Microsoft's on track to portable gaming and media hardware?

Just about everyone and their mother (including Jobs) has called it or called for it by now: Microsoft. MP3 player. Portable gaming device. When's it gonna happen? Well, BusinessWeek apparently has it on authority that Microsoft's sick of all the supposed "iPod killers" that are failing in their assassination attempts, and that they're matters into their own hands. So how would their device theoretically differentiate itself from the rest of the pack? Says Peter Moore, "It can't just be our version of the iPod," and BizWeek states that "in addition to playing music and videos, a Microsoft device would include games." We'll cede the possibility that Microsoft may be working on a Gizmondo-like portable gaming and media device -- vague though it may be -- but honestly, what would a story like this be without the grandiloquent Sim Wong Hoo, CEO of Creative, making his standard-issue self-aggrandizing statement? Says Hoo, were Microsoft to build their own hardware in addition to their own portable software platform, their hardware partners would branch off and "what [they were] trying to build will collapse." Uh, yeah.

[Via Joystiq]

[Rich @ Jan 26th 2006 10:18AM]

ANYTHING could be an iPod killer. All it needs is advertisment and publicity. Microsoft could do that if they wanted to.

[James @ Jan 26th 2006 10:36AM]

knowing microsoft, they will somehow tie it into all their other products, making it completely unavoidable to any of the cogs. they will then have 95% market share by year end. ahhh... the joys of monopoly power.

[Dinnie @ Jan 26th 2006 10:38AM]

As long as it doesn't look like that monstruous mock-up...

[nathan @ Jan 26th 2006 10:39AM]

i bet it is some device that plays the games on xbox live, able to connect to live wirelessly and download all the stuff you can on your 360.

[SebS @ Jan 26th 2006 10:43AM]

Microsoft had the perfect setup for this, they still can pull it off; but it would have been perfect for the xbox360 release...a psp/ipod killer would be a multi-media device that plugs right into the 360 and you dl videos, music (whatever an ipod can dl from itunes for $$$$$$$) but you would use xbox lives MARKET PLACE. MS already as the setup for it AND that would push 360 sales + 360 mini sales (of course you can still plug it into your pc and dl ish).

That is what all the other IPOD "killers" lack, they are great devices but nothing compares to the itunes/ipod setup and thats why they dont "kill" anything.

[doubtful @ Jan 26th 2006 10:53AM]

I think one thing Apple has in it's favor is the cool factor. Microsoft has that a little bit with the Xbox 360, but I'm not sure that translates to a new handheld device. They are unlikely to summon the legions of hipster zombies Apple has snared.

Also, they'd be entering a market dominated by Nintendo and after Sony (again), so Japan would (again) be off limits. The games dominance of Nintendo and the media features of the PSP and G5 iPod cannont be ignored.

Entering the handheld market any time in the next two years would be a bad move for Microsoft, in my opinion.

With Vista right around the corner and the 360 still widely unavailable (outside of Japan), Microsoft should really focus.

Apple is a good example of focus. Sony is good example of lack of focus.

[Black Guy @ Jan 26th 2006 10:58AM]

If ANYTHING could be an iPod killer, it would have happended by now. Advertisment and publicity doesn't guarantee success. In terms of features, the iPod is one of the most basic players on the market but it has managed to beat everyone's ass because of its design, ease of use, its simplisity, and its styl'n; no other product has been able to offer all these qualities & more the way the iPod does. Creative tried to mimic some of the iPod qualities but still failed cuz they were immediately labeled as bitters. The reality is - at least for now - the only company capable of topping the iPod is Apple.

iDon't c MS trying something like this. As powerful as they r, they do have their limits. They'r fighting a number of battles on too many fronts to even consider launching another product anytime soon; especially something that is labeled as an "iPod Killer." Xbox 360 is doing well so far but it has a long way to go b4 it can sit on its hindquarters, Vista is hemorrhaging features to make its launch debut, Google is feeding them tubesteaks, and Apple has been raising the bar on everything MS has become complacent on.

It ain't phina happen now.

[Silver @ Jan 26th 2006 11:03AM]

I can almost imagine a device with transparent blurry sides and vista-like previous and next buttons.

[Bob S. @ Jan 26th 2006 11:07AM]

"In addition to playing music and videos, a Microsoft device would include games."

So it's going to be not an iPod killer but a PSP killer.

Zzzzzzzzzzz.

[alex @ Jan 26th 2006 11:22AM]

call it the 180

[Gordy @ Jan 26th 2006 11:39AM]

My thoughts's exactly. Even if they threw Pong on the thing, it would be compared to PSP, not iPod. PSP would be in it's 2nd generation by that time, and M$ would have to see it for, like, $100 to make a dent.

