Slashdot Mirror
Microsoft's iPod-Killer: Portable Media Center?
securitas writes "The Seattle Post-Intelligencer's Todd Bishop reports on what's billed as an iPod-killer: the Microsoft Portable Media Center line of digital media players that 'will store and play back video, music and photos.' The devices are expected to be demonstrated at CES this week. Hardware manufacturers Samsung, ViewSonic, iRiver, and Creative are apparently developing versions of the devices that 'will run a specialized version of Windows CE.' Analysts say that the PMCs will come with 40 GB hard drives and retail for $400 to $700. I got a look at an early version of the RCA Lyra Audio/Video Jukebox mentioned unfavorably in the article due to its size. The size is a function of needing a reasonably-sized screen to watch video. The article has an image of a Portable Media Center prototype. The devices are slated to ship in the second half of 2004."
Be assured, if Apple don't launch the ultimate portable multimedia device to rock your world, SOMEONE will. But like the mediocre and confusing MS PocketPC products, failed MSX 'standard' of the 1980s, MS Smart Display etc, successful versions of such potentially ground breakingly useful products can only come from design innovators, not huge multi-nationals who lack the cohesive vision. Evidence? Original Palm Pilot, iPod and Tapwave Zodiac, each (almost) meticulous in their execution.
O'WONDERWe're working on it.
Before even mentioning DRM issues and probable lack of good portability between music formats.
;).
I have I must admit very much supported Microsoft hardware (you can shoot me later) because all the hardware I have ever bought with MS stuck on it has lasted a long time and is made durable and much more comfortable than competitors.
So I'd hazard a guess the thing will be pretty good at dealing with the bumps and scrapes inherent with portable players. But believe me, if the software is anything similar to the stuff they put on Windows Smartphone (Mobile phone/cellphone) it has got no chance. Straying off topic a tad but them things hang, call people without you asking, hang up calls without you asking, dont respond to cellular events too well (like someone rings and hangs up phone believes the sender is still ringing in).
So if its the same "specialized" version of WinCE they used on thier phones expect an abysmal effort at software design. But at least it wont smash when you drop it
I can see the ad slogans now:
"Music, Pictures and Video! And it won't fit in your pocket! What do you want to lug around today?"
I'll pull out my Newton for a minute and remember how cool it was, yet I still hated to lug the thing around. Obvious.
If it has a CF Slot and allows me to download my pictures from my digitial camera to it, It will be valuable to me. I realize there is a product like this but its pretty much purpose built for that, it only has a few other features.
If it has 802.11x support, then I can leave it in my car, and use DVArchive to send ReplayTV shows to it, so my girlfriend can watch tv when we are on the road.
I don't however see carrying this around with me everywhere as I will an iPOD especially the mini that they seem to be announcing. If this thing uses Windows CE then I bet we will be able to use a whole host of software the CE has written for it now and will get alot of functionality out of it beyond the usual video/music/picture holder.
It might supplant itself to being an cheaper in-car computer alternative, I have a GPS device, and there is Mapopolis for navigation for the CE, hey I mount it on my dash and Viola i have DVD/NAV/Digital Music playback, and what ever I deem necesary, I already use my iPaq for that, it just seems that this has a bigger HD and a Bigger Screen.
Seems fairly valuable to consumers to me, if you look beyond what they are touting it for at CES
moo.