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Microsoft To Release 'iPod Killer' at Christmas?

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."

26 of 614 comments (clear)

  1. Not only that... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    It'll be built with the reliability and simplicity you've come to expect from Microsoft.

    1. Re:Not only that... by tehlinux · · Score: 2, Funny

      It'll be built with the reliability and simplicity you've come to expect from Microsoft.

      If you want something that's built to last, get an iPod. ;)

      --
      Most linux users don't know this, but the man pages were named after Chuck Norris. Chuck Norris fsck'ing hates noobs!
    2. Re:Not only that... by ScottLindner · · Score: 3, Funny

      When they say by Christmas, do they mean RC1, RC2, SP1, SP2? :-)

      --
      Slashdot.. where people join together in deliberate ignorance.
    3. Re:Not only that... by MarkByers · · Score: 5, Funny
      --
      I'll probably be modded down for this...
    4. Re:Not only that... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      The Atlantic Coast Conference is proprietary?

    5. Re:Not only that... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Damn NCAA basketball lockin.

    6. Re:Not only that... by exp(pi*sqrt(163)) · · Score: 2, Funny

      Unlike my iPod nano which just rebooted because I pressed 'play'.

      --
      Doesn't it make you feel good to know that our freedoms are protected by politicans, lawyers and journalists.
    7. Re:Not only that... by killjoe · · Score: 2, Funny

      Yea right!. MS hates proprietary formats. They would never adopt one, ever!.

      --
      evil is as evil does
    8. Re:Not only that... by buswolley · · Score: 3, Funny

      Quick! Get this man a beer! His sarcastic recognition and storage buffer is failing!

      --

      A Good Troll is better than a Bad Human.

    9. Re:Not only that... by soft_guy · · Score: 2, Funny

      I have one - which I bought in 2002 and it still works perfectly fine.

      Next time, don't leave it in your pocket when you wash your clothes.

      --
      Avoid Missing Ball for High Score
    10. Re:Not only that... by sharkey · · Score: 4, Funny

      ...when you wash your clothes.

      Umm, just what part of the Internet do you think you're in? You seem a little lost.

      --

      --
      "Outlook not so good." That magic 8-ball knows everything! I'll ask about Exchange Server next.
  2. Ipod killer? Not unless... by SoCalChris · · Score: 5, Funny

    Not unless it has wireless, and more space than a Nomad. Otherwise it's just lame.

  3. Does it literally kill ipods? by CrazyJim1 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Can I point it at someone dancing around like an idiot in public, and it explodes their ipod? I'll take two for dual wield.

  4. also.. by solidtransient · · Score: 5, Funny

    But wait, there's more! Microsoft's iPod killer will also: - double as a powered beard trimmer (small fees apply per trim) - provide a conveneint space to store change (small fees apply per coin) - allow you to pause time and move really fast (small fees apply per pause) - allow you to transport from one place to another (small fees apply per transport) - melt competitor iPods within 30 feet of the device (free of charge!)

    --
    firestream.net
  5. Re:Oragami by sdpuppy · · Score: 5, Funny
    "What ever happened to that Oragami thing?"

    It was folded.

  6. And Steve B. was quoted as saying by R2.0 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Cue Ballmer "going to fucking kill...throw chair" jokes.

    --
    "As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly." A. Carlson
  7. Re:Stop saying iPod Killer! by DaveM753 · · Score: 5, Funny
  8. Re:Woah by Jtheletter · · Score: 5, Funny

    I just wonder how/if MS will get the music cartels to agree to it, other than wholescale bombing of their headquarters' into submission by the Windows Air Force.

    "Why those are some real nice computers you got there at the RIAA, running some fancy Windows OS too. Sure would be a shame if WGA suddenly listed them all as pirated...."

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    -- I'm not a pessimist, I'm a realist. It's not my fault that life sucks so much. --
  9. Do I need to input password... by cyfer2000 · · Score: 4, Funny
    Do I need to input password every time I
    • play a song
    • change volume
    • display lyrics
    • rank a song
    • display a piece of artwork related to the song
    • upload a song to the player
    • ...
    --
    There is a spark in every single flame bait point.
  10. What their iPod killer will be... by CherniyVolk · · Score: 4, Funny


    You know how you can order an iPod from Apple with a custom etching on the back?

    Microsoft just placed an order for a few thousand blue iPods with "Microsoft" etched on the back. Internal reports suggest they won't even bother opening up the boxes as they come in the mail, instead just redirect them to their "customers".

  11. Re:Not going to buy it by Awptimus+Prime · · Score: 4, Funny

    I have no interest in a video or audio ipod, nor do I have interest in this. Why should i? If I want an MP3 player I'll get a much cheaper generic one that is less likely to be stolen and doesn't involve brand name price inflation. If I want a portable video player I'll get a PSP and hack it.

    If by 'hacking', you mean: insert a memory card with a movie on it and click 'play', then by all means, hack away mr. hacker!

  12. Re:Survey of High Schoolers: iPod not built to las by Ohreally_factor · · Score: 2, Funny

    Dodgers baseball is always on my slow jams playlist.

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    It's not offtopic, dumbass. It's orthogonal.
  13. Re:Not going to buy it by voice_of_all_reason · · Score: 2, Funny

    That does sound like a good deal, but now that I think about it, perhaps the sheer ubiquitous usage of Ipod did play a small part in my purchase.

    Sort of "the beast you know is better than the beast you don't..."

  14. iPod Killer? Misquoted Microsoft representative... by Centurix · · Score: 1, Funny

    The actual quote was:

    "We're going to fucking KILL the iPod"

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    Task Mangler
  15. Buzzword Bingo by nstlgc · · Score: 2, Funny

    "Microsoft".. Check!
    "iPod".. Check!
    "Killer".. Check!

    Hmm, this is missing "Google".. Wait, I'll throw in a link to a nice iPod commercial spoof hosted there! http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5791932445 888437378&q=soulwax - hurray!

    --
    I'm Rocco. I'm the +5 Funny man.
  16. And best of all by jandersen · · Score: 3, Funny

    It will run Linux!