[MW Forums]

Roku LLC on Thursday announced that it would make its SoundBridge network music player technology available to original equipment manufacturers (OEM). Utilizing the SoundBridge technology OEMs can add networked digital music features like Internet radio and digital music playback to their devices. more

[dak]

In reply to:

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While SoundBridge will play protected WMA songs from music services like Napster and MSN Music, it cannot playback protected AAC songs from the iTunes Music Store.

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Why?!!!! Is it because Microsoft licenses their DRM technology to makers of media players who want it? If so, then I could understand Apple not wanting to license theirs, since they want to make iPods the only things that can play iTunes music, thus, supposedly, selling more iPods by forcing people into buying them rather than selling them on their own merit. It's a lame, annoying, pathetic decision by Apple, but I understand it.
However, couldn't Apple make the Digital Rights Management part of the operating system, or part of the QuickTime engine that is installed on the particular computer? If they did that, then ANY playback software on an authorized computer could play back protected AAC tracks and we would have this lame situation.
Apple has to stop putting hurdles in the way of their customers enjoying their music. If I could know that the music I buy for my iPod could also be easily used in my home music network, I'd be more likely to buy an iPod and use the iTunes store. Apple needs to lose this insecurity and let their products sell themselves on their own merit. People already buy iPods by the truckload to use with their own ripped music. Apple doesn't force them to use only iTMS music on iPods. Apple shouldn't force people to use iPods/iTunes with iTMS music either.

[moose_n_squirrel]

Apple is starting to get itself into trouble here. There is now an explosion of cool products from Roku, Sonos, etc. that are home entertainment networks that can put music etc. in every room. Apple AAC is the only format not supported by these systems and it looks like it is Apple's fault. If protected AAC won't work with these systems, Apple could set itself up for an iPod backlash when people who bought iTunes can't spread purchasd music around the house because AAC won't work with these systems and Apple has no equivalent. (No, AirPort Express is not even close to what these systems do.) The iPod has been a great and very rare trojan horse to get people to look at Apple for once, this is not the time for Apple to reinforce the idea that when you buy Apple you paint yourself into a corner, because if people start feeling burned and reject AAC iTunes for WMA (which is supported on these increasing number of systems) what could possibly bring them back next time?

[Lectrick]

Relax. Google "JHymn". Hit "I'm Feeling Lucky", because you will.
I no longer have a problem playing my Music Store-purchased music, where I want. =)
There is also nothing stopping you from burning your music and re-ripping it unprotected.