Rhapsody to challenge iTunes by embracing the iPod
source: http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSN2927845920080630
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- merasyad
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Digital music seller Rhapsody is launching a $50 million marketing assault on Apple's iTunes, offering songs online and via partners including Yahoo Inc and Verizon Wireless, Rhapsody said on Monday.
The songs will be sold in MP3 format, which means users of the Rhapsody service will be able to play them on iPods.
Before now Rhapsody, jointly owned by Real Networks Inc and Viacom Inc's MTV Networks, had focused on a subscription service, allowing unlimited song streaming for $13 to $15 a month, rather than selling downloads.
But Rhapsody Vice President Neil Smith said the fact the service has not been compatible with Apple Inc's top-selling iPod digital player has limited Rhapsody's reach.
Rhapsody is the latest player to challenge iTunes's 70 percent-plus market share of U.S. digital music sales. Last month digital music service Napster Inc launched an MP3 store. Both Wal-Mart Stores Inc and Amazon.com Inc launched stores last year.
The songs will be sold in MP3 format, which means users of the Rhapsody service will be able to play them on iPods.
Before now Rhapsody, jointly owned by Real Networks Inc and Viacom Inc's MTV Networks, had focused on a subscription service, allowing unlimited song streaming for $13 to $15 a month, rather than selling downloads.
But Rhapsody Vice President Neil Smith said the fact the service has not been compatible with Apple Inc's top-selling iPod digital player has limited Rhapsody's reach.
Rhapsody is the latest player to challenge iTunes's 70 percent-plus market share of U.S. digital music sales. Last month digital music service Napster Inc launched an MP3 store. Both Wal-Mart Stores Inc and Amazon.com Inc launched stores last year.
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- groups:
- Entertainment, Tech, Music
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- Entertainment, Music, Tech, Technology, 7 more
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ultravphunter
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Woah. I guess the only way to beat iTunes is to start playing by their rules.
- 3 years ago
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ultravphunter
