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Microsoft to Enter Handheld Market?

Posted by Zonk on from the banner-day-for-portable-gamers dept.

eldavojohn wrote to mention that, via Joystiq, he read an article over at BusinessWeek that indicates Microsoft may be working on a portable media device. The article states that, if they are, they're not just going after the iPod. The plan would include a way to leverage a powerful part of the Microsoft empire: games. From the article: "Microsoft would probably use the Xbox brand to market the gadget. 'I think the brand is an opportunity,' Moore says. True, perhaps, but also risky. If the new device comes with the Xbox brand, most consumers will view it as a game player, like Sony's PlayStation Portable. That might limit its appeal, since the portable gaming market is much smaller than the one for digital media." A funny comment, considering the success of the DS.

3 of 177 comments (clear)

  1. A Third Portable? by Excors · · Score: 5, Informative
    This subject was on Gamasutra a short while ago: A Third Portable?

    Last week Gamasutra asked our professional audience, "What hardware capabilities and software would be needed for a third company to create a competitive rival to the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP, and which companies might be capable of doing so? Should they try?"

    [...] Of the cited companies who might possibly compete in this area, Apple and Microsoft were by far the most mentioned, with many readers citing Xbox Live and iTunes as superior distribution mediums.

  2. Close to reality methinks by leather_helmet · · Score: 2, Informative

    Rumors and speculation about a MS handheld were floating around at last years E3. I believe they may go for a 'media' device that will offer a sizeable internal HD and the ability to play games, music, video, productivity tools (email, 'office' type services etc.), internet browsing...

    An 'all in one' device

  3. Re:Their last portable... by FeloniousPunk · · Score: 2, Informative

    Mod this guy up, grandparent simply Does Not Get It, and that mentality is why Apple's competition consistently fail to make a dent in the iPod's market share. I'm as far from a hipster as you can get (dumpy nerd, of course) but no way would I trade my iPod for some Rube Goldberg wonder toy like this archos player mentioned. The iPod does its job very well - plays music - it is reliable and elegant. People are tired of feature creep and the iPod's sales numbers show it.

    --
    I know this because Tyler knows this.