMS to windows is an engineering AND a legal problem, since their original licenses only covered use on Macs.

[mmmbop]

Originally posted by PHGN
Just so long as they dont do 0.99EURO (little less than 1.13USD) and 0.99GBP. Which knowing the UK they might.

(FYI 1GPB=0.62USD=0.71EURO)

That's a dead cert. But hey, we Brits all love paying a premium... on everything!

I'm interested to know how they're going to work it this side of the pond.

Will we have access to artists and recordings that are signed to publishers in other European countries? Our will our billing address determine what we can purchase? And how will the store reflect that?

I'll guess something will be announced tomorrow at the Expo. I hope the store will be Europe-wide. That'll be cool.

[LegionCSUF]

Originally posted by gola
Hope apple can take care of it´s own, before catering for the Windowsians. Bring iTMS to europe now! Personally I think it is a mistake to make a windows version. It could be the first step towards giving in to the pressure, and become a complete softwarecompany on Intel hardware.

Just wait until they see how much money they can earn by producing great windows-apps....

iTunes for Europe is 100x as hard to bring to market as iTunes for Windows (USA).

If you live in Europe, you should realize how incredibly difficult the task of licensing with regards to each individual country is. A legal headache of epic proportions.

By contrast, coding a simple port of iTunes to Windows is a simple software engineering task.

EDIT: Blast, someone beat me to the punch on this point. Oh well. In response to:

actually bringing iTMS to windows is an engineering AND a legal problem, since their original licenses only covered use on Macs.

... I say: after the initial success of iTMS, I imagine that getting the labels to agree to the Windows version is cake. Customer demand is there, and I don't think any label wants to be "the one that doesn't play ball and show up on the Windows version".

[Phil Of Mac]

Originally posted by DrGruv1
Perhaps more volume = cheaper prices?

Hopefully. But I doubt it. $1 is the minimum amount you can feasibly charge to a credit card.

Originally posted by mmmbop
It must be a legal headache, but it will be frustrating for us Mac users in Europe if Apple bring out the US Windows version first. We buy their products, why can't we buy their services as well?

Don't blame Apple, blame your governments for making it such a difficult legal situation.

Originally posted by PHGN
Just so long as they dont do 0.99EURO (little less than 1.13USD) and 0.99GBP. Which knowing the UK they might.

(FYI 1GPB=0.62USD=0.71EURO)

I don't know, that might be able to cover the VAT they'd have to charge in Europe and the UK. Don't expect as low prices as the US has. Again, blame your governments.

[Photorun]

Wait... Micro$oft is copying Apple? [gasp] They'd never do that!!! I thought those guys in Redmond are the creative force behind the computer industry?

And pigs fly too!

[wiz7dome]

Originally posted by Photorun
Wait... Micro$oft is copying Apple? [gasp] They'd never do that!!! I thought those guys in Redmond are the creative force behind the computer industry?



Of corse they are!!! What other company can inspire the creative nature of virus writers worldwide:D :D

[adamfilip]

well its great to hear ITMS will come to the pc.

but i want it to come to Canada first!! dammit.

not everyone in the world is american!

[dansuz1]

Just so long as they dont do 0.99EURO (little less than 1.13USD) and 0.99GBP. Which knowing the UK they might.

(FYI 1GPB=0.62USD=0.71EURO)


Just for clarity:

.99 British Pound = 1.58746 US Dollar
.99 US Dollar (USD) = 0.61740 British Pound (GBP)

.99 Euro = 1.11830 US Dollar
.99 US Dollar (USD) = 0.87642 Euro (EUR)

So for Apple to be fair, they should charge UK users GBP .62 and all other EU users Euro .88

Dan

[mmmbop]

Originally posted by Phil Of Mac
Don't blame Apple, blame your governments for making it such a difficult legal situation.

Granted (dang that red tape), but Apple is the face of this service to consumers, hence why we look to them rather than the probable root cause.