[Nathan Ziarek @ Jan 26th 2006 11:42AM]

There was a good article recently stating that Jobs was actually calling Microsoft out on the iPod killer. I think the truth is that Jobs knows with a Microsoft in the ring, you've always got to be on your toes. If PlaysForSure gains any traction, the game can be over pretty quick with Microsoft muscle behind it.

If MS does produce an MP3 player in direct competition with Creative and Dell and all the people that they want to be on board with PFS, they will lose customers. And, to the loss of iPods, Apple would be in a great position to open up FairPlay. As Creative, which would you rather go with - FP or PFS - one with 80% of the market, or one with less than 10%?

Apple will of course treat other manufacturers like second-class citizens, but they'll effectively crush MSs chances of owning the music DRM market. MS will have to roll FairPlay support into their products.

Sure, there are lots of "what ifs" too, but the scenario is not as far-fetched as you might believe.

[J B Cougar @ Jan 26th 2006 11:49AM]

iPod is like a Keenex now, or a BandAid. Both are product names that have become more popular that what they really are: a tissue and a bandage.

I know there's always a *way* to beat someone, but in this case it doesn't exist yet, especially if MS is developing it. Any guesses as to how inetegrated "MS Media Center 200*" will be with this device?

[Johnson @ Jan 26th 2006 12:03PM]

"Apple has been raising the bar on everything MS has become complacent on."

You mean all those pretty rounded boxes and vulnerable code? Contrary to Popular belief by the apple zombies, OSX has some vulnerabilities that were patched by MS and Linux in 1995. Apple has a lot of fancy marketing and not much else.

[Johnson @ Jan 26th 2006 12:04PM]

"Apple has been raising the bar on everything MS has become complacent on."

You mean all those pretty rounded boxes and vulnerable code? Contrary to Popular belief by the apple zombies, OSX has some vulnerabilities that were patched by MS and Linux in 1995. Apple has a lot of fancy marketing and not much else.

[Daniel Clausen @ Jan 26th 2006 12:09PM]

Ipods are overhyped and if anyone is going to beat the iPod it isn't going to be done by making a better device (we know this because it's already been done) but rather by creating better hype. You have to have a campaign and device that makes iPod look "old-school". You have to convince people that the best way to be hip is to use your device and anyone using a I-Pod is second class. That is how you create fads and crazes and that is how you have to beat the Ipod at its own game.

[Legal Lady @ Jan 26th 2006 12:13PM]

yeah, I think the ipod could be beat with a guerilla ad market on another product. Something about not being one of the crowd, really pushing the idea of individuality in your choices-that you don't have to have the white ear buds to listen to your music. I don't think it will have anything to do with games though.

[Tomas @ Jan 26th 2006 12:17PM]

Its already happening... Not a gaming device, but the new Toshiba Gigabeat S Series is a serious attempt of MS to enter head to head against Apple. It has the visual appeal and the rigth features (Video, FM, Subscription service's, XBOX 360 compatible, etc.).

I was fortunate enough play with this PMC device at CES this year and it's a great product (Engadget seems to think so as well, http://ces.engadget.com/2006/01/09/best-of-ces-2006/). If MS can get there marketing engine behind it this could become the next non-iPod dap.

I agree with above posters, its all marketing hype that will make or break a product these days. There is a reason why Apple spends more on that then anyone else. Sure, you need a solid product as well and the S Series delivers!

[Gordy @ Jan 26th 2006 12:31PM]

"There is a reason why Apple spends more on that then anyone else."

Everyone except for Microsoft. Xbox didn't sell on its own momentum.

[monkey @ Jan 26th 2006 12:53PM]

An iPod killer isn't impossible - in fact it's only a matter of time. Just look at the Walkman - another product that became a generic name for portable music players. It's just iPod's 15 minutes right now.

[Brad @ Jan 26th 2006 1:26PM]

I like the idea of basically just slapping an lcd screen on a game controller with a few other minor changes. Most portable game systems don't have great ergonomics and are usually too big to carry in your pocket anyway. Would you really carry a PSP, DS, or even a GBA in your pocket? I usually just throw them in a bag so size isn't that important. I don't believe a portable gaming device should even be competing with iPods -- maybe a video iPod.

[Miles @ Jan 26th 2006 1:29PM]

My girlfriend's dad recieved one of those Gigabeat S's at CES as a gift. I fiddled with it for about 5 minutes before deciding that it was just like all the other "iPod killers". The track pad is terrible, no one but Apple get a track pad right for some reason. If it's too thin it doesn't work cause your finger rubs off of the pad. Nice try Toshiba. Next...

