Rough Type: Nicholas Carr's Blog: Google branches out

Rough Type: Nicholas Carr's Blog: Google branches out: "But how 'open' will this 'open digital content marketplace' really be? The FT says that 'access to the store will be through an iTunes-like interface that will require users to download a new Google 'player' onto their PCs.' According to the Wall Street Journal, 'Google has developed its own digital-rights-management software to protect downloaded videos from piracy.' If these reports pan out, then this sounds like yet another closed system and yet more headaches for consumers. So much for media convergence.
For Google, this will be a landmark move, as it will open a new revenue stream beyond advertising. It will also test the company's ability to create an attractive user interface outside the web search world. And, of course, it will put the company directly in the sights of another aggressive competitor - Apple - as well as Microsoft and Yahoo. Expect a fierce fight. "