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Microsoft Zune due in Europe by Christmas
Microsoft's
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senior employee. Jason Reindorp, marketing director for Zune at Microsoft, said at the Midem
Net conference in France that the media player would be launched in Europe in
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Galileo project 'hindering' phone sat-nav rollout
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Europe Will Be Different For The iPhone
Apple's sleek new iPhone has caught the eyes of techies and analysts in the United States, but how will the new device fare in Europe, the land of third-generation mobile telephony and handsets that are highly subsidized by phone companies? At $499 and $599 a pop, the phone's price tags will factor heavily in Apple
negotiations with major European operators like Vodafone...
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01.24.07
Germany, France Join Crusade Against ITunes
 By
Joe Lewis
Consumer groups from France and Germany have joined a European coalition aimed at forcing Apple to make files downloaded from its iTunes music store compatible with digital music players manufactured by competing companies.
In June 2006, consumer advocate groups in Norway, Denmark and Sweden asserted that Apple was in breach of copyright laws in their countries by making iPods the only music players able to play songs that have been purchased from the iTunes Music Store.
This week, France and Germany also added their names to the list of countries banding together to take on Apple and iTunes in the war to topple Digital Rights Management (DRM) technology.
"This is important because Germany and France are European giants," Norwegian Consumer Ombudsman Bjoern Erik Thon told the Associated Press. "Germany, in particular, is a big market for digital music."
"Apple is aware of the concerns we've heard from several agencies in Europe and we're looking forward to resolving these issues as quickly as possible," said Apple spokesman Tom Neumayr in a statement.
"Apple hopes that European governments will encourage a competitive environment that lets innovation thrive, protects intellectual property and allows consumers to decide which products are successful."
Originally, the Norwegian led coalition has given Apple until September 2007 to change its DRM policy, or face potential legal action and/or fines in several European nations.
The group concedes that the eight-month window is necessary, because Apple may need time to draft new policies and re-negotiate contracts with the major record labels concerning pricing and royalty compensation.
France passed its own law in August of 2006, allowing regulators to force Apple into making iTunes compatible with music players made by rival companies.
As we progress into the new year, I expect more European nations to get on board with this movement, which will compel Apple to seriously rethink its DRM policies in regards to the iTunes music store.
About the Author:
Joe is a staff writer for WebProNews. Visit WebProNews for the latest ebusiness news.
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Germany, France Join Crusade Against ITunes
 By
Mike Sachoff
Europeans are spending more time online and many are shopping online as well. Since they are spending more time online they are also purchasing more items.
In a new report "Mediascope Europe 2006 Study", sponsored by the European Interactive Advertising Association (EIAA) with research from Synovate says that 78 percent of European Internet users shop online. On average they spend Eur750 and buy 10 items online over a six-month period.
Online shoppers in the UK and Scandinavia spend and purchase the most items online. Germans tend to look for discounts more and buy a greater number of items for less cost. Dutch online shoppers are serious bargain hunters. Over half (54%) research prices online at least once a month. Fifty percent of the French and Germans do the same type of price comparison.
Auction sites are popular with European online shoppers. Sixty-two percent of German users and 49 percent from the UK visit them at least once a month. The average user in Europe visits auction sites 41 percent of the time.
Mobile phones are the most popular items that Europeans shop for online. The growth in conversion rates increased 23 percent. Music downloads; car accessories and home furnishings were other popular items.
"As consumers further embrace their digital lifestyles, they are becoming more ambitious in what they choose to buy over the Internet as well as how much they spend," said Michael Kleindl of the EIAA. "This research demonstrates the increasing trust in the internet amongst consumers to obtain information and buy a growing range of products. More money spent and items bought online shows that consumers are integrating online shopping into their daily lives."
About the Author:
Mike is a staff writer for WebProNews. Visit WebProNews for the latest ebusiness news.
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