February 11, 2006 4:24 AM PST
Gates: We will challenge iPod
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Microsoft and its hardware partners will build new devices to combat the iPod's dominance, the company's chairman said.
The story "Gates: We will challenge iPod" published February 11, 2006 at 4:24 AM is no longer available on CNET News.
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the software giant was talking with hardware partners to create
media devices that can be less expensive and easier to connect and
can handle pictures and video better."
Ol' Bill has one h--- of a job on his hands to meet those goals.
them responsible for not asking the most pertinent question: "Why
should iTMS' 80 percent share of the digital music market be
attacked, but not Microsoft's 90-plus share of the computer OS
market?' A reporter somewhere should have the gumption to ask
that, straight out.
Taking this article solely, I would agree with him - no product or service should be taken as the 'final answer'.
The article specifically says Gates 'praised' iTMS.
out of business which had the CDC 6000 on the market. IBM told
customers not to buy CDC 6000 because their STRETCH was going
to be much better, thereby starving CDC of sales. STRETCH never
eventuated, but CDC was severely damaged for lack of sales. To
beat IBM the way Microsoft did, they learnt the IBM tactics well.
Such an announcement from MS could really damage iPod sales,
but MS has gotten away with anti-trust before.
produced. It's just not in the company's DNA to do so. All they've
ever produced are products that are "good enough".
And, to reiterate a previous poster's comment, why is it ok for
Microsoft to have clawed its way to 95+% of the OS market by
bludgeoning competitors like a baby seal on a Canadian ice
sheet but not ok for Apple to dominate the mp3 player market.
Critics and analysts constantly harp about how consumers don't
have choice when it comes to the digital music market. iTunes
music will only play on iPods and Microsoft DRM'd music won't.
That's so unnnnnfaaaiir (eyes rolling).
Microsoft and the Music industry don't want the business model
that made iTunes/iPod succeed (let's call it pay-once-and-
keep). That's what consumers have decided they prefer.
Noooooooo, let's promote a business model that keeps the
customer paying and paying and paying and paying every month
for the subscription service.
iTunes has brought so much money into the hands of the RIAA. I've said this plenty of times, before iTunes one could go to any retail, or music only, store and get a whole cd for $0.99. Now, you can't. Now, you must pay the $7 or more that iTunes, in a great way, had a great deal to do with. So, why are they complaining.
Back to Microsoft. MS is making no money on the XBox, and wants to make sure it does it through the games. Fine. But, when was the last time MS released a product that was praised left and right? MS has gained so much market because of shoving their products down the throats of the sellers. "Sell my X product, or I won't sell you any off my catalog." We all know how Windows became so popular. It wasn't because it was so great. "Want to sell a pc with my OS in it, then all pc's you sell must have my OS." The bully has won.
But, things have changed and Gates and company are running around like headless chickens trying to kill Jobs on another win. Just like they stole so much from Jobs' OSs to put on Windows. Now they're at it, trying to kill iPod and iTunes.
I use Mac, Windows, and Linux. So, I'm not OS bashing here. But, outside my pc, I don't want anything to do with Gates and Co.
The traditional IBM PC compatible market has always been one of 'it is what you make it'.
The choice has always been with the end user. So
to cut a very long but simple story short. The end user chose Windows, as opposed to all the other OS choices there were out there at some time or another.
Now the last time I looked what OS choices did I have if I wanted to buy an Apple PC - I couldn't even choose Windows if I wanted to. No, it HAD to be Apple's OS - no choice, PERIOD
At the end of all this it really doesn't matter if Jobs thinks HIS OS is the best.
It doesn't matter if Gates feels his idea of total Microsoft integration is the only way to be.
What matters is what the majority of technology consumers chose.
The alternatives were there all along... and they, the consumer, chose Windows.
>>> But, things have changed and Gates and company are running around like headless chickens trying to kill Jobs on another win. Just like they stole so much from Jobs' OSs to put on Windows. Now they're at it, trying to kill iPod and iTunes.<<<
Sure Bill stole the GUI from Jobs, and guess where Jobs stole it from? Xerox PARC developed the GUI and the mouse... They were forgot to patent it...
And while we're on the history lesson where did Xerox come from? IBM (who) sold the patent for the photocopier...
I'm not here to advocate for windows or apple. Both sides have their issues...
did manage to take a big share of the market in a relatively short
time. This could just as easily happen in the MP3 player market.
