No $50 iPod Clone From Microsoft 206
dncsky1530 writes "In a previous Slashdot story, the Denver Post ran an article talking about a portable music player that would have the look and feel of an iPod. Microsoft stated that they will not be manufactoring such a device, Mehdi, "I've spent time with a bunch of hardware manufacturers who will launch hardware products when we ship our service that will look and feel as good as the iPod product. And they will undoubtedly be a little bit less expensive and so head-to-head against Apple...""
50 for the player, but probably (Score:5, Funny)
5$ monthly subscribtion fee
2$ download access fee
15$ remote assistance fee
5$ for a special software player with XP look
Re:50 for the player, but probably (Score:5, Funny)
And the kicker? You have to re-activate it if you plug in a different set of headphones.
Re:50 for the player, but probably (Score:3, Funny)
Re:50 for the player, but probably (Score:3, Funny)
Re:50 for the player, but probably (Score:2, Insightful)
What are you talking about? Troll.
Re:50 for the player, but probably (Score:4, Funny)
5$ monthly subscribtion fee
2$ download access fee
15$ remote assistance fee
5$ for a special software player with XP look
Illegally downloaded MP3s, free.
Paying the RIAA every last dime you have as a settlement, priceless.
For everything else, there's MasterCard.
Re:50 for the player, but probably (Score:2, Informative)
Re:That would still be $150 (Score:2)
Re:That would still be $150 (Score:5, Insightful)
I'm guessing that unless they go with a hard drive solution in the 20-60gb range, they'll be hard pressed to match the price of the 4GB compact-flash iPod mini at $249 unless they feel like starting yet another loss-leader device (like their Xbox). Good point about MS tech in PDAs - except for the Dell Axim, most Pocket PCs are pretty expensive.
"Still, if they *really* want to spank Apple, I'll be glad to take one for really cheap so long as it played all formats without any stupid DRM-only type restrictions."
With Microsoft being what they are, I doubt they'll participate in any music service that doesn't have DRM, especially when you figure that the music rights holders will insist on it for fear of loss to 'theft.' Now, if I were competing with MS, I *might* shit my pants if they could get sign-off on non-DRM music from the labels since no one else is doing that besides eMusic. Combining non-DRM music with WMA would be a major selling point for people who otherwise wouldn't give a sh*t about WMA. Luckily, does anyone really see that happening?
"I have a large CD collection that I've ripped and stored and don't want to go through that all over again because they want WMA-only."
Well, besides iTunes and eMusic, all the other services have been stupid enough to go with really lame DRM formats that are a pain in the ass. If those others are dumb enough to do that, why wouldn't MS? Fortunately, going that route would designate them to the same 2nd-tier status that Apple's competitors exist in.
Otherwise, I'm springing for the iPod.
Small tip - buy Apple Care for $59 for your device, it gives you 36 months' coverage after your battery has probably died within 12-18 months. Otherwise, after your 12 months of basic coverage ends, you're looking at $99 to have Apple replace the battery. With the Apple Care, you won't have to pay to replace the battery until after 3 years expire.
Chuck
Re:That would still be $150 (Score:2)
Try Napster. Just like iTunes, it uses DRM. However, if you choose to purchase a track you can burn it and then re-encode it, just like you can with iTunes tracks.
I have a distinct feeling... (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:I have a distinct feeling... (Score:2)
Sir, I salute you. You have raised the bar for us all.
Re:One word: Baseless. (Score:5, Funny)
Ah, you must have straggled in from winsupersite.com.
Hold on to your toque, my friend, I have a feeling things are about to get rough for you.
Not really true at all. (Score:2)
Re:One word: Baseless. (Score:2)
Ehhh, "PC's are sold more than any other computer on earth". And you get XP with it, if you like (wipe
Re:One word: Baseless. (Score:2)
Re:One word: Baseless. (Score:2)
Yeah, I've seen XP's interface. It's a pain in the butt, unless you disable all the new XP stuff (which tries to hide everything that's really useful). I've seen 2003's interfrace. It's OK.
There is nothing about 2003 or XP that 'rocks'. Lots of glitz, very little utility. Unless of course you configure it to work like 2000, but then why upgrade?