[bruce m. @ Jan 26th 2006 1:33PM]

When will the bitter retards who claim Apple's success is due to marketing realize that no amount of marketing is effective if you don't have a great product? I remember back before the iPod won the digital music wars all people would complain about is Apple's bad marketing. Now that Apple owns the universe suddenly they have magical powers to fool millions of people into buying the "inferior iPod". Sorry retards -- you can't have it both ways.

[Russell Page @ Jan 26th 2006 1:37PM]

Tell me you didn't just call something Microsoft would make "Gizmondo-like."

[Bronish @ Jan 26th 2006 2:03PM]

Not to sound pompous or anything...but try this: Ask 100 random people off of the street what PlaysForSure means. I only heard about it through Engadget, and I'm a computer dork! Now ask those same people what an MP3 (or even an AAC) is. I'll give you ten-million-to-one odds that PlaysForSure would be at the bottom of that Family Feud board. Why introduce a new technology in to a SOAKINGLY saturated arena? OGG is already better than MP3s or AACs, it's FREE, it's OPEN SOURCE, and it still doesn't have a snowball's chance in you-know-where to beat out the predominant formats (which of course, are in Apple's corner). It's not a question of design or marketing or monopolies...it's a question of content. So long as MS wants to push a way-too-little, way-too-late technology, they're going to be up the creek with a weak, 360-themed mock-up for a paddle.

[JT @ Jan 26th 2006 2:24PM]

1) I'm not an Apple fanboy
2) The iPod's 15 minutes have been going on for 3 years now, so I guess it's more than a hype.
3) Despite all of experts seem to believe here, it takes more than mere marketing to produce such a big scale hit. Apple should know, given their market share in the PC business they already knew that.
4) You have to combine ease of use, design, integration and *YES* marketing. If you only have marketing, you have a short hit. Combining all the elements is not marketing, it's product development.

I think Microsoft has the means to compete with the iPod (but not "kill" it) and level the playing field, but the later the worst since there is a captive market in the likes of those who have all their music organised in iTunes+iPods. With more than 100Gb neatly organised, and AAC (DRM optional) tracks all over the place, I would think twice before going back to WMPlayer...

[dave95 @ Jan 26th 2006 2:25PM]

Sticky Situation, but I may have to agree with Woo

How could they make money with Microsoft (The Mother Ship) getting into the market? Their hardware partners would "branch off" into OBLIVION!

[thispaceforsale @ Jan 26th 2006 2:59PM]

There certainly is room to improve, no one has yet to create an ideal dap. Apple has a walkman like deathgrip on portable audio, but does it really matter who the market leader is? I chose the x5 over an ipod because of the build quality, battery life, EQ, FM, line-in, drag-and-drop, usbotg and large format support. It does pretty much everything I want; the video is terrible, but I don't have a need for a pmp.
Now if MS puts out a DAP that can do everything the X5 can at a lower price, longer battery life, even more format playback and higher music fidellity, I would pay attention.
But I don't see MS interested in that market, they most likely want stupid convergence.

[matt jackson @ Jan 26th 2006 4:11PM]

This is what I would hope for:
Modified Xbox controller form factor with touch wide screen,
Windows mobile Media center OS,
Wi-fi/EVDO/blue tooth enabled,
copious (solid state?) HD,
firewire or USB 2 in/out,
video out,
dock-able,
built in camera,
built in GSM,
Built in tri-band phone.

They could sell for $1k-2k if they would last more than 2.5 years. They could also make a killling on some kind of xbox live type service for the device, as well as deal with mobile service providers, and online music store (selling a propietary format).

Big, a bit ugly, but no need to carry anything else! It could be your phone, primary media player, organizer, web browser, lite computer (powerpoint!), key-chain, and essential back-up device. A bit like the digial hub in your purse/messanger bag.

They could also offer a "pro" version with the same functionality but with a crippled game system, office oriented OS and software package, in a more "wizard"/"micro tablet" type form factor.

[Michael2k @ Jan 26th 2006 4:35PM]

"I agree with above posters, its all marketing hype that will make or break a product these days. There is a reason why Apple spends more on that then anyone else. Sure, you need a solid product as well and the S Series delivers!"

Why is today different than two years ago, or five years ago? Marketing hype didn't help "break" the XBox, for example, nor did it "make" the Nintendo DS, both of which were released in the same time-frame as the iPod. Hype gets the word out, but if you have nothing to back up the hype, it just evaporates. The 360 had excellent hype, and is an excellent product, but there is no supply, so the hype is slowly evaporating while screenshots of MGS4 slowly take over the internet.