Naturally, the game is being played behind closed doors. We don't know what's going on, hence the frustration. There are legal download services established for the PC in the UK already, so that hurdle is already crossed. I guess Apple are rightly holding out for better terms on DRM and, for them, a similar revenue structure to their US business model.

[Doctor Q]

Originally posted by Phil Of Mac
$1 is the minimum amount you can feasibly charge to a credit card.That doesn't prevent lower prices. Example: Two songs for $1.

[Freg3000]

Keynote (starting in about 12 hours now) will begin with Jobs reviewing the last few updates. First iMacs, then the iPod, then segwaying to the new Special edition iPod, and then an update on the iTMS. Number of songs, number of previews to number of downloads, yadda yadda yadda. Then, he announces that it is going to get much bigger, with the introduction of the Euro iTMS, Canadian iTMS, and possibly Aussie iTMS. Announced iTMS for Windows on 10-15. Then an Panther preview, and finally new PowerBooks.

Hopefully, many international varieties of the iTMS will be releases or announced tomorrow.

[Stella]

When iTunes Store gets released in Europe, I wonder if it'll able to compete?

The newly created services offer music from 68p.

People don't care where they get their music from - cheaper the better.

These existing services allow you to burn your music onto Cds.

Only cavet that its WMA only... windows users don't really care about what music format.. they'll use Media player. If they want MP3 for their devices they can burn their Cds and re-rip as MP3.

[macnews]

iTMS coming sooner is better, no question. But has anyone put two and two together on this one? A few posts suggested it, but if there is a special edition iPod and a big announcement for iTMS perhaps, just maybe, it would mean use outside of the USA?

SJ: "And here is the special edition iPod made just for this expo AND you can all go home and use iTMS-Europe or Canada or Aust!"

[crap freakboy]

Originally posted by adamfilip
well its great to hear ITMS will come to the pc.

but i want it to come to Canada first!! dammit.

not everyone in the world is american!


yet

sad yet true huh?

:(

[Phil Of Mac]

Originally posted by Doctor Q
That doesn't prevent lower prices. Example: Two songs for $1.

Certainly, but that would relegate iTMS to a shopping-cart-only service. It would take away the 1-click goodness we've come to expect from it.

Originally posted by Freg3000
Hopefully, many international varieties of the iTMS will be releases or announced tomorrow.

Am I the only one thinking the UK is gonna have an Apple Store separate from the European store, due to currency differences?

[jj2003]

Originally posted by Phil Of Mac
Don't blame Apple, blame your governments for making it such a difficult legal situation.


What has my government (Finland) done to make it so difficult?

[gunnmjk]

I saw what I believed to be a billboard advertising iTunes for PC somewhere between Berkeley, and San Francisco, CA. It had the gibson guitar busting out of the white, with "PC" in bold letters on the top right. That caught my eye. I read it, and it said something to the like of "Download music to your PC" then we drove by it.
I'm pretty positive it was a windows iTunes ad, but if I was mistaken, sorry

[Phil Of Mac]

Originally posted by jj2003
What has my government (Finland) done to make it so difficult?

I don't know Finland specifically, but European governments in general have more restrictive economic laws and regulations than the US, which means that any economic activity, including iTMS, is more difficult in Europe.

[jj2003]

Originally posted by Phil Of Mac
I don't know Finland specifically, but European governments in general have more restrictive economic laws and regulations than the US, which means that any economic activity, including iTMS, is more difficult in Europe.


Apple has an internet store in various European countries that sells computers and relating stuff, selling music is hardly different from selling computers when it comes to the laws.

As far as I know, it is not the laws that are the problem with the international iTMS, but the publishing rights and artist royalties. I do not know about other European countries but I know that buying music on the Internet is not regulated by the Finnish government.

Actually quite the contrary, buying immaterial things abroad via the internet (software, music, etc.) is one of the few things that are not taxated in Finland.

