“Microsoft Corp. is planning to have a portable music and video player out by Christmas in a challenge to Apple Computer Inc.’s iPod,” Bloomberg reports.
“The digital player will have a wireless Internet connection, enabling users to download music without being linked to a computer, a feature the iPod doesn’t offer, according to people briefed on Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft’s plans,” Bloomberg reports.
“Microsoft, the world’s largest software maker, is seeking to take share from Apple’s iPod, which commands 77 percent of the $4 billion U.S. market for digital music players, based on figures from market researcher NPD Group Inc. Apple’s iTunes music store is used for 72 percent of music downloads. Microsoft has spent the past six years relying on partners to make players that use its software,” Bloomberg reports.
“Microsoft hired music industry executive Chris Stephenson, who is among Microsoft officials who have met with music and Hollywood companies to seek licenses for their content, according to industry officials with knowledge of the plans. J Allard, 37, a Microsoft Xbox vice president, is overseeing the development of the device, the people said,” Bloomberg reports. “Microsoft met with music companies including EMI Group Plc and Universal Music Group, and TV broadcasters NBC, Fox and CBS Corp. to gain content for a music and video store to compete with Apple’s iTunes, according to people familiar with the meetings.”
“Microsoft’s device will be able to connect to the Internet and other devices using the wireless fidelity, or Wi-Fi, standard, which iTunes doesn’t have, the people said,” Bloomberg reports. “Microsoft is also promising the screen will have a better quality picture than the iPod, according to the people, who saw the slideshow Microsoft is using to promote the device.”
“Since Apple Chief Executive Officer Steve Jobs introduced the iPod in October 2001, the company has sold more than 50.8 million players. Apple also is talking with Hollywood studios to add movies to the music, television shows and podcasts already offered on iTunes, Variety magazine reported on June 19,” Bloomberg reports.
Microsoft’s MSN Music store has 3 percent of the market for music downloads. The company has a partnership with Viacom Inc.’s MTV on a music service called Urge and any new subscription service Microsoft builds for its new device would compete with Urge. Microsoft also promotes RealNetworks Inc.’s Rhapsody service as part of an antitrust lawsuit settlement,” Bloomberg reports. “In a February interview, Ballmer said Microsoft is ‘committed to doing what it takes to succeed” against Apple… Sandisk is the closest competitor to Apple’s iPod, with a market share of less than 10 percent, Port Washington, New York- based NPD said.”
Full article here.
Ohhh, that all sounds very scary for Apple unless you realize that Steve Jobs most probably has not stopped iPod+iTunes R&D in order to let also-rans like Microsoft catch up. Microsoft is always behind; this case is no different. We foresee people rushing out to buy Microsoft portable digital media players in much the same way they ran to dealerships for Oldsmobiles. And, yes, Ballmer really ought to be committed.
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Related articles:
Analyst Wu: Microsoft unlikely to dethrone Apple iPod+iTunes – June 21, 2006
Microsoft preps iPod+iTunes killer – June 19, 2006
Report: Microsoft readying Apple iPod+iTunes rival – June 16, 2006
Microsoft: No iPod killer planned – June 05, 2006
Microsoft, Toshiba, DoCoMo, Victor to develop Japan iPod+iTunes killer – June 02, 2006
Patent application shows iPod capable of live wireless video conferencing – June 13, 2006
Apple patent application filed for wireless iPod+iTunes distribution – May 04, 2006
Generator Research: Apple to Ship $4.2bn in Wireless iPods (WiPods) by 2010 – March 14, 2006
Ready for your wireless Apple iPod? – February 09, 2006
Wireless iPod? CSR and PortalPlayer to bring wireless connectivity to personal media players – February 08, 2006
Wireless Apple iPods coming in 2006? – December 09, 2005
More blood on Apple iTunes Music Store’s play button: MyCokeMusic is dead – June 20, 2006
More blood on Apple iPod’s Click Wheel: iRiver gives up on digital media player market – May 23, 2006
More blood on Apple iPod’s Click Wheel: Sony’s Walkman Bean is cooked – February 13, 2006
More blood on Apple iPod’s Click Wheel: Dell dumps ‘DJ’ hard-drive MP3 player line – February 04, 2006
More blood on Apple iPod’s Click Wheel: iRiver pulling out of Europe? – February 01, 2006
More blood on Apple iPod’s Click Wheel: Thomson gives up on MP3 player, CE markets – December 12, 2005
More blood on Apple iPod’s Click Wheel: BenQ withdraws from MP3 player markets – November 28, 2005
More blood on Apple iPod’s Click Wheel: Olympus halts production of portable digital music players – November 09, 2005
More blood on Apple iPod’s Click Wheel: Rio is dead – August 26, 2005
Apple’s iPod has blood on its Click Wheel: Virgin Electronics is dead – March 08, 2005
Apple’s iTunes Music Store has blood on its play button: BuyMusic.com is dead – March 28, 2004
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.
