Everybody's been talking about the advent of iTunes for Windows, but what does Microsoft have to say? Nothing good, apparently, (Q&A: Choosing a Digital Music Service for Windows Users):

iTunes captured some early media interest with their store on the Mac, but I think the Windows platform will be a significant challenge for them. Unless Apple decides to make radical changes to their service model, a Windows-based version of iTunes will still remain a closed system, where iPod owners cannot access content from other services. Additionally, users of iTunes are limited to music from Apple's Music Store.

What I find interesting is that the Windows spokesperson (Dave Fester, General Manager, Windows Digital Media Division), goes on to talk about how bad iTunes is because it is a closed system:

As I mentioned earlier, this [iTunes' closed system] is a drawback for Windows users, who expect choice in music services, choice in devices, and choice in music from a wide-variety of music services to burn to a CD or put on a portable device. Lastly, if you use Apple's music store along with iTunes, you don't have the ability of using the over 40 different Windows Media-compatible portable music devices.

Apparently, Windows users don't want choice in their operating system or media formats, but really care about it with regard to music. In any case, how long will this choice last, do you think? My guess is just long enough to smoke Apple once again. Microsoft doesn't mind supporting a variety of hardware vendors, but how long will any middleware service built solely on a foundation of MS technology survive?

I especially like the last sentence:

When I'm paying for music, I want to know that I have choices today and in the future.

Precisely. Which is why I'm avoiding all these closed services like the plague. Ogg Vorbis Rules!