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MSFTs "iPod Killer" Readied for Europe
rocketjam writes "Reuters reports that the first hardware to run Microsoft's "iPod Killer" software will be available in Europe in the second half of 2004. MS has been working with several manufacturers, and is expected to introduce a device which will play movies and songs as well as store digital photos through Microsoft's yet-to-be-unveiled Portable Media Center software. A spokesman said 'We think this is going to be one of the hot devices for Christmas 2004,' The players are expected to sell for between about $700 to $800. They will play MP3s as well as audio and video recorded in Microsoft's digital format. The player will be significantly larger than the iPod in order to accomodate a video screen. A Jupiter Research analyst, Mark Milligan said 'By definition, (the devices) just don't have widespread appeal', and he doubts the devices would change the consumer electronics landscape in any way."
an ipod killer would have to be cheaper than an ipod.
It seems that MS is using the same tactics that failed for all the gameboy competitors. Try and add a billion features, and price yourself right out of the market.
Who gives a $700-$800 Christmas gift? I know a few people might get their spouse or children somethign like that, but the vast majority give gifts far smaller than that.
And besides, for that price you could get a laptop.
For that price, one could get a low-end laptop.
Adherence to the truth is a form of disloyalty.
It's not quite in the same target market, as it plays movies, stores photos, and most importantly it is FATTER than iPod (roughly three times as thick as an iPod and roughly twice as long ).
It's like callling an elephant a pet killer because it can carry luggages, push start your car etc, which your normal domestic pets like dogs, cats cannot do.
Rock that crushes, Paper & Scissors that don't matter.
I agree. Isn't this just taking the concept of "bloatware" to the digital media player hardware market?
There is a reason why iPods are so popular: they are relatively inexpensive, they are small and portable, and they do what the user wants them to do well: play music.
I am with the Jupitar analyst, I just don't see a market for this (especially against the iPod) unless the price goes down to iPod levels....
--Kobayashi--
my question is "what market segment would that be?" people who want to pay almost as much as the cost of a laptop for significantly less functionality and a marginally smaller size? people who want to watch movies while jogging?
this beast reminds me of the newton. lots of features but too damn big and clunky. of course newton had the saving grace of being the first to market...
2 1337 4 u!
Forgive my ignorance, but how are you supposed to copy video onto this device if all DVD's have copy protections anyways? And if it's not a commercial movie you want to download onto it, why would you want to download, say, your home movies which would interest no one except yourself? And if your home movies DO interest other people (maybe you are the porn star next door), how exactly do you go about adding Microsoft DRM so you can play them on your "iPod Killer". Methinks Microsoft spends alot of time talking up lip service to a new device under the assumption that ANY press is better than NO press. Tablet PC anyone?
blue
The users want a PDA, so they pack in every feature they can think of and bump the price through the roof...
If the iPod is a good product as just an MP3 player, then if we jam in a video player, word processor, fishing tackle box, and dog whistle, then it's got to be a better product...
Such Deja Vu from the PDA wars...
/sig