WIRELESS INTERNETS!!?! ON MY IPOD?!?!
NEXT MONTH????!
Comes with Ballmer action figure, too. Chair and sweat not included.
Again Microsoft going to wade waist deep into another market, and it surely will be another half baked Microsoft solution like everything else they do.
That’s the spirit Microsoft. Never give up.
MS has to figure out how to load content onto the unit before they try to shove it down our throuts..
At least with this attempt they will be truely CRUSHED at all points.
maybe if they build in office support it will take off… oh wait.. no one uses office anymore.
Wireless!!!
Apple, that is what I want.
I am tired of my headphones getting caugh on things.
And, to be honest, a subscription service for music I would never want to buy would be nice too.
There is music I want to own and music I would never want to own, but want to hear every once in awhile. Apple, please give me a choice to have both.
So, the report comes that the player will have a better screen and wi-fi according to a presentation? When do we trust Microsoft’s presentations as fact that they will release a so called “product” by December.
“In other news, Microsoft announced today (through reliable sources who saw a presentation) that they have delayed their ‘iPod Killer’ once again. It now is reported the device will be slightly larger than a brick, twice as heavy as Steve Ballmer, and hold about 100 songs — all with a battery life of about 2 minutes. This device dubbed the “Sinking Ship” player is due in six months from now durring 2010’s Windows Convention — proudly displaying next to Window’s Vista.”
Didnt MS publicly state that they were infact NOT pursuing an ipod clone.. like last week… but we already knew they were liars.
MDN, first you criticize any player that is not an iPod and say they are all rip-offs and blood on the wheel… Then a player is rumored to be quite different from an iPod and you criticize it by saying that “well Apples probably doing that too.” What gives?
The iPod is a fantastic device, it doesn’t mean that there can’t be another fantastic device as well.
“When you reach the top, get ready to drop.
Prepare yourself for the fall, you’re gonna fall.
It’s almost predictable.”
-Depeche Mode “Get the balance Right”
The Microsoft iPod killer will be out Christmas of 06
in October they will announce a delay and push it back until January.
In November they will push it out to March of 07 and will cut the wireless connectivity feature.
In December they will announce the player will no longer recieve radio.
In January (1 month after it was SUPPOSED to be released) Microsoft will be in legal trouble with NBC and it’s licensing. Other companies will follow suit and pull out from the deal.
as February 07 rolls around they will announce that the Micro$oft iPod killer will be ready for release but it will no longer play music. Instead it will be a remote control for the xBox as soon as the cord is added back in. The problem is that even though it’s no longer WiFi capable it is still susceptible to viruses,spyware and adware. Luckily Microsoft VirusProtectPlus is right around the corner with a release date of June 2008.
Somehow, I think this will be a Origami like device, just smaller, and of course running windows.
http://origamiproject.com/default.aspx
But, big deal. It can download music wirelessly. It still needs an internet connection. It’s gotta be bigger and an iPod. It’s NOT a phone. So, why would I want something big, and bulky it play music wirelessly?