On my desk here is RedHat 9, RedHat ES, Mac OS 10.3, Windows 2K. Of all of them, OS X has the best interface. Hands down. For shear elegance, ease of use a
Re:One word: Baseless. (Score:2)
I've never much worked with Macs, pre- or post-X. On the rare occasions I've messed with my friend's, I've never been able to find the shell prompt. I know I can hop online & find the answer in a couple of minutes, but dammit! Macs are supposed to be Gramma easy!
I know a bunch of computer literate people love MacOSX, so it can't be
Re:I have a distinct feeling... (Score:5, Informative)
I can, my old RCA Lyra. In fact, WMA is the only format it supports on a straight file copy basis (unlike MP3, which you must use software to convert it into MPY format).
I'm not an Apple zealot at all, my iPod is the only Apple product I ever bought (I have an old Mac Color Classic which was a hand-me-down), but after trying out a handful of different players, I fell in love with the iPod.
Oh, and I don't miss ripping CD's to WMA format, either.
Re:I have a distinct feeling... (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:I have a distinct feeling... (Score:2)
School's in session, clueless twit!
The actual history behind your hopelessly naive statement is far less black and white than you (and every other clueless twit) would like to paint.
Jef Raskin (the father of the Macintosh) had never seen the Xerox GUI until the Macintosh was well underway. Don't believe me? Read the man's own words [sourceforge.net].
Comment removed (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:not suprised (Score:2, Funny)
Signed,
Hugh Grant
Re:not suprised (Score:5, Funny)
A stolen iPod?
Re:not suprised (Score:2)
Re:not suprised (Score:2)
Partly True. (Score:5, Funny)
Even less partly true... (Score:5, Informative)
I know it's asking way too much to read the article, and even the teaser has it wrong. What Microsoft has said is: "I've spent time with a bunch of hardware manufacturers who will launch hardware products when we ship our service that will look and feel as good as the iPod product."
Looking and feeling as good is a lot different then having the look and feel of an iPod. That negates all of the patent issues that everyone is complaining about.
Re:Even less partly true... (Score:2)
Portable Media Center (Score:2)
I've discovered step 2!!! (Score:4, Funny)
1.) Announce fantastic unbelievable product
2.) Retract announcement (formerly ???)
3.) Profit from the 2 days of free publicity
wooooo!
You forgot #4 (Score:2)
Re:I've discovered step 2!!! (Score:2)
1) steal underwear
2) eBay
3) profit!!!
Look and Feel (Score:4, Funny)
Imagine that! [wikipedia.org]
Manufacturers.. (Score:2, Interesting)
No doubt some of the nameless companies in Taiwan and China which are nearly impossible for Apple to sue on look/feel or other infringement issues.
Re:Manufacturers.. (Score:4, Informative)
Keep in mind, too, that the companies that Apple successfully sued over copying the look of the original iMac were based in Asia.
Re:Manufacturers.. (Score:2)
Fortunately, Apple's grandiose notions of protecting their "look and feel" have also been soundly defeated in the US [wikipedia.org]. It it had come out otherwise, it would have been very bad for the industry.
Much as Apple would like it to be otherwise, they do not own the market of slim, nicely-styled MP3 players. Other companies have the right to come out with a white, si
Re:Manufacturers.. (Score:2, Interesting)
The ancient history lawsuit whose entry you linked to was an attempt by Apple to seek redress based on the nebulous concept of software copyright. These days Apple looks to the admittedly fucked up (but nevertheless easier to litigate) patent process to protect their IP. I'm no fan of the US Patent and Trademark Office, but they're the real reason you're not likely to see another mp3 player
Re:Manufacturers.. (Score:2)
"Redress"? For what? Apple didn't invent the GUI, they licensed it from Xerox, and they didn't even pay a lot of money for it.
These days Apple looks to the admittedly fucked up (but nevertheless easier to litigate) patent process to protect their IP.
