Microsoft Readying Apple iPod Rival:

[Garritan]

According to Reuters (http://today.reuters.com/news/newsarticle.aspx?type=technologyNews&storyid=2006-06-16T140105Z_01_WEN9632_RTRUKOC_0_US-MEDIA-MICROSOFT-APPLE.xml&src=rss&rpc=22):

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Software giant Microsoft Corp. is laying the groundwork to compete against Apple Computer Inc.'s iPod digital entertainment device and iTunes service, sources familiar with the discussions and plans said on Friday.
Microsoft has held licensing discussions with the music industry to create its own music service, the sources told Reuters.
The Redmond, Washington-based developer of software that runs most of the world's PCs is also demonstrating an entertainment device that plays videos and music, the sources said.


It is unclear when Microsoft plans to launch, they said.

Microsoft's software technology has provided the copyright framework for a handful of subscription music services globally. But these services have failed to topple Apple's dominance in music and device sales, despite well financed backers including Yahoo Inc..


Apple and Microsoft were not immediately reachable for comment."

[fastlane]

The MP3 player landscape is littered with failed assaults on Apple's iPod.

But there's always room for one more. :D


http://www.ipodhacks.com/article.php?sid=320

http://www.digitmag.co.uk/news/index.cfm?fuseaction=displaynews&NewsID=4043

http://playlistmag.com/news/2006/05/03/creative/index.php

[Leaf]

I think they could be very successful if the music selection is wide and the player is not overpriced. There are a heck of a lot of people that do not own an ipod for obvous reasons.

Whenever I use the search thingie on iTunes, it comes up empty more often than not. Not just on my request for popular foreign artists like Patricia Kaas and others, but also for some very common classical stuff. I don't know if they are not in touch with some musical tastes or if they just have not cut deals with some musicians or labels over someother issue, like pay or something. Or maybe it is just that it is still kinda new and they haven't covered all the bases yet.

[dabbler]

There are a heck of a lot of people that do not own an ipod for obvous reasons.


What obvious reasons? They suit most consumers. Remember that most consumers are generally stupid. They don't care about things like choice and functionality. They want cool and simple.

And look how many overpriced accessories you can buy for an ipod compared to all the competition.

R.

[SeanHannifin]

The reason I don't own an iPod is cost... I'd love to have 60 GB of music space and a snazzy colorful display with my mp3 player, but not at $400. I don't care much about the music selection as I'd rather buy physical CDs. If Microsoft can design a media player with a good amount of space and style and somehow make it affordable, they win. I use Windows Media Player most often to play music on my computer, so if their device communicated with that and could play mp3 and wma files, they win even more.

[fastlane]

The reason I don't own an iPod is cost... I'd love to have 60 GB of music space and a snazzy colorful display with my mp3 player, but not at $400. I don't care much about the music selection as I'd rather buy physical CDs. If Microsoft can design a media player with a good amount of space and style and somehow make it affordable, they win. I use Windows Media Player most often to play music on my computer, so if their device communicated with that and could play mp3 and wma files, they win even more.

Buy a iPod Nano for $150 to $250. You'll love it!

I just bought John Stewart's( America's greatest living songwriter IMHO)- The Phoenix Concerts used from a Amazon seller but I also buy from iTunes such as Cecilia Bartoli's Opera Prohibita which comes with a digital booklet about forbidden opera.

[ptram]

Software giant Microsoft Corp. is laying the groundwork to compete against Apple Computer Inc.'s iPod digital entertainment device and iTunes service
Yet another great success announced. Exactly like... how was it called... Origami :-)

Cheers,
Paolo

[dabbler]

The reason I don't own an iPod is cost... I'd love to have 60 GB of music space and a snazzy colorful display with my mp3 player, but not at $400. I don't care much about the music selection as I'd rather buy physical CDs. If Microsoft can design a media player with a good amount of space and style and somehow make it affordable, they win. I use Windows Media Player most often to play music on my computer, so if their device communicated with that and could play mp3 and wma files, they win even more.

I don't know about Microsoft's media player... I can't see it taking over the iPod. But there are some alternatives. Napster is a great subscription service. Much more flexible than iTunes store, and there are some equally good players from the likes of iRiver and Creative (that play wma files as well as mp3's - some play ogg's too). It's unfortunate that they don't have the kind of marketing clout that Apple has. The iPod has not exploded in popularity because its the best. It's exploded because Apple shouts the loudest.

If any giant has the financial support to do this, Microsoft does, but personally I think its too late and certainly Microsoft's marketing is not as strong as Apple's. iPod has become a lifestyle that would be hard to topple.

