Tag: msnmusic

Microsoft officially launched its MSN Music service Tuesday. The software giant said it has increased the amount of songs available for purchase to more than 1 million. “iTunes has done a great job of helping to elevate the [digital music] market,” said Christine Andrews, lead product manager of MSN. “We’re different because Apple is a closed system. If you want Apple, you have to use the iPod.

Kim Peterson and Brier Dudley of The Seattle Times conducted an interesting Q&A with Yusuf Mehdi, corporate vice president of MSN, about the new MSN music store and the company’s strategy regarding Apple’s iTunes Music Store. Of particular note is Mehdi’s comments on why MSN was not the first online music service, and what influence the success of the iTunes Music Store had on the company’s decision to enter the market. “We definitely would have done this on our own,” says Mehdi.