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Gates: We will challenge iPod
news.com ^ | February 11, 2006 | Reuters

Posted on 02/13/2006 7:08:46 AM PST by stainlessbanner

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.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: apple; convictedmonopoly; gates; ipod; lowqualitycrap; microsoft; mp3; player
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To: stainlessbanner

61 posted on 02/13/2006 8:37:32 AM PST by Revolting cat! ("In the end, nothing explains anything.")
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To: When_Penguins_Attack

And by 'hot' they mean they haven't worked out those cooling issues yet. ;p


62 posted on 02/13/2006 8:38:01 AM PST by x5452
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To: ShadowAce
Can it play OGG files?

Aside from iRiver, I don't know any commercial players that do support OGG out of the box, but you can do iPod Linux and play OGG.

63 posted on 02/13/2006 8:39:46 AM PST by antiRepublicrat
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To: rzeznikj at stout
It'd be nice though--the OGG format seems to be a lot more cleaner and nicer-sounding, IMO.

If you have the space, there's Apple Lossless, which takes IIRC about 300 MB per CD. Caveat, the format is closed proprietary, but third-party codecs are in the works.

64 posted on 02/13/2006 8:44:45 AM PST by antiRepublicrat
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To: antiRepublicrat; ShadowAce
I own one of these. It absolutely rocks. Open source all the way. Lotsa music formats (including OGG). Records directly to MP3 (line or MIC). FM radio transmitter. Best thing since sliced bread, IMO.

They don't manufacture the Neuros or Neuros II any more, because they're working on the next one. The 80GB ones are available at a terrific price on closeout though, and I may just buy another one just because. :-)

65 posted on 02/13/2006 8:49:23 AM PST by TChris ("Unless you act, you're going to lose your world." - Mark Steyn)
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To: finnman69
ama mazed at people using Ipods to screen out street noise or subways.

Not to mention to win snowboarding Gold medals. You can't BUY that kind of marketing.

66 posted on 02/13/2006 8:53:20 AM PST by 1Old Pro
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To: D-Chivas

sure I was, I think way more are wearing I pods, and are wearing them for longer periods more frequently. Walkman needed AA batteries.


67 posted on 02/13/2006 8:55:51 AM PST by finnman69 (cum puella incedit minore medio corpore sub quo manifestu s globus, inflammare animos)
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To: 1Old Pro
Watch any celebrity and they have an iPod. I remember watching "playlistism" on MTV2. The VJs were all very careful to say mp3 player. But as soon as any celebrity was asked what they had on their player they said, oh I have ....on my iPod.

And even outside of that I never see any other mp3 player even advertised. Are these other companies just hoping that people will go to a store that doesn't carry iPods and settle for their player?
68 posted on 02/13/2006 9:01:19 AM PST by Mr. Blonde (You know, Happy Time Harry, just being around you kinda makes me want to die.)
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To: Mr. Blonde

I bought the Creative Zen Sleek 20 GB.

1. Because it was a better value at 250.00 than the 4GB iPod at 250.00.

2. Because it doesn't put one red cent in commie Jobs' pocket.

I've used my friends iPod, and I'm extremely happy with my purchase, works every bit as good as the iPod, AND I can use the Napster subscription service to take music to go. So I don't have to purchase music @ 99 cents plus tax a pop.


69 posted on 02/13/2006 9:06:02 AM PST by American_Centurion (A liberal is a socialist who isn't quite willing to get blood on his hands yet. -KarlInOhio)
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To: stainlessbanner; All

An SD card in your PDA will do the same thing as an Ipod.

Ipod is good DESIGN not technology. The Ipod is 100% marketing and packaging.

That said, COMPETITION IS GOOD!


70 posted on 02/13/2006 9:07:40 AM PST by longtermmemmory (VOTE!)
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To: Glenn

FYI: they said the same thing about the Sony Walkman.

(they also said nobody could ever compete...)


71 posted on 02/13/2006 9:09:30 AM PST by longtermmemmory (VOTE!)
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To: pageonetoo

so apple is trying to patent a stripped down Tablet PC?

With computers getting thinner and thinner and laptops eventually merging with tablet PC's. That seems too limited a product.


72 posted on 02/13/2006 9:19:04 AM PST by longtermmemmory (VOTE!)
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To: antiRepublicrat
Apple Lossless--that's AAC, correct?

I don't have an iPod yet--my sister has one. And I don't think she'd be too happy if I threw Linux on it. 8^)

73 posted on 02/13/2006 9:23:50 AM PST by rzeznikj at stout (This is a darkroom. Keep the door closed or you'll let all the dark out...)
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To: tx_eggman

Better late than never .... this could pass as Microsoft's vision statement
_______
LOL. The strategy seems to have worked pretty well for him, doncha think?


74 posted on 02/13/2006 9:27:02 AM PST by dmz
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To: rzeznikj at stout
Apple Lossless--that's AAC, correct?

Nope, it's Apple's own linear prediction compression algorithm, in an mp4 container.

75 posted on 02/13/2006 9:29:17 AM PST by antiRepublicrat
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To: stainlessbanner

If you want an Ipod that crashes and calls home to tell Microsoft what you're listening to and if any of the files are pirated, then get the Microsoft version.


76 posted on 02/13/2006 9:32:45 AM PST by mysterio
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To: TChris
Under Requirements, looks like you need a windose system.
77 posted on 02/13/2006 9:35:00 AM PST by stainlessbanner (^W^)
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To: stainlessbanner

When is Jobs going to market a killer gaming machine...


78 posted on 02/13/2006 9:35:56 AM PST by tubebender (Everything I know about computers I learned on Free Republic...)
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To: stainlessbanner

Mr. Softy, Bill Gates, hasn't had an original idea in his life. I'm surprised he isn't Chinese. All he can do is copy the ideas of others and then try to run them out of business. That's why Microsoft stock has been moribund for the past five years.


79 posted on 02/13/2006 9:36:03 AM PST by kittymyrib
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To: finnman69

Why does this remind me of the plot to Steve Martin's, "The Jerk"?


80 posted on 02/13/2006 9:37:52 AM PST by Wiseghy ("You want to break this army? Then break your word to it.")
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