The parent poster specifically talked about Apple trying to enforce look and feel rights and I just pointed out that such rights don't exist according to US cour
Re:Manufacturers.. (Score:2)
Yes, and that, in particular, could imply that he considered "look/feel infringement" something that was prosecutable under US law, in addition to "other infringement". If he knew that LAF was infringeable nowhere, there would have been no point in mentioning it.
then I'm forced to conclude you've never used an iPod.
I tried it out, and I don't think it's a very good player: the battery life is too short, it can't be recharged
Re:Manufacturers.. (Score:2)
$50 is too expensive (Score:4, Funny)
Re:$50 is too expensive (Score:2)
You want other standards supported? Too bad! Mehdi was quoted as saying, "MP what? Ogg who-bis?"
No $50 iPod Clone From Microsoft (Score:4, Insightful)
- NT will support the SPARC risc platform
- IE4 cannot be separated fron Win98
- Palladium is for security purposes only
- SQL Server doesn't have easter eggs
In short, if Microsoft says they have no plan for an iPod clone, they may speak the truth, or they're still developing it. At any rate, they're probably trying hard to avoid looking like a monopoly.
Re:No $50 iPod Clone From Microsoft (Score:4, Interesting)
As far as Palladium goes, I wouldn't start panicking until you can actually buy machines that require it. Who knows what it's going to look like if/when it's actually rolled out?
And for the last, well, if I make a claim I genuinely believe is true, then I'm telling the truth to the best of my ability. This means I can make tons of truthful claims which are just wrong. Ever worked for a company of any size at all? The PR and management types make all sorts of claims based on incomplete or flat-out wrong information. They aren't a credible source of technical information, but unfortunately, they are the company's public face... so they're the ones who have to deliver whatever technical information there is.
Re:No $50 iPod Clone From Microsoft (Score:2)
Strange how every other operating system that has been developed in the long history of the IT industry has managed to operate without the presence of a HTML renderer as a 'key component'.
What you're left with may be an OS in your opinion, but it's not in mine
So all those GUI-less Linux/UNIX installations used by ISPs to host websites and app servers are not 'operating systems'?
Re:No $50 iPod Clone From Microsoft (Score:2)
Re:No $50 iPod Clone From Microsoft (Score:2)
Secondly, Microsoft doesn't use existing standards. It's HTML rendering has been always buggy, especially in terms of CSS handling. Developers have know this, and had to code to deal with it, for years.
Thirdly, you use the phrase 'nothing to do with the Kernel'. That is exactly my point - its not, and never has been, a core feature of any operating system.
H
Re:No $50 iPod Clone From Microsoft (Score:2)
A short history lesson for you:
'Every other' includes....
Multix. RSX-11. VMS. CP/M. RT/OS. VxWorks.
VM/CMS. MS-DOS. DR-DOS. Netware. ICL/george.
S/390.
And hundreds of others.
Hint: before you post about CLI-based OSes... and anything else.... do some research.
MSN Search and Music, Part Two # (Score:5, Informative)
Written by Joe Wilcox of Jupiter Research it starts:
I'm a bit stunned by the press feeding frenzy set off by comments (here) Yusuf Mehdi, MSN corporate VP, made during a Wednesday speech. News report after news report claimed that Microsoft would unleash an iPod-killing music player for 50 bucks.
The problem: That's not at all what Mr. Mehdi said.
Re:MSN Search and Music, Part Two # (Score:2)
In short, what Wilcox said is that Microsoft said they were releasing a music service and that there would be many hardware vendors supporting it and those products would be little $50 models all the way up to iPod look-alikes.
IMO, Microsoft is again going for the low end of the market by making sure it's service supports cheap models along with expensive ones. Apple, pretty much only has high-end models. Also, Microsoft understan
$50? (Score:4, Funny)
Re:$50? (Score:3, Funny)
Re:$50? (Score:2)
-Clippy's second form, Picky
What I don't understand... (Score:2, Insightful)
Variety is good, folks. I hope someone comes out with a good quality, cheaper version of the iPod. Who cares if that company is Microsoft? It would only drive down prices for consumers in general.
Re:What I don't understand... (Score:2, Insightful)
Until the point where all competition in the iPod-style music players market has been killed off, and then you'll pay whatever Microsoft decides.
