NEWS To throw a spanner in the works of Microsoft's arrival on the digital music scene, Apple wanted to sign a strategic agreement with Sony, Japanese daily Nikkei Sangyo Shimbun has revealed, quoting sources from Sony.
According to the sources, Apple CEO Steve Jobs made his offer to Nobuyuki Idei, head of Sony, in January during a round of golf organised by the Japanese firm in Hawaii. Apple, it seems, was ready to open up its iTunes music store so the downloads would also be compatible with Sony's digital music players.
Both Apple and Sony representatives declined to comment.
Currently, Cupertino has only opened its platform to customers with Apple's music player, the iPod, much to the chagrin of other players in the sector, including RealNetworks. In the mobile space, it also licensed its technology to phone maker Motorola to enable some handsets to play iTunes downloads.
Microsoft's music downloads, on the other hand, can be read by a far larger number of music players.
Before the Microsoft song shop opened its doors this month, Sony launched its own service, Sony Connect, hoping to repeat the iTunes plus iPod equals success equation with its digital music player, Network Walkman NW-HD1, linked to Sony Connect.
The Network Walkman NW-HD1 can only read one format - Atrac - with Sony unlikely to want to loosen its grip. It also has a tool called Sonic Stage which will let users convert non-protected MP3, WMA and WAV files into Atrac format.
Christophe Guillemin writes for ZDNet France
Comments
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1. AlSki
Sonic stage has been available for a couple of years.. Its not a new product.
2. anonymous
--The Network Walkman NW-HD1, like the iPod, can only read a proprietary format -
This statement is incorrect; the iPod can read a variety of file types, including AAC (16 to 320 Kbps), MP3 (32 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible, AIFF, Apple Lossless and WAV. The only proprietary format is the DRM portion of the songs sold at the iTunes online store.
3. Hal Mann
Long term, Apple can't continue to rule the media download market on the strength of the iPod alone, especially since they won't license FairPlay. In a few months, the iPod craze will cool off to more reasonable levels, and by that time a new strategy by Apple must be in full swing, if they want to continue to be in the driver's seat for this market.
I want to be able to shop at 3rd party music stores, using iTunes. I want to hear a song on XM radio that I like and want to buy, and be able to buy it right there from my car stereo (to be downloaded later). I want my iPod to be Bluetooth enabled, so that it can stream to either my car or home stereo.
All that takes opening the iTunes/iPod environment to others. That means ceding absolute control, but the alternative is taking on the Microsoft juggernaut alone. The last time Apple did that, we all ended up with M$ Windoze on our PCs.
So it's a pity that Apple couldn't being Sony to the table. Sony should realize what it's up against in Microsoft, and Apple should perhaps work harder at coming up with accomodating Sony's needs.