Apple needs to come up with a iPhone that takes the best parts of the iPod, phones, and PDAs and puts it in something about the size of my 5th Generation iPod.
microsoft’s rumored wi-fi portable and related services will compete with other microsoft backed ventures like urge and rhapsody. real brite there guys. if i where mtv or real i’d be really pissed off. but what can they do, develop their own solution?
mdn is right when it says that all these also runs will fail because they all rely on microsoft who’s also competing with them.
BALLMER CRUSH!
Another M$ product they are “planning” to be released. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!
Oh my, God! This is getting comical.
I’m planning to bring peace to the world. FYI
DJ
This has “Vista fatigue” written all over it. Promise the world and deliver a yard 4 years later. This device will bomb majorly!
Oh, and just for good measure, Office 2007 was supposed to launch by Christmas and it’s coming out when now?
So, why would I want something big, and bulky it play music wirelessly?
———
Well you wouldn’t, unless it was made by Apple, then you’d love it.
Apple has many tricks up their collective sleeves.
Can say no more. See related articles above.
GForce, You forgot one thing. The day after it ships, the first virus appears
it will be a virus infested piece of poo.
The digital player will have a wireless Internet connection, enabling users to download music without being linked to a computer, a feature the iPod doesn’t offer
Actually I have been screaming at Apple to produce something like this that bypasses the computer for YEARS!.
All that’s needed is a iPod with a slightly bigger processor, a touch screen with pen and a light version of iTunes. People can buy and sample music right on the iPod. Mix and make playlists too. Optical and analog outputs of course.
The dock will have it’s own hard drive that automatically backs up everything on the iPod when recharging, it will also have it’s own cd burner. It also would have it’s own DSL modem with some sort of ‘pay by the minute’ broadband service with Earthlink or something.
Download 20 songs for 99¢ plus $2 service charge.
The problem this will solve is that there are zillions of people out there that like to have a iPod, like music, but are NOT computer savvy or have the money to buy one and keep it malware free.
It’s time to bring the joy of iPods to non-computer savvy folks!!
Microsoft: Marching Backwards Proudly Into The Future
MW: truth. No kidding!
Does everyone else YAWN every time M$ announces something?
Talk about crying wolf!
Channel Z: That is the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.
What would be the point of that??? Are you really that lazy? Do you really want to pay the same amout for the solution you proposed as you would for a freakin’ laptop?
If you want a device like that why not just ask for an “iPod Phone”?!?!
Betcha MS sells this thing at cost. They just want to sell as many as they can, profits be damned, so they can become at least a blip on the MP3 player radar.
Stop making me laugh while I’m eating! I think something went up my nose.
The problem this will solve is that there are zillions of people out there that like to have a iPod, like music, but are NOT computer savvy or have the money to buy one and keep it malware free.
It’s time to bring the joy of iPods to non-computer savvy folks!!
—————
Macdude, We’ve been through this all before… What non-tech savvy person is going to pay $29.99 a monthfor broadband service just so they can download songs for 99 cents to their iPod.
The answer is none.
OK, Microsoft is getting closer to developing a potential iPod killer (no matter how much you may discount the idea). They own the software (such as it is), the player and the service. Just like Apple. But here’s their weakness: they have to use WMA for the player and for the service.
Have you ever tried to navigate Rhapsody, Napster 2.0, MSN, etc? Neither have I, but those that have, report that at best they are clumsy.
Now try to navigate them on a 3″ screen, using the available buttons on Microsoft’s player, IF you can get a wireless signal.
I see this effort as a threat to everybody except Apple and SanDisk. That means Microsoft is competing for about 18% of the market, and the other manufacturers aren’t going to just roll over.
The first casualties (in alphabetical order), if it isn’t Microsoft itself, will be Archos, Dell and Samsung.
It’s time to bring the joy of iPods to non-computer savvy folks!!
——————–
Considering that 79% of American households have at least one computer, you’re speaking about a market that doesn’t really exist.
Vapour Ware – again.
Hmmm….guess that’s what took up all their time instead of Vista.
