Agent Icebeezy
Welcome beautful toddler, Madison Elizabeth, to the horde!
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aYqZI5U2Snnc
Microsoft Plans to Release IPod Rival for Christmas
July 5 (Bloomberg) -- Microsoft Corp. is planning to have a portable music and video player out by Christmas in a challenge to Apple Computer Inc.'s iPod.
The digital player will have a wireless Internet connection, enabling users to download music without being linked to a computer, a feature the iPod doesn't offer, according to people briefed on Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft's plans.
Microsoft, the world's largest software maker, is seeking to take share from Apple's iPod, which commands 77 percent of the $4 billion U.S. market for digital music players, based on figures from market researcher NPD Group Inc. Apple's iTunes music store is used for 72 percent of music downloads. Microsoft has spent the past six years relying on partners to make players that use its software.
``None of Microsoft's partners are doing the job that needs to be done,'' said Michael Gartenberg, an analyst with Jupiter Research in New York. ``Apple has set it up so Apple music flows only to Apple devices. It locks Microsoft out and gives Apple more of a hold.''
Microsoft hired music industry executive Chris Stephenson, who is among Microsoft officials who have met with music and Hollywood companies to seek licenses for their content, according to industry officials with knowledge of the plans. J Allard, 37, a Microsoft Xbox vice president, is overseeing the development of the device, the people said.
Microsoft met with music companies including EMI Group Plc and Universal Music Group, and TV broadcasters NBC, Fox and CBS Corp. to gain content for a music and video store to compete with Apple's iTunes, according to people familiar with the meetings. Sally Julien, a spokeswoman for Microsoft, declined to comment, as did representatives of the music companies and TV networks.
Challenge
Microsoft's device will be able to connect to the Internet and other devices using the wireless fidelity, or Wi-Fi, standard, which iTunes doesn't have, the people said.
Microsoft is also promising the screen will have a better quality picture than the iPod, according to the people, who saw the slideshow Microsoft is using to promote the device.
The music and TV companies are interested in working with Microsoft in order to blunt Apple's power in the market, according to people close to the media companies.
Since Apple Chief Executive Officer Steve Jobs introduced the iPod in October 2001, the company has sold more than 50.8 million players. Apple also is talking with Hollywood studios to add movies to the music, television shows and podcasts already offered on iTunes, Variety magazine reported on June 19.
Microsoft shares fell 28 cents to $23.42 at 2:29 p.m. in Nasdaq Stock Market composite trading. They have lost 9.4 percent this year through yesterday. Shares of Apple dropped 97 cents to $56.98 and are down 19 percent.
Bach Influence
Microsoft's device is being developed under the supervision of Robbie Bach, who leads the unit that produces the Xbox video- game console. Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer last year tapped Bach to take on the added role of overseeing Microsoft's music strategy. With the Xbox, Bach, 44, had overseen the most significant of Microsoft's few forays into building its own hardware.
``This would not be the first time Microsoft has decided it needed to take control of its own destiny with regard to hardware,'' Gartenberg said. ``Not coincidentally, the last time they did that it was in video games and the guys doing it were named Robbie Bach and J Allard.''
Stephenson has been senior vice president of sales and marketing at House of Blues Entertainment Inc., a concert promoter and manager of music and restaurant venues.
Urge
Microsoft's MSN Music store has 3 percent of the market for music downloads. The company has a partnership with Viacom Inc.'s MTV on a music service called Urge and any new subscription service Microsoft builds for its new device would compete with Urge. Microsoft also promotes RealNetworks Inc.'s Rhapsody service as part of an antitrust lawsuit settlement.
In a February interview, Ballmer said Microsoft is ``committed to doing what it takes to succeed'' against Apple.
Microsoft has relied on partners including Milpitas, California-based Sandisk Corp., Creative Technology Ltd., Toshiba Corp., Dell Inc. and Sonicblue Inc.'s Rio unit to sell hardware with Microsoft software.
Sandisk is the closest competitor to Apple's iPod, with a market share of less than 10 percent, Port Washington, New York- based NPD said.
