Microsoft gets an Urge

Saturday, May 13, 2006 by Draginol | Discussion: iTunes

Andre from Windows Connected has spilled the beans on Microsoft's "Urge" (our NDA wouldn't let us talk about it). 

Urge is a new music service that will come with Windows Media Player 11.  It is a team up of Microsoft, MTV, VH11 and CMT. According to Andre, the goal is to provide a better experience for users to download music with more detail about the content, albums, and artist information.

Another interpretation is that it's a "better iTunes than iTunes" though the model seems to be more akin to a combination strategy where users have the choice of subscribing or buying content per piece.  Other information we cannot say due to our NDA (we can only repeat what's been made public so far).

It appears iTunes is going to have some serious competition. Windows Media Player 11 not only has key features such as this, it also has a streamlined user interface that makes using it far more appealing than previous versions.  The WMP team has really outdone themselves this time.  

We'll have more details on Urge as they're made public.

   

23 Reply 36 Referrals
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greywar
Reply #1 Saturday, May 13, 2006 7:51 PM
Remarkably similar to Napster's interface but I suppose that is almost unavoidable. Frankly the pay services are getting so smooth and easy to use with such large libraries that they truly are cutting into the casual piracy of MP3s and the like. There is still the hard core but those on the periphery are being drawn off.

ExodusCrow
Reply #2 Sunday, May 14, 2006 6:56 AM
Didn't Bill G announce this during a key note at one of those big conventions? If I remember correctly they had Justin Timberlake come out and did a demo.

joeKnowledge
Reply #3 Sunday, May 14, 2006 8:49 AM
I wonder if Apple will sue them? Monopoly and all with Windows Media Player? And what about Europe? China? Are they not still having problems with how they package Windows in countries around the world?

blackcat77
Reply #4 Monday, May 15, 2006 12:28 AM
I downloaded WMP11 and you cannot delete Urge from your All Programs list, which is a major PITA for people like me who are obsessive about keeping the cr@p out of that list.

nightbirdsf
Reply #5 Monday, May 15, 2006 2:08 AM
"MTV, VH11 [sic] and CMT." In other words, Viacom. I suppose having one contact person is convenient.

@Black Cat 77: That s*cks. I wonder what the process is? What if you created a blank text file, renamed it as the .lnk file (or whatever type the Urge entry is) and set it to Deny Full Control? There's probably a Start Key value for this.

This is stupid. Somebody should nudge the DOJ about this. Like Real Networks. I though Microsoft had set up a committee to stop itself from doing dumb things like this.

DJBandit
Reply #6 Monday, May 15, 2006 9:44 AM
Why is everyone making such a big deal out of this? So what if you can DL music from WMP11? If you don't like it, just ignore it. God, you all head the name Microsoft and you all go nuts, yet none of you can resist having to use it. If ya don't like it don't DL it.

Adamness
Reply #7 Monday, May 15, 2006 2:27 PM
Heh, why do people always think Apple or Symantec or some other company should sue Microsoft, rather than making a better product.

The Urge thing is part of WMP11. Trying to take it out would be like trying to take the iTunes store out of iTunes.

Drop125
Reply #8 Monday, May 15, 2006 8:11 PM
Yeah, Just dont sighn in or click on that tab....You know..Last time I checked, there was a music store in WMP10 also...I just choose not to click that link...WMP 10 is the only thing I use period, including to play DVD's...Why have 20 diffrent players when you only need one...The only screw up is those Quicktime files.....everything else has a plug in almost...So I see no problem with URGE.....Besides people have thge choice to use whatever media player they like,

Mogumbo
Reply #9 Monday, May 15, 2006 8:11 PM
@Adamness,

Exactly.

RockinMike
Reply #10 Monday, May 15, 2006 9:27 PM
I didn't realize that wmp 11 is ready for download for xp?

Island Dog
Reply #11 Tuesday, May 16, 2006 5:40 AM

I didn't realize that wmp 11 is ready for download for xp?

It's not, at least not for the public at the moment.


ZubaZ
Reply #12 Tuesday, May 16, 2006 11:28 AM
The real question is . . . can you skin it?

boss0190
Reply #13 Tuesday, May 16, 2006 10:13 PM
It deleted from my "All Programs" list without a problem.

messybuu
Reply #14 Tuesday, May 16, 2006 11:20 PM
Why would Apple sue Microsoft? I really doubt this is going to get people to stop buying iPods. After all, if having to install iTunes didn't stop them, then why should this? This is just another Napster.

Badly Drawn Duck
Reply #15 Wednesday, May 17, 2006 8:29 AM
WMP11 Beta is available for public download from windowsmedia.com as of today! I just installed it, and it's leaps and bounds better than version 10. I agree that if you don't like the online stores, don't use them. The install asks if you'd like to set up URGE or not, so you can always choose not to install it.

I've always used WMP10 as my primary player, albeit with a little hesitation, but ver. 11 seems to make it a no-brainer.

CameronMitchell
Reply #16 Wednesday, May 17, 2006 8:35 AM
I tried it this morning but I hate it. They don't have New Age music. However, I am keeping the Windows 11 player which is cool.

st_nick
Reply #17 Wednesday, May 17, 2006 3:59 PM
Why do people bother talking about new music services competing with iTunes. They're all in a different market. The other services are shut out from playing on the iPod, and iTunes doesn't play in WMP. Two different animals entirely, I could see this being trouble for Napster though.

GhoS
Reply #18 Wednesday, May 17, 2006 5:36 PM
I just downloaded this yesterday and in my mind its a winner. Finally MS has made WMP what it should have been before. Its much easier to use and looks tons better.
URGE seems good also but I'm not too much into downloading music like that, since I can't afford it even that way right now. Still I might do it.

Pogo-
Reply #19 Friday, May 19, 2006 6:12 PM
iTUNES all the way

starkers
Reply #20 Friday, May 19, 2006 11:37 PM
iTUNES all the way


My fav music store all the way...to help keep a small business afloat. iTunes and URGE don't need my money. Besides, I rarely get an URGE and prefer to keep hard copies of my music.

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