GOOD DAY FOR: Joining ’em, after Rhapsody, co-owned by Real Networks and Viacom’s MTV, has embraced MP3 downloads, deciding its subscription service won’t beat Apple’s dominant iTunes Store. Rhapsody’s new service will sell unprotected MP3s, which can be played on almost any portable player. “We’re no longer competing with the iPod,” said Rhapsody Vice President Neil Smith. “We’re embracing it.” (Reuters)
BAD DAY FOR: XP fans, as Microsoft is ending the sale of its six-year-old version of Windows to retailers and major PC makers today, despite protest from people and businesses who don’t like XP’s successor, Vista. XP partisans will still be able to “downgrade” to XP after buying Vista Business or Vista Professional. Smaller shops that make PCs will be able to sell XP through January. (AP in Yahoo! Finance)
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Make mine a soju and tonic: the rise of Korea's favourite spiritThe Week Recommends The rice-based drink can replace gin or vodka in traditional cocktails for a refreshing twist on the classics
-
The full moon calendar for every monthIn depth When to see the lunar phenomenon every month
-
The end of WeightWatchersTalking Point The diet brand has filed for bankruptcy in the US as it struggles to survive in era of weight-loss jabs
