Microsoft apes Spotify with ad-stuffed tune streaming Microsoft is on the verge of mimicking Spotify, the UK-based music streaming service that serves up audio ads alongside free tunes. As reported by The Telegraph, Redmond will have its Spotify-like service "ready" by the end of this month. That's in 16 days. "Music is an important area for Microsoft. We are looking at …
Because I've gotten to the point that whenever I read about some new MS initiative (usually playing monkey see, monkey do) my immediate reaction is "how will they get it wrong this time?"
It's like listening to Gordon Brown or any other Labourista yapping about all their wonderful plans for the New Britain and having the instinctive response "more spin and lies."
Hopefully people will still recall the fiasco that was the "PlaysForSure" Music Store (or whatever it was called".
This will be yet another attempt by Microsoft to enter a market they don't understand only to discover they can't make money from it and pull the plug on it, leaving whatever number of users they had managed to suck in stranded with yet another pre paid subscription for a service they can no longer access.
It's about time that people started to "Just say NO" to Microsoft.
Well, if you listen to Prog Rock Greats you can extend that out by quite a bit. Throw "Close To The Edge", "Supper's Ready" and "Thick As A Brick" at it and maybe Echoes at it and you can go an a hour and a half between interruptions. Ohh. Let me find 2112 whilst I'm at it.
if you still insist on listening to modern "soundbites" masquerading as music you'll get what you deserve - lots more adverts...
They're turning into a "Jack of all trades, master of none".
(Mind you, they started out as a "master of none" who had a lucky break, maybe they think they'll get another one)
I try not to use their software or services unless there really is no better option (and there almost always is)
Have to agree with Sam Crawley; Spotify was a genuine treat to listen to, with the *occasional* advert a fair price to pay for it.
Now, I'm back to my generic PC music player. I know that I have a smaller selection of tunes (actually I have loads, but most of the are cr4p) but adverts every 2-3 songs? C'mon.
Looks like a Veep somewhere said, "Well, /why/ can't we make more money by pushing more ads?" And no-one stood up to him/her.
*Sigh*
You ask "how will they get it wrong this time?" Well rumor has it, that in order to promote their groundbreaking and unique software, Songsmith, all content will get a Songsmith treatment before you hear it. That will get the punters in in their droves methinks.
Also, all your browsers will have their default search setting locked down to Zing when you install the MS client.
My prediction for number one on the MS service is the Irvin Berlin classic from the musical "Annie get your gun", "Anything you can do".
Anything you can do,
I can do better.
I can do anything
Better than you.
No, you can't.
Yes, I can. No, you can't.
Yes, I can. No, you can't.
Yes, I can,
Yes, I can!
Anything you can be
I can be greater.
Sooner or later,
I'm greater than you.
No, you're not. Yes, I am.
No, you're not. Yes, I am.
No, you're NOT!. Yes, I am.
Yes, I am!
Yes, I can. (Higher) No, you can't. (Higher)
Yes, I can. (Higher) No, you can't. (Higher)
Yes, I can. (Higher) No, you can't. (Higher)
Yes, I can. (Higher) No, you can't. (Higher)
Yes, I CAN! (Highest)
No, you can't.
Yes, I can No, you can't.
Yes, I can No, you can't.
Yes, I can
Yes, I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I No, you C-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-N'T--
CA-A-A-A-N! (Cough, cough!)
Yes, you ca-a-a-an!
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