Cringely says DRM doomed in 2007, so is Zune - The Digital Music Weblog

Cringely says DRM doomed in 2007, so is Zune - The Digital Music Weblog: "As for the Zune, I don't think it matters. Zune 2.0 or not the only thing that will displace Apple as top dog in the digital music marketplace is the end of DRM for mainstream, major label music. The death of DRM would make major changes in the hardware ecosystem possible, as manufacturers compete for eardrums and eyeballs on a level playing field. "


I agree that the death of DRM would the digital music equivalent of the Berlin Wall coming down. But, I think that if/when this happens, then Microsoft is actually in a really good place with the Zune. The sharing capabilities would instantly become compelling and all the iPod Nation would start to quickly realize that they lead in "form" but trail the rest of the device world in "function".

Although, imagine the consumer bliss if ultimtaely people with iPhones could share tracks with the Zuners, Nokia-cans and Treo-istas. Cats and dogs living together in harmony, whoa...