Microsoft to release iPod killers

This post notes that Apple has an advantage because "they produce both the hardware and the software." Unless Microsoft is talking about Portable Media Centers, most "PlaysForSure" compatible MP3 players have both hardware and software produced by the same company don't they?

The ipod can be beaten but the solution is not a new player but a new media player. The software is what makes the ipod so cool. Apple itunes application makes Microsoft windows media player look like a chicken that is not able to laid eggs. The ipod is ugly but its popularity has to do with the itunes application because is easy to use. Windows media player on the other hand is time consuming after downloading the files need to be reincoded and if you not familiar with pc good luck! Windows media player navigational structure is confusing for example the store media content is not located in one main page like in the itunes. Nevertheles, Microsoft have a chance to bring the ipod down by building a new media player with a vision that is clear and rich. i know Bill Good creative technical people are hard to find but with your money come on Man!

Lol .. that sounded like good news for ALL virus-writer!! Another platform for viruses to infect .. .. Maybe Symantec, Mcafee and rest can start gearing up for the new Soft-pods (or watever it might be called) .. Anyway I'll still choose a CreativeLabs Zen for patriotism sake ..

Hmm, where's the saturation point with MP3 players - it can't be long now. I wonder if these will work with OS X. iPod works with Windows.

Sorry.... perhaps I didn't explain myself properly. Thats what I meant, they didn't alienate any of their 'potential' customers with a mac only version - the obvious plus being that a small percentage of those PC users purchasing an iPod may also go out and buy a new desktop / laptop.

But Darren that's why Apple made it compatible with PC so that it can sway consumers to the Mac platform - I should know I did just that and bought a PowerBook G4.

The biggest problem anyone faces when competing with iPod / Apple is that Apple has the very real and distinct advantage of producing both the software and hardware. So what will MS do? Outsource for the hardware and create a dilapidated interface (remember, MS Interface guidelines don't even come close to Apple) that will run on the hardware obtained from the cheapest producer. Will they have enough time to invest in 'quality' design? The biggest hurdle to overcome is the iPod is so much more than an MP3 player. It's a status symbol, a piece of fashion, it plays music, podcasts, it has complete ease of use (even my grandmother could use it!) and unlike MS products it works with both the PC and the mac. Trust Apple to try and not alienate customers who wanted to purchase a piece of 'chique' but not have to buy an Apple Desktop / Laptop. I look forward to seeing the competition.

One gets the feeling MS is constantly catching up? add to the list of products/services MS is coping -- google search, google maps, bloging software. Anything new and original MS has done lately?

Um, if you check the story again you'll find that when he talks about an "iPod Killer" they don't mean they're going to try and compete with the iPod, he means Micosoft intends to release a virius that will, quite literally, 'kill your iPod.'

Actually, now that I've thought about it, I know the reason behind the peculiar grammar. It's obvious; M$ promoted the guy who programmed the grammar check in M$ Word to be the head of PR! It all makes sense now!