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06 Jul 2006
Microsoft is expected to have its digital music and video player on the market in time for the busy Christmas retail period, according to sources close to the company.
Reports on Reuters suggest that the new player will be able to download songs and other content using Wi-Fi capabilities.
Microsoft has developed its own iTunes-like media software which will integrate with the device, according to other unnamed sources quoted in the report.
The first prototypes are expected to be sent to record companies within the next few weeks.
"Microsoft is proposing an iTunes model approach," the first source told Reuters. "It is now interested in controlling the whole vertical stack of technology from the device to the service to the software."
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MicroSucks
Once again, Microsoft has to tap into a market that's been around and expects to monopolize and control everything. They tried it with the X-Box releasing sub-par X-Box only games and charging you $30 if you ever wanted to use your X-Box as a DVD player. Now they're trying to take over the MP3 business even though everything for Ipod is readily available to use on Windows, Microsoft could've made a deal and had a Microsoft version of the Ipod or something close. A lot of Mac programs are available for download on Windows but hardly anything on Windows is available to download on the Mac, unless Microsoft thinks you'll pay money for it. Just boycott Microsoft, they think they can take over every kind of business and be the kings and drive everyone else out of business forcing someone to buy from them
Posted by: Mike 08 Jul 2006
Takahashi called this one...
This scenario was first proposed in Dean Takahashi's book, "Xbox 360 Uncloaked" The "iPod killer" theory was tied directly to the Xbox 360 and the potential release of a "PSP killer", as Microsoft claws its way into the living room. Takahashi, who writes for the San Jose Mercury News, was quoted about a month or so ago and predicted that Microsoft would release a handheld that would address both the portable gaming and music player market segments. Interesting to see how prophetic he turned out to be. -- JM
Posted by: Jonathan Marks 07 Jul 2006
CopySoft
The new name for Microsoft should be CopySoft. Every good idea that Apple comes out with is stolen and bastardized with impunity by the Microsoft duplication machine. I bet it'll crash just like Windows!
Posted by: JB 07 Jul 2006
competition should be welcomed
potentially a wireless device could free these players from having to have access to a pc to get music when and where you like which could open the up to a large market (yes there are people who don't own a computer). But in the meantime the market has yet to reach maturity. What the market needs are common standards rather than ghettos
Posted by: Ian Turner 07 Jul 2006
Mac compatible??
Ya, but is the Microsoft pod and software going to be compatible with Macs? Apple's iPod and iTunes work with Windows.
Posted by: Mark 06 Jul 2006
Micro-boring-soft
Im amazed it took MS THIS long to realize there is money to be made in this. Oh, thats right, they did realize it - over and over with "partners" doing this - who were they all again? I cant remember. MS, can you please just come up with ONE original idea? Oh, and why not pull your programmers off this and have them work on Vista??
Posted by: Rob Kelly 06 Jul 2006