Hal Mann

Centreville, VA

IT Specialist

Long term, Apple can't continue to rule the media download market on the strength of the iPod alone, especially since they won't license FairPlay. In a few months, the iPod craze will cool off to more reasonable levels, and by that time a new strategy by Apple must be in full swing, if they want to continue to be in the driver's seat for this market.

I want to be able to shop at 3rd party music stores, using iTunes. I want to hear a song on XM radio that I like and want to buy, and be able to buy it right there from my car stereo (to be downloaded later). I want my iPod to be Bluetooth enabled, so that it can stream to either my car or home stereo.

All that takes opening the iTunes/iPod environment to others. That means ceding absolute control, but the alternative is taking on the Microsoft juggernaut alone. The last time Apple did that, we all ended up with M$ Windoze on our PCs.

So it's a pity that Apple couldn't being Sony to the table. Sony should realize what it's up against in Microsoft, and Apple should perhaps work harder at coming up with accomodating Sony's needs.