Ms Double Edged “digital locker” Assault

Microsoft has reported that the "digital locker" technology is now being integrated into an upcoming version of the Windows Marketplace.

This means that digital locker users will be able to purchase and download software from variety of vendors likve Digital River, eSellerate, Handango and Kagi; but they will not support independent ISVs.

This does not seem to be a bad idea, but my first reaction might mean that prices may go up to shoulder a middle man overhead cost as Microsoft, unless the partner vendors would be allowed to sell their products in their own site at a lower cost. This isn't likely going to happen and chances are prices will be increased for such additional expenses.

This can be beneficial to Microsoft to determine which among the software are selling hotcake and given their history, they may well integrate this to their next software release. They are on a winning note here, they get paid by the vendors for the service and at the same time they become closer to their enemies.

Seems to be a double edged assault to me.

Found via Beta News.

[tags]Microsoft, Digital Locker, Technology[/tags]

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