Since its launch in April, the commercial music download service has been a runaway success capturing over 2/3rds of the market for legitimate music downloads. This was down while only being available to 3% of computer users that own Apple computers. 

That is all about to change as Apple has now ported their service to work with Windows machines, opening up their store to vast untapped installed based of “Win-Tel” users. 

Apple has an edge over their would be competitors like the new Napster, they managed to ink some exclusive deals to help cement their lead in the legal download market. One deal includes an exclusive partnership with America Online which links the internet service providers AOL Music site to the iTunes store. 

Apple has sold over 13 million songs since they launched the service in late April. They are hoping that Windows users prove as enthusiastic to the idea of being able to purchase songs for $0.99 each as their loyal Mac users have been. 

Jobs, who is known for his grand pronouncements, says he hopes to sell 100 million songs by the first anniversary of iTunes and never shy about touting Apple’s superiority added, "iTunes is probably the best Windows application ever."

Jobs called out the celebrities to help with the announcement in San Francisco on Thursday. Sarah McLachlan performed live and Jobs held video conferences with Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones, Bono of U2 and rapper Dr. Dre. 

The iTunes store will also add audio books to their offerings with an exclusive deal with Audible.com and also offering a way for parents to set up account for their children to use the service with a set monthly “allowance”.

Will the Windows market adopt iTunes with the passion of the Mac crowd?  That remains to be seen but knowing Jobs and Apple they will attack the mission like it is a holy crusade. 

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