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."

Comments

wth

[netfool]

Portable video, music and pictures for $700 to $800 dollars? Why not just buy a friggin laptop! Or am I missing something here?

iPod Killer?

[abhisarda]

Probably not. Jobs himself said that video on a handheld device like the iPod is not what the majority of people are looking for. And at 7-800 $. Too high.
Might make a nice christmas gift for the 2005 Christmas though.

Re:Well that's not the whole story.

[ultramk]

Overpriced in this case has the connotation of part of the price is based on value returned, and part is based on it's place as a status symbol. A lot of that subjectiveness you mention is how much is "cool" worth. Which to be fair, is a poor investment. Cool is a moving target. It will move. It might move in Apple's brand, or even the iPod line, but it doesn't stay put for very long.

I personally don't give a damn if what I use is "cool". If it does what I want, in the way I want it done, THAT is the important thing. I think for anyone that isn't a teenager, "cool" has very little to do with it. Yeah, the iPod Mini is cool. I personally couldn't care less. Sure, some people care. I'm not one of them.

m-