From silicon.com (via /.) -

Microsoft said on Friday that the second half of the year will see the launch of its online music store, a long-expected entry into an increasingly crowded business dominated by Apple Computer's iTunes.

Hopefully MS will be able to shy away from mistakes made by BuyMusic and the other also-rans, and provide a service on-par with iTunes, without all that nasty iPod lock-in.  One other thing - if I were them, I'd be doing my best to secure the rights to disrtibute the Beatles' collection - goodness know that Apple never will.

- G