Ok Microsoft go for it. And a great name for your product could be iFlop.
Kool-Aid:
We bash Apple for their bad products, too.
1. Hockey Puck Mouse
2. Many of the PERFORMA Macs (God, remember those)
3. Pippin
4. Rokr
5. John Sculley
Anyone care to add to the list?
The problem this will solve is that there are zillions of people out there that like to have a iPod, like music, but are NOT computer savvy or have the money to buy one and keep it malware free.
Please define a “zillion” and provide the market research data that supports your claim.
If a market exists for a device as you describe, Apple would have seen it show up in their continuing market research. So would everyone else.
That nobody is making such a product speaks volumes about the demand for it.
Just look at the Mac Keyboard Microsoft just released, that’s what they call advanced engineering. Advanced crap.
MS (and their apologists) have a bad habit of comparing their vaporware ideas of what will come out 6+ months from now with what Apple has been selling for months or even years, as if Apple won’t be adding new features in that time frame as well. The difference is, Apple will one day just say, “Hey, look at these cool new features we came up with! Available TODAY!”. MS, on the other hand, says, “Six months from now we’re gonna have this awesome product that does A, B, and C!”, but then a year and a half later it’s released and you find that B and C have been dropped completely and A is merely a shadow of what it was supposed to be.
Sad. If they changed their corporate culture (and bounced Ballmer and his cronies in doing so) they might become a decent company. I’d like to see that happen.
Do all these “killers” know which end of the sword is the pointy end?
DJ, ill add any 1 button mouse ever to that list lol, that was pure stubborness to keep it so long.
Yup, I’ll believe it when I see it. Not when I hear about it. Not when someone talks about it. Not when there’s some flashy presentation and slides about it. I’ll believe it’s real when I SEE it with my own two eyes. Not that I’ll do anything about it after that, mind you…
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mw: average (the mw generator must be optimistic…)
I heard they are going on tour with that slideshow to promote the vapor-ganda. They love to sound the drums don’t they?
MS has A.D.D.
They need to concentrate on their OS . . . . . . . honestly people!!!!
We’ve got a killer media player planned!
. . . . . so why does your OS suck ass?
“The dock will have it’s own hard drive that automatically backs up everything on the iPod when recharging, it will also have it’s own cd burner”
Channel Z, what you just described sounds very much like a computer. How would having a giant, expensive dock be better than just connecting you iPod to your computer. It’s really just an unnecessary piece of equipment.
The consumer obviously has to pay some sort of access fee for having a wireless internet connection to the device. I can’t imagine that MS will offer this for free because all that bandwidth cannot be cheap. I suppose if it is a subscription service that costs more than the current model it would account for the extra cost. Certainly MS isn’t foolish enough to make people buy internet access on the device to be able to buy their music. Then, where does the consumer get to backup their music? Especially if they don’t have a computer. This really sounds much more like a mobile phone device with the capability of playing music. I just can’t see this as a stand alone music device. They are really going to have to come up with some new business model for this device if it isn’t a mobile phone.
As the Soup Nazi used to say, “NEXT!”
I’d never EVER download music from my MP3-player!
Just imagining all the things that could go wrong makes me spin…
iPod killer? ROFLMAO
The only thing Microsoft can kill, is itself.
Just in time for Christmas? OK, I get it: If you get an iPod in your stocking, you’ve been a good boy/girl. If you get a new Microsoft iCoal, you were bad…
HAHAHAHAHA!!!
New Windows worm pretends it’s “Windows Genuine Advantage” and rooting PC’s left and right.
Oh sh*t I laughed so hard I farted.
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0705computer-worm05-ON.html
MDW: “per” Like how about some bigger words for us to spell huh MDN?
The digital player will have a wireless Internet connection, enabling users to download music without being linked to a computer, a feature the iPod doesn’t offer
Actually I have been screaming at Apple to produce something like this that bypasses the computer for YEARS!.
All that’s needed is a iPod with a slightly bigger processor, a touch screen with pen and a light version of iTunes. People can buy and sample music right on the iPod. Mix and make playlists too. Optical and analog outputs of course.
