1. Jobs has had a pretty long history of not playing well with others. While I don't doubt that Google would be behind such a move (look at the Apple squelched OSX tribute page as an example), I very much doubt that Apple would want to see their brand "diluted" by Google.

Posted at 4:42AM on Dec 19th 2005 by jr

2. Why would this be good for consumers? What possible advantage would there be for Apple? iTunes is already a "web browser for online music on the iTunes Music Store", how could the experience possibly be improved by using IE instead? Why does everything need to be "web based"? I don't want to have to be connected to the internet just to listen to my music. If I want to take it with me, I'll just use my iPod thank you very much.

Google has done some great things (love the clairvoyance when searching for things like UPS tracking numbers) in the web search area (even if it results are getting more and more commercial), but it's gotten a real M$ megalomaniacal streak lately (what's with all the copyright violations?). It really DOESN'T have to be all things to all people to be successful, relevant, or competent. A word of advice: nobody will love you if force an inferior experience down there throats, just because you're the current market leader in other areas - remember, the competition is only a few keystrokes away.

Scott

P.S. Why does the "Unofficial Google Weblog" carry ads for Excite?

Posted at 4:42AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Scott

3. Why would this be good for consumers???
Web-based iTunes can be used by people in more platforms. It will probably come with free or cheap online storage. hmmm.... Access to your music from any computer anywhere - sounds good to me.

Posted at 4:42AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Jacob Varghese