iTunes faces Microsoft rival

Dom · Jun 14, 2004, 08:20 PM

LONDON (Reuters) - Windows Media Player users will be able to buy music downloads from a selection of European online stores, after Microsoft and OD2 teamed up to lure fans away from Apple's iTunes.

The service, known as "SonicSelector", was developed by British-based download service OD2 and was unveiled on Monday at a press conference in London.

The announcement comes as OD2, long Europe's dominant download firm, and Microsoft Corp brace for the European arrival of the iTunes Net music store, a launch that is expected to jumpstart Europe's tiny music download market.

Apple is hosting a press conference on Tuesday in London where, music industry sources said, it will announce the long-awaited European launch date for iTunes.

Over the past few weeks, Roxio has launched Napster in the UK and Sony Corp said it was readying the roll-out later this month of its Sony Connect online music store.

The recent flurry of activity is breathing some life into Europe's nascent download market. Seeing digital downloads as a major source of future music sales, rival services are beginning to jockey for consumers' attention.

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Source: Reuters

Jun 14, 2004, 08:20 PM	#1
Dom DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 12,940 Rep Power: 0	iTunes faces Microsoft rival LONDON (Reuters) - Windows Media Player users will be able to buy music downloads from a selection of European online stores, after Microsoft and OD2 teamed up to lure fans away from Apple's iTunes. The service, known as "SonicSelector", was developed by British-based download service OD2 and was unveiled on Monday at a press conference in London. The announcement comes as OD2, long Europe's dominant download firm, and Microsoft Corp brace for the European arrival of the iTunes Net music store, a launch that is expected to jumpstart Europe's tiny music download market. Apple is hosting a press conference on Tuesday in London where, music industry sources said, it will announce the long-awaited European launch date for iTunes. Over the past few weeks, Roxio has launched Napster in the UK and Sony Corp said it was readying the roll-out later this month of its Sony Connect online music store. The recent flurry of activity is breathing some life into Europe's nascent download market. Seeing digital downloads as a major source of future music sales, rival services are beginning to jockey for consumers' attention. Read More... _____________________ Source: Reuters