The dock will have it’s own hard drive that automatically backs up everything on the iPod when recharging, it will also have it’s own cd burner. It also would have it’s own DSL modem with some sort of ‘pay by the minute’ broadband service with Earthlink or something.
Download 20 songs for 99¢ plus $2 service charge.
The problem this will solve is that there are zillions of people out there that like to have a iPod, like music, but are NOT computer savvy or have the money to buy one and keep it malware free.
It’s time to bring the joy of iPods to non-computer savvy folks!!
————————-
Most ridiculous idea i’ve ever heard.
Hmm let’s see.
1. Hard Drive
2. Processor.
3. Touch Screen Display
4. Cd burner
5. DSL Modem
6. Backup Software
7. iTunes
You’ve just described a computer that has been dumbed down to only run iTunes. Something like that is going to cost more than a Mac mini and be a hell of a lot less useful. If someone is computer illiterate, there is no way in hell they’d be interested in spending the money on a system like this. Not to mention learning how to scroll through the iTMS to purchase music and burn cd’s. And pay per minute broadband? Ha ha. LOL.
Dumb.
Apple II had a big Marketshare before the IBM PC with MS DOS…
Channel Z, how many people do you know that are non-tech savvy that know how to use WiFi internet access? So, your mom gets a new iCrap from Microsoft. She is “not tech savvy”, and doesn’t own a computer. Or she owns one and doesn’t know what the heck she is doing. At any rate, if she’s not tech savvy, she probably doesn’t have a wireless internet connection. If she does, she’s probably not going to be able to figure out how to get her iCrap connected and download from there.
The problem this will solve is that there are zillions of people out there that like to have a iPod, like music, but are NOT computer savvy or have the money to buy one and keep it malware free.
Oh yeah? Who?
As pointed out earlier in the thread, 80% of Americans have a home computer. Apple has sold 50 million iPods already. The iPod is the greatest selling electronic device of all time. Even surpassing the rate of growth of Sony’s Walkman. The computer is not an issue. Afterall, the iPod IS a computer peripheral.
Unless one wants to trust their music collection on a portable device, you still need to connect to desktop jukebox to archive and manage the files. I wrecked more than one iPod from rough use (the same for phones). I am glad to know that my library of almost 5,000 songs is safe back on my desktop.
Channel Z, you should apply for a job at Microsoft. They’d probably think your ideas are good:)
It says “out by Christmas”…but knowing Microslips track record…Christmas of what year?
Apple execs are ROFLTAO today.
They should be more concerned with the new LG phone that uses the Apple click wheel.
Call from Ballmer to his receptionist: “I NEED MORE TOWELS!”
The better MS gets, the better Apple gets. …or is it the other way around?
Anyway, the competition from a company that won’t be going bankrupt anytime soon will be excellent for Apple’s product line.
LG also uses the click wheel on a Microwave/toaster that they make. You turn the wheel fast for minutes and slow for seconds. A total iPod rip-off, but it is definitely cool on a microwave. I bought one.
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MS should be fairly successful with their product:
1. $100 million plus behind the launch. Sheep are as sheep do…
2. MS should clean up it’s own, consolidating Napster, Real, Wallmart and anyone else currently hoping for online sales survival. MS should have no problem gaining 20% of the market within the first year. It is from that point on they will greatly struggle, and have another venture that makes them zero profits.
3. iPod/iTunes should fair just fine againt Redmond’s attempt to buy their way into a maturing market.
Think abouot it:
– How many iPod owners are going to start from scratch, or try to figure out how to de-DRM their content just to get into a MS model? If you think a lot, then how many are willing to scrap their PC for a Mac and start all over? Not many, and many consider their music a bigger deal than a computer. Most will understand they are going to be locked into a MS model or Apple model, and if they are already in Apple’s camp, why take the effort to go from one prison to another?
