Microsoft confirms plans for iPod rival - Page 3

Microsoft coming late to a party does not mean they won't dominate. GUI, web browser, video on the web, networked OS; they came late to each of those technologies and with an arguably inferior product. However, they have dominated in each case. I dont understand how the consumer is duped this many times but they do. On the LP/CD argument, although you can argue scientifically either side, I know that I hear a difference on a cheapo system, and put me down as preferring the LP sound.

I would go so far claiming that MS really gave up the music download
battle. Instead, MS simply reveals themself as a pathetic company
that is unable to develop something of their own. Poor, poor.

In this case (the link above), they ridiciously try to catch
up with some "modern" smelling signs of temporary popculture,
to catch some trend aware customers. But neither they do understand
cultural trends, nor they respect their (any) customers.
They really don't understand anything, but how to rise
funds an' money.

What's really startling is the fact, that this company didn't
understand MacOS 25 years earlier either. But... We all do know how
(Computer) history unfolded, don't we?

See my last paragraph?


That's good. You are preferring the LP sound, that's good too.
I am a bit undecided yet. I like the sound of LPs but only on good
equipment. Although I don't like to take care about the vinyl, i appreciate it,
but personally, i am too lazy. For me ACC 198k/s is good enough
even on decent monitoring systems. (i call the Tannoy Reveal Active
a decent system. 8) )

I think over time MS are likely to mop up the 30% that Apple don't have. There is a section of the public that actually feel comfortable with the mediocrity that MS represents. The others players (Creative etc.) will be making plans to exit now that MS have entered the room. Apple's share is unassailable for the moment however and they will have been gearing up for the MS move. Expect numerous interesting iPod announcements over the next six months.

LP's digitised at 24bit/48k sound great by the way.

Yeah, i confirm that. But you must have a dedicated audio system too,
in order to hear the great sound of 24bit/48k LP's. If you don't,
any atempt to listen or record LP's at greatest quality
is an idle point.

I see MS selling music for 50 cents or 25 cents a song.
I'm sure it will eat money there, before it eats money on its player.
Once the market share is dominatly MS, (and it will be), they will jack the price's.
I'm sure the music industry will give them a discounted price for a few years so they can even the playing field, and then dictate to Apple what the price per song will be.
Remember, the RIAA is ruthless when it comes to business. For them, it's completely about control and has nothing to do with $$ or music or artists.

To this day, regardless of whether an artist has a contract or not with a major label, the online radio stations that broadcast their songs must pay a royalty to the RIAA. Essentially they control all internet radio.

Control over the delivery system of music is all they have in mind. Having Steve Jobs dictate to them how things are going to be... is probably the biggest slap in the face yet.

Who knows what new DRM is in Vista where music is concerned. I'm sure it's something heinous thou, that will give complete control over music files to the RIAA. ie. Files will be locked down from any sharing protocal.
To think that MS and the RIAA have not conspired on this is fool hardy.
Lets not forget who has 90% market share and who has 3%.
Apple's market share with pods and itunes is fleeting.

The RIAA will make sure Apple is toppled. Otherwise, it's just bad for business.

Sorry to burst the bubble... and damnit, i hope i'm wrong.

others have a more neg view of MS venture into music players
http://www.itwire.com.au/content/view/5062/106/

i don't think it will fail, because MS defines what "failure" means. i woudn't want to be any of the other non apple MS based players, i guess MS told them to shove it and move over. that means those orphaned companies will make little effort to support zunes music store, if they become compatible it will dilute the zunes player market. unless MS is just acting as a spoiler for apple.

Poorly informed paranoid rubbish.

I do not believe that ad has anything to do with MicroSh@t. But an interesting note from Phil. He said basically that they believe they have the best player on the market right now. He said that should MS or anyone else come up with something to compete, that they would not just hand it to them on a silver platter. He said "Do you think we do not have anything in the works now?" He claimed that Apple will continue to innovate and evolve the ipod in ways that will maintain their market share.

Do some homework. There are a few key solid pionts.
Interesting, the new Wired article that came out today.
http://www.wired.com/news/columns/0,...?tw=wn_index_3
I think if MS fails, the music industry may implement it's own delivery system, besides buying up the companies it sues into submission, like Napster and other P2P and bittorrent sites.
I haven't met a single person yet who is keen on a subscription service. They all want to own or have archives of their music.
And the subscription services that are out there now, are not performing that well.
I guess time will tell.