Gates: We will challenge iPod

news.com ^ | February 11, 2006 | Reuters

[ShadowAce]

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

Can it play OGG files?

[rhombus]

I've been using my PDA for a couple of years now with mp3s and video. It also has MS Word, Excel, Outlook, Internet Explorer and I use it to keep track of my checkbook. It seems like Microsoft has been competing.

[dfwgator]

Microsoft is good at being the second mouse, as opposed to being the early worm.

[dmz]

Gosh, Sony never was a subject of such a lawsuit when the various walkman type devices came out several thousand years ago. Ear buds are not new . I had something very similar with my transistor radio.

The iPod also has the following feature in common with the Walkman, it's called a volume control.

[BunnySlippers]

iPod is no different than my Walkman in terms of hearing loss. Sure trial lawyers will try. I can't see why someone would be cheering them on though.

[dfwgator]

I meant the 'early bird' (got my cliches mixed up)

[CFC__VRWC]

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.

And it'll ship with a crude and bug-raddled version of the OS, so you'll be paying 300 bucks or so to beta test the software. By the time a halfway stable OS is released, it'll require so much processor power that you'll have no choice but to buy a new player.

[N3WBI3]

Dont think so, the Neuros can but its a piece of crap..

[ARA]

The lawsuit would have to happen with Sony first, since they are the inventors of the portable music device... the sone walkman... I think any lawsuit against Apple is a non-starter...

[xsrdx]

iPod compatible formats:

Mac: AAC (up to 320 kbit/s), MP3 (up to 320 kbit/s), MP3 Variable Bit Rate (VBR), WAV, AIFF, Audible.

Windows: AAC (up to 320 kbit/s), MP3 (up to 320 kbit/s), MP3 Variable Bit Rate (VBR), WAV, Audible.

[ShadowAce]

Thanks for the info

Guess I won't be purchasing one of these, then....

[theFIRMbss]

>Gates: We will challenge iPod

The beta version
of the Microsoft M-Pod
is a little big,

but Gates promises
to get the form factor down
by 50% . . .

[tx_eggman]

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

Ouch, that's gonna leave a mark ...

[stainlessbanner]

We know what you meant, dfwgator.

[rzeznikj at stout]

Looking at my sister's iPod Nano--no. I have to convert the OGG into MP3 or M4a format.

It'd be nice though--the OGG format seems to be a lot more cleaner and nicer-sounding, IMO.

[AnOldCowhand]

By the time a halfway stable OS is released, it'll require so much processor power that you'll have no choice but to buy a new player.

On the plus side; If they're concentrating on iPods and Xboxes then they won't be constantly screwing with Windows.

[tx_eggman]

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

Better late than never .... this could pass as Microsoft's vision statement

[stainlessbanner]

http://ipodlinux.org/

[rzeznikj at stout]

Of course, if anyone's got $100 and an Altoids tin, people have built their own iPod-compatible mp3 players...

[pageonetoo]

M$ is good at marketing...

NOW ALL THEY NEED IS A PRODUCT!

iPod video patent just filed... touchscreen... larger version screen, with ability to buy all types of imports from iTunes.

I sold my AAPL holdings a couple weeks ago, and made a killing. I bught some back this week! I expect to make another...