Apple Computers' VP of hardware marketing, Greg Joswiak, was predictably critical when interviewed about Microsoft's new MSN Music service last week. When asked about the latest competitor to Apple's iTunes, Joswiak told the Wall Street Journal: "I'm not sure that [Microsoft's store] is good enough in this case", adding that the Microsoft music platform does not work with the iPod, has half the number of tracks of iTunes and is "missing many features".
However, insiders say that Microsoft's launch of MSN Music last week was in essence a soft launch, and that any weaknesses would be ironed out in preparation for an official launch next week. One analyst told Reuters on Friday: "It has weaknesses that Apple has pointed out, but many of them are going to get fixed. Just because Microsoft's first offering doesn't solve all problems doesn't mean that they won't be around for a long time or soak up customers."
The fact MSN Music does not work with the iPod will not bother Microsoft too much - they point out that their service will work on tens of different MP3 players, whereas the Apple and Sony services are restricted to their own. And while Apple has had a real headstart in selling digital music, Microsoft will be hoping the close tie between their music service and the ever popular Microsoft Media Player will help them take a healthy share of the market as downloading goes mainstream.