Wake me up when the next iPod is introduced, because that is all that matters.

Let's all gang up... it is sad that Microsoft does not have the talent to do it themselves. They definitely have the R&D money, why not just hire someone who is an expert... is it because they would just hire the same type of people they already have, or because they would not let them design it any other way than what they want?

Anyhow... zzzzzz... I am curious to see Apple's new iPod... whenever it should come out.

the power of the collective hive whose controlling intelligence is in Redmond, Washington. Just hope that Steve Jobs has learned from experience how to stay one step ahead of the lumbering beast and not get trampled as it plods along. I don't believe Gates has the ability to turn MS on a dime anymore but they are still a formidable force to be reckoned with. Brute force can still prevail sometimes.

seems like every week there's a story about companies teaming up to try and de-throne the ipod. my guess is that microsoft should just concentrate on getting vista out the door and stop worryng about who has the top mp3 player

It could have been interesting, but then I read the line: "Microsoft said it will develop the software".

Thank you, come again. Next!

Ha! That just goes to show you the power of the iPod. It takes all those companies to take on Apple? Apple is on top for a reason. They listen and understand what people want, thus creating the iPod+iTunes system and all it took was one company. That is why Microsofts new system wont work. Even working together you will still have different people and companies working on conflicting things and then try to tie it all in together. Bah...

It's FIVE companies. Each will have its own agenda and need to profit individually from the venture. And there is the challenge of planning, designing, coordinating, and marketing in consistent and compatible ways.

Apple has just one agenda (in this area of its business). Promoting the iPod "platform." It'd OK if the iTunes Music Store is a break-even business. It doesn't have to pay Microsoft to license its software (or give it a cut of profits). And by the time the competition has started to catch up (if they ever do) in the digital music business, the iPod will have moved on become the heart of a "wearable computer" system. Playing music will be just one of iPod's many functions.

Calling in the cavalry is one thing but really do they seriously need a herd of stampeding Wilderbeast to try to get an impact?

Beleaguered indeed. I swear, I chuckle every time I read these headlines. Back then, who knew? Well, Steve did...but...who else? Okay, Ive, Avie, and a few select others did, but, really, out side of Apple, who knew?

Why would owners of ipod, iTunes songs and other "paraphenalia," chuck it all for a new, untried platform. Has this ever happened? Arguably apple computers, but they never had this kind of dominance (despite what you may remember, I was in Drexel in the mid 80's, and had to buy a MAC...but PC's were still more common).

Competition is good, but Crayola is right. If I were a MS share holder (hey, wait, I am), I would tell them to focus on their core business. US companies don't really do the diversification thing well, and after they expand, they always contract (Think GE, DANA, BASF, etc.)

So the challenge is to dethrone a product that is somewhat proprietary and has about 60% or so of the market? Has this happened?

Closest thing I come up with is PDA, and Palm's "fall" to windows CE...but at that time, PDA's were not as ubiquitious as ipods.

'nuff said.