The launch of the new music service Qtrax has to be one of the oddest things I’ve ever seen. Not only are there reports that are skeptical of the service’s claim to offer 25 million tracks from all the labels for free (iTunes has about 6 million tracks while AmazonMP3 has about 3 million), there are numerous reports that flat out contradict one another – only to be updated later to contradict themselves.

The headline right now on Times Online reads “From Today, feel free to download another 25 million songs, legally“. CNN meanwhile comes back with “Free music service hits snag“. When reports of this service first hit yesterday with the news that all the labels were on board, Silicon Alley Insider quickly found out that at least 3 of the majors weren’t. Now it appears the 4th isn’t either. Unless you listen to Qtrax, which still claims all are on board.

Stranger might be the claim of iPod compatibility for the service. Some are claiming full compatibility, some are claiming no compatibility, some are claiming compatibility soon. Or perhaps you should read the Yahoo AP piece on the issue, which has the headline and sub-headline being about Qtrax iPod compatibility – but the body of the story being about fast-moving thunderstorms in Southern California.

Add to all of this that Qtrax site appear to be completely broken at the moment and you have one hell of a launch day. Has Qtrax just completely fooled everyone or did all these deals literally fall apart at the last second? Do we know? Should we care?