MS Seeks Entrance Fee to XBox Accessory Market

pwnage writes "According to CNET, Microsoft's newest licensing model for the next-generation XBox will effectively lock out 3rd-party accessory manufacturers who don't enroll in Microsoft's licensing and royalty program. The new console will employ hardware security mechanisms to ensure that only products created by developers willing to fork over cash to Microsoft can connect to and work with the console. Is Microsoft shooting itself in the foot by making traditional 'approved product' licensing mandatory for 3rd-party developers? Or will companies line up by the dozens to tithe to King Bill? Finally, will Sony follow a similar strategy to eke additional revenues out of its PlayStation 3?"

Comments

Just Imagine

[denissmith]

Imagine the possibilities! Sony, and Samsung and RCA and Toshiba and (everyone else) can charge Hollywood studios to be able to play their Movies on my TV, DVD and VCR. DRM we can truly love! But the irony would be sweet.

Re:Just Imagine

[LordPhantom]

But why stop there? I think it would be great if -everything- had DRM equivalents. For example: *Gasoline Nanobots - If you want your car to work with OUR gas, you must pay us HOMAGE or our nano-bots will tear apart your precious engines! muwaa haaa haa *Life Presevers - Pay us our monthly "life fee" or your preservers, rafts and other saftey gear will cease to function, courtesy of our "Rights Protection Satelite" *Toilet Paper - Your rear will know fear if you don't pay our fees - talk about an UNSIGHTLY rash. *gah*

Re:Just Imagine

[Total_Wimp]

I hope they do it with the PC too! I want to use only Microsoft licensed keyboards, mice and hard drives. I want the CPUs to be hand-picked by MS and I only want to use MS-approved HD-DVD instead of that yucky Blue-Ray.

In fact, I don't know what I ever saw in the ability to choose products based on their merits. Having a big brother to help me make these choices will really enhance my life. It's double-plus good.

TW

Re:Just Imagine

[zxnos]

umm, just buy a macintosh... :P

Re:Just Imagine

[aichpvee]

Not if he wants that "Microsoft Quality" that Just Works(TM).

Re:Just Imagine

[B747SP]

umm, just buy a macintosh... :P

No no, you don't understand. It's OK for Apple to behave this way because OSX is BSD, and (despite that its dying!) BSD is free and open source and full of wholesome goodness.

(It's only evil if Micro$oft does it!)

Tune in next week!

[Geek of Tech]

>> Is Microsoft shooting itself in the foot by making traditional 'approved product' licensing mandatory for 3rd-party developers? Or will companies line up by the dozens to tithe to King Bill? Finally, will Sony follow a similar strategy to eke additional revenues out of its PlayStation 3?

For some reason this brought Batman to mind. "Will the Caped Crusader be able to free himself or will he be fried, roasted and "bat"tered? Why has the joker broken in to jail? Who is this new stranger? Can Batman's utility belt run Linux?
Tune in next week, same bat-time, same bat-channel.

Either pwnage or I watch too much Batman.