Microsoft said to be developing iPod rival

Unnamed sources say company has held licensing discussions with music industry, is already demonstrating device.

The story "Microsoft said to be developing iPod rival" published June 16, 2006 at 12:36 PM is no longer available on CNET News.

Content from Reuters expires after 30 days.

[just_some_guy]

It's about time.

I have two iPods, both received as gifts. The iPod is a fine product, well integrated with iTunes - but Apple is overdue for some real competition, and Sony is not up to the challenge.

[GGGlen]

And...

Just as soon as Microsoft dumps that friggin "For the Tone Deaf
Only" WMA CODEC, maybe Dolby Labs will have some real
competition.
Until then, AAC, and whoever sells tracks using it, will get my $$$.

[aSiriusTHoTH]

I agree

The more competition the better, especially for the consumer. I also have 2 iPods, and a Zen Micro Photo Player. I much prefer to use my Zen with Napster.com, then iPod/iTunes.

[technewsjunkie]

Windows is due for competition too

As long as you're advocating competition, how do you feel about
the Microsoft Windows operating system monopoly?

[mystereojones]

No surprise there

They already launched that music service with MTV. Might as well go all the way and develop a proprietary player to go along with it. Whatever player they do make, you can bet it'll ne compatible with the Xbox 360.
<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.techknowcafe.com/content/view/356/42/" target="_newWindow">http://www.techknowcafe.com/content/view/356/42/</a>

[ServedUp]

Another great Idea from Microsoft..

Sure first another delay in Vista, then hints of another OS after
Vista called Singularity, then Windows Live, now Origami now this..

Way to go Redmond.. They sure are bursting with Ideas.

This should be good. Can't Wait. Haha.

[dlgeezer]

Micro-Who?

Oh here we go, the BIG boy is finally going to step up and do it
right... yawn... which patch are we on for XP? Go back to the
board-room and leave the cool stuff to Apple you putz'es.

[DryHeatDave]

Yeah, right

Apple are so cool, they refuse to do iTunes for Windows mobile. So, I'll look for any other alternative for my PDA/cell phone. Oh, and once I find it, I can dump my iPod &#38; just use the PDA.

Q. Who NEEDS Apple (as opposed to being infatuated by it).

Pretty cool by Apple :-)

[kil0watt]

Archival rival?

What about their crappy DRM? One advantage of iTunes is the ability to backup ones collection of downloads onto other media, in the event of a dead hard drive. Ever try to re-import your wma files to a new PC/motherboard?

[nealsaferstein]

Good Luck

Well, Microsoft OEM's approach is not going to work.

Neal Saferstein

[Maccess]

Microsoft developing iPod rival - 2006 edition

Come on, it's been five years that Microsoft has said they're developing a portable music player.

Every year, it's the same thing with slight variations.

It's going to be this or that...just do it! It's already known as the Microsoft "Vista" Music player, about as ready for shipping as the new Windows.

[open-mind]

Where's the money?

Not much profit selling the music, since the RIAA gets most of
that.

Article says the new players may sell at a loss. So no money
there, and no good way to leverage their three monopolies.

How long will it take Microsoft to develop a decent or better
player?

And if they start to be successful, seems like Apple could just
start supporting WMA in the iPod.

Overall, doesn't seem like that big a threat.

[daveworld]

Good for them - AGAIN!

First off I thought WMP 11 with URGE was the iTunes killer?

Second: seeing that their first strategy of licensing their technology to others like Napster, Yahoo etc., did not put any dent in iPod+iTunes ecosystem, they will do it themselves. The problem with this strategy, it will alienate their currant partners, and we will see more and more of these services bail. Apple could afford to sell music at a low price for years because of the iPod leverage, the others cant. Why do you think Napster's been struggling for years.

After years, and countless articles by Bill and is Redmond team going at iPod+iTunes, MS came to the realization that Apple's strategy was right all along.

[technewsjunkie]

WHY?

Other than control media technology standards (via Windows Media
instead of QuickTime) WHY does Microsoft have to or need to
develope an MP3 player?

Microsoft is the Walmart of the technology sector

[nightveil]

Because

And that, simply, is the answer.

Because Microsoft sees technology as its business. While they
are first and foremost a software company, they haven't shied
away from logical hardware products that are either useable
within the scope of the software products (mice, keyboards,
joysticks and gamepads) or ones that will give them a foothold
in a given market (PDAs, game consoles, MP3 players).

Microsoft is probably hedging its bets a little with the idea that
the Microsoft name might draw buyers rather than simply
licensing software to companies that then fail to market it
properly.

[Thomas, David]

Insulting WalMart?

And I don't have a lot of great things to say about Wal-Mart either.
21st century indentured servitude model that it is.

[J.G.]

Just more rumormongering

Not one of the links in this piece go anywhere but back to
another CNET rumor entry or to an article about something other
than developing an iPod killer. Seems that in the absence of
having staff with any real journalism skills, CNET is increasingly
behaving like the worst of bloggers.

Nor do remarks like this make any sense, other than as proof of
ignorance:

""They have been developing technologies that have really good
music discovery and community," another source said. "iTunes is
the 7-11 (of music stores). You don't hang out there.""

Actually, market research has iTMS near MySpace in where
young consumers hang out. The site is attracting hangers out
through the Ministore feature in iTunes and the ability to review
anything offered there.

Fewer stupid pieces, CNET.

[jmmejzz]

MS stuck in wrong paradigm,

A most telling comment:

"They have been developing technologies that have really good music discovery and community," another source said. "iTunes is the 7-11 (of music stores). You don't hang out there."

That quote tells me MS doesn't get it, still in the virtual shopping mall paradigm. What person with a life is going to "hang out" at an internet music store, I (like many people I see out and about, wha a concept!) got my iPod and heading out into that great wonderfull world and enjoy. Hang out at a internet music store, I think not.

[john55440]

iPod = No Subscription Music Services

In addition, don't underestimate Microsoft's ability to eventually get things right, or Apple's ability to "blow it".

[zaznet]

iPod Subscription Service...

While it does not exist now, it could be done. The idea of a subscription model is catching on. The devices used in current subscription services were not designed to support it at first with many needing some updates before they could be used. Subscription based media is definitely the way forward and the iPod can be changed to provide the service.

[bobj123]

So?

Create a PC based OS that gets enough exposure instead of starting off as an underground program. Hit Dell/Alienware and HP and Gateway/eMachine on the homefront

[zaznet]

What?

What are you talking about? Your comments have nothing to do with the article.

[huddie klein]

Get the facts?

"One source, who has seen a demonstration of the service, said it was an improvement over iTunes."

Sounds pretty vague to me... is CNET dealing in hear-say? You should be ashamed of yourselves!

[zaznet]

Improvements...

It supports all of your Windows Media Player themes AND vizualizations so now you can really listen to your music in style! :)

[zaznet]

Yeah, and they will call it the...

X-Pod :)