Gates: We will challenge iPod

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.

Content from Reuters expires after 30 days.

[Earl Benser]

Late again, but still a dreamer....

"The Microsoft founder praised Apple's iTunes music store and said
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.

[mahurshi]

atleast he's thinking of "improved products" for "lower prices"

unlike the money monger steve jobs.

[J.G.]

Gates should be asked 'why'?

Since Mr. Bill was speaking to children in this instance, I won't hold
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.

[BlinkMM182]

Easy Answer!

Reverse the question! If you want to ask a question about why the MS OS market should be attacked then why not the iTMS? Not that I disagree with you...but It's a two way street.

[catchall]

Isn't it?

I think I have seen an Apple commercial or 2, somewhere.

[uparrow]

re:

Without defending Microsoft in anyway (believe me), what exactly do you disagree with?

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.

[Ian Joyner]

Why? Remember STRETCH

IBM's STRETCH super computer of the 1960s effectively put CDC
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.

[lkrupp]

"Hot" product?

Name one, just ONE, "Hot" product Microsoft has EVER
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.

[Norseman]

How about the Xbox 360 power supply?

Some of them got soooo hot they fried themselves.

[mahurshi]

MS Office, Win XP, Visual Studio, and many others

which the world is using. of course you'll have complaints (i am not saying they're perfect), but we wouldn't have those products if it weren't for microsoft.

[darrius3365]

re: not all subscriptions

I own a WMA device, however, (when I actually care to download music) I don't use a subscription service. All of those subscription stores are also 99 cent stores.

[Dead Soulman]

The MS Business Model is "pay, pay, pay"

Let's face it folks. Microsoft, and even Bill Gates has said it in so many ways, that subscription products are the way they prefer to go. Look at that box MSN Tv or whatever is called. There's a monthly subscription attached to that.

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.

[psynrg]

Unlike Apple where everything is choice choice choice?

Lets forget about this pointless & ill conceived praise of the music publishing corporations' cash cow: iTunes and instead focus on another point in your rather unusual 'argument'.
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.

[fishheadsoup]

Stealing

Previous post:

>>> 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...

Remember the Xbox

I'm no fan of Microsoft products, but don't forget the Xbox. They
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.

[cagerattler]

Remember Modular Windows?

Anyone? LOL.

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.

[technewsjunkie]

Gates: Squash that original innovator and put a Windows logo on it

Appalling.

[MidniteRaider]

And even though

Apple is not a innovator either.
And this is coming from basically a Apple fanboy....

[FutureGuy]

Right...

...apple invented Mp3 players.

I'm for it

I would like to see Microsoft take Apple's MP3 player market share. The iPod should be replaced by a Microsoft product. I personally, cannot stand Apple and the iPod.

[NeverFade]

Well,

there's always people's opinions, and you are entitled to them.

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.

[Gromit801]

And we would have....

A world of complete mediocrity.

[ServedUp]

What else is new?

What else is new?

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.

[KsprayDad]

But giving their history, their

"But giving their history, their
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?)

[NeverFade]

Gates: And we will lose

n/t

[lingsun]

Remember what Office did to Word Perfect & Lotus?

People laughed when Microsoft Office challenged the competition. They laughed when they saw Microsoft's early versions of Office. But they're not laughing now. They're out of business.

[Lindy01]

I dont get the love of the ipod...

Its nice looking device but my battery died way to fast on my 3 gen Ipod 20gig.

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 family?s 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. Apple?s format is supported by nothing outside of their products.

[Earl Benser]

Good for you....

... So enjoy your Zen and quite complaining.

[lingsun]

Apple is a religion to some people

Apple is a religion to some people. They love everything Apple and hate everything non-Apple. It's the only way to explain it.

[cashaww]

Let's see..

Goto preference in iTunes and tell iTunes where to look, and
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.

[Lindy01]

Lol!!!

Who is complaining Eaaaaarrrrrl?? Only stating that I don?t get the I-pod hype other than the device is slick looking.

But I forget this is News.com and if you don?t hate Microsoft your not welcome and you get flamed by people named Earl?.wasn?t there a Dixe Chic song about a guy named Earl?

[MatKin]

Say hello to the competitors...

Now finally I understand all the things that Microsoft is doing in this period...

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...

[T25]

I think that someone already

has software to do this now (read iPod song's/playlist's, controlled
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)...

[irisfailsafe]

Steve Jobs said it...

He said that this would happen. That Microsoft would have to
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...

[The_Raven]

This won't be MS's first "challenge" to iPod/iTMS

Didn't MS announce its own music service well over a year ago?
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!

[MidniteRaider]

I say

Bring the challenge. This will not only help push Apple along in
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.

[MidniteRaider]

Everything is in need of a challenge....

They can challenge iPod, but more people need to challenge
Windows also. They both go hand-in-hand.

Only when there is competition, are there great improvements that
benefit the consumer.

[solarflair]

A windoze pod... I hope not.

Oh please, windoze has enough problems keeping their os fixed.

[J.G.]

Microsoft has wrong focus

I disagree with the 'competition' bromides. Often, that is all talk
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.

[catchall]

Never accept

Anything. MS (like Apple in the OS space) should never sit back and accept where it is.
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"

[Ian Joyner]

Next Big Thing?

Microsoft has never been a driver for the next big thing. This is just
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.

[georgiarat]

Anyone Remember OS/2

Microsoft conned IBM into the OS/2 development then along
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.

[cagerattler]

I still have an unopened copy of Windows 1.0

Microsoft did not think that Windows was the be all end all until 3.0/3.1. Up until then, they weren't even evangelizing it hard.

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.

[thebignoticeboard.com]

www.thebignoticeboard.com

not a hope. gates and co are finally recieving their just desserts.

[microsoft slayer]

haha...Gates is challenged...

Good luck trying to pry me away from my iPod!