Haven't you realized yet that Microsoft is a runaway monopoly that the government failed/refused to Sherman-Act? They managed to lull (and pay) the feds into thinking they play nice on the market, so they thread carefully when they enter a new market. But when they d
Re:What I don't understand... (Score:2)
Like mice and keyboards. Oh wait, do I see Logitech?
Or maybe wheels and joysticks. Thrustmaster is that you? along with Logi and all the others?
I know! It's the consoles you're talking about!!! Umm, maybe I forgot Gamecube and Playstation 1/2, and especially GameBoy Advance.
Re:What I don't understand... (Score:2)
So was the console market, yet the Xbox seems to be doing well, even if Sony still leads the race, more and more games are being released as Xbox exclusive (wasn't there a story about it on slashdot recently?)
For $50 I'd buy a MS iPod clone. As long as it didn't come with restrictions, such as only allowing DRMed songs playback. I wouldn't mind having to convert my library to wma for that matter, I may have a below average h
Comment removed (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:What I don't understand... (Score:3, Insightful)
History shows us that MS has actually reduced prices in the long term.
Their biggest competitor in most of their products is actually themselves. They have to convince customers to upgrade, and that means they can't raise prices indiscriminately.
Re:What I don't understand... (Score:2)
Re:What I don't understand... (Score:4, Informative)
Where on earth did you get the idea that Microsoft is going to be making an mp3 player?
How Microsoft competes will be interesting. Because for Microsoft, the real economics is about selling Windows. That's why Microsoft can spend $500 million developing Windows Media 9 Series technologies to be licensed cheaply or given away for free. Windows Media is a means to an end, a loss leader for selling the operating system--the way Apple's music store is in a way a loss leader for selling iPods. So, in that sense the strategies are similar. Microsoft hopes that the more devices and stores that support Windows Media, the more consumers that buy WMA DRM content, the better for selling Windows.
--Joe Wilcox: Microsoft Monitor Weblog, as linked to in a post above.
KFG
Re:What I don't understand... (Score:2)
Search for: Rio Karma
Only problem I have is that it can't be used as a USB hard drive, and you can't transfer files to it just by copying them as if it's a hard drive. Have to use the software, either native or Java version.
The Denver Post underestimated the cost... (Score:4, Funny)
Re:The Denver Post underestimated the cost... (Score:2)
Microsoft should release a hand-held "Clippy." It would be the world's first (or, at least, most) evil Tomagotchi.
Microsoft wouldn't know look-and-feel if it bit... (Score:4, Insightful)
For the last couple of decades I have marvelled at how clunky Microsoft software looks. Yeah, it's slowly improving, but man, typically their stuff looks like a bunch of geeks designed it --- oh wait...
Anyway, if someone from Microsoft says he thinks competitors will be able to make someone as sexy as an iPod, well I ain't holding my breath. I've heard those promises before from Microsoft, only to be surprised at how truly oddball the final result appeared. So for my money, having someone at Microsoft talk about look-and-feel issues is like hearing a pre-schooler lecture about staying within the lines while coloring. Their heart might be in the right place, but their execution will be lacking.
Re:Microsoft wouldn't know look-and-feel if it bit (Score:2)
Will Job's let history repeat itself (Score:5, Insightful)
PCs stole the market for desktop computers away from Apple, eventhough the Apple product was technically superior and more user friendly.
However, the price wasn't right.
This looks like another iteration of the same situation.
Will Apple lower its prices to compete with the iPod clones or will they foolishly lose command of a market again on the belief that superior quality will save them?
Steve
Re:Will Job's let history repeat itself (Score:2)
Re:Will Job's let history repeat itself (Score:5, Insightful)
Price is not the only reason Apple lost marketshare. In fact, it probably wasn't even the primary reason. Your comment is a gross simplification of computing history.
Also, I find it interesting that people still equate not being as successful as MS with being a failure. Apple had some rocky times in the past. But now, they are looking pretty good. This, despite their lack of 80%+ marketshare.
Complete world dominance is not the only metric of success.
Taft
Re:Will Job's let history repeat itself (Score:2)
Price is not the only reason Apple lost marketshare. In fact, it probably wasn't even the primary reason. Your comment is a gross simplification of computing history.
