Microsoft confirms 'iPod Killer'

CNN ^ | July 21, 2006

[The Lion Roars]

Microsoft Corp. said Friday it plans to release a new music and entertainment player and accompanying software under the "Zune" brand this year, in a belated attempt to challenge the dominance of Apple Computer Inc.'s iPod player.

The announcement comes after weeks of rumors and speculation about such an offering. Microsoft has already touted the products to record companies.

"Under the Zune brand, we will deliver a family of hardware and software products, the first of which will be available this year," said Chris Stephenson, general manager of market for entertainment and services at Microsoft, in an statement. "We see a great opportunity to bring together technology and community to allow consumers to explore and discover music together."

The world's largest software maker faces an uphill climb in closing the gap on Apple's (Charts) iPod media player and iTunes Music Store, the runaway leaders in their respective areas.

[Hoplite]

Now everybody can get Zune'd by a beeber-like device.

Reference.

[bcsco]

"It is frustrating that I cannot get my Media Player playlists onto my iPod. Also, some of my files cannot be read by iTunes, which is necessary to get the songs on the iPod."

See my post #8 on this thread. I believe the iTunes software that comes with your IPod will convert Media Player's WMA format to ITunes Mp4 format. It's been awhile but I've done it. To go the other way (from Mp4 to WMA) you need a software application like 'tunebite' to convert the files so they can be played by Media Player or burned to CD. This program must be purchased. I forget the cost. But it works.

[Ditter]

I am not very technical so imagine my disappointment when my grandson showed me his ipod and I learned it is just another way to listen to music. Music??? That's it!!! I though with all the hype that it surely did more than that. Like maybe it laid out your clothes in the morning or cleaned the kitchen or walked the dog.

Now a Blackberry, that has to be hot stuff. Imagine the possibilities!

[Spktyr]

Um, no.

You can burn a standard audio CD with iTunes, which is the **default**. You can also burn a standard MP3 CD or a Data CD (which usually produces an AAC CD). Sounds like someone set yours to Data CD mode.

How to fix it:
Since you probably have a PC, here's your instructions.
Go to the Edit Menu.
Select Preferences.
Click on the Advanced tab in the window that appears.
Click on the Burning tab there.
Click on "Audio CD".
Click on OK.

You're done! You can also select MP3 CD if you wish to make one of those. And yes, this is in the iTunes documentation.

I've been burning CDs (both standard audio and MP3) from iTunes for years and using them in my cars.

[aft_lizard]

I doubt MS will be targetting you, but they will be targetting the havent bought yet and those looking for an alternative device.Which the havent bought yet, which probably is a far larger market then the installed base(unless iPod somehow has hundreds of millions) is the biggest prize and allows for MS to move in. Kind of like the Nintendo DS which is targetted at gamers and non-gamers and has become a huge success and has found people buying it who have never owned a system before because of non-game games like Brain Age, the DS btw is the most succesful handheld game device in history facing an installed base of hundreds of millions of gameboys.

[the invisib1e hand]

I found that itunes was more than happy to convert all my files into its format, volunteer to be my default player, route me to the itunes store, and then tell me I can't play the stuff on any other machine (three hard drive failures later, I needed a special dispensation from apple to use the music I'd bought).

[Spiff]

What's with these big companies coming out with great products but giving them terrible names that makes you not want to buy them? First we had the Nintendo Revolution that sounds like a killer gaming console and then Nintendo goes and changes the name of the console to "Wii". (Rhymes with wee). Who, except maybe a 5th grade boy doing his best potty mouth routine, wants to say, "Hey, let's go to my house and play with my wee."

Zune? Rhymes with spoon, right? Or maybe it rhymes with loony. I just can't wait to say, "I'm listening to my zoonie tunes right now." Who named this thing? Did they get a third grade class together and have them vote on a name?

It really sounds like a good product. But the name is just plain stupid.

[bcsco]

They're also not playable on my laptop which is 3 months old. I've delved into this on the Internet and there is a compatibility problem with Apple file formats that is likely intentional.

There's a program available called 'tunebite' that does file conversion to WMA or mp3 formats. But it has to be purchased so added another layer of cost to an already expensive music player (by comparison to other brands on the market already).

[Psycho_Bunny]

Microsoft confirms 'iPod Killer'

I'm not a knee-jerk, MS basher but it's hard to hold your tongue when you read crap like this.

[TruthWillWin]

Although a good product, people pay way too much to be with the Apple iPod in-crowd. Like paying a premium for an overpriced product prominently displaying the company logo (Nike check) so that you are part of the fad.

What a great marketing strategy. Overprice your product and have the buyers advertise for you. How gullible can consumers be.

[bcsco]

Um, yes.

My ITunes is already set up the way you describe. It has been all along. I CANNOT directly burn audio CD's that are playable. Sorry!

[Spktyr]

Then there's something wrong with your computer, because I've never encountered that problem with my Macs or my PCs. All of them work just fine with iTunes and burn usable CDs.

Out of curiosity, what media are you using?

[hanamizu]

iTunes comes with the ability to convert music to mp3--look at the 'advanced' menu. Same for burning a CD. Make your selection, hit the 'burn disc' button and it's done. Mine play fine on the car's CD player (but why play CDs in the car when you can play your iPod?

[observer5]

No matter how crappy this is gonna be, you can count on the fact that millions of moronic Mafi$oft lemmings will buy the thing!

[devane617]

In one version it will contain Sirius Satellite Radio which will be very cool. I think AAPL with partner with XMSR, and MSFT will partner with SIRI. The partnerships may go as far as a total buyout of the SatRad company.

[Spiff]

I can't figure out why cars come with CD players when they could put a USB port on the front of the thing and allow me to play hundreds of songs without fiddling while driving.

My car stereo has precisely that feature as well as an Auxillary in for MP3 players with no built-in USB.

My MP3 player has a "switchblade" style USB port that pops out of the bottom of it. I searched for one that had that feature. I had a very early MP3 player (RCA Kazoo) that I really liked, but I lost the USB cable and replacing the special cable cost almost as much as buying a new MP3 player so I never did. I learned to always get an MP3 player that doesn't require a cable.

I listen to my tunes in my MP3 player and when I get to my car I just plug it in to the car stereo. It charges it and I can access my tunes and listen to them on the car stereo.

It isn't the greatest car stereo in quality, but that feature sold me. It was only $150 and it is made by VR3:

VR3 InDash USB Car Stereos

[bcsco]

Please see my post #32. I have been all through the 'preference' options. I am computer literate (I used to build PC's). It doesn't work for me. Sorry.

As for why I want to play music on my car's CD player, I don't care to drive around wearing headphones. Also, my wife wants to hear the music when she's along. I understand that there may be a unit that can plug an IPod into a car's unit (or so I seem to recall hearing) but I have no intention of throwing any additional cash at something I've already come to consider a bad purchase. Sorry!

[theFIRMbss]

>people pay way too much to be with the Apple iPod in-crowd

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