http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/ Engadget Comments for 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/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/Sep 14th 2006 2:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/Sep 14th 2006 2:06PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/Sep 14th 2006 2:07PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/I'll take the Zune, ugly as is, for $150.]]>Sep 14th 2006 2:10PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/
I like the Wifi angle. Imagine visiting a concert and being able to download the tracks right there and then onto your Zune. Or visiting a coffee shop and getting to flag a track you heard over the in store music system. There's a lot of potential.

Plus the advertising is much nicer than the iPod. None of this "I'm so cool it hurts" idiocy. The Zune advertising feels much more friendly.]]>Sep 14th 2006 2:12PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/Sep 21st 2006 12:32PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/
I can understand MS wanting to emphasize the Zune software and "platform", but I just can't see how it would have hurt to include PlaysForSure compatibility. I read his explanations here and it still just doesn't make sense to me. ]]>Sep 14th 2006 2:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/
You got 20 min with gaylord dude and and could not ask about the battery hours?

Shiit.. shame on you.]]>Sep 14th 2006 2:12PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/Sep 14th 2006 2:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/Sep 14th 2006 2:16PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/ are we upset that Microsofts gonna enter a market and fu*k over Apple the way they did sony? Stop being a fanboy its a new gadget simple as that no reason to be an a$$

"What's up with that suit? Is that velvet or plastic?" --> it's probably a 1000-3000$ suit can you afford it?

"Plus the advertising is much nicer than the iPod. None of this "I'm so cool it hurts" idiocy. The Zune advertising feels much more friendly." --> I have really got to agree with you here... it seems apples stuck on this "we're cool" motif even with it's MacOSX advertisements... it really gets old i mean how long has it been since they had a new type of commercial?

I mean i just always found it funny their making PC's look like business guys that are dorks and their the cool hipster... yet PC's have 99% of the games? How the heck does that make sense LOL.

"Ok well 20 minutes leads to a small book for engadget and i caught some gist of video formats so it soes video out of the box or what cuz if not im goin to buy and iPod and save sum dough." --> I think i read amungst this or in one of the other Zune posts that it does indeed.]]>Sep 14th 2006 2:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/Sep 14th 2006 2:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/
Also just because apple is letting you download 640x480 on the itunes7 software (that sucks now may i add read the earlier engadget post/comments)... it doesn't mean the ipods doing anything with it... it still has a tiny miniscule screen with crappy resolution and a poorly done navigation system... can we say listbox anyone? LOL]]>Sep 14th 2006 2:24PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/Sep 14th 2006 2:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/
Regarding PlaysforSure, I find it hard to believe that Microsoft doesn't have a roadmap. They know they're about to screw their partners (not in the good way either), and they just won't admit it.]]>Sep 14th 2006 2:27PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/Sep 14th 2006 2:27PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/
You know what hurts? Being a consumer and having the world's largest software company think I'm an idiot. they lambast the iPod for not giving you choice, then they turn right around and deliver a non-choice product. MS is covering all the bases pandering to partners on one hand and devising a proprietary solution on the other.]]>Sep 15th 2006 9:14AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/
I don't know, this is one of those things I think I'd really have to see to believe. Wireless song sharing does seem sort of interesting, but even if I buy a Zune and my friends buy Zunes, I don't know how much I'd use this (I'm especially curious if it is only for music you get through the Zune store). Right now I do buy some music on iTunes, but the music I'm most likely to want to let someone else listen to would be stuff I bought on a normal CD, more obscure stuff, etc.

I'm assuming that at least the DJ stuff would sort of do that, since I guess that is just to let someone listen, not keep it, so it wouldn't matter if they could DRM the music or not.

But honestly, I don't know. I'm definitely willing to admit its possible this could take off, especially if lots of people buy Zunes and it is easy to do (this feature of course does depend on encountering and knowing other people with Zunes), but at this point I'm not quite seeing it.
]]>Sep 14th 2006 2:28PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/
Do you seriously expect to see any grown ups sharing songs? I can see this feature being used in homeroom between two teeny boppers but I don't even share music with my wife. My music is my own space. I like the wifi option (like PSP) but not for music sharing.]]>Sep 14th 2006 2:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/
HAHA ya i know its gamer hipster... but he isnt exactly a hipster either ... but then again if hes a hipster wtf is he doing on a computer anyway? isnt he supposed to be out having fun?

