The Register® — Biting the hand that feeds IT

Feeds

Napster blames Microsoft shortfalls for its problems

With friends like these...

Agentless Backup is Not a Myth

Struggling music subscription service Napster is blaming Microsoft for its problems.

Napster chairman and chief executive Chris Gorog said: "There is no question that their execution has been less than brilliant over the last 12 months. Our business does rely on Microsoft's digital rights management software and our business model relies on Microsoft's ecosystem of device manufacturers."

He said Microsoft had a complex task dealing with various devices and services, in comparison with Apple's focus on one device and one service. Gorog was speaking at a Reuters event in New York.

But he remains confident that Napster has made the right strategic decision and that non-iPod players will start to gain market share - he believes the market will look very different in one or two years.

He said: "Ultimately, the consumer electronics giants...are all going to come to this Windows Media party. This is really going to be the ubiquitous format."

Gorog again dismissed rumours that Napster is up for sale. ®

Customer Success Testimonial: Recovery is Everything

More from The Register

 breaking news
Curtain drops on Apple Store ahead of WWDC: What lies behind?
Steve Jobs watching from on high. No pressure, lads
 breaking news
Cold, dead hands of Steve Jobs slip from iPhones: The Cult of Ive is upon us
Billionaire biz baron's death clears way for uber-shiny iOS 7
First look: iOS 7 for iPad
No, Apple hasn't released it yet, but that doesn't stop intrepid devs
Airbus imagines suitcases that find themselves
Point your mobe at your smalls to track their every move
Samsung Galaxy Note 8: Proof the pen is mightier?
Sammy’s iPad Mini killer has a stylus to stab other rivals too
Surprise! Intel smartphone trounces ARM in power trials
Tests show equal performance while sipping significantly less juice
Apple said to be 'exploring' 5.7-inch iPhone
Who's the copycat this time, Mr. Cook?
Google Chromebooks now in over 6,600 stores
Major, worldwide retail push begins this summer
Samsung plans LTE Advanced version of Galaxy S4
1Gbps download capability could stiffen drooping S4 sales forecasts
Review: Belkin Thunderbolt Express Dock
Missing Mac ports reunited, for a price