Also, I find it interesting that people still equate not being as successful as MS with being a failure. Apple had some rocky times in the past. But now, they are looking pretty good. This, despite their lack of 80%+ marketshar
Re:Will Job's let history repeat itself (Score:2)
Back in the Apple II* vs. "IBM Compatible" days, there was almost NO compatibility between systems. This lack of compatibility extended well into the early Mac days. Fortunately, with each release of classic Mac OS, they got more and more compatible with widespread standards, culminating with the so-called "ultimate compatibility" of OS X (Unix and Mac OS meeting in harmony, etc. etc.).
But this early lack
Re:Will Job's let history repeat itself (Score:5, Informative)
Ergo your mythical tale of Steve Jobs keeping the price of the Mac too high is far-fetched at best and outright stupid at worst. Sculley made a swath of ridiculous business descisions and was responsible for Apple's look-and-feel lawsuit loss against Microsoft. Sculley got Bill Gates to put in writing that Windows 1.0 wouldn't use any of the Mac's technologies. Gates' lawyers made sure the contract was airtight. The contract didn't mention any system besides Windows 1.0, Microsoft was contractually free to copy the Mac interface willy nilly in subsequent versions of Windows.
People love to blame Steve Jobs for all of Apple's problems but he was entirely absent from business descisions between 1985 and 1997. In the times Jobs has been present the Mac and Apple have done pretty well. Jobs has made tons of mistakes but he isn't responsible for many of Apple's problems in the past two decades.
Re:Will Job's let history repeat itself (Score:2)
Apple has the image of a quality computer company. Even people who don't know much about computers know that Apple makes a better computer. Now that matter of price may be holding Apple bac
Re:Will Job's let history repeat itself (Score:2)
If Apple products are significantly better quality, they can charge 4Xs as much and still have plenty of customers. However, I personally don't find Apple products to be much highe
Re:Will Job's let history repeat itself (Score:2)
"Stealing" the market somehow implies that it was rightfully Apple's. In what way do you think it was?
Will Apple lower its prices to compete with the iPod clones or will they foolishly lose command of a market again on the belief that superior quality will save them?
The whole point of Apple's existence is to sell to the high-end segment of the market: image consciou
Re:Will Job's let history repeat itself (Score:2)
Have you even used an iPod? I have... for 3 weeks now and it completely and totally blows away EVERY OTHER mp3 player ever made. Even things that cost 2X it's price suck compared to it.
why? simple... it's built like a piece of jewelery. it's fricking beautiful.... it's interface is slick and elegant. using the ipod becomes natural 10 seconds after you pick it up even people that havenever touched one before get really adept at using it 10 seconds later by just touching it.
finally the no
In other words (Score:5, Insightful)
Certainly makes more sense than the previous story.
No $50 iPod Clone From Microsoft (Score:5, Funny)
No $2500 Diablo Clone From Toyota
Re:No $50 iPod Clone From Microsoft (Score:2)
Hell, even if it was a clone of Diablo II - Lord of Destruction, I wouldn't pay more than $15 for it!
Maybe Justin Frankel could design it (Score:2)
Here is more info [slashdot.org]
My idea, the LPod (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:My idea, the LPod (Score:3, Informative)
If you're using linux, the device isn't going to be inexpensive. A full-fledged OS introduces a lot of overhead. So much so that the Linux on iPod project has spent much time optomizing just to try and get the iPod to do realtime MP3 decoding.
Using VideoLAN would introduce a lot more overhead.
Adding a very large LCD screen is going to make it more expensive. Making it a USB host device is going to make it more expensive. Adding firewire/ethernet is going to make
Attn Denver Post (Score:2, Funny)
Chihuahua's are actually large rats, not dogs, thanks to DNA testing
Rumsfeld banned digital cameras in Iraq
"Mission Accomplished!"
Please pay more attention to important news stories, Denver Post. Don't let that "fact checking" thing get in your way. The people must know.