I also have to agree with the ipod ending up looking archaic... Microsofts not just combating the ipod itself their combatting the image, with the third party partners and lots of addons they will have a market presence which is important... And even if the wifi is unusable or people dont really make use of it even slightly often, its a feature... something that u can be damn sure will be shown off in commercials and as a big feature, and things like sharing and community sell very well in commercials and advertisments

BIG QUESTION HERE... why all of a sudden is Engadget like the apple advertisement central? Someone said that engadget was being biased for the Zune, yet i'm seeing commercials and ads for the apple LOL ]]>Sep 14th 2006 2:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/
Take your iPod out of your rear and relax!]]>Sep 14th 2006 2:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/Zune is already the red-headed stepchild of the ipod market. I almost pissed my pants laughing when I read this line:
" First answer is, we're just starting this whole digital music revolution"
Sorry but Apple did that in 2001 when they introduced the ipod.
I wonder how much money MS will lose with each Zune sale, just to get it out on the market.
This is a FUD piece, well it did make me laugh.
Wasn't that the point?? ]]>Sep 15th 2006 12:03AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/Sep 14th 2006 2:32PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/
Ill stick to my PSP for movie/video content.]]>Sep 14th 2006 2:32PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/Sep 14th 2006 2:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/Sep 14th 2006 2:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/
But to make the iPod look archaic, you really have to do something pretty different. I understand that MS doesn't want to rock the boat here, but it seems like if MS wants to really make the iPod look archaic, they need to do something that is immediately and radically different and better. I mean, when the iPod first came out, it was basically competing with stuff like the Nomad Jukebox, that Compaq Jukebox thing, etc. as well as early Flash mp3 players like the Rio.

When it was first announced that Apple was doing an mp3 player (especially after a lot of pre-release speculation about some crazy new device/PDA/etc.), there was a lot of disappointment. The initial reaction was "What, an mp3 player? What's the point, there's already tons of mp3 players. LAME!". If Apple had just basically created something identical to the Nomad Jukebox or the Rio or something and slapped an Apple logo on it, it would have probably flopped. What made it stick, and become such a success, was that it was a real significant improvement. It offered some major benefits over what came before.... you had the benefits of the capacity of a hard drive based player without the size of the Nomad or the 512 meg limits of most Flash players at the time. And it offered a much improved way to manage your music, and a significant improvement on music navigation with the scrollwheel (still a defining characteristic of the iPod) compared to what it was like navigating through a Nomad Jukebox or a Rio.

But I think that might be what the Zune is missing. It seems a bit too much like "MS's take on the iPod with some design changes and some new features like WiFi", and less like "Microsoft's attempt to revolutionize the digital music player market."

Of course, it's possible it is too late for that, that we're at a stage now where the basic product has been defined (just as the Walkman basically did define what a cassette player would be like, and the Discman did the same for CD players), and all that is left now is different enhancements and functionality ideas.

In that case, I think MS has to really hope that this wifi sharing stuff takes off, because they can't get the kind of benefit from being able to release a completely new take on the concept of a digital music player, something which Apple did have with the iPod and has been able to take advantage of ever since.

"BIG QUESTION HERE... why all of a sudden is Engadget like the apple advertisement central? Someone said that engadget was being biased for the Zune, yet i'm seeing commercials and ads for the apple LOL"

Probably because Apple is running ads on the Weblogs network? Not sure this is hard to figure out. ]]>Sep 14th 2006 2:39PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/
I agree with the above comments regarding the smugness of the Apple marketing campaign. I totally agree that Apple computers are far superior to PCs, but the commercials are annoying. ]]>Sep 14th 2006 2:41PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/
Well, have you seen the guys playing those games? So, now it makes sense again!

The only way this eco-system thing (wonder where he got that idea) is gonna work, is by sheer marketing force by MS. The players looks like 3-4 years old already, the guy talking about them has no karma... there is nothing here really. Of course - like with Xbox MS is not going to let it fail... it is really a shame how a company with that kind of resources, power and knowledge just doesn't get it - even if it slaps them in the face every single day.

Things like this don't get cool by talking urban jungle marketing gibberish like this - they get cool because the thing has something to it. Just like Ericssons cellphones some years ago just did not, neither does Zune...]]>Sep 14th 2006 2:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/Sep 14th 2006 2:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/Sep 14th 2006 2:43PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/"Also just because apple is letting you download 640x480 on the itunes7 software (that sucks now may i add read the earlier engadget post/comments)... it doesn't mean the ipods doing anything with it... it still has a tiny miniscule screen with crappy resolution and a poorly done navigation system... can we say listbox anyone? LOL"


First, I'm not sure I'd call the iPod's interface "poorly done"... but beyond that, you can plug an iPod into a TV and output that 640x480 video, which will end up making a big difference over the previous 320x240. That, alone, makes the resolution upgrade a very welcome new feature.]]>Sep 14th 2006 3:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/
The only possible explanation is that they want to lock people in EXACTLY as Apple has done with iPod/iTunes. I guess you can't blame them for being tempted by that but I think it's short-sighted.

