Gates Unveils his 'Urge'

[Jeremy Charette]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://money.cnn.com/2006/01/04/technology/ces_gates/' target='_blank'>http://money.cnn.com/2006/01/04/technology/ces_gates/</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Bill Gates aims to take over your living room and late Wednesday he unveiled a new music service and new software to do it. Using an appearance with Justin Timberlake, the Microsoft chairman debuted a new music service, Urge, to directly compete with the iTunes music store and interface. Urge launches with over 2 million tracks for purchase or as part of an all-you-can eat subscription, an option the iTunes music store doesn't have. The offering will include exclusive material from MTV, though it will not be compatible with iPods, which are currently the most popular MP3 player."</i><br /><br /> <img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/pre_teaser.jpg" /> <br /><br />Microsoft is trying to beat Apple at it's own game by offering more options, and aligning themselves with popular music outlets such as MTV and VH1. I think offering customers the option of purchasing individual tracks or an all-you-can-eat subscription is going to be a key if they want to take market share from Apple. For their sake, I hope they advertise the heck out of it just as Apple has done with the iPod. Now, if they can just find a way to make it work with the iPod too...

[Mr. MacinTiger]

Can Microsoft EVER have an orginal thought? Look at the G in the URGE logo and then check out the Apple Quicktime logo...The two look strikingly similar! Coincidence? I think not!

[Jason Dunn]

I saw some previews of URGE, and man, it looks SO fast. It's integrated so cleanly into WMP, it makes Napster look like crap. Oh wait, Napster's integration IS crap. :roll:

[Jason Dunn]

Can Microsoft EVER have an orginal thought? Look at the G in the URGE logo and then check out the Apple Quicktime logo...The two look strikingly similar! Coincidence? I think not!

&lt;groan> Are you SERIOUS?? :roll: One's a "G", one's a "Q". They look very different. If you think it's a copy, blame MTV - it's THEIR logo. Your hatred of Microsoft has turned you into an irrational Mac drone, and that's sad. :?

[sojourner753]

Can Microsoft EVER have an orginal thought? Look at the G in the URGE logo and then check out the Apple Quicktime logo...The two look strikingly similar! Coincidence? I think not!

Hmmm...
I suppose if you close the circle... and add a little stem on the bottom ... and keep the prevent the inner line from reaching the outer rim of the circle ... and ... make the center completely black ... and pretend its not a G but a Q ... and ...

I can see the resemblance. :lol:

[Jason Eaton]

any word on prices and such? Curious if they plan to take a little bit of a loss to beat iTunes, same price of iTunes, or are they going with the Music Groups flex prices?

[treo007]

&lt;groan> Are you SERIOUS?? :roll: One's a "G", one's a "Q". They look very different. If you think it's a copy, blame MTV - it's THEIR logo. Your hatred of Microsoft has turned you into an irrational Mac drone, and that's sad. :?

Easy there, tough guy....using your own quick trigger logic, one could say your hatred of Mac users has turned you into an irrational MS apologist.

I think he was using the 'G' to 'Q' similarities as a not entirely serious, yet humorous aside to the fact that no, Microsoft doesn't ever come up with any original ideas.

FYI - I've never used a Mac in my life.

[Mexico]

When I saw the Urge logo, first thing that came to my mind (not the first thing I thought, which is a diferent thing) was the Quicktime logo. Not that I really give a (insert preferred term here). :P

Logos work in a deeper way than words or letters do, and from a symbolic perspective, the Urge logo does have some resemblance to the Quicktime logo. If this was intentional or product of the subconscience, I don't think any of us will ever really know. Now, since I got an iRiver H10, when is this being oficially launched?

Peace!

Mex

[Jason Dunn]

Easy there, tough guy....using your own quick trigger logic, one could say your hatred of Mac users has turned you into an irrational MS apologist.

Hatred of Mac users? Not true at all. Kent here on our team is a Mac users, and I appreciate his insights a great deal. I know many Mac users that are balanced and fair, and have no issue with them. I admire many things about the Mac platform, and have been tempted to switch many times. What I do object to is the near-maniacal attitude I see from so many Mac users, and I'll confront it every time I see it. There's just no place for it here.

[treo007]

What I do object to is the near-maniacal attitude I see from so many Mac users, and I'll confront it every time I see it. There's just no place for it here.

I agree, if he was indeed being "maniacal". From where I sit, it just looked to be jumping the gun a bit...

[Mr. MacinTiger]

I shouldn't have grumped on MS so quickly, I'll admit, but seriously that G does have a real resemblance to the Quicktime logo. Now, is it enough for a lawsuit or anything like that? Probably not.
But, is it enough for someone to glance at it and have some mental lightbulb :idea: click on that makes a subliminal connection between the two? Maybe?

Jason, you are right to call out MS/Mac flame posts though - it does the board no good for it to go into the downward spiral.