RSSSamsung to Build Own Music Store
By Nate Mook | Published September 1, 2006, 1:23 PM
Samsung on Friday announced plans to develop its own online music store, which would join a growing number of Windows Media-based services that have struggled to compete with Apple's iTunes. The store would complement a new line of MP3 players from the electronics maker.
With Microsoft readying its own Zune portable device and music service to take on Apple, the company's PlaysForSure partners are becoming increasingly wary of being pushed to the side. In turn, Samsung is closing the loop and will promote its own service alongside its devices, much like Apple does with the iPod.
Samsung has tapped MusicNet to provide the library of songs for the store, which will likely offer both a monthly subscription and individual downloads. MusicNet currently powers Yahoo! Music Unlimited and MTV Networks' URGE, which was developed with Microsoft and will be the primary service in Windows Media Player 11.
The company has provided few other details about the service, except that it will initially target Europe. Samsung's store will launch in the United Kingdom, France and Germany before expanding to other EU countries and Asia. With Apple dominating online music sales in the United States, Samsung is looking to establish its presence elsewhere.
Samsung also announced Friday the K5 audio player, which features a built-in speaker and OLED display with a one-button design. The K5 will come in 2GB and 4GB models, priced at $209.99 and $259.99 USD, respectively. The device goes on sale September 10th and will be available in black and pink.
This will be great! I can't get enough Korean pop.
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The truly funny part about this is the that the RIAA has made downloading music illegal. This means that this is a waste of time.
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Ever since Apple gave up on competing with
Microsoft, everybody and their DOG has been
opening on-line music stores !
Ok, the Mac is almost as dead as Amiga.
What did you expect with LESS THAN 3% of the
DESKTOP MARKET ?
Don't blame Apple. Steve Jobs is on drugs or
something !
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The Computer Rodent
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As I've said before: "No AAC support = no sale!".
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Just what the world needs, another online music store. Can't we have just one that doesn't suck.
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The more online music stores spring up the more inter-competition will increase. This should obviously translate into consumer benefits due to dropping album prices.
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I've got a name for the next one : Jams (Just Another Music Store).
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