[kaolinite]

Well yes. iTunes is a service first and foremost for Apple customers. That's why they care so little about supporting Android, etc. No other platform/ecosystem is as straight-forward however, although Google is getting better now that it has Chromecast.

[dublinben]

>No other platform/ecosystem is as straight-forward however

I would argue that both the Google Play ecosystem and Amazon's media ecosystem are just as integrated and easy to use as Apple's.

[kaolinite]

They're getting there but I don't think they're quite there yet. Amazon has no presence on TV or (afaik) desktop, besides web which is pretty poor for music (i.e. no AirPlay integration, no media keys). Google has Chromecast now which is a really good step forward but it's more about streaming seemingly. GoogleTV was a bit of a flop.

Both Google and Amazon are catching up and offer very good services (which may cover your uses - e.g. if you don't use your laptop for music or don't stream music), however they don't offer quite as much as Apple as of yet. Can't wait to see what they bring out over the next few years though.

[officemonkey]

"Amazon has no presence on TV"

Whatever do you mean? Amazon instant video is right up there with Hulu and Netflix for on-line content. There are apps on my iPhone and my Roku. iTunes can't say that.

[kaolinite]

Ah, I'm speaking from a UK perspective there. I'd forgotten they were doing TV stuff in the US. I don't think that's available here.

[eric_the_read]

Amazon are quite active in the UK video market; they own LoveFilm, after all.

Edit: removed dupes. Sorry about that.

[dirkgently]

>No other platform/ecosystem is as straight-forward however

I laughed my ass off when two off my colleagues lost all of their music while trying to format their computer or phone.

That's what goes for straight forward nowadays I guess.