Supposed pics of the device(they're blurry)
http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/04/cringingly-blurry-pics-reveal-microsofts-ipod-killer/
Microsoft Plans to Release IPod Rival for Christmas
July 5 (Bloomberg) -- Microsoft Corp. is planning to have a portable music and video player out by Christmas in a challenge to Apple Computer Inc.'s iPod.
The digital player will have a wireless Internet connection, enabling users to download music without being linked to a computer, a feature the iPod doesn't offer, according to people briefed on Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft's plans.
Microsoft, the world's largest software maker, is seeking to take share from Apple's iPod, which commands 77 percent of the $4 billion U.S. market for digital music players, based on figures from market researcher NPD Group Inc. Apple's iTunes music store is used for 72 percent of music downloads. Microsoft has spent the past six years relying on partners to make players that use its software.
``None of Microsoft's partners are doing the job that needs to be done,'' said Michael Gartenberg, an analyst with Jupiter Research in New York. ``Apple has set it up so Apple music flows only to Apple devices. It locks Microsoft out and gives Apple more of a hold.''
Microsoft hired music industry executive Chris Stephenson, who is among Microsoft officials who have met with music and Hollywood companies to seek licenses for their content, according to industry officials with knowledge of the plans. J Allard, 37, a Microsoft Xbox vice president, is overseeing the development of the device, the people said.
Microsoft met with music companies including EMI Group Plc and Universal Music Group, and TV broadcasters NBC, Fox and CBS Corp. to gain content for a music and video store to compete with Apple's iTunes, according to people familiar with the meetings. Sally Julien, a spokeswoman for Microsoft, declined to comment, as did representatives of the music companies and TV networks.
Challenge
Microsoft's device will be able to connect to the Internet and other devices using the wireless fidelity, or Wi-Fi, standard, which iTunes doesn't have, the people said.
Microsoft is also promising the screen will have a better quality picture than the iPod, according to the people, who saw the slideshow Microsoft is using to promote the device.
The music and TV companies are interested in working with Microsoft in order to blunt Apple's power in the market, according to people close to the media companies.
Since Apple Chief Executive Officer Steve Jobs introduced the iPod in October 2001, the company has sold more than 50.8 million players. Apple also is talking with Hollywood studios to add movies to the music, television shows and podcasts already offered on iTunes, Variety magazine reported on June 19.
Microsoft shares fell 28 cents to $23.42 at 2:29 p.m. in Nasdaq Stock Market composite trading. They have lost 9.4 percent this year through yesterday. Shares of Apple dropped 97 cents to $56.98 and are down 19 percent.
Bach Influence
Microsoft's device is being developed under the supervision of Robbie Bach, who leads the unit that produces the Xbox video- game console. Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer last year tapped Bach to take on the added role of overseeing Microsoft's music strategy. With the Xbox, Bach, 44, had overseen the most significant of Microsoft's few forays into building its own hardware.
``This would not be the first time Microsoft has decided it needed to take control of its own destiny with regard to hardware,'' Gartenberg said. ``Not coincidentally, the last time they did that it was in video games and the guys doing it were named Robbie Bach and J Allard.''
Stephenson has been senior vice president of sales and marketing at House of Blues Entertainment Inc., a concert promoter and manager of music and restaurant venues.
Urge
Microsoft's MSN Music store has 3 percent of the market for music downloads. The company has a partnership with Viacom Inc.'s MTV on a music service called Urge and any new subscription service Microsoft builds for its new device would compete with Urge. Microsoft also promotes RealNetworks Inc.'s Rhapsody service as part of an antitrust lawsuit settlement.
In a February interview, Ballmer said Microsoft is ``committed to doing what it takes to succeed'' against Apple.
Microsoft has relied on partners including Milpitas, California-based Sandisk Corp., Creative Technology Ltd., Toshiba Corp., Dell Inc. and Sonicblue Inc.'s Rio unit to sell hardware with Microsoft software.
Sandisk is the closest competitor to Apple's iPod, with a market share of less than 10 percent, Port Washington, New York- based NPD said.
Supposed pics of the device(they're blurry)
http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/04/cringingly-blurry-pics-reveal-microsofts-ipod-killer/
