Saturday, October 13, 2007

Microsoft Drops DRM?

Let me clarify, MS is not dropping the annoying and invasive phone home crap on their software products. They are dropping the DRM on music sold through Zune Marketplace. So is what's good for the goose, good for the gander? Will MS ease up on its completely bad copy protection schemes? I doubt it. I guess it will take a few more massive lawsuits before MS gets on board. I am sure those invasive techniques are one of the reasons for the very bad uptake on Vista. Having said that, I do like some of the new features of the Zune:

  • Wireless sync. Zune devices will automatically sync over consumers’ home wireless networks with this helpful new feature, aimed at ensuring that Zune owners always have the latest podcasts and other content ready to go when they‘re leaving home. Syncing with the collection on their PC happens via a home wireless network and will start on its own when the device is placed in its dock or plugged in to charge. Alternatively, the sync can be started manually.
  • Extended wireless sharing.Share select full-length songs, albums, playlists, pictures and even audio podcasts from device to device. Consumers can now listen to any song received up to three times with no time restrictions, and they can now also pass along songs to other friends who have a Zune.
  • Recorded television content to go. The Zune software will now automatically import broadcast content recorded on Microsoft® Windows® Media Center for Windows Vista® Home Premium or Ultimate, so consumers can sync them onto their Zune media player and watch them on the bus, in their car or wherever they want when they’re out and about.