Mobility Guys

In this episode of the MobilityGuys show we talk with Tyler Welch from Microsoft about the MVP program and we go on to discuss the upcoming Zune player from Microsoft as well as DRM in general with talk about some of the different music services out there for downloading music.

Links:

• MVP
  • www.microsoft.com/mvp
  • http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/mvpfaqs
• iRiver Clix
• URGE

Zune Info

• Gizmodo Images
• iLounge UI Info
• Zune Thoughts
• More Zune Links

DRM Info

Cory Doctrow- Information Week article- Apple’s Copy Protection Isn’t Just Bad For Consumers, It’s Bad For Business,

Online Music Services Mentioned

eMusic

• Download quality:192 Kb/s MP3
• Tethered Downloads: N/A
• Internet Streaming: N/A
• Home Network Streaming: N/A
• DRM used: None
• Cost per track: $.22-$.25/song
• Subscription: $10-$20/month
• Compatablity:Any device that plays MP3s
• Library: 1.2+ million

iTunes

• Download quality:128 Kb/s AAC
• Tethered Downloads:N/A
• Internet Streaming: N/A
• Home Network Streaming: Limited to AirPort Express
• DRM used:Apple Fairplay
• Cost per track:1$
• Subscription:none
• Compatablity:iPod and Motorola ROKR and SLVR
• Library: 2+ million

MusicGiants

• Download quality: lossless WMA
• Tethered Downloads:N/A
• Internet Streaming: N/A
• Home Network Streaming: No
• DRM used: Microsoft Janus
• Cost per track: $1.29/song $15/album
• Subscription:$50 toward purchases in first year
• Compatablity:Plays For Sure Devices
• Library: 2+ million

MusicMatch on Demand (now owned by Yahoo!)

• Download quality:160 Kb/s WMA
• Tethered Downloads:N/A
• Internet Streaming: Radio only
• Home Network Streaming: Kind of, only Radio stations
• DRM used: Mircosoft Janus
• Cost per track:$1/song
• Subscription:$5-$7/month
• Compatablity:Plays For Sure Devices
• Library: 900K+

Napster

• Download quality:192 Kb/s WMA
• Tethered Downloads:192 Kbp/s WMA
• Internet Streaming: 128 Kb/s WMA
• Home Network Streaming: No, but has Windows Media Center Interface
• DRM used:Microsoft Janus
• Cost per track:$1/song
• Subscription:$10-$15/month subscriber gets 5 free listens before limited to 30s or purchase
• Compatablity:Plays For Sure Devices
• Library: 2+ million

Rhapsody

• Download quality:192 Kb/s RealAudio 10 or AAC
• Tethered Downloads:160 Kbp/s WMA
• Internet Streaming: 128 Kb/s WMA and internet radio stations
• Home Network Streaming: Yes
• DRM used:Real Helix
• Cost per track:$.90-$1/song
• Subscription:$0-$15/month
• Compatablity:Plays For Sure Devices and iPods(purchased only)
• Library: 1.6+ million

URGE

• Download quality: 192 Kb/s WMA
• Tethered Downloads:192 Kb/s WMA up to 2 devices per PC up to 3 PCs with no mechanism to deauthorize players
• Internet Streaming: 128 Kb/s WMA and Radio Channels
• Home Network Streaming: Yes
• DRM used: Microsoft Janus
• Cost per track:$1/song $9/album upto 5 computers and 7 CD burns
• Subscription:$10-15/month some popular songs cost additional $.99 to listen to
• Compatablity:Plays For Sure Devices
• Library: 2+ million

Virgin Digital

• Download quality:192 Kb/s WMA
• Tethered Downloads:128 Kbp/s WMA (unlimted up to 3 PCs and 2 players)
• Internet Streaming: 128 Kb/s WMA and internet radio station
• Home Network Streaming: No
• DRM used: Mircosoft Janus
• Cost per track: $1/song
• Subscription:$15/month
• Compatablity:Plays For Sure Devices
• Library: 2+ million

Yahoo! Music Unlimited

• Download quality:192 Kb/s WMA
• Tethered Downloads:192 Kbp/s WMA and LAUNCHCast Radio of >150 Radio Stations
• Internet Streaming: 192 Kb/s WMA
• Home Network Streaming: Yes
• DRM used: Mircosoft Janus
• Cost per track:$.80-$1/song
• Subscription:$5-$12/month
• Compatablity:Plays For Sure Devices
• Library: 1.1+ million

Downloads don’t come with any of the extras, such as lyrics, printable booklets and bonus videos, that are bundled with many albums available on CD. iTunes is the only service offering this with some of their newer albums setting the bar even higher for others to compete.

Subscription based music allows access to unlimited music on your player without having to pay for each track or purchase CDs with players in the 60GB range that is a lot of music especially at an industry average of $1/track vs $15/month.

It all comes down to what works best for you whether it be purchasing by track, subscribing and renting music, or a combination of both. Just make sure you back up your music especially if you paid for it!