[fastlane]

I don't know about Microsoft's media player... I can't see it taking over the iPod. But there are some alternatives. Napster is a great subscription service. Much more flexible than iTunes store, and there are some equally good players from the likes of iRiver and Creative (that play wma files as well as mp3's - some play ogg's too). It's unfortunate that they don't have the kind of marketing clout that Apple has. The iPod has not exploded in popularity because its the best. It's exploded because Apple shouts the loudest.

If any giant has the financial support to do this, Microsoft does, but personally I think its too late and certainly Microsoft's marketing is not as strong as Apple's. iPod has become a lifestyle that would be hard to topple.


I checked out Napster and they are also selling songs for $.99 like Apple.

The song subscription market might take a big hit once HD radio (CD quality) takes off. There are several FM stations in my area transmitting HD.

It will probably kill satellite radio.

[dabbler]

I checked out Napster and they are also selling songs for $.99 like Apple.


Napster's greatest asset is that it has a subscription service that allows you to download and listen to as much music as you like for a fixed monthly subscription.

I pay $15cdn per month and get to download and listen to as many tracks as I like on up to three computers and download to up to two MP3 players. If I decide I no longer want to subscribe, I simply stop playing my subscription and I no longer have access to those files I downloaded. If I want to "buy" tracks, I can do that too and not be bound by the three computer, two MP3 player restriction.

I haven't bought any individual tracks because the subscription service works for the way I listen to music (it gets used a lot more in my house than my cable TV package).

R

[Steve_Karl]

What obvious reasons? R.

1) No replacable battery. Cost of replacement is to send back to factory.
$75.00 or more I hear.
An iriver battery is user replacable for under $20.00.
2) Too expensive compared to better alternatives, such as an Iriver H10.


If some one gave me an iPod, for free, I'd sell it and get an other Iriver.

[Leaf]

What obvious reasons? They suit most consumers. Remember that most consumers are generally stupid. They don't care about things like choice and functionality. They want cool and simple.

And look how many overpriced accessories you can buy for an ipod compared to all the competition.

R.They don't really suit most consumers when they are overpriced for most consumers, which is why you hardly ever see anyone with one, imo. ;)

[LFO]

Although cost is an issue for some, it is obvious through marketshare and number of units sold that it is not for the majority of people. I have a shuffle and a Nano and between the two I get the flexibility I need at a good cost point.

If Microsoft uses any version of Windows Mobile for their MP3 player it will make challenging Apple very difficult. Too many people with Pocket PC phones have Windows Mobile issues (including myself). Who wants an MP3 player that locks up? Additionally, I think Windows Media Player is not the right move. It is an uber bloated piece of software that takes ages to load media into memory for playing. If Microsoft wants to seriously compete with Apple, they have to go the simple route. Easy to use, no lock-ups and fast.

I hope Microsoft does make a good go of it because competition is a healthy thing. The only concern I have is both companies using `exclusive' music to promote their strategy. The consumer will lose if he/she can only buy band A on iTunes and band B on Microtunes (copyrite pending!).

-LFO

[rwayland]

Well, I seem to be in the minority here also. I have used a Zen Micro for over a year. Does a good job on a variety of media. I usually use it with my Sennheiser HD 280 Pro, and the sound is as good as the quality of the media. WAV or highest quality mp3 is good. No battery worries, as the battery is rechargeable. Twelve hours on a charge. The device can play through my pc using power from the usb connection. I can use it with any hi fi system, or with my car radio. I can also use it by transmitting with a low power fm transmitter to any fm receiver, and don't need to worry about a cable connection.

Richard

[fastlane]

1) No replacable battery. Cost of replacement is to send back to factory.
$75.00 or more I hear.
An iriver battery is user replacable for under $20.00.
2) Too expensive compared to better alternatives, such as an Iriver H10.


If some one gave me an iPod, for free, I'd sell it and get an other Iriver.

Here's a battery replacement kit for the iPod Nano for $18.95

http://www.batteryship.com/htmlos/htmlos.cgi/batteryship/catalog.html?item=616-0223&adsrc=goog308n&gclid=COfK_6jI0YUCFSuiIgodQVZ72A

[dabbler]

They don't really suit most consumers when they are overpriced for most consumers, which is why you hardly ever see anyone with one, imo. ;)

You might hardly ever see anyone with them, I see loads of people with them, and St. John's is hardly a rich city! The fact that many people have bought more than one in their time whether through reliability issues or storage issues, sales figures are hardly a match for user statistics, but there's no doubt about it, iPod has the biggest market share.

Maybe we should have a poll, see what people on the forum have. Hmmm... can't seem to do polls on this forum.

