Sources close to Microsoft have told Reuters that the company will offer a digital audio and video player with wireless capabilities as soon as Christmas. One source said that the device will allow users to download music and video content "over the air", giving it at least one advantage over Apple's iPod players.
Launching an attempt by Christmas to dethrone Apple's iPod, which currently has over half the MP3 player market in the U.S. (NPD research), is vital according to analysts. Microsoft will need to copy several aspects of Apple's approach to be successful. "The success of Apple is that they've been able to create a very seamless experience", said Mike McGuire, analyst at Gartner Research. "That ability to control the hardware and software has given them an edge."
Robbie Bach, president of Microsoft's Entertainment & Devices division is reportedly working with J. Allard, VP of Microsoft's Xbox team on the unnamed digital media software/player project. The sources claim that Microsoft is preparing to throw significant marketing dollars behind the launch.
Source:
Reuters

p2p news / p2pnet: Are Bill and the Boyz coming out with an iPod killer? Or aren't they?
Not, says Microsoft, quoted by the BBC.
Rather, “Microsoft has said reports that the company is planning an MP3 player to rival the iPod are based on 'speculation and rumours',” says the story.
The New York Times yesterday came out with a detailed exposé of Microsoft's plans to pip Apple with an mPod iPod Killer for Christmas, and with something the iPod lacks - Wi-Ficapability that would, “allow users to download music without being connected to a PC.”
However, “The software giant and games console firm said it did not 'have anything to announce at this time',” says the Beeb.
Also See:
BBC - 'IPod rival' speculation dampened, July 7, 2006
pip Apple - Microsoft iPod Killer is nigh, July 6, 2006
(Friday 7th July 2006)











