Gates: We will challenge iPod

news.com ^ | February 11, 2006 | Reuters

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REDMOND, Wash.--Microsoft and its hardware partners will continue to develop new digital media devices aimed at challenging the dominance of Apple Computer's ubiquitous iPod music player, Chairman Bill Gates said on Friday.

"I don't think what's out on the market today is the final answer," Gates said, speaking to a group of minority students. "Between us and our partners, you can expect some pretty hot products coming out over the next few years."

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.

Gates said the market share for digital music players compatible with Microsoft software is around 20 percent, a figure that is lower than he would like.

Microsoft's strategy has been to allow various device manufacturers to create players that would be compatible with its software, arguing that it offered consumers more options.

However, BusinessWeek reported last week that Microsoft is mulling its own media device in an effort to cut into Apple's nearly 70 percent U.S. market share. The company declined to comment on the article at the time.

Gates did not disclose any plans for a Microsoft-branded device on Friday and alluded often to working together with partners for future media devices.

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M$ is good at marketing, perhaps it can offer a challenge to iPod Nation.

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podder-ping

[x5452]

Sure it'll make a version which forces users to convert to a proprietary codec that they insist is open, and which will send data on all their listening habits to Redmond, further it will support a single button for simplicity; depending how fast or slow or how many times you press the single button it will do different things but none of them will be visually verified, and you'll have to open the documentation on the cd rom to know how many times/speed for which functions. The product will be announced shortly to great fanfare and ship 2.5 years from now, a year and a half latter than announced, though you'll be able to pre-order immeadiatly.

[dyed_in_the_wool]

it'll make a version which forces users to convert to a proprietary codec that they insist is open, and which will send data on all their listening habits to Redmond

Just like the iPod, eh?

[Cincinatus]

Gates: We will challenge iPod

In the immortal words of Tuco (from The Good, The Bad, and tThe Ugly):

"If you're going to shoot somebody, Shoot! Don't talk!"

[x5452]

The iPod doesn't send anything about your listening habits. iTunes (computer software which works with the iPod) CAN but you can also turn it off, in fact it's off by default now.

I leave it on, I'd be all to happy if it would make suggestions based on my listening habits (which are mostly Russian pop and occasional jpop).

[ShadowAce]

[finnman69]

Ipod and Apple will be subject to one of the biggest class action suits in history as tens of thousands suffer permanent hearing loss.

Microsoft should market their version as a safe Ipod.

[cinives]

You forgot - and we will make it so open that we will accept all viruses, spyware and trojan horses that will destroy the OS and slow down the play ...

[Glenn]

Ipod and Apple will be subject to one of the biggest class action suits in history as tens of thousands suffer permanent hearing loss.

The really cool thing about FreeRepublic is that idiots can say anything that pops into their heads. It makes for great comedy.

[x5452]

Hey you're right I did forget that!
(Does the xbox sport viruses/viri as yet?)

[xsrdx]

"Between us and our partners, you can expect some pretty hot products coming out over the next few years."

*Yawn*.

I don't see Microsoft building a better mousetrap here. They don't specialize in either sound quality, or simplistic user GI's, issues that make the iPod enormously successful. And iTunes has a giant head start.

Good luck, Bill.

[Sender]

Announcing the new Wpod!

-plays only DRM encrypted WMA files
-requires you to re-license your tracks daily
-has only 3 simple controls; CTRL ALT DEL -featuring new random "blue screen" lcd display -your 25-digit product key; don't leave home without it

[1Old Pro]

Microsoft needs to wake up and compete....two words: I-Pod & Blackberry.

[xsrdx]

And further, the iPod is botique. Nobody does Botique better than Apple.

MS might rule the world, but they almost define "mundane".

[N3WBI3]

The iPod can use MP3 which is not an apple proprietary codec

[LexBaird]

Not too idiotic. Someone is already trying to sue Apple based on IPod hearing loss.

[Final Authority]

I called my daughter the other day on her cell phone. She had it beside her while she was doing homework on the computer and was listening to her iPod nano. The phone was in vibrate mode. It apparently caused the iPod to incrementalize the volume and she had to throw off the ear phones because of the intense pain. The phone and the nano were right next to each other on the desk.

There will be hearing damage as it has already been determined. In grade school and in college nearly every weekend there would be a dance or coffee house with live bands playing R&R or R&B. It often was loud but according to my wife, the sound pressures generated by the ear bud type ear phones can be much higher.

Fortunately for both Apple and MS, because there are so many MP3 manufacturers and because the cause of the damage is well known, I don't think they should be targets of tort law suits.

[1Old Pro]

Microsoft Venture Adds to Blackberry Woes

Blackberry and I-Pod are two technologies that one would have assumed Microsoft to have been a leader on. But, better late than never.

[xsrdx]

botique = boutique DOH!