You mention having a solid product, and more than anything else that is what has been missing, not hype, in the iPod killers. Look at the old Creative, Sony, iRiver, and Samsung players, and tell me they had a solid product, with a solid UI, and solid software? Some of them had solid products, some of them had solid UI, but to my knowledge none had solid software, and without all three how can you have a solid product? An MP3 player is a computer, and no one except Apple has approached the design of their MP3 player in the manner. Craft a solid product, craft a solid UI, and then craft a solid piece of software to manage, synch, and organize the music on that product.

The closest comparable product I can think of is Google Desktop Search that automatically indexes and organizes all your data for easy access. If Microsoft wants an iPod killer, they need to make sure that Windows Media Player is the best product they can make.

[mcquincy @ Jan 26th 2006 5:01PM]

hope they bring something out for both worlds, for the music enthusiast and the pure gamer heart. how about a modular system. for the music guys only the basic system (core system) who plays music and vids (only lcd and hdd like a pmp) and for the gameing kids like me a pad where you can plug in the basic system. who can make a mok-up based on the picture from the cover story. c ya guys

[mitch @ Jan 26th 2006 5:37PM]

mines better
[URL=http://server6.theimagehosting.com/image.php?img=xbp.jpg][IMG]http://images6.theimagehosting.com/xbp.th.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[Tyrone @ Jan 26th 2006 5:46PM]

Hey if the portable 360 is or were to be real like the picture i believe that would be a great ideal because microsoft does have one yet. it will market more than the psp and make microsoft the larget in the video game industry. the 360 is perfect in all way. having one on the go would be just better.

Portable 360

Small

Work as controller for the 360
Wireless
TFT Widescreen
Build in Hard Drive (4gb)
Connect to xbox live
Build in wifi network
Network Browser
Wireless Headset with mic for xbox live

Microsoft is going to take over 2006 and years after that. PS3 AND Nintendo are coming out but wont have the power like the xbox 360. Neither system will match 360 services.

Microsoft 4 life

[jg @ Jan 26th 2006 6:14PM]

I don't think MS cares too much for this market. I think they believe that the market is really going to be non existent when the cell phone replaces the iPod. I mean why carry 2 devices when you can carry 1 which will work for most people (outside of the audiophiles)? MS will position themselves as having the OS on cell phones that will carry mp3s on their phones, or allow you to connect to your media center to access your media.

[Eric @ Jan 26th 2006 6:49PM]

I just hope it isn't scratched to hell after being in my pocket for 2 days.

[Ulyssess @ Jan 26th 2006 9:06PM]

can anyone tell me if the 360 controlers still have the ports on the top of the controler. b/c what i was thinking is that the wireless controler will be the handheld. all they would need to do is sell an atachment with a screen on it. it wouldnt be too nice to carry around but they could cut like half the production of it out right there. and everyone is way to critical on the size of the xboxs, y not just get it over with and use a larger handheld to play completely amazing portable games.

plus voice chat while ur playing with some random person would be pretty sick. and dont forget the functionality! a full set of buttons and two sticks instead of the one thumb stick sony offers.

[matthew jackson @ Jan 26th 2006 11:10PM]

#37 that's pretty nice!

[x23 @ Jan 26th 2006 11:19PM]

"Contrary to Popular belief by the apple zombies, OSX has some vulnerabilities that were patched by MS and Linux in 1995. Apple has a lot of fancy marketing and not much else."

link please?

i can't say i recall using OSX in 1995 however.

even if they do exist... 11 years without exploit tells me they aren't all that actionable in the real world. but then thats just common sense reasoning. which has no place in a discussion like this.

[Big D @ Jan 27th 2006 12:12AM]

#39, you obviously don't know how things work around here. somebody makes a remark that reveals the slightest hint of favortism toward one platform or another. They are then immediately decried as "fanboys" who haven't "done their research." Their position is refuted by a deluge of unsubstantiated claims that are stated with unfounded, high-fallootin' authority. It's called "argument from intimidation." the idea is to make the "fanboys" scared of defending their positions. Rand wrote about it once...

[DZ @ Jan 27th 2006 8:09PM]

http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/9397/xboxlamehand9nm.jpg

[Bob @ Mar 4th 2006 8:21PM]

Look, the iPod is a great music player that evena monkey could learn to use. Apple has made a killa product that can fit in a pocket without you knowing that it is there. This could be a PSP killer, but there is very little pride to kill. This is a great market for Microsoft to get into as long as they go after Sony and the PSP, and let Apple and their iPod do their own thing. and untill they make windows media as easy to use as iTunes I'm not giving up my iPod.

[s.brennis @ Apr 9th 2006 8:20AM]

come on microsoft....get it done!!! you've got the brains and the drive. If it's good, we will buy it!