http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/ Engadget Comments for Microsoft's on track to portable gaming and media hardware? http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/Mar 4th 2006 8:21PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/Apr 9th 2006 8:20AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/Jan 26th 2006 10:18AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/Jan 26th 2006 10:36AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/Jan 26th 2006 10:38AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/Jan 26th 2006 10:39AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/
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.]]>Jan 26th 2006 10:43AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/
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.]]>Jan 26th 2006 10:53AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/
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.]]>Jan 26th 2006 10:58AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/Jan 26th 2006 11:03AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/
So it's going to be not an iPod killer but a PSP killer.

Zzzzzzzzzzz.]]>Jan 26th 2006 11:07AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/Jan 26th 2006 11:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/Jan 26th 2006 11:39AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/
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.]]>Jan 26th 2006 11:42AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/
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?]]>Jan 26th 2006 11:49AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/
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. ]]>Jan 26th 2006 12:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/
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. ]]>Jan 26th 2006 12:04PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/Jan 26th 2006 12:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/Jan 26th 2006 12:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/
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!

]]>Jan 26th 2006 12:17PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/
Everyone except for Microsoft. Xbox didn't sell on its own momentum.]]>Jan 26th 2006 12:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/Jan 26th 2006 12:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/Jan 26th 2006 1:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/Jan 26th 2006 1:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/Jan 26th 2006 1:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/Jan 26th 2006 1:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/Jan 26th 2006 2:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/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...]]>Jan 26th 2006 2:24PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/
How could they make money with Microsoft (The Mother Ship) getting into the market? Their hardware partners would "branch off" into OBLIVION!]]>Jan 26th 2006 2:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/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.]]>Jan 26th 2006 2:59PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/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.]]>Jan 26th 2006 4:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/
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.]]>Jan 26th 2006 4:35PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/Jan 26th 2006 5:01PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/[URL=http://server6.theimagehosting.com/image.php?img=xbp.jpg][IMG]http://images6.theimagehosting.com/xbp.th.jpg[/IMG][/URL]]]>Jan 26th 2006 5:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/
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

]]>Jan 26th 2006 5:46PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/Jan 26th 2006 6:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/Jan 26th 2006 6:49PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/
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. ]]>Jan 26th 2006 9:06PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/Jan 26th 2006 11:10PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/
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.]]>Jan 26th 2006 11:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/Jan 27th 2006 12:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/26/microsofts-on-track-to-portable-gaming-and-media-hardware/http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/9397/xboxlamehand9nm.jpg]]>Jan 27th 2006 8:09PM