– How many first-time MP3 buyers are left in the market? Not many. Perhaps 50 million in the US, as 70 million already have a player. More than one out of every two people in the US is about the limit to this market. Even if Apple splits the remainder of the newbies with M$, Apple still dominates.
– How many people will buy this solution without giving Apple a look? Not many, and people buy what they know. Apple’s brand in music is much more trusted and known than MS. Apple should still easily win the remaining newbies and keep it’s own.
4. Apple will not flinch. While MS attacks the high-end $300-$400 player market, Apple will be delivering a 10 GB $250 iPod nano that also does video (housing a slighly larger screen).
Unlike the late 80’s and early 90’s, Steve Jobs is in charge here folks. Don’t plan on Apple just rolling over and playing dead. While this is one of 10,000+ markets MS wishes to dominate, this is the second most important market for Apple. When Redmond comes marching, count on Steve and Co. to come striking back, changing the game, and winning yet again.
Like I said this already (Wed Oct 29, 2003):
http://www.macobserver.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=11977&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=20&sid=ec2cc31cd48e6ce9b15ff4b6e4da850d
(Wi-Fi iPods)
We’ve all been thinking about wi-fi iPods for several years now. We knew it would happen, when and how has been the question.
Yawn
Magic word “think”
As in I think this really doesn’t friggin matter!!!
NO MORE IPOD KILLER ARTICLES PLEASE!!!!
GAME OVER!!!!
APPLE WON!!!
Feedback wanted:
Is it just me or do wifi iPods seem completely impracticle with many technical challenges?
– I see wifi access is available at Starbucks, but I do not have a T-Mobile account or any other type of wifi access account, doah! So I get one. Great, I can now download music at Starbucks and other T-Mobile hot spots!
– I am at a bookstore. I see wifi access is available, but it’s not T-Mobile, but Verizon. This sucks! And it goes on and on.
– Why would I, when jogging, working out, etc… all of a sudden want to scroll through a lame menu to try and find a song or new music to purchase? This seems so impracticle and stupid.
– I am downloading a song downtown, and turn a corner. Poof, lost connection, but got charged for the song! This stinks!!!
I see this as a “Wow, that’s cool” feature, but it would never be used, or rarely be used and quickly fade away like the “need” for an FM tuner. Please.
Steven,
I believe Apple will have their rumored sattellite network in place before the launch of a wifi iPod. This network will also double as their iPhone network.
imagine driving in your car listening to a streaming iTunes station, you hear a song you like, grab your iPod and click “buy now.” It will happen. Apple will iron out the technicalities.
What is that sucking sound?? Could it be the ultimate crash of Apple stock now that Microsoft is going to crush them with the next MP3 player? First Microsoft produces the best OS for the last 20 years, then they release the Xbox to take the game world by storm, and now we have a real MP3 player to use. It is about time that Microsoft got into the game and made Apple innovate rather than steal everyone’s ideas (Creative Labs). There is little hope for Apple to exist for more than a year or so now that both the operating system war has been won (Vista) and the MP3 player war is about to be won again by Microsoft.
I wonder if Apple will make a boat anchor version of their slow, overpriced computers before they go out of business???
This is going to be like the 5th Christmas season where Microsoft will supposedly have some sort of iPod killer. Stop talking about it and do something. This is a joke, really.
Actually folks, Microsoft has a LONG and successful history of pre-announcing these kinds of “solutions”, whether it’s software, or more recently, hardware.
Generally, Microsoft’s reasons for these pre-announcements was to crush the competition, even if the competition had an established, functional and SHIPPING product.
The way it has worked is that when MS announced a product, people would stop buying the competitor’s product and wait for Microsoft’s “REAL” product. Eventually the competitor would wither and die. The point was to kill competition, not actually ship products.
Perhaps Microsoft is hoping to kill the iPod using similar tactics.
MDN Magic Word: We see THROUGH you, Microsoft…
1) Doesn’t WiFi suck battery like mad?
2) What no one is saying that the media companies, and pretty much any company, ahte to have only one main distributor of their media. I think they more than anyone want Microsoft to have a serious competitor to iTunes which means they may be more apt to wheel and deal and give them more consideration than Apple. A monopoly is a double edged sword.
