Microsoft's 'iPod killer' threatens to crumble Apple

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › Microsoft's 'iPod killer' threatens to crumble Apple

Stu

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#8634 17-Jul-2006 11:18

This could be interesting. If anyone can, Microsoft have the budget to do it.

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#41818 17-Jul-2006 11:19

http://www.geekzone.co.nz/freitasm/827

Stu

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#41820 17-Jul-2006 11:25

Yes I did read your blog a day or so back. And I agree the term is over used. But you have to agree that when Microsoft decided to kill a certain game console, they did a pretty good job of it. And therefore I consider this piece of information re: 'competition' to the iPod products to be something worth keeping an eye on?

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#41823 17-Jul-2006 11:29

Windows Mobile Portable Media Center is now on its second revision, and it's not the iPod killer still. Yet, that is the media center-compatible device. The iRive Clix is pretty nice, it could already be an 'iPod killer".

People keep looking for things that don't exist or look for them in the wrong place.

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#41825 17-Jul-2006 11:31

Full credit to Apple for producing such a great product and bringing digital music into the mainstream, but I have always believed that the iPod's huge market share is unsustainable. From Apple's point of view, I think what's important is using the iPod as a platform to convert as many people as possible from PCs to Macs while the iPod is still hugely popular.

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#41828 17-Jul-2006 11:37

I like the concept of the iPod products, but I doubt I'll ever buy one. And chances are, if Microsoft does go all out and 'produce' a product to rival incumbent market leader, it'll be much the same thing with a different label. The only thing this will possibly result in is slightly lower pricing on the iPod range and other higher-end similar products.

I'd be happy with something like the iRiver Clix, but the price will have to come down to justify it. Alternatively the Nokia N91, although not a cheap device, at least means you wouldn't have to carry a high-ish capacity media player AND a cell phone.

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#41830 17-Jul-2006 11:49

I'm using the Harrier at the moment when I have the need for a portable music device. But it's just not the same thing! And it's old.

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#41832 17-Jul-2006 12:16

Personally, I prefer to have one single device as my phone, music player, camera, and personal organiser. My Nokia 6630 isn't great as far as the camera and music features are concerned, but the convenience of an all-in-one makes up for it.

In due course I'll invest in a better smart device, but I can't afford to spend a lot of money on bleeding edge technology considering how quickly prices drop when new models have been on the market for a while.

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#41833 17-Jul-2006 12:23

I've been looking at the 6280 and N70. The N91 looks okay but the price puts it just slightly out of reach for now. But I'm in no hurry.

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#41851 17-Jul-2006 16:35

NeoTech: I've been looking at the 6280 and N70. The N91 looks okay but the price puts it just slightly out of reach for now. But I'm in no hurry.

Yea, I won't be looking for another phone until about 6 - 12 months from now. By that stage, I'm hoping that the Nokia N73 will be available in the $600 - $800 price range, although there will undoubtedly be other options to consider as well.

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#41855 17-Jul-2006 18:15

Old.. ZZZZ

My old Harrier can stream video anywhere*, Can stream music (georgeFM and upFM oggstreams) anywhere*, can also download mp3's anywhere*
All it needs now a hard drive and built in WiFi and GPS!

Yes I own a modded iPod (RockBox installed) but only for the reasons of mass storage of all music (fills 58GB and they are all 128k transcodes, that's a lot of musc!) I couldn't count how many banana boxes full of CD's I have now.

* Anywhere is defined as "within The Telecom EVDO coverage zones"

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#41865 17-Jul-2006 21:29

If i am getting Nokia's phone again, I would get N80 for its balanced of high screen resolution, camera, 3g, add on memory card, S60, Wifi and MP3/WMA player.

Though I may end up getting JamJar (HTC Hermes) or if i want candy bar phone, maybe SP5 or the next 3G imate/htc smartphone. for easier Outlook/Exchange integration.

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#41956 19-Jul-2006 09:08

To paraphrase my blog post:

"Can I just say that there’s no point comparing any media player that Microsoft may or may not produce with the iPod. Regardless of what Microsoft is trying to ‘kill’, they will have no problem in killing the product themselves.

They will create a hardware platform that is fantastic, open, and fast; with full wifi connectivity, bluetooth wireless headphones, VOIP capability, huge storage, and a killer input system.

Then they will load it with DRM, Passport(tm) authentication, proprietary codecs, no podcasting or RSS capability, and a crappy user interface, and attempt to sell it for $50. It will die a silent, lonely death."