Best Buy, Real and SanDisk To Launch Music Service

M00NIE writes "Best Buy has announced it's going to join forces with Real and SanDisk to launch a new online music store. The new technology apparently makes use of Sansa music players that support Rhapsody DNA subscriptions." From the article: "As far as technical details go, Best Buy's new service is going to be identical to Rhapsody's current offering of WMA-protected audio files with the additional features provided by Rhapsody DNA. Rhapsody DNA is based on Real's Helix DRM and gives users the ability to access their content across different types of devices, and provides what RealNetworks describes as an "end-to-end music experience" similar to the closed ecosystem approach that Apple uses and Microsoft will be using with the Zune."

Just what the world needs...

[Raynor]

Another way to not buy music! Brilliant! What next? Door to door music salesmen?

Do you want the Audio Performance Plan with that?

[monkeySauce]

Knowing BestBuy, they will be heavily pitching (or shoving down your throat) extended warranties on their music, since your backups will probably be rendered useless by their DRM.

I feel so special...

[doit3d]

...I get twice the DRM for twice the price! What a deal!

Re:Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

[kfg]

....maybe they can slap the Packard Bell name on the digital music players?

Mum! Dad! Don't touch it. It's evil!

KFG

Re:Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

[Otter Escaping North]

Best Buy, Microsoft DRM and Real.

Could they possibly have come up with a better combo for me to rush out and ignore?

Free coupons for the store when you subscribe to AOL, and with your first purchase you get a free Kevin Federline track.

Anyone else?

Re:Just what the world needs...

[cloudkiller]

no, the worst way to accomplish anything is to put a restrictive DRM on it and then market the crap out of it. shooting is a distant second.

Best Buy, Real, Sandisk?

[Anonymous Coward]

Seriously, it's like the Voltron of crap.

speaking of extended warranties. . .

[93,000]

I bought a 512 meg sansa 230, or whatever the older model # blue one is. It was $40, and the dufus at the register gives me the service plan pitch. I say no. He adds "You do know that those are known to have battery issues, don't you?" I smiled and said, "Yes, but I'm willing to absorb that risk," then walked out laughing my ass off.

The player takes a friggin AAA.