For GREAT entertainment, go to Gandalf’s link above, and then go to Page 1 of the comments. The setting is October 2003, a TOTAL of 1.5 million iPods have been sold, ITMS for Windows just released, and Napster 2.0 just announced. Read especially NICO’s pontifications predicting that iTunes, the iPod, and the AAC format would be decimated by Napster, Dell, and WMA. Nico’s comments are utterly hilarious in retrospect!
What is that sucking sound?? Could it be the ultimate crash of Apple stock now that Microsoft is going to crush them with the next MP3 player? First Microsoft produces the best OS for the last 20 years, then they release the Xbox to take the game world by storm, and now we have a real MP3 player to use. It is about time that Microsoft got into the game and made Apple innovate rather than steal everyone’s ideas (Creative Labs). There is little hope for Apple to exist for more than a year or so now that both the operating system war has been won (Vista) and the MP3 player war is about to be won again by Microsoft.
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
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Oh my, I almost took you seriously there for a second. Microsoft making the best OS the last 20 years is the most humorous of all the above said.
MDN Magic Word; green
Microsofties painted green with envy of the greatness that is Apple!
Microsoft has always been a ‘Me-too’ type of company. If they are developing a so-called iPod Killer then I don’t care really anyhow. Are People suddenly going to chuck out their iPods to the trash heap? I do not think so.
The wireless access to get the music ; um, is that a selling point?
The vast majority of people do not care or need to access this whether it’s on their cell phone or a so-called iPod Killer. The screens are tiny!
Why does the Drive-By Media always state that it is an iPod Killer? Eventually, there will be a formidable alternative to the iPod, no doubt…Sloppy journalism, Like a bad Actor phoning in his/her part…But why iPod Killer?…I mean; to use a tired analogy, Porsche, Chevy, Ford, Toyota, Smart, etc., can all co-exist…This reminds of the 1990’s term Beleagured Apple…At that time, it was overused and quite unoriginal….
Hey, I heard that Frigidaire has a Killer piece of Hardware that will put shame to a General Electric refrigerator….
As has been pointed out by some of you above, Wi-Fi isn’t free in places like Starbucks with T-Mobile Hotspots and access isn’t exactly cheap either on a pay per minute model.
At best if you’re at college, which has wireless connectivity provided to its students & staff for free, then I can see a wireless MP3 player being a success in these places. Just that, is the education market big enough to sustain a player and its service alone?
Sure your local internet cafe may charge you a $1 per hour for connecting, just how many of those offer wireless connectivity for around the same price point?
I have seen some places advertise themselves as having “free wireless internet access here”, only they can be hard to find and are set in a side street, just how free are they as those same places tend to be bars and independent cafes – they expect you to at least buy a drink before connecting up!
This aspect needs to become a tad more popular so that it’ll be okay if all you want to do is check your email and then leave, that is enough of other users have paid for a drink to make it more viable. Eventually this might happen, so in the interim, buy a drink!
In order for a Wi-Fi MP3 player to succeed fully, it’s going to need those free public access hotspots that has hit the news now and again. Once those are up and running there’s your connection, unless you’re in a small town and your local city hall says that to provide this will be too expensive for them to install without a huge hike in local taxes – I think you get the point there.
The best solution so far and yes it is still in the stages of development is the Motorola Razr type of phone with an iTunes client installed on the phone, access to the music store is via the cellphone system. Though iTunes on a phone doesn’t work too well, it is a new way of getting internet access that is still being ironed out even just for web browsing is tough.
As soon as Microsoft announce shipping of their product, don’t forget the companies shareholders have been putting a lot of pressure on Microsoft to come up with an iPod alternative for a while now, Apple will release the iPhone that at first might only be with AT&T before becoming Sim Free and there’s your wireless iPod. This was the case with the Palm 600, at first owners/users had to use AT&T before Sim Free versions became available.
