Reuters reports that Microsoft announced a partnership with OD2 to launch a European online music service.
This new service is reported to be Europe's "first major a la carte online download service."
Starting Thursday, songs are available to UK users of Windows Media Player 9 at a cost of 0.99 euros or 75 pence from a library of 200,000 songs. (Other countries will follow in September.) No monthly subscription fee is required unlike previous European offerings. According to CNet, the new service will be integrated into Windows Media Player's premium services section.
This may represent the product of previous hints from Bill Gates that Microsoft was "exploring ways to develop a music download service similar to Apple Computer's iTunes that would tie into the software giant's multimedia applications".
Apple users are presently unable to use Apple's iTunes Music service outside of the United States. While talks of brining the service to Europe are reportedly underway, one rumor has placed the European launch of Apple's music service into next year.
Wednesday July 29, 2026 11:39 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
Apple is developing an all-new operating system that is essentially a mix of tvOS, watchOS, and iOS, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
In a report this week, he said the operating system will feature a grid of icons, widgets, and apps, along with customizable clock faces.
The new software platform is intended for Apple's long-rumored smart home hub. With built-in facial recognition,...
Wednesday July 29, 2026 12:03 pm PDT by Joe Rossignol
Apple this year acquired Israeli startup Q.ai for close to $2 billion, according to the Financial Times. That would make this Apple's second-biggest acquisition ever, after it paid $3 billion for the popular headphone maker Beats in 2014.
This is also the largest known Apple acquisition since the company purchased Intel's smartphone modem business and patents for $1 billion in 2019.
Q.ai...
Thursday July 30, 2026 3:43 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
We're less than two months out from the launch of Apple's premium next-generation smartphone lineup, and while we're not expecting a dramatic change in terms of functionality, there are still several enhancements rumored to be coming to the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max.
One thing worth noting is that Apple is reportedly planning a major change to its iPhone release cycle this year,...
Apple's first foldable iPhone, with a book-style design featuring a ~5.5-inch outer display and a ~7.8-inch inner display with a minimal crease down the middle.
