“Hoping to loosen Apple Computer’s grip on the digital music player market, Microsoft is rallying consumer electronics companies to form a common link,” Ina Fried reports for CNET News. “The software maker is part of a working group launched last week by the Consumer Electronics Association to develop a standard port for connecting gadgets like music players to audio systems in homes and cars. ‘It is important for the industry to create an open, industrywide standard for docking connectors that will give consumers greater access to the digital entertainment they have stored on devices,’ Jai Jaisimha, the lead program manager in Microsoft’s Windows digital media division, said in a statement.”

Fried reports, “It’s the latest in a series of moves by Microsoft to try to unify the many device makers and music sellers that use its technology. Apple’s popular iPod already has a standard dock connector that allows all recent models to connect to speakers, car kits and other devices. However, other music player makers, such as Creative Labs, Dell and iRiver, have designed their own ports. That makes it difficult for accessory manufacturers, which need to design add-ons that will work with the multiple formats… ‘The goal is to get it done certainly next year, hopefully by mid-next year,’ said Dave Wilson, the director of standards and technology at the CEA.”

Full article here.

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Okay, so when Microsoft is being absolutely killed in a market – as they are by Apple’s iPod+iTunes – Microsoft all of a sudden wants a “standard.” So, do they want a standard for, um, let’s say… word processing, spreadsheet, and other office documents? Of course not. This weak attack on the connector is a waste of time, but we’ll enjoy watching it fail at least as miserably as “PlaysForSure,” which in typical Microsoft fashion, doesn’t play for sure at all. The absolute best Microsoft could ever hope for is for car makers to throw into the glove compartment an iPod Dock Connector adapter to whatever non-standard mess Microsoft and their “partners” all finally agree to cobble together “next year.”

Related articles:
Microsoft tries to blunt power of Apple iPod’s dock connector – November 28, 2005
Microsoft ‘Plays For Sure’ logos don’t always guarantee your music will play for sure – July 06, 2005
Microsoft attempts to isolate Apple with ‘PlaysForSure’ logo plan – October 19, 2004
Microsoft debuts ‘PlaysForSure’ logo to signify incompatiblity with Apple iPod, iTunes Music Store – October 15, 2004