Gates waxes lyrical about his urge

Bill Gates also took centre stage at CES this week, telling us, just in case we hadn't noticed, that this was "the decade of digital lifestyle, the decade of digital workstyle". Music wise, Gates concentrated on his company's previously reported new partnership with MTV, who together plan to take on iTunes through their new music service Urge. The new service will work within the Windows Media application, and will tap into MusicNet's 2 million track catalogue. Joined by the President of MTV Networks Music Group, Van Toffler, and one Justin Timberlake, Gates told his audience: "Microsoft and MTV Networks have combined their strengths to dramatically redefine how Windows users discover and enjoy music. The result is a seamless melding of software and entertainment expertise that makes it easy for people to discover new music and listen to old favorites." Urge should be online in the first half of this year.