MS unveils "keep 10" deal for Zune Pass music subscribers
Thu Nov 20, 2008 11:15AM EST
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On the heels of its recently announced Zune price drops and firmware updates, Microsoft has an early holiday gift for monthly Zune Pass music subscribers: now they can keep 10 tracks a month as "in-the-clear" MP3s. Nice.
The "keep 10" deal sounds like a clever way to sweeten the DRM-flavored pill of subscription music services, especially as DRM-free MP3s are quickly becoming the norm. Indeed, I wonder how Rhapsody—which offers $12.99 PC-only and $14.99 "to go" monthly music subscriptions, but no included "for keeps" MP3s—will react to the news. (My suggestion: A "for keeps" MP3 subscription war. C'mon, guys!)Â
Other recent Zune announcements include price drops for the 4G, 8G, and 16GB flash-based Zunes ($30, $10, and $20 off, respectively), and new firmware (which includes three new games, tweaks to the Zune Social, and bug fixes).
So, quick poll: Who's a fan of unlimited subscription music services, and who isn't? Does Microsoft's new "keep 10" policy sweeten the deal? Or are DRM-protected tunes—unlimited or not—a deal-breaker for you?
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2 Posted by jcgraves71 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:30PM EDT Report Abuse
Have owned the Zune since they came out and I am a big fan of the device all around. I have used the Zune Pass from day one to create a collection of a size and breadth I would not have been able to do otherwise. Since I've accepted from the beginning that I'm only renting these songs, the DRM doesn't bother me. But I won't buy DRM'ed music. If I buy it, it's mine to use as I see fit.
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3 Posted by kinkyme360 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:51PM EDT Report Abuse
While I admit that the DRM-pill was tough to swallow at first, I realized that renting my music made sense and that my 'need' to own the music was a bit old-fashioned and unfounded. For the price of a single CD per month, I have access to pretty much whatever music I want in any quantity. If I want an actual CD or MP3 without DRM then I can buy them...at the price of the subscription, it does not feel as though I am paying for the same thing twice. One of the few problems I have had is the lack of AC/DC and old Black Sabbath in the Zune Marketplace...but that is a minor knock on the Zune Pass in comparison to the benefits.
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1 Posted by rorbincalendar on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:51PM EDT Report Abuse
I have owned a Zune since they came out with the 2nd generation model. I think it's the best MP3/ Podcast/Mutimedia player on the market but I can't imagine why anyone would ever purchase music with a DRM. Name me one other product where the seller maintains control over the product you have paid for! Additionally we have seen one example after another where DRM music has become useless because a company stops supporting their DRM. Unless your music purchases are disposable to you only a fool would participate in this transaction. Its all Amazon MP3 for me!