] Microsoft is expected to unveil copy-protection software
] this summer that will for the first time give portable
] digital music players access to tunes rented via
] all-you-can-eat subscription services--a development that
] some industry executives believe will shake up the online
] music business.

[ I continue to not understand the desire to rent music. I know it's really no different from renting movies -- saying "I want to experience this, but not own it forever." I find it impossible to put my mind into that mode as pertains to music, but it's becoming ever more obvious that a huge number of people do feel that way. They simply want access to whatever's popular right now, and whatever's going to be popular six months from now, when the current flavor is old and tired. It's only a problem for me because the majority generally wins when it comes to business models, and the subscription model is what the music industry prefers... They want ongoing, sustained revenue without having to concern themselves with the variability of product quality. And of course, they want to make sure that you can experience their product only in a few prescribed ways.

Certainly I fear that Microsoft's dominance of the OS market will allow it to decimate the competition, which i don't think helps anyone. Well, I take that back... it helps Microsoft, and the big labels.

Also, does anyone else find it sorta creepy that the software is called Janus? -k]

Microsoft's iPod killer? | CNET News.com