Yes, they have. (Score:5, Funny)
I smell a rat (Score:2)
what exactly is an "iPod clone"? (Score:2)
What is up with MS? (Score:2)
The last two that really spring to mind are the iPod story and the XP SP2 release for pirates. What is worse is the way the second press release handles the first one. Microsoft never admits to the mistake in the first place and then covers that with some of the stupidest spin I have ever heard,
Re:What is up with MS? (Score:2)
It seems that Microsoft is in the same spot that Apple was when it was trying to develop Rhapsody. Back then you could get different answers from every Apple spokesman. This is the way MS sounds now. Gotta wonder what Ballmer is doing, if anything.
Two in the hand... (Score:2, Interesting)
Somehting coming out soon will be better than the concept Apple came out with years ago. There are rumors that Apple is going to support video play-back and hosting your home directory, so you can have all your files and prefs from any mac. Then Microsoft wil
Free Ad (Score:2, Funny)
Refreshing (Score:2)
What I'd really like is an authentic story from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer that Bill Gates stepped in some dogshit and slipped and got really dirty.
And that at the same time it was raining.
And he was heard to curse loudly and rudely.
And that he insulted and pushed an old lady who tried to help.
And that his children disown him - even the one in a state correctional in
iPod, smiPod I found OGG (Score:2, Informative)
http://reviews.cnet.com/iRiver_iHP_120/4505-6490_ 7 -30571493-2.html
and am glad to finally have found a legitimate player that supports Ogg (in addition to MP3 and WMV). Not only that but it has FM, can record voice and isn't encumbered with a bunch of proprietary DRM junk. 16 hours on a single charge is nothing to sneeze at either.
No, it isn't anywhere near $50, but there
Re:I hope they bring such a product out (Score:5, Interesting)
Make sure you get your statements right.
They've licensed good equipment to put the microsoft name on. They haven't manufactured anything good themselves.
If I had a company with the budget to sell in major retail outlets, I could co-brand almost anything out there and call it my own too.
Re:I hope they bring such a product out (Score:4, Informative)
You are wrong! Among the first Microsoft products of 1970's were some fine pieces of hardware. They made an expansion card for the venerable Apple II [carleton.ca] computer. It was called Microsoft Softcard [apple2history.org] and it allowed to run CP/M and all its applications on Apple II. Basically it was just a Z-80 daughterboard. They also manufactured RAM expansion [apple2history.org] card. These cards were good and they were manufactured by themselves.
O the irony - back in 1980 Apple was making the most popular personal computer, expandable like in a hacker's wet dream (lots of expansion slots with well-documented standards allowed anyone create an expansion card to do anything - and they did! and they did!) and Microsoft was just a small manufacturer of third party hardware extension for Apple computers. Plus a vendor of the popular multiplatform BASIC interpreter - and that was all about Microsoft back then. Who could have guessed...
Re:I hope they bring such a product out (Score:2)
I had an Apple IIe with a whole collection of cards, but can't remember what any of them were now. I do vaugely remember having a CP/M card, but don't remember anything about it.
Re:I hope they bring such a product out (Score:3, Insightful)
Virtually everyone buys their parts from someone else.
I really enjoy ripping apart equipment to see who builds the components. For example, Dell's have quite a bit of Intel hardware in them. We had to really dig the people at Dell to find out who makes their PowerConnect switches, but it's yet another vendor. I can't remember the company name off-hand, it wasn't anything memorable. For some reason people that buy from Dell are like a cult. They believe Dell is the best, a
Re:I hope they bring such a product out (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Someone else will (Score:4, Insightful)
The difference is that it won't be one device that is as small as, has the capacity of, looks better than, works as well as, and is less expensive than the iPod. What the statement actually said was that there would be a range of devices, some smaller, some less expensive, some color screen, and so on.
So there is not going to be one device to beat the iPod in all areas, rather there will be several that may beat the iPod in one or two areas each even though the iPod may or may not be better overall.
Big difference there...
The difference is... (Score:2)
It means they would be less likely to be able to sell such a device for a century or two at a steep loss (like a $300 player being sold for $50).
I'm sure Microsoft is heavily involved in design of at least a few players though. so they have input from the design standpoint. But rarely has that been a strong area for them.