What surprises me, is why hasn't Microsoft leveraged the Xbox
to enter the market? Imagine something like a mini, hand-held
Xbox that plays videos, music and games... kinda like PSP. If
Apple wants to stay ahead of the curve, then leveraging content
is key. iTunes must stay dominant if iPod is to stay dominant.
That's why the Disney/Pixar deal is so important. It will allow
Apple even more opportunities to leverage content and build a
stronger iTunes platform. What no iPod competitor was able to
reproduce is an iTunes-level content portal. If Microsoft wants
to really compete, they are going to have to be a lot smarter
then they have been thus far.
If Microsoft wants to truly compete in the MP3 player market, then they'll have to screw over many of their partners, developers and plaintiffs which they've already settled with.
And this is coming from basically a Apple fanboy....
My opinon - I personally cannot stand Microsoft, and cannot stand
Windows. So, seeing an MP3 player resembling an iPod with a
windows icon on it, would make my stomach turn.
They had 4 years of strategy to overtake the Ipod.
What happend? Nothing, as far as I know.
Absolutely nothng. So now that Bill Gates makes a
grumble about it , their only doing something about it
now!! What a joke!?! and where is Steve Ballmer in all
of this?
If Microsoft is suppose to be atuned to its customers
needs . Why didn't they think of this digital music
strategy in the first place? Or why don't they take the
lead, in actually building something new instead of
taking the strategy of stealing other companies ideas.
I just think Microsoft talks alot yap!! I shouda coulda
woulda.. Instead of actually sitting down and creating
something different. But giving their history, their
company was built on the backs of other companies
ideas. I'm not at all surprised by any of their product
moves they are too predictable and boring.
I think their strategy should be focused more on security
and viruses. I don't think its a good business decision
for them to get into the market given their brand
popularity. It will just flop.
company was built on the backs of other companies
ideas."
Did we forget that Apples own operation system was at one time programed by Gates and crew?
Did we forget that Apple's own GUI operating system was built on Xerox Parc which itself grew out of NLS?
And that Microsoft won the battle of the 'you stole my GUI' fight: "This led to a long legal battle between Apple Computer and Microsoft, and ended with an out-of-court settlement. In this settlement it was stated that Microsoft would be granted access to, and allowed unlimited use of, the Macintosh GUI."
All companies that are succesful to it by copying ideas of smaller, less capital capable companies.
I don't care one way or another...but please get the facts straight...Apple has done as much 'copying' as any other successfull company (..sometimes even illegally...Visicrook any one?)
The first versions of I-tunes for Windows was super buggy especially with the firewire connections.
I-tunes still can NOT monitor folders like Media player can. On a home network with a server where all of my familys music is stored I-tunes worthless. Other members of my house hold copy music to the main folder and my I-tunes would never see it&..totally lame.
My Creative Zen Micro might not look as slick as an Ipod but it works just a good, plus radio, Outlook Syncing and WMA compatibility&..which all of my audio gear supports in my house and my cars. Apples format is supported by nothing outside of their products.
either do an import, or use what ever file as the main iTunes
folder. If everyone on your network is using iTunes, and lets
iTunes share, you can "share" each others music. I also sync my
email, contacts, calendar, photos, and anyother text I want to
sync with iPod. Since I do not have and iPod connection, or and
input on my cd player, I have to use iTrip. If I want to use my
iTunes music outside of the iPod, I can always burn a disc. So
you are right, Apples' format may not be supported outside of
iPod, but the option is to convert it to other formats, while still
in iTunes. Granted, I am using Apple computers, and these
capabilities may not be available to your Windows system, but
somehow I doubt this is the case.
But I forget this is News.com and if you dont hate Microsoft your not welcome and you get flamed by people named Earl&.wasnt there a Dixe Chic song about a guy named Earl?
If you remember the new Xbox360 support ipod but you can't read with the xbox the songs that you bought on Itunes...
Then we will have the new Windows Vista...
My speculation is:
- Vista will include an "iTunes-like" music store in bundle with windows...(that means a new windows media player totally integrated with windows...do you remember the browser's war??)
- Xbox360 will be "natively" compatible with Vista to share music...
- a brand new "ipod-like" from Microsoft will be release...obviously compatible with Xbox360, Vista ...
- and remember that probably xbox will be able to read the Microsoft music store files...
- do you remember that microsoft want also to release "windows live services"...add this with xbox live and with the new music store and you'll have a big-one-application totally integrated...say hello to all the competitors...
through menu's on Xbox...supposedly the same as you would see
them on iTune's)...And I think that you would probably need a
product to compete...or am I wrong?...or are you suggesting that
you walk around with an Xbox in your pocket?...(need a pretty long
lead for that)...
create its own Music/Media Player. I think Steve wants to crush
Microsoft playing on the same turf...
