Get Off Microsoft

It looks like Apple is serious about not licensing its FairPlay Digital Rights Management (DRM) technology used to protect music sold through its iTunes online store.

Microsoft Vista includes Digital Rights Management (DRM) technology that acts as an enforcer with regard to protected content: it will shut down worldwide any equipment connected to Vista that is suspected of enabling a breach of content protection, and disable playback of anything that smells of protected content on equipment not sanctioned by Microsoft.

Microsoft, with Zune, is making the classic mistake of using price, features, and incremental improvements to compete against the iPod.

What might make Microsoft’s Zune better than the iPod is its price — as yet unannounced. But how low must Toshiba go before anyone will pay attention?

Apple’s 30th anniversary is a prime subject for journalists this month, and I’ve fielded a number of interesting questions concerning Apple’s success. I gathered some relevant questions and my responses here.

Apple can head off any real competition to the iPod by switching its policy and licensing FairPlay.

Controversy about privacy swirled briefly around Apple’s latest iTunes update, which turns on a new feature that transmits listening habits back to Apple.

Bill Gates used the Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show to provide yet another glimpse of Microsoft Vista, and Google introduced an online video service that has everyone confused.

Sing along! On the 12th day of Microsoft’s Christmas, Bill Gates gave to me…

Macworld Expo in S.F. in early January is more than just a rally for Mac users. Apple’s Steve Jobs typically trots out something totally new and cool for the faithful. The buzz focuses on two important areas: Macs with Intel chips, and a new video delivery system.