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Software giant Microsoft Corp. is laying the groundwork to compete against Apple Computer Inc.’s iPod digital entertainment device and iTunes service, sources familiar with the discussions and plans said on Friday.Microsoft has held licensing discussions with the music industry to create its own music service, the sources told Reuters.
The Redmond, Washington-based developer of software that runs most of the world’s PCs is also demonstrating an entertainment device that plays videos and music, the sources said.
It is unclear when Microsoft plans to launch, they said.
The significant part of the rumor is Microsoft planning to do it all themselves like Apple, instead of yet again taking the failed route of “enabling partners” with hardware specs and software.
Update: Kenneth Li has an expanded report at Reuters which, not unexpectedly, touts Robbie Bach, President of the Microsoft’s Entertainment and Devices Division, as the executive in charge of the effort.
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July 5th, 2006 at 5:13 PM
[...] 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. There’s more by following the link, but this seems to be the same rumor as the one in June, only with more details. Once again, the important part is that Microsoft is apparently doing this themselves like the Xbox instead of “enabling” partners like the Personal Media Center and unsurprisingly has the Xbox crew in charge. I still wonder about the PMC partners left high and dry, though. One further observation: while the iPod lacks a wireless connection, the feature isn’t new to the space since MusicGremlin just rolled out a personal audio player with Wi-Fi Internet support as its primary virtue. Filed under Executives, Coopetition, Digital Media, Technologies, Hardware, Apple, Portable Media Center, New Form Factors, Microsoft, J Allard [Permalink] [...]