IPod unlock software, iTunes will be released in early 2007

When Stanford University joined hands with Yahoo to allow students to sign up for a free subscription to Yahoo Music Unlimited service, hardly anyone was interested in trying it. Simple, because the iPod music player does not allow them to listen to songs downloaded from other digital music services.

In fact, Apple has created a proprietary vertical axis: only songs from iTunes can be heard on the iPod and vice versa, content from iTunes is only compatible with products made by Apple.

However, this "seclusion" situation may soon change, thanks to a 22-year-old hacker. When he was a teenager, this guy had successfully unlocked DVDs and now he's developing a system compatible with Apple's FairPlay copyright technology.

If everything goes well, iTunes music and movies will run on other Mp3 models, meaning that iPod users can access rival digital music services.

Fool iTunes

Source: silicone-wristbands " He just copied the Apple system and didn't remove any copyright protection. In other words, he created an operating system just like Fair Play. " , Monique Farantzos, who owns the DoubleTwist technology, said.

Basically, hacker Jon Lech Johansen has created a "trick" software for iTunes that thinks that every DoubleTwist piece of equipment is an iPod. Farantzos said DoubleTwist will soon be available to users early next year.

This may be an incredible news for Apple consumers and competitors. iTunes currently controls 88% of the legal download market share in the US, while iPod holds 75% of the digital music player market share.

If this technology is realized, music services like Napster or Microsoft's Zune player will have more opportunities to expand market share. However, Ms. Farantzos stressed that the DoubleTwist code is only "a temporary dose" and does not resolve the root cause of the interconnection problem. " It's like painkillers, it's important for Apple to open up to other firms ."

She also refused to reveal details about how DVD Jon (now head of her company) broke Apple's code. However, it is difficult for Apple to update its FairPlay software in case it wants to block DoubleTwist.

Exciting Christmas music

The latest effort to market the digital music market belongs to Microsoft giants and RealNetworks. One side launched Zune, the music player advertised as "will downplay Apple" and the other introduced new digital music service.

RealNetwoks will work with SanDisk to pre-install its service on the new Sansa music player line, priced at $ 139.99 - $ 249.99. Meanwhile, the 30GB Zune music player has a retail price of $ 249.99 and a music purchase fee of 99 cents / song, equivalent to the iPod and iTunes.

Facing many new choices, consumers began to show shakyness. The only problem they care about is whether it is possible to watch a video or listen to music of a service on many different devices.

" iTunes is great, but not everything they have. I'm a bit disappointed when I'm locked up like this, " said a Stanford student. " Maybe I will buy Zune, if Zune hears music from even iTunes ".

Trong Cam