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Question about AAC
Is AAC an Apple owned proprietary format? I was under the (perhaps mistaken) impression that it is just another mpeg format and the only Apple proprietary thing is the FairPlay DRM that is added to it. MS could, technically, support AAC (not FairPlay) without supporting Apple in any way at all, is that correct?

Good point about how the lock-in, when combined with the fact that MS can't create "Zune only" media (unlike with XBox), will make it difficult to dethrone Apple. I suppose MS could start engaging in exclusive licenses with bands and tv studios so if you want to buy the latest Britney Spears song or American Idol episode, it will only be available on Zune. The thing is, if you are going to enter an exclusive agreement with anyone, would you do it with the service that has 80% marketshare or the one that has 5%?
Posted by: NonZealot   Posted on: 07/28/06 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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Zune is just another M$ flop...  Linux Geek | 07/27/06
and may its agony be short lived.  999ad@... | 07/27/06
Good thing then ...  Henaway | 07/27/06
Zune is another Microsoft Xbox  Boot_Agnostic | 07/27/06
To know when you know & to know when you don't know ? NT  raycote | 07/27/06
I don't know! You know?  Boot_Agnostic | 07/29/06
I expect the same out of every other MS plan  nucrash | 07/27/06
I really doubt it  baggins_z | 07/27/06
And in related news  j.m.galvin | 07/27/06
Oh the (bad) old days of MS!!  dave95. | 07/28/06
All Your Media Are Belong to M$  tarnishednite | 07/27/06
Track record  tic swayback | 07/27/06
I wouldn't be so sure  Benton Rich | 07/27/06
Defining success  tic swayback | 07/28/06
Forgot a few devices  NonZealot | 07/27/06
Different markets  tic swayback | 07/28/06
Question about AAC  NonZealot | 07/28/06
Barriers to Entry  Harry Bardal | 07/28/06
A monopoly is not illegal  tic swayback | 07/28/06
It's an interseting issue  Harry Bardal | 07/28/06
Monopoly maintenance  tic swayback | 07/28/06
Competitors does not imply no monopoly  NonZealot | 07/28/06
I Disagree  Harry Bardal | 07/28/06
Can it really be a monopoly...  tic swayback | 07/28/06
Stunning response Harry!  NonZealot | 07/28/06
PS About trust and vendors  NonZealot | 07/28/06
AAC is an open format  tic swayback | 07/28/06
It is FairPlay that locks customers  NonZealot | 07/28/06
Ain't gonna happen  tic swayback | 07/28/06
Microsoft is just not cool  dave95. | 07/28/06
Why does MS feel the need  Michael Kelly | 07/27/06
Wall Street demands it  tic swayback | 07/28/06
But not everybody upgrades on each cycle  Michael Kelly | 07/28/06
How much can you improve Office?  tic swayback | 07/28/06
Wall Street $$$... yes  MacCanuck | 07/28/06
Spooky tic!  NonZealot | 07/28/06
Desktops are commodity  Boot_Agnostic | 07/28/06
That still hasn't happened yet  Michael Kelly | 07/28/06
"Why can't they just concentrate on the things they do best...  nomorems | 07/28/06
But maybe they would be  Michael Kelly | 07/28/06
Monopoly  nomorems | 07/28/06
But how does OEM lock in occur?  Michael Kelly | 07/28/06
OEM lockin?  NonZealot | 07/28/06
Sidetracked?  tic swayback | 07/28/06
Ultimately upper management is responsible  Michael Kelly | 07/28/06
Why not hire more upper management?  tic swayback | 07/28/06
If I were a Microsoft shareholder---  Userama | 07/28/06
IBM mentality in a fast changing tech world  dave95. | 07/28/06
Microsoft?s insecurity & jealousy  imguessing | 07/28/06

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