Okay, here's why Microsoft should just call it quits in the digital music business. They have already betrayed their hardware partners by introducing a new music player, but now they're also betraying their Windows Media content partners and their customers with this new Zune thing.
In plain English, Zune will not play music that you have bought on Napster, Yahoo, Urge, Rhapsody, MSN Music, or any other store that sells DRM-protected WMA's. People have bitched about DRM ever since it first came out and I've always defended it because DRM, when done right, gives users and content providers plenty of options and is both fair and secure.
But now Microsoft is turning their back on everyone that has ever bought a “Plays For Sure” device or content. They're saying that you can only buy content from Zune's store (or import unprotected content which means CD's you already own or MP3's that you stole) and once you buy from their store, you're locked into the Zune player. They're basically pulling an Apple by locking you in, instead of giving you the choice of player and content provider, which has always been the thing I liked best about Windows Media vs. Apple.
To be fair, Microsoft has not announced they are going to stop supporting Plays For Sure, but now we know they do not have their partners' and consumers' best interests at heart.
Just a quick recap of Microsoft's schizophrenia when it comes to music:
It's making my head hurt. And it's not going to help the music piracy issue. I'll pass on the Zune. My Verizon Pocket PC Phone does just fine with music I buy on Napster.