The struggle to own the new standard in secure digital music delivery has intensified, with Microsoft Corp and AT&T Corp joining the fray within 24 hours of each other. AT&T Tuesday announced version 2.0 of its proprietary a2b format, which, it claims, uses compression 25% faster than MP3, the current standard. The next day Microsoft announced the launch of MS Audio 4.0, its own music delivery system. Both systems claim to be faster and better quality than MP3, pirate-proof, and supporting streaming audio.
The announcements follow Monday’s deal between IBM Corp and streaming media company RealNetworks Inc, in which RealNetworks endorsed IBM’s Electronic Music Management System. A six-month trial of EMMS will start in California in June, with the support of five major music labels.
The three companies are all attempting to win the hearts of the Secure Digital Music Initiative, a body set up by the Recording Industry Association of America to provide a copyright-protected alternative to the vastly popular MP3 compression format. Whoever wins the battle could tap into a $40bn industry.
Microsoft’s offering acts as a plug-in to the Windows Media Player, meaning its dominance in the desktop OS market could see it capture market share fairly easily. But it is likely that support within the music industry will carry more clout than technical specifications. IBM’s EMMS trial has the support of record giants BMG, EMI, Sony Music, Universal Music and Warner Music. MCA Records is supporting the launch of a2b version 2.0.
