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Microsoft To Release 'iPod Killer' at Christmas?

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the happy-holidays dept.

ShellFish writes "According to a report from Engadget, Microsoft is poised to finally take on the Apple iPod this holiday season. Tired of uninspiring offerings from its hardware partners, Microsoft is getting into the ring itself. The new media player from Microsoft will feature a bigger screen than the iPod Video, have built-in WiFi for downloading music without a PC, and Microsoft will work with music and TV content providers to build an iTunes Music Store competitor. In what may be the crucial competitive stroke, Microsoft will also allow you to download from its store any song that you've purchased from Apple, unlocking users from iPod's vendor lock-in."

4 of 614 comments (clear)

  1. Stop saying iPod Killer! by MarkByers · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    There is no such thing as an "iPod killer". iPod is here to stay.

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    I'll probably be modded down for this...
  2. I predict... by crazyjeremy · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    I will make some predictions: There will be no support for ogg, flac, etc. It will be DRM infested. It will not play xvid. There will be some monthly fee to Microsoft involved unlock it to it's full capacity. Lastly, this device will NOT have the much anticipated taser/stun gun feature http://users.mtrx.net/image.php?user=funnypics&ima geurl=2006%2F2006-07-06-0001%2Fcell_phone_taser.gi f&showfolder=0

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    Funnypics
  3. I'll wait for Apple's next iteration after this by JeffHunt · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    If Microsoft is going to release an "iPod Killer", you can bet your bottom dollar that Apple will one-up Microsoft with a player that's 100x better.

    Apple, I'm sure, does not want to be outdone by Microsoft. I'll wait until Apple's response to the Microsoft media player before I vote with my dollar.

    --

    "It was hell!" recalls former child.

  4. Re:Not only that... by vought · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    What a horseshit article.

    Microsoft will also allow you to download from its store any song that you've purchased from Apple, unlocking users from iPod's vendor lock-in.

    OOOOOh? Really? I'm sure Microsoft won't care if Apple develops an iTMS plugin that strips DRM off of WMA files, then? Didn't some other company try doing this already? What was their name? Real...something.

    Good grief. Microsoft promises everything Apple's been delivering for two years, and the tech press just wets themselves with feverish anticipation. Since when was Microsoft's promise good about ANYTHING other than a quarterly profit projection?