And this time we will really see how pointless Microsoft design
is, always focusing on features and never os the customer. For
them they are the thing that operate their devices...
Guess that didn't quite work out. Now, they've partnered with
MTV to create URGE. MTV still has something to do with music?
Who knew? But judging from its reception so far, it's another
bomb. Mabye they'll get it together with a player of their own,
but I wouldn't count on it. They need not only a player, but an
easy-to-use service and GREAT software. Contrary to MS
apologists' beliefs, great software and MS do not go hand-in-
hand.
You know what's REALLY funny. MS is thought of as a software
company and Apple a hardware company. But, guess what,
Apple makes better software than MS!!! That's freakin'
hilarious!
improving their products. It will also push other companies to keep
competing with Apple. As long as they try to out due each other, it
can only benefit us, the consumers.
Windows also. They both go hand-in-hand.
Only when there is competition, are there great improvements that
benefit the consumer.
of competition is. There is a lot more talk of competition than
there is actual competition. For example, it would be nice if
Apple achieved 10 percent computer market share by the end of
the decade, and Linux for desktops doubled, to say three
percent. But, because the habits that determine what OSes
people buy are already in place, that is a challenge, at best. The
forced marriage between most computers and Windows settles
the issue for most consumers, even those who mouth bromides
about competition.
I think Microsoft should accept Apple dominance of the MP3
player and digital download market and move on to the Next Big
Thing. We can argue over what the NBT will be, but that is
where Microsoft's attention should be, not chasing after Apple in
the MP3 player and digital download markets. Apple has
accepted its role as a boutique computer maker, though it would
like to improve its market share. Microsoft should do the same
in regard to the iPod and digital content, accepting that it and its
partners will continue to be an afterthougt to most consumers.
I feel embarrassed for the persons who sought to challenge Earl
Benser regarding Apple history. I'm pretty knowledgeable on
the topic myself, but I am always impressed with his memory
and depth of knowledge regarding even obscure aspects.
While Apple gets lots of applause for things it didn't invernt(MS3 players, the GUI, downloadable music) it did add to those things, as should any company attempting to make somthing of itself.
True invention or the next step? We would still have Sony Walkmans if everyone just "accepted"
another let Apple work that out and then we'll pinch their market.
Apple doesn't see itself as a boutique computer maker - Unix is
pretty mainstream.
with IBM convinced Lotus, Borland and all the other companies
they they had to put all their energies into making their products
work for OS/2. All the time Microsoft was working on Windows
and porting the GUI applications they had developed for the
Macintosh to work on its new operating system.. When Windows
was released they had the only applications ready to go. The
others were caught without product and it gave a huge
advantage to Microsoft.
Also, does anyone remember the debate that the GUI was not for
real computer users. The command line interface was SOOOOO
superior......Microsoft's line until Windows was put out.
Microsoft's line held fast, or at least in the same general direction, until Windows 3.0+.
Prior to Win3.0+, Microsoft kept a low profile about porting apps and such.
I lived and breathed it during those times.
The traditional Microsoft business model has been innovation through acquisition - a small company produces an innovative product/service, and Microsoft acquires the company and then integrates the product/service into their O/S and/or hosted services. This has happened with disk defragmentation (Diskeeper), spyware (Giant), webmail (Hotmail), web groups (ListBot)etc.
But this business model falls apart when Microsoft is faced with true innovation that they are unable to acquire. With the exception of the Xbox, every foray Microsoft has made to try to compete on a level playing field has failed (and I'd suggest that the Xbox wasn't on a level playing field due to Microsoft's ability to promote it above and beyond Sony etc.)
I think if Microsoft continues to try to be everything for everyone, to have a stake in every market share, their primary business (O/S) is going to suffer. Microsoft should focus on making Vista a decent O/S or else they are going to be in for a big surprise when Apple makes OS X available for the PC platform.
Bruce
do it right??? This is a time to listen to the consumers. And MS
historically has had no ears.
MS's maneuvers will be interesting to watch.
<yawn...>
Build a better product (easier to use, more reliable, etc) and then
we'll see.
dave
In any case (this is not directed at you Paul R), everybody incorrectly thinks that MS doesn't innovate and just copies or "steals" other's ideas. In the case of Media Center, the shoe is on the other foot as it were. Apple is "stealing" the idea for it's media software from MS...