I use a 5Gb iRiver H10 with Napster. My wife uses a 512Mb iRiver T10 with Napster.

[NeoDavinci]

I don't think the Ipod is easily assaultable—but if Microsoft really wants the market, they can get it by pricing low.
What does it actually cost to make an Ipod? If you took the mentality that keeps video game consoles affordable and sold the mp3 player itself close to cost, the Ipod wouldn't competitive price-wise at all.
A $75 competitor to the Ipod might take off. Of course, as I type this, I'm happily using my nano. :)

[fastlane]

I think Apple makes very little from the music sales on iTunes. It's just there to compliment the hardware sales. You can't compare the Mac Vs PC prices with the MP3 players because there isn't that much margin to work with.

Speaking of iTunes, I just saw that Reuters is reporting from sources that Apple and the major movie studios are negotiating prices for full length movie downloads on iTunes. Apple wants a flat $9.99 and the studios want variable pricing.

I'm not paying $9.99 for a 320x 240 resolution flick. I want 800X 600 or I'll rent a DVD.

[SeanHannifin]

I'm not paying $9.99 for a 320x 240 resolution flick. I want 800X 600 or I'll rent a DVD.

Me neither! :eek: But there is a collection of films available for PSP, the handheld GameBoy-type gaming thingy. My guess is those are selling since the selection has only grown. I'm not sure what the resolution is on a PSP, but the last time I played around with one at Best Buy, it's definitely not really much of a movie experience (the gaming graphics are quite nice though). However, I suppose such a device could replace the need for a portable DVD player... though it actually seems more expensive really. I guess something like a PSP movie could keep a child occupied on a long road trip. Actually for the GameBoy Advanced they sell something like 4 episodes of SpongeBob or some other cartoon on one cartridge instead of a game. But the target audience there is definitely children, and I'm not sure how many parents are giving their children expensive video iPods. :eek:

I guess one of the advantages of an iPod replacing a portable DVD player is size... I don't own an iPod, but from the looks of it, they are smaller than a DVD. Perhaps years down the road DVD creators could use BlueRay or whatever to make a regular DVD, yet in a minidisc (or smaller) size, and it could fit into portable media players. Then the portable media player could have a docking bay next to the television so that it would also replace the regular DVD player... heck, give it the ability to record television through the docking bay too... mmmm, that would be awesome. :D

[Ian Dorsch]

Me neither! :eek: But there is a collection of films available for PSP, the handheld GameBoy-type gaming thingy. My guess is those are selling since the selection has only grown.

Actually, a majority of studios have dropped support for films in Sony's UMD format. The PSP itself is still selling well, but UMD movies have not proven to be a strong seller: they cost too much compared to regular DVDs, and you can only watch them on the PSP. UMD movies generally cost more than $9.99, though.

[GDG]

1) No replacable battery. Cost of replacement is to send back to factory. $75.00 or more I hear.


Not true: I found a replacement battery for my old ipod (40 GB model) at Fry's, and replaced it myself a few months ago. Cost about $20. Takes a sharp screwdriver to get the case open (and a fair amount of patience), but wasn't difficult (and I'm not particularly "handy").

Grant

[qccowboy]

Not true: I found a replacement battery for my old ipod (40 GB model) at Fry's, and replaced it myself a few months ago. Cost about $20. Takes a sharp screwdriver to get the case open (and a fair amount of patience), but wasn't difficult (and I'm not particularly "handy").

Grant

the new Ipod nanos require that you send in the entire thing to get the battery changed. opening it yourself voids the warranty.

[SeanHannifin]

Actually, a majority of studios have dropped support for films in Sony's UMD format. The PSP itself is still selling well, but UMD movies have not proven to be a strong seller: they cost too much compared to regular DVDs, and you can only watch them on the PSP. UMD movies generally cost more than $9.99, though.

That's what I've read in certain places, but the selection is only growing at my local Best Buy and Wal-Mart... though there aren't as many new releases as there are older movies from the 80s and 90s.

[fastlane]

the new Ipod nanos require that you send in the entire thing to get the battery changed. opening it yourself voids the warranty.

Not if you don't screw up and damage it. You just save the old battery and if the iPod goes bad you exchange batteries before you send it in for repair. :)

[dabbler]

the new Ipod nanos require that you send in the entire thing to get the battery changed. opening it yourself voids the warranty.

Presumably the battery will last longer than the warranty anyway won't it?

R.

[GDG]

Presumably the battery will last longer than the warranty anyway won't it?

R.

I should hope so! I would think that if the battery fails during the warranty period, you should get it replaced free.