[Phil Of Mac]

Yes, true, but the labels have different contracts with artists to distribute them in different countries, in order to comply with the laws of those countries. While there may not be e-commerce regulation, the regulation of mere contract law, or something like that, relating to music sales in general, may be quite possibly the culprit.

Also the fact that Apple has to work through new negotiations for each country. So also, blame the fact that you aren't the 51st State :)

[Doctor Q]

Originally posted by Phil Of Mac
Certainly, but that would relegate iTMS to a shopping-cart-only service. It would take away the 1-click goodness we've come to expect from it.OK, how 'bout this? When you buy a tune, you get your next tune free, if ordered within, say, 24 hours. Your credit card is charged $1 in 24 hours whether you pick your free song or not. Effective price: 50 cents.

[Phil Of Mac]

That would be cool and profitable, certainly. A workaround for the issue isn't impossible, clearly, it's just not nearly as elegant. However, I wouldn't put a price cut beyond Apple.

[sinclairZX81]

Originally posted by Phil Of Mac
Yes, true, but the labels have different contracts with artists to distribute them in different countries, in order to comply with the laws of those countries. While there may not be e-commerce regulation, the regulation of mere contract law, or something like that...

or, in other words you don't know what you are talking about and were just coming out with the usual ill informed crap about europe.

[Phil Of Mac]

Originally posted by sinclairZX81
or, in other words you don't know what you are talking about and were just coming out with the usual ill informed crap about europe.

What did that contribute to the conversation? Trolling and spamming isn't welcome here.

[iMeowbot]

Originally posted by hexcalibur
The note went on to say that iTMS was mac-only right now, but Windows users would be able to get it "this fall". Hardly a lock, but if Pat Metheny isn't a music insider, nobody is.

On the other hand, Apple have been saying all along that iTMS for Windows would be out this year, and northern winter starts on 22 December, so it would be kind of hard for them not to release it this fall.

[typo]

[behooved girl]

Originally posted by gunnmjk
I saw what I believed to be a billboard advertising iTunes for PC somewhere between Berkeley, and San Francisco, CA. It had the gibson guitar busting out of the white, with "PC" in bold letters on the top right. That caught my eye. I read it, and it said something to the like of "Download music to your PC" then we drove by it.
I'm pretty positive it was a windows iTunes ad, but if I was mistaken, sorry

i've seen it as well. that would be none other than buymusic.com's shoddy attempt at ripping off/mocking apple's advertising campaign. pretty lame, eh?

[NoVi]

iTunes for Windows in October?

So the answer is NO ??

[sacrilicious]

Originally posted by NoVi
iTunes for Windows in October?

So the answer is NO ??

Who cares? I'm finally a switcher. :p :D

[NoVi]

Originally posted by sacrilicious
Who cares? I'm finally a switcher. :p :D

Well, as a *hybrid* user BUT living in Europe, I hope to see the day when I can do my first IMTS order :(

[hvfsl]

Originally posted by dansuz1
Just so long as they dont do 0.99EURO (little less than 1.13USD) and 0.99GBP. Which knowing the UK they might.

(FYI 1GPB=0.62USD=0.71EURO)


Just for clarity:

.99 British Pound = 1.58746 US Dollar
.99 US Dollar (USD) = 0.61740 British Pound (GBP)

.99 Euro = 1.11830 US Dollar
.99 US Dollar (USD) = 0.87642 Euro (EUR)

So for Apple to be fair, they should charge UK users GBP .62 and all other EU users Euro .88

Dan

But the US don't pay tax on their Internet stuff so the prices should be:

UK £0.75
1 EURO

But I think the other services in UK (e.g. Virgin) are planning to sell for as low as £0.65 per song (although in WM format)

[jhave]

Originally posted by hvfsl
But the US don't pay tax on their Internet stuff so the prices should be:

UK £0.75
1 EURO

But I think the other services in UK (e.g. Virgin) are planning to sell for as low as £0.65 per song (although in WM format)

It will be more than 1 EUR. 1,5 EUR and 1 GBP probably! :mad: