MS should start by finding its a** with its two hands first. The day Microsoft actually contributes something of value to the world is the day it SHUTS DOWN.

Talk is cheap. I'm going to invent a better airliner than either Boeing or Airbus. Normal people would ask me how. Why doesn't anyone ask Gates for details of exactly what he means by showing photos and videos better. How much easier can it to connect a device than it is to connect an iPod? Is he saying that they are going to invent a new wireless technology (because Bluetooth on a PC isn't as easy as on a Mac according to a friend who has both)? If an iPod is as simple as plugging it in, how will he make it easier than that?

When you start to ask some basic questions, you see that he doesn't have any answers because he's talking about products that will be released in the next few years. IE some of them haven't even made it to the drawing board yet. He has no idea what he's talking about and it's as plain as the nose on his face but will the tech "journalists" see it this way? Of course not.

think you can sqeeze any more ads on the friggin page???

This is so 2001. October 2001 to be precise.

Seems awfully wishful thinking on Billy Goat's part.

But since hot = cheap/inferior/bugridden in MSpeak, goatboy is probably going to capture 100% of that market. And won't he be proud!

without the iPod?

Maybe they are reverse engineering a "Steve Jobs" in their labs?

So, the goal is to attain market share? How about innovating, instead of trying to dominate a territory, as a business plan instead. How novel!

I think Gates is talking out of his a** right now but I wouldn't rule out anything. His company isn't afraid of losing hundreds of millions to gain marketshare (xbox/xbox360) and can afford to take big chances.

I can see how he would not be disclosing any details, why should he. Apple sure doesn't.

I can see how Vista, Xbox 360 and whatever new MS Pod would work together to create some home meida experience. The Xbox 360 is a huge asset to them as well as their marketshare.

I just hope Apple doesn't develope the same arrogance as some of the posters and that they keep innovating. They can't sit still and good for us, Jobs won't let them.

Microsoft is in a tailspin with iPod because it goes against the grain of MS development. MS always starts off with a ill-conceived product at cheap prices. Windows 1.0 is a classic example. But Apple starts off from day one with a well-designed quality product at top dollar. And people liked it enough to buy it. MS probably can't figure out why. If they plan to upseat iPod, they can try, but I doubt they will. I would welcome any company to make a product as good as iPod and iTunes, bring it on!

I suggest they team up with a successful company like Dell, who already know how to create a serious iPod killer