MS takes on Apple's iPod video
updated 05:40 pm EST, Mon January 9, 2006
Ms takes on Apple\'s iPod
Microsoft today launched three new portable media centers designed to compete with and . Microsoft, along with LG Electronics, Toshiba, and Tatung unveiled the players today at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, where Microsoft group product manager John Starkweather told Marketwatch that "in terms of features, I'd say that the video iPod is going to compete with these." The players are expected to be available in February and March, with Toshiba's 30GB model priced at $300 and a 60GB version costing $400.
Starkweather said users will be able to listen to more music from many different stores, and claimed that at least one of the new players has twice the battery life of Apple's iPod video.
Users can reportedly transfer music purchased from the iTunes Music Store to the new players, however there has been no licensing of Apple's Fairplay DRM (digital rights management), nor has there been any public announcement of such.
"Any music that you own will actually convert, and you can [play it] on one of these devices," Starkweather said.
The manager stated that Microsoft has more than 100 content partners today, including MTV's "Urge" service and Starz new "Vongo" service.
When asked how Microsoft is going to take a bite out of Apple, Starkweather replied: "you know, people get tired of eating apples. People want variety and we really believe in providing a 'fruit plate' if you will."
"Fruit plate?"
01/09, 06:10pm reply
The "choice" people get will be what MS and their content providers tell them they can have. Nobody will own anything and everyone will pay for the privilege of owning nothing. There's the "fruit plate".
tuscmat
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Mar 2004
Clueless?
01/09, 06:29pm reply
The MS marketing guy is a total dork. He just throws out all his exu-speak™ to try and justify people purchasing these iPod clones. Is it just me or do all these competitors fail to realize that the iPod's integration with iTunes is what makes it so good? All these disparate media stores selling similar or slightly different wares fail to grasp that people are lazy and love one stop shopping. I do believe that Apple should slowly start to open iTunes to a select number of licensees.
Kbee
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Joined: Feb 2000
I know it's early...
01/09, 06:43pm reply
... but the "fruit plate" comment gets my vote for daffiest statement of the year.
I have to assume the guy was talking tongue-in-cheek, but even with that, the statement is a joke. People want variety in music -- but they want just one music store to go to. Nobody wants to try to remember what song they bought from which store, or which store is better with one type or another of music. iTunes has the largest selection and the most consistent rights setup.
And once you've got all that music, how about a player that let's you find it easily, rather than an interface that gets in your way?
ADeweyan
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Joined: Mar 2004
Fruit and nut plate
01/09, 06:45pm reply
Actually "Bill" puts up more of a fruit and nut plate, if you ask me.
John G. Stillmank
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2000
It's sad when you can't
01/09, 06:55pm reply
It's sad when you can't be totally honest...
"Users can reportedly transfer music purchased from the iTunes Music Store to the new players"
Sure, if you're willing to break the DMCA...and go through the hassle and drop in sound quality.
""Any music that you own will actually convert, and you can [play it] on one of these devices," Starkweather said."
It's sad that he can't just come out and say, "Of course it's not compatible with iTunes or the iTMS". But that's a little like saying that it's not compatible with virtually any accesories because it lacks an iPod port and won't integrate with any new car being sold.
Mommy...I want an iPod for my birthday...Ok, Billy here's a brand new "Tatung" MP3 player....Billy: Oh, man am I going to get beaten up at school tomorrow.
macslut
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Joined: Jul 2004
Hmm... DMCA anyone
01/09, 07:10pm reply
COnverting copy protected songs to WMA to play on this device is a clear violation of the DMCA. I'm sure Apple will have lawsuits and lawyers busy real soon.
Plus, it doesn't say anything about converting over the videos you buy.
It must really burn Microsoft, that no one cares about their digital media solution. Biggest problem is these things costs EXACTLY THE SAME as a Video iPod, and won't have a scroll wheel (Apple Patent.) The scroll wheel is the true killer feature. No other input device for an MP3 player even comes close without one of them.
pastusza
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 1999
Only fruitcakes...
01/09, 07:35pm reply
...take about fruit plates.
Horsepoo!!!
Banned
Joined: Jun 2003
...talk about...
01/09, 07:35pm reply
I had to blow it. :P
Horsepoo!!!
Banned
Joined: Jun 2003
People also get tired of
01/09, 07:43pm reply
People also get tired of viruses and spyware Microsoft. These new players are no more a threat then the last new players. Bla,bla,bla,bla,.... They talk a lot about nothing. You can't recreate the experience of Apples iTunes because Apple does the whole widget and they can only piece part things together and hope they work. Kind of like there plug and prey feature in Windows.
jhorvatic
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Joined: Apr 2005
Clueless in Seattle
01/09, 07:48pm reply
The thing that must keep Redmond up at night is that while they flail about, trying to bare down on the iPod, they know Apple is quietly cooking up the next cool thing in an R&D lab elsewhere. Their only hope: assassinate Jonathan Ive.
brainiac_7
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Joined: Jun 2005