Microsoft Developing iPod, iTMS Competitor 304
Software writes "Reuters reports that Microsoft is developing an iPod and iTunes Music Store competitor. Few details are available, but it's known that Robbie Bach (the man behind the Xbox) is heading up the project." From the article: "Most iTunes rivals charge monthly fees to access a catalog of entertainment, but some allow consumers to buy individual songs for about $1 each. Microsoft's service will emphasize the pay-per-download, or a la carte, model, the sources said. A subscription component will also be offered, according to early accounts of the planned service. One source, who has seen a demonstration of the service, said it was an improvement over iTunes."
XBox/360 integration? (Score:5, Interesting)
I would be shocked to find out that this isn't the route MS plans to take, the 360 being your entertainment-hub and all.
It'd have to be an unmicrosoft solution (Score:5, Interesting)
So if ms did support both the iPOD and their on Plays4Sure players, then i think they would stand a good chance to uprooting Apple. Especially considering they can run the store at a loss for years.
Whatever happened to Urge? (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Antitrust and the Media Player ? (Score:4, Interesting)
Yes, but does it matter? Bundling has worked and spoiled the marketplace. Take IM for example. A few years ago, it was ICQ, AIM. Other latecomers came, like Yahoo! and Google Talk but never seemed to have taken any marketshare. Another newcomer was MSN Messenger. One would think that ICQ/AIM would still be tops dogs. Not true, even not in Europe. For a while ICQ seemed to be most popular over here, but I worked at a school for a while and the only thing the students seemed to use was MSN, all with a hotmail.com address including Passport. I still both have an AIM and an ICQ account (I know they are technically the same), but strangely enough nobody ever seems to be online there anymore.
Media player? Same thing: none of these kids uses WinAmp, iTunes, Realplayer to play media. They all use our good old friend Windows Media Player. Myself I use "Media Player Classic", but that's just me. The thing is that the iPod will make it a tad bit more difficult. Alternatives do not seem to exist for them. Sure, I think the iPod will make it difficult to actually force WMP on people, but those that don't have an iPod will use and recognise WMP. If they brand it correctly (the hardware "replacing" the iPod), the brand recognition will work and they will sell devices.
I never have seen a WMP-less Windows installed anywhere. Even in Europe, we have lost...
Re:OK... but why (Score:5, Interesting)
See, Microsoft don't need you to give up your iPod. They do know how to play the long game. It took them a while to get Pocket PC somewhat right (then they broke it again, but that's another story), but they got there in the end. Moreover, they used the integration with Windows/Office as a selling point (WMP is on every Windows PC, you can see where that analogy leads).
Point is, they don't need this to be an instant success, they just need a foot in the door, the rest is down to time.
This has to be... (Score:5, Interesting)
"They have been developing technologies that have really good music discovery and community," another source said. "iTunes is the 7-11 (of music stores). You don't hang out there."
They have got to be kidding. People spend hours sifting through iTMS. I know people who never close it!
iTMS is like Amazon, people just use it for basic music reference at this point. These people are on crack.
Re:It'd have to be an unmicrosoft solution (Score:3, Interesting)
When comparing mp3 players based on memory size I have not seen players significantly cheaper than ipod except down at the 1/2 gig size. Things like iriver have included fm radio or ogg support or record features so they may be better but they come in at about the ipod price.
Re:innovative (Score:2, Interesting)
FFMPEG (Score:3, Interesting)
But ffpmeg (MPlayer/VLC) work much better. As more folks start using MPlayer/VLC to watch media, there will be less need for the WMV (and QuickTime) proprietary protocols.
So, they can ignore the Macintosh at their own peril.
MS good for consumers (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:See also: why get into the browser market? (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:It'd have to be an unmicrosoft solution (Score:2, Interesting)
Could you define this "Orders Of Magnatude Difference" because I'm obviously not getting your meaning. I'm making a comparison, to try to get you to see how little it effects Microsoft.
Yes, a $2 million daily fine for non-compliance is a hefty fine. However, don't you think their accountants and lawyers have already figured out that plaing fair and by the rules would hurt their business/profits more? They would have to pretty much redesign Vista from scratch to enable a user to not install or easily and completely remove IE/WMP/etc., not to mention opening up the Office file formats so people don't have to use/pay for Office to be able to work their files.
Part of the reason why MS is still at the top is because most people think that they MUST use Windows/MSOffice, and for a lot of people, they have to. It's also why IE still has a 90% browser market share. Most users are thinking, "It's already in Windows, and so many things "require" it, so why install anything else?"
THAT is MY point.
Re:It'd have to be an unmicrosoft solution (Score:3, Interesting)
No valid reason that you can think of.
Microsoft have spent the last 30 years making billions off the Windows Tax [wikipedia.org]. Virtually none of their product lines outside of their Windows & Office products have ever made them any money. Were Linux with Open Office to really take off for example they would find themselves in a great deal of trouble. MS execs quite rightly feel that they need to find new ways to make billions *before* the Windows/Office cash cow gets slaughtered.
Personally I hope they fail, and I think I will be right.