Zune service goes ​internation​al.

Missing a few bits here and there (like the ability to keep up to 10 tracks per month on the Zune pass service). Good news that they've managed to get something up and running before the first WM7 phones land.

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In other words, most of the world will get crippled phones. Great.

I can understand why they're focusing on the big countries first, but how long has this been now? Are they even trying to catch up to Apple?

*sob* smaller countries like Iceland NEVER get anything like this (we still don't even have a iTunes store over here and still iPhones and iPods are the dominant portable smart devices).

Is there a way one could help Microsoft on who to get in touch with over here to get this going or will i just have to accept the fact that I live in a small country that never gets support because it's considered too small a market?

I'd love to help out in any way I could, but how? Charles, any ideas?

9 hours ago, Bas wrote

In other words, most of the world will get crippled phones. Great.

How are the phones crippled? Because the music and video stores don't work? Applications will still be available in most countries and you can get your media on the phone with the Zune client.

10 hours ago, Bas wrote

In other words, most of the world will get crippled phones. Great.

I can understand why they're focusing on the big countries first, but how long has this been now? Are they even trying to catch up to Apple?

Take your point, but I think this is really down to the record companies. But you're right; their consumers efforts in the mobile space have been a catalogue of breathtaking missteps.

1 hour ago,
Tomservo wrote

9 hours ago,
Bas wrote

In other words, most of the world will get crippled phones. Great.

How are the phones crippled? Because the music and video stores don't work?

Yes, exactly because of that.

Ray7 said:

Take your point, but I think this is really down to the record companies.

Apple managed it years ago. It's not even like this is scary new grounds for record companies anymore like it was back then.

@Bas:Could it have something to do with the fact that they are switching over to non-DRM MP3's?

@Bas:Apple didn't manage it years ago. Iceland, for example, still has no iTunes store.

4 minutes ago, kettch wrote

@Bas:Could it have something to do with the fact that they are switching over to non-DRM MP3's?

Most of the Zune tracks are already in MP3 (that, by definition, does not support DRM)

@PaoloM:You know what I mean. The Zune store hasn't managed to get anywhere near the coverage iTunes has had for years now.

@Kettch: Maybe, but again, Apple already paved the way for that, so music labels are used to selling DRM-free music too.

Actually, I think MS was selling DRM free music even before iTunes.

4 hours ago, dentaku wrote

Actually, I think MS was selling DRM free music even before iTunes.

Exactly. And in MP3, not in AAC (so supported on more devices).

@PaoloM:

Didn't Apple charge extra for the non-DRM tracks? Do they still do that?

@dentaku:

5 hours ago, PaoloM wrote

4 hours ago, dentaku wrote

Actually, I think MS was selling DRM free music even before iTunes.

Exactly. And in MP3, not in AAC (so supported on more devices).

On one hand, this is good news. On the other, I now pretty much have to try and sort out the mess that is Windows Live ID and I can't say I'm overly keen on that.

I'm going to repeat my question above to Charles

Is there a way I can help Microsoft with who to contact (regarding music rights etc.) to get Zune Pass/Store for Iceland or will I just have to accept the fact that I live in a small country that will never get support because it's considered too small a
market?

I'd love to help out in any way I could, but how?

b.t.w, I'm asking you Charles because you've been very helpful in the past in getting messages across or giving people ideas on who to contact at MS.