Apple chose to remove the windows compatibility within the iPod device so that only they could control, through proprietary means, the stuff that could get onto their iPod using only their software and format.

Brian, more than half of my iPod content is MP3. That's not an Apple-only format by a long shot. And you can play AAC format files on Windows with a recent version of Quicktime.

Of course, Virgin picked a different totally proprietary format, Windows Media. Every bit as locked down as AAC. To me, that's exactly the same as what you allege Apple is doing. As of today, you need Windows software to play WMA files, and you need Apple software to play AAC.

It seems far more likely to me that Virgin simply picked the format that would reach the most users.

Your point about Apple's complicity in this is well taken, but this argument is pointless. If Virgin Digital is successful - and don't get me wrong, I hope the model does succeed - Apple will have to step up, either by widening the formats it supports, or providing a competing model. The users will decide which format wins out.

[This message has been edited by scottandrew (edited 03-12-2004).]