Given that the service has been a dud since launch, it should come as no surprise that Sony is shutting down its digital download service Connect. Use of their own proprietary DRM kept buyers away; so now Sony is adopting Windows media for its new Walkman players.
Buried 17 paragraphs deep in a press release announcing new Walkman players was this:
With these new Walkman players, Sony has widened its digital music environment to support Windows Media technology. This gives customers greater flexibility in their music software approach. As a result, Sony will be phasing out the CONNECT Music Services based on Sony's ATRAC audio format in North America and Europe. Specific timing will vary by region depending on market demand, but will not be before March 2008. The CONNECT e-book service for the Reader will not be affected.
