Back to more conventional downloading and, according to the Financial Times, Microsoft is ready to soft launch its rival to Apple's iTunes music store. The new download platform will go live this month, although a full launch and publicity campaign will follow in the Autumn once the system is fully tested.
Early indications are that Microsoft's store will be very similar to iTunes in many ways - it too will have a song search function, searchable playlists and chat areas. However, Microsoft will hope to win some competitive advantage thanks to the fact that music bought via their store will be playable on all sorts of MP3 players (whereas iTunes tracks only play on the iPod). Plus the platform will be hosted within the MSN portal which already gets 350 million unique users per month, which, Microsoft hope, will secure them access to the mainstream audience yet to discover downloading.
On the technical side, word is that Microsoft have developed their DRM system so that subscribers can transfer music from their PCs to their MP3 players, but will only have access to tracks on their portable device as long as their subscription is valid. The subscription model, however, is unlikely to be available at launch.