Posted on 07/10/2006 7:03:55 PM PDT by martin_fierro
Microsoft "Argo" Pic (The iPod Competitor)
Our hombres over at Engadget got their hands on a pic of one of the possible designs of the Microsoft Argo/iPod Rival. The display is 4:3 and not 16:9, unfortunately, and there seems to be a big wheel like button on the front along with a "back" and a "play/pause" button.
We wonder if it's going to get slapped some more Xbox branding and loads of buttons as they get closer to the final design. This thing's too clean to be a Microsoft product! *wink* *wink* – Jason Chen
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Butt-ugly. Does not even come close to the iPod. However, there are rumors that Microsoft is willing to spend a billion dollars to "buy back" all the iTunes songs in AAC format in order to lure iPod consumers to a Microsoft device. For example, if you bought 800 songs on iTunes over the past couple of years, Microsoft is apparently willing to buy those 800 songs for you in WMA format from their own music service provided you buy this Microsoft MP3 player.
What is really funny about that video of the MS iPod box deconstruction is that it was produced in house at Microsoft by their marketing department to demonstrate what is wrong with committee approach to their box design!
News [Music/MP3 players]So, unless Microsoft is attempting to emulate Apple in both iPod AND secrecy (Do you really think MS can keep anything secret?) ...Monday 10th July 2006 - 11:33AM
Microsoft quells iPod-killer rumours
Microsoft has moved to quell rumours that it is about to introduce a portable player and downloads store package in an attempt to crack the Apple iPod/iTunes axis-dominated digital music market.
The company told the BBC that reports that it will unveil the new offering in time for Christmas are mere 'speculation and rumours'. . .
I think that re-purchasing the iTunes songs a customer has already purchased would be considered an anti-competitive action... and could cause MS some legal problems. I also think that the Music industry might have some negative things to say about their model especially if it allowed copying said songs to other MP3 players.
Thanks, I had forgotten that. I particularly like the fold-down tab with all the tiny print. LOL
down goes Apple.. with the huge screen and Vista/WMP11
OMG...
Ditto.
I meant that I agree with your assessment of that thing. :-)
Really, I see the song buy back program as the only real way MS will be able to catch or overtake Apple in this arena. If they are going to compete they almost have to do this.
Personally, I have invested quite a bit of money in song downloads from Apple. No way I'm going to surrender these. Moreover, MS has to hurry to get in the market as once movie start to be available for download the game will be over. Hard to imagine anyone buying back movie downloads.
If Microsoft does do the song buy back program, I'll buy their player just so I can hedge my bets. I've got nearly $2,500 in iTunes music and it would be worth the $300 (to buy the Microsoft device) in order to get all my music in WMA format as well.
Yep, I'm similarly invested and would do likewise as you suggest.
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