Sony Corp. on Tuesday announced a symbolic concession to Apple Computer Corp. on digital audio technology.

The company will make its latest music management software compatible with the AAC data compression technology used by Apple.

The change will enable users of some types of Walkman digital audio players to listen to music imported from Apple's music management software.

Sony long clung to its proprietary data compression technology, known as Atrac. It has since turned to an open-door policy, embracing such popular formats as MP3 and Microsoft Corp.'s WMA.

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