Gates wants to squash Apple

By Nick Farrell: Friday 07 January 2005, 08:28

SOFTWARE giant Microsoft is trying to strike a deal with Sony in a bid to take on Apple in the battle of the music machines.

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Microsoft supremo Bill Gates said that the two companies could benefit from a broad partnership in digital entertainment.

Both have ``a lot of incentive to work together`` in digital-music ``infrastructure,`` including online-music services and protection against improper music copying, he said.

Gates said that Apple`s iTunes online music store sells songs in a format that can be played only on iPods and not other portable music players based on Microsoft`s software, so consumers need a choice.

But Gates did not confirm that a marriage was forthcoming, nor did he say that he had even broached the subject with Sony. Sony didn`t deny it either, so perhaps they are both being a bit coy.