However, microsoft have caved and will be supporting open Document in the next version of Word. Why: pressure.
notice the similarities between this and Apple / Fairplay.
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European Countries Up Pressure On iTunes, FairPlay
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However, microsoft have caved and will be supporting open Document in the next version of Word. Why: pressure.
notice the similarities between this and Apple / Fairplay.
Choice is better
Here's my problem with Apple:
I want to buy an Apple computer.
I like Mac hardware. I like OSX. I'm tired of Windows. BUT...
I don't like ITunes and I don't like IPods. I don't like being locked in to one option. I don't like not being able to replace the battery. I don't like 128kbs. I don't like not having a volume buttom on the player. I don't even like the scroll-wheel (god save me). I'm not saying that you have to agree with me - so please don't flame me because you love those things and I don't.
So why should my decision to buy a COMPUTER and a computer operating system mean that I have to use a music app I don't like (ITunes), buy a player I don't want (IPod), buy music from a store I don't want to use (ITMS), in a format I don't want to buy? I want a computer, not a lifetime contract to products I don't want.
Yes - I could buy CDs exclusively instead of using ITMS - but if everyone wanted to buy CDs exclusively, song-at-a-time music stores wouldn't have taken off as they have. Yes I could buy AAC songs and re-rip them. But seriously - do you REALLY think that's an ideal situation? REALLY? I don't want AAC in the first place, I don't want to waste a CD, I don't want to have a loss of quality by reripping. It's just a waste of my time just to get proper access to what I would rather have bought in a format I preferred, but wasn't allowed to by the Apple ecosystem.
Many posters are saying that I have a choice - that I coudl get the music in other ways, that I could just not get an iPod, that I could stick with a PC.
But what it comes down to is this: If I like Apple COMPUTERS and I like music, I have to accept that the computer comes with a lifetime ball and chain relating to all sorts of non-computer things. I would have to buy a new portable music player, use a music app I don't like, and buy music from a store that I find annoying, unattractive, and unnecessarily restrictive.
That is not choice. That is building an ecosystem that restricts my choice.
And it's just about enough to steer me clear of Apple all together. Which, frankly, annoys me all the more. I want an Apple computer. Let me buy it without forcing all the other things on me.
*End of rant*
Here's my problem with Apple:
I want to buy an Apple computer.
I like Mac hardware. I like OSX. I'm tired of Windows. BUT...
I don't like ITunes and I don't like IPods. I don't like being locked in to one option. I don't like not being able to replace the battery. I don't like 128kbs. I don't like not having a volume buttom on the player. I don't even like the scroll-wheel (god save me). I'm not saying that you have to agree with me - so please don't flame me because you love those things and I don't.
So why should my decision to buy a COMPUTER and a computer operating system mean that I have to use a music app I don't like (ITunes), buy a player I don't want (IPod), buy music from a store I don't want to use (ITMS), in a format I don't want to buy? I want a computer, not a lifetime contract to products I don't want.
Yes - I could buy CDs exclusively instead of using ITMS - but if everyone wanted to buy CDs exclusively, song-at-a-time music stores wouldn't have taken off as they have. Yes I could buy AAC songs and re-rip them. But seriously - do you REALLY think that's an ideal situation? REALLY? I don't want AAC in the first place, I don't want to waste a CD, I don't want to have a loss of quality by reripping. It's just a waste of my time just to get proper access to what I would rather have bought in a format I preferred, but wasn't allowed to by the Apple ecosystem.
Many posters are saying that I have a choice - that I coudl get the music in other ways, that I could just not get an iPod, that I could stick with a PC.
But what it comes down to is this: If I like Apple COMPUTERS and I like music, I have to accept that the computer comes with a lifetime ball and chain relating to all sorts of non-computer things. I would have to buy a new portable music player, use a music app I don't like, and buy music from a store that I find annoying, unattractive, and unnecessarily restrictive.
That is not choice. That is building an ecosystem that restricts my choice.
And it's just about enough to steer me clear of Apple all together. Which, frankly, annoys me all the more. I want an Apple computer. Let me buy it without forcing all the other things on me.
*End of rant*
DVDs - true, however, its extremely easy to get hold of a region free DVD player, or to change your existing DVD player to region 0 (*most). Problem solved.
