iTunes is one of Apple’s most successful products, though it is now marginalized because of Apple Music. With such success, Bill Gates was surprised to see Apple launch the iTunes Store.
Gates ’reaction to the launch of iTunes was expressed in an email sent to other Microsoft executives. These emails are uploaded by the Twitter account @TechEmails which often loads emails sent by tech bosses.
In an email sent on April 30, 2003, Gates expressed his admiration for Steve Jobs for recruiting people who could create a good interface for the iTunes Store.
The Microsoft founder was also shocked and wanted to know how Jobs was able to convince the record label to join the iTunes Store because at the time the concept of selling songs online was still quite controversial.
"This time he has somehow applied his talent in getting a better licensing deal than anyone else to get music. This is very strange to me," Gates wrote, as quoted by Apple Insider on Monday (12/7/2021).
"The music company's operations offer unfriendly service to users and are seen consistently as such. Somehow they decided to give Apple the ability to do something pretty good."
Bill Gates at the iTunes Music Store
30 April 2003 pic.twitter.com/f1zspcHcwL
- Internal Technical Email (@TechEmails) July 9, 2021
From the email, Gates also indicated that Microsoft was developing an online music service, but was later taken over by Apple, which launched the iTunes Store.
The email also revealed that Microsoft is considering the concept of a subscription music streaming service. But they are not so convinced that this is the best idea because of licensing issues that ensure the availability of music to consumers.
Responding to the success of the iTunes Store, Gates then asked executives at Microsoft to move quickly in developing a service with a good interface and completing a music license to overtake iTunes.
Microsoft finally launched MSN Music in 2004. The service was then shut down in 2008 and replaced by the Zune Marketplace which provides content such as music, videos, apps, and more.
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