Motorola Corporation itself has suggested to Apple that it should make its own cellphone with that superb design that the iPod is famous for. So in a way the next iPod killer would be Apple’s own iPhone.
Remember the Dell Ditty, well there is a big difference and it is that Microsoft has the service to back up the device, where Dell didn’t as such. Dell had to rely on other online music stores. As Apple has said they welcome competition and what Apple didn’t say is that’ll keep iTunes out of the anti-trust courts.
Why does the Drive-By Media always state that it is an iPod Killer?
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Actually the media very rarely uses the term iPod killer/ This article is no exception. It was MDN who inserted that title into their own headline.. The article says “iPod rival.”
this will kill the ipod
One more point…
Since I have had worked in the Mobile/Cellular phone industry, why is it so important to get ones Music/Muzak wirelessly? In Analog, you either hear it [the phone conversation] clearly or it fades in and out. In Cellular/Digital , you either hear it or you Don’t…Quite simply…
This notion that One has to be able to get the Music over-the-air , so to speak , is also half-baked. The quality is questionable and at best it is mediocre!
Anyhow, iPod Killer Or (Rival)…Microsoft is playing Ketchup, Catsup, or Catch Up!
Anyone who reads this forum is typically an Apple fan…Anyways, I am tired of these types of articles stating that Apple is Doomed in some way or another…
Actually, the iPod is getting tired…When Oh When? will Apple release its version of iHome !!!! or the entertainment ‘PC’ or whatever it will be called?
Finally. I’ve been waiting six years for this.
I dunno iPod is by far the king…but those xbox guys might provide some moderate competition
<a >My iTunes Sports iMix!</a>
OK. 3 things.
1: We all know they’ve already intercepted future plans from Apple, &, as Apple won’t disclose new products, they making it sound like M$ is so way ahead in ‘Innovation’ .
2: It’ll be delayed, because they’ll need to push the new M$ version of Bluetooth, called ‘clucky.crp’ & hope the World will use it, as it’ll built in to Vista.
3: What Christmas are they talking about.are they talking about
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I wouldn’t get too cocky, Macboys. According to Engadget, not only will MS’s player have wireless, they will allow you to download (FOR FREE!!!!) any “iTunes-purchased” music:
To attract current iPod users Microsoft is going to let you download for free any songs you’ve already bought from the iTunes Music Store. They’ll actually scan iTunes for purchased tracks and then automatically add those to your account. Microsoft will still have to pay the rights-holders for the songs, but they believe it’ll be worth it to acquire converts to their new player.
WOW. That’s a pretty penny, but MS was successful with the “sell at a loss to gain customers” strategy with the XBox, so maybe they figure it’ll work with music players. Also (according to the Engadget article), MS will use the wireless not only to download music, but to set up a social network:
[Y]ou can not only download content directly to the player (sort of like with the MusicGremlin), but actually participate in an Xbox Live-like social network that will help you connect with other people with similar taste and interests.
I know the social network thing sounds cheesy, but (although I’ve never used it) lots of gamers seem to love XBox Live. If MS could design something that appeals to music lovers, it could be a hit (as well as a major selling feature).
It seems that MS is actually implementing things that people have been asking for of the iPod. Hmmmmm.
MS is determined to dominate the DAP market and whiel MS has had some pretty horrible attempts so far it is clear that they won’t rest in this regard.
Apple will have to stay on their toes to stay ahead of teh pack, we see from their experience with teh X-Box that MS is willing to take losses in the billions just to gain marketshare.
Apple’s upcoming ipods better do more than just play music and video if they want to stay competitive. Start including Bluetooth, Wifi, FM transmitters and whatever else they can think of.
It will be interesting to see this Microsoft device, since they say that it will connect to the internet, probably would come with Antivirus, Firewall, Antispyware, Pop-blocker, Autoupdate ready to download Security Patches and fixes, Microsoft OneCare enable and of course it will be a new toy for hackers to play it
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And when it first boots up it will automatically have the Blue Screen of Death, and come preinstalled with a first ever virus!