* DVD regioning stinks - its not about piracy but about price controls in those regions of the world ( i.e., keep DVD prices higher in Europe than say, North America )
Its a shame you spent so long on a post that has little point. You can simply use another player and buy music from another digital supplier. You can have your mac and your digital music without an ipod and without iTMS....whats your issue?
Everyone Stop...
Really you all need to use your head for a minute. This isn't Apples fault. This is every music labels fault. They wanted you to stop stealing their music. Apple gave you a way to do that while satisfying the music labels. Apple wanted you to have a way to digitally listen to your music. This isn't Apples fault 1 bit. All the posts upon posts for people who want to do whatever you want with your music, fine, do what you want, but if you wouldn't have stolen so much in the first place you wouldn't have this problem. GREED CONSUMES US ALL!
Really you all need to use your head for a minute. This isn't Apples fault. This is every music labels fault. They wanted you to stop stealing their music. Apple gave you a way to do that while satisfying the music labels. Apple wanted you to have a way to digitally listen to your music. This isn't Apples fault 1 bit. All the posts upon posts for people who want to do whatever you want with your music, fine, do what you want, but if you wouldn't have stolen so much in the first place you wouldn't have this problem. GREED CONSUMES US ALL!
Yes, inconvenient workarounds exist same as they do for protected content purchased from iTunes.
I'll agree with you
There is nothing illegal about tying products together, which is what this is. It is also not anti-competitive since anyone is free to enter the market. As long as the threat of entry is there, a dominant company will not engage in monopoly pricing and output.
It's pretty sad that governments don't understand economics. It's sadder that it seems Apple is the only company right now that knows how to write good software for their good hardware.
There is nothing illegal about tying products together, which is what this is. It is also not anti-competitive since anyone is free to enter the market. As long as the threat of entry is there, a dominant company will not engage in monopoly pricing and output.
It's pretty sad that governments don't understand economics. It's sadder that it seems Apple is the only company right now that knows how to write good software for their good hardware.
Buying a DVD player ( $40 ) is easier than having to Burn -> rip. Its a waste of CDs and thus, more expense.
* buy when you replace your existing dvd player after it goes up in smoke. Burning and Ripping is extremely time consuming.
That statement is subjective.
2.5% marketshare to microsoft's - > 90%.
Even when microsoft have been restricted from its dodgy practices.
Exactly. In the first place they just want the music to be playable on all players.
And it would also be nice if the iPod as well supported playing DRM protected music from other vendors than the iTMS. Does anyone here know whether the iTMS offers all the Music offered by all the other online Music stores?
And to all the people who say there are alternatives: These alternatives are usually at least equally limited. So one could choose them instead but that would also mean that one could never buy an iPod, because it doesn't play the music.
That's the reason why I don't buy music online - ok, I spent 99c on the iTMS just to try how it works.
And diesel fuel as well as high octane fuel are sold by all major gas station brands. many different companies. It's not a single company that has a monopoly on them.
And the DVD region coding is a different story and really a problem. But the EU was at least at some point even investigating against that. I don't know what came out of this in the end. But at least in Germany the electronics resellers seem to be aware of the problem and offer DVD players including the directions to make them region code free.
Good grief.
I have read through this entire thread, and frankly I am stunned. The number of people here who do not want choice amazes me.
At this stage I'm not planning to buy another iPod, but I want to be able to play my iTunes-purchased music on the player I end up getting. For this to happen legally, we need interoperability (or I can go via CD and lose time and quality). I have stopped buying from iTunes, but I still have hundreds of downloads from there that I will no longer be able to play. I'm watching DoubleTwist with interest, as they may provide a solution whether Apple wants it or not.
I have read through this entire thread, and frankly I am stunned. The number of people here who do not want choice amazes me.
At this stage I'm not planning to buy another iPod, but I want to be able to play my iTunes-purchased music on the player I end up getting. For this to happen legally, we need interoperability (or I can go via CD and lose time and quality). I have stopped buying from iTunes, but I still have hundreds of downloads from there that I will no longer be able to play. I'm watching DoubleTwist with interest, as they may provide a solution whether Apple wants it or not.
Isn't it just.
But, you must realise, for a lot of people - Apple are the true path who can do no wrong. Blinded by SJ's RDF.
But, you must realise, for a lot of people - Apple are the true path who can do no wrong. Blinded by SJ's RDF.
