Text 10217, 37 rader
Skriven 2006-03-18 11:06:14 av Rich Gauszka (1:379/45)
Ärende: Microsoft DRM good thing for battery manufacturers
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From: "Rich Gauszka" <gauszka@hotmail.com>

I wonder if MS will go into the battery business soon

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/03/18/ms_drm_plays_for_shorter/

Microsoft's "PlaysForSure" DRM knocks as much as 25 per cent off the battery
life of a portable music jukebox, according to tests.

The CNET testers discovered that playback of encrypted files suffers compared
to unencrypted MP3 files. That's not so surprising, and even Apple's own iPod
turns in a shorter battery life when playing locked-down AAC files purchased
through Apple's iTunes. But what may be surprising is just how much Windows
Media 10 affects the experience.

Creative's Zen Vision M rated at close to 16 hours playing regular MP3s, but
barely scraped over 12 hours playing Windows Media subscription files. Similar
results were recorded for other "Plays For Shorter" devices: with the DRM
knocking five hours off the life of iRiver's U10.

Manufacturers need all the help they can get from Apple's vertical dominance
over the digital music player market - and this erodes one of the few
competitive advantages that Apple's hardware rivals enjoy.

Apple, remember, has the ends sewn up: unique placement on its distribution
channel (the Mac), superior synchronization, and seamless integration with its
own store, which it is able to run as a loss leader to promote the iPod.
Windows Media players are larger and clunkier, but at least they've been able
to boast superior battery life. They still can, but not by as much, and not as
much as they would like.

Nokia said recently it would have been able to launch its N91 hard drive-based
music before in time for the Christmas season, if it hadn't been for
interoperability with Microsoft DRM

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