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01/26/2006, 2:50pm, EST

Thursday, January 26th

Microsoft may release iPod competitor

Microsoft may be planning to release an iPod competitor, most likely under the Xbox brand, according to a new report. Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates has been quoted as saying that consumers would like a more varied choice of devices rather than the "limited" selection from Apple. In December, Microsoft placed its digital media software unit and MSN Music service in the Entertainment and Devices division under Robert J. Bach. Business Week has apparently learned that Microsoft has yet to decide whether or not to go ahead with the project, but that it has "put together a team that's considering the business end of such an initiative."

Sixty-seven percent of all digital music players are now iPods, with the majority of those owners using Apple's iTunes, as well as purchase iPod accessories to use the iPod in the house. In order to compete, Microsoft would need to offer something new, according to Business Week. The most likely option would be for its device to include games.

Business Week notes that "if the new device comes with the Xbox brand, most consumers will view it as a game player, like Sony's PlayStation Portable [which]might limit its appeal, since the portable gaming market is much smaller than the one for digital media."


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Steve Jobs said it first
0
01/26, 4:07pm, EST
He knew they would make a move like that. He he. When he made that statement someone at MS must have said "oh crap, he's on to us!"
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LOL
0
01/26, 4:32pm, EST
Unless they sell it for pennies on the dollar, it won't make much of a dent. It probably would run under windows ce and need to be rebooted a few times a week.
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They've done it before..
0
01/30, 2:12pm, EST
Microsoft's X-Box is proof positive that the company is willing to lose money in spades just to gain market presence. With $40 billion in the bank, they certainly have the cash to spend, though I am doubtful that they can design a product with the elemental simplicity and design sense that have become hallmarks of the iPod.

Arka C.
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They've done it before..
0
01/30, 2:12pm, EST
Microsoft's X-Box is proof positive that the company is willing to lose money in spades just to gain market presence. With $40 billion in the bank, they certainly have the cash to spend, though I am doubtful that they can design a product with the elemental simplicity and design sense that have become hallmarks of the iPod.

Arka C.
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Joined Apr 2005
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The Microsoft IPOD
0
02/02, 10:02am, EST
Wow. Now I can not only get faulty software, I can also get hardware that blows up a la XBOX. Microsoft now has a core of incompetant hardware designers to compliment their ne'r do well software hacks. I can just imagine if they go in to music. Oh, forgot. Rap is already here.
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Joined Feb 2006
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