Bull! Just some people made a decision and knew the outcome if they wanted to change player. Its called an informed decision. Like i say i never wanted an ipod but i liked iTMS so i made an informed decision!
open it up. license it. if creative wants iTunes music to work on a zen or whatever, they can pay apple a fee for every device they sell. apple will clearly benefit from this, consumers *could* benefit from this but in all reality, if they did this, i doubt creative would go along with it. the true reason anyone gets a zen instead of an iPod is 1) they dislike the idea of iPods and feel like going against the norm or 2) the zen is cheaper. So while i think that apple should be able to do whatever they want with their technologies, i think it would benefit them to license it - and it would get the EU off of their back.
If Creative could license Fairplay they would in a shot - the ability to play Fairplay content is very atttractive. Think - Real - they hacked fairplay so Realplayer could play f/p content - just this scenario.
Okay thats really stupid
Okay, get a grip. The car analogy makes sense. Your toothpaste one is stupid, and irrelevant.
If you don't like iTunes f**k off, I like it I don't need Apple pulling out of my country because some idiot wants INTEROPERABILITY with some cheap peice of s**t player. Because ultimately that is what Jobs will do.
YOU DO REALISE he is a control freak. It will be his way or the HIGHWAY and they won't boot him off the board again as he has proven there is no APPLE without him.
Okay, get a grip. The car analogy makes sense. Your toothpaste one is stupid, and irrelevant.
If you don't like iTunes f**k off, I like it I don't need Apple pulling out of my country because some idiot wants INTEROPERABILITY with some cheap peice of s**t player. Because ultimately that is what Jobs will do.
YOU DO REALISE he is a control freak. It will be his way or the HIGHWAY and they won't boot him off the board again as he has proven there is no APPLE without him.
Apple invented iTunes, Apple brought iPod to market. If Apple wants only them to work together, then go right ahead. That is not anti-competitive or a monopoly because it does not lock out competitors from the market, it just keeps the specific iPod + iTunes system closed.
These socialist countries get mad whenever someone foreign is successful, and they think that they can force companies to do whatever they want. Its obnoxious. If they want to make a big enough stink of it Apple will just leave. Steve will not bend.
These socialist countries get mad whenever someone foreign is successful, and they think that they can force companies to do whatever they want. Its obnoxious. If they want to make a big enough stink of it Apple will just leave. Steve will not bend.
So, if fairplay was licensed, i.e. any hack to allow it is ludicrisly punishable by law, would Real have paid Apple a fee for every copy of Real Player that was downloaded? I think not.
It depends on the licensing terms - a lump sum over a period of time - doesn't have to be per copy.
Real may have been OK with a per download license terms... neither YOU or I know that ( and due to that, I see little point in debating this point - since its all speculation ).
As a Canadian, I find that statement embarrassing. Please avoid jingoistic embellishments. Stick to the arguments rather than ad hominem attacks.
Maybe this analogy is more relevant: I wanted to buy an SLR camera. There are many different manufacturers out there, each with pros and cons. I realized before making my purchase that I'm buying more than a camera, I'm buying into a company who is the sole source of lenses, flashes, and other add-ons for that camera. I bought Canon which means I cannot buy Nikon, Pentax, etc. Should I expect Canon to somehow enable me to use Nikon lenses? Absolutely not, I bought into an entire line of camera products, I can blame nobody but myself (and I blame nobody, I am very pleased).
Right now I don't like what these European countrys are doing.. they are targetting one company(Apple) and trying to force them to get rid of DRM. Thing is when they do that it puts Apple at a large disadvantage since everybody else still gets to keep their DRM. Instead of doing that why don't they pass a law that says DRM's are illegal. BOOM there you go you just leveled playing field for everybody.
VHS Copy Protection
Because of Macrovision, you would be unable to duplicate some titles (first ones showed up around 1985).
Can we look to Norway, France and Germany to remove CSS from DVDs? That's the same scenario as removing DRM from music downloads. I can't play my vast DVD collection on my Linux boxes without buying a licensed player program.
Because of Macrovision, you would be unable to duplicate some titles (first ones showed up around 1985).
Can we look to Norway, France and Germany to remove CSS from DVDs? That's the same scenario as removing DRM from music downloads. I can't play my vast DVD collection on my Linux boxes without buying a licensed player program.