Microsoft may release iPod competitor
updated 02:50 pm EST, Thu January 26, 2006
MS iPod competition
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."
Steve Jobs said it first
01/26, 04:07pm reply
He knew they would make a move like that. He he. When he made that statement someone at MS must have said "oh c***, he's on to us!"
koolkid1976
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: May 2003
LOL
01/26, 04:32pm reply
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.
jimster
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2005
They've done it before..
01/30, 02:12pm reply
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.
lordarka
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 2005
They've done it before..
01/30, 02:12pm reply
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.
lordarka
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 2005
The Microsoft IPOD
02/02, 10:02am reply
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.
Da Coyote
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Joined: Feb 2006