Also, any word on if Zune World (or whatever it's called) has a podcast aggregator of any kind? The simple podcast gathering and synching is probably the only thing keeping me using iTunes right now. Microsoft didn't add any kind of podcast gathering abilities in Media Center 11 and, IMHO, that was a HUGE mistake.]]>Sep 14th 2006 2:43PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/Sep 14th 2006 2:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/
Imagine if Apple where say we are no longer supporting the iPod ecosystem and developing a brand new player/service that will not be compatible with the iPod (not saying that PlaysForSure had much inroad but) it would cause confusion.


]]>Sep 14th 2006 2:46PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/Sep 14th 2006 2:46PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/
I think sharing would be good without the restrictions, perhaps with data files. But unlikely to happen.

And with the wifi constantly on, it will eat up half your battery life. ]]>Sep 14th 2006 2:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/Sep 14th 2006 2:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/
Too bad, like the design and the interface...!]]>Sep 14th 2006 2:51PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/
Personally I see no attraction in song-sharing at all. I don't buy music of itunes/online because of the DRM, so me and my mates just swap CDs to rip when we want to share music. I have extremely particular tastes, so why would I want to listen to other people's music?

Same reason why I shuddered slightly reading that the Zune will come with music preloaded.. so (if I bought one) I'd have to delete that first before putting my own stuff on.

The Zune seems like a nice device, and the wifi thing could be interesting (it'd be cool to see wifi music zones or something (ZuneZone, haha) or even web access), but I dunno how it will fair against the iPod.

Yes, to the seasoned gadgeteer, Apple's ads seem like they are really working at being cool. But don't tell me that your average Joe Consumer doesn't read that as actual coolness, and how cool can it ever be to own something that is made my microsoft? Especially without the XBox brand name.

If I were MSoft, I'd have branded this along the Xbox route, and given it Xbox Live compatibility from the outset - a good standing user base, and that one leg of MS's business that can be seen as cool and going-places.]]>Sep 14th 2006 2:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/Sep 14th 2006 2:51PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/
Yeah, 'cause the bald dude with the earring and the shimmery suit doesn't give off that vibe at all.

That player looks hella thick. Battery life and price, please?]]>Sep 14th 2006 2:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/
2. If Apple has shown one thing, it's that people will pay a premium for smaller devices even if they have less storage. Everyone laughed at the nano (and its price) at first, and now they can't make enough of them. MS doesn't seem to have a competing product as of yet, and they will continue to be crushed in this area...especially if the Zune platform requires WiFi.

3. I don't think iPod commercials feel like they're too-cool-for-you. I liken them to Gap or Coke ads...they simply try to present their product as more of a lifestyle than a widget. This strategy has been used in countless ways for countless other products...Apple is hardly a pioneer in this respect.
]]>Sep 14th 2006 3:01PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/Sep 14th 2006 3:01PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/Sep 14th 2006 3:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/
J. Allard really seems unable to explain where Plays For Sure fits in the scheme of things. That explanation of it, feeding the needs of the "PC-modders", is ridiculous. If you were an upstart business selling music, would you invest in this, as compared to the era Pre-Zune?

Just an observation... So far in the comments, "their" is incorrectly used more often the correct "they are" or "they're". I'm not normally prone to policing grammar but seriously... this many impassioned arguments of all the various "fanboys" would be made more resonant if they could just form sentences correctly.]]>Sep 14th 2006 3:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/
This will sell because it is packed with features and the upgrades will keep coming. People will like the idea of their device being upgraded effortlessly (kinda like windows updates now). It sure is nice of Apple to come out with a new player every year with fancy new upgrades, which force the consumer to buy a new one if they want to reap the benefits. And hell, I love my iPod, but it doesn't ahve a color screen. I refuse to buy a new iPod every year just so I can get the new bells and whistles.

People will buy this. Will it be more expensive than the current iPod video? you betcha. Will people buy it? you betcha. Go ahead and say "People will buy the cheaper product!" Well... I got news for ya kids... People didn't buy the cheaper product before... cuz 75% of the people out there have iPods...

"The Zune looks big and bulky!!!" ----- Compared to an iPod? Seriously??? Ummm... I am looking at a couple pictures of it right now... and the only conclusion I can come to is... you are retarded.]]>Sep 14th 2006 3:06PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/
The Zune looks a little nicer than the prototype, but I don't see it taking off, much less the sharing factor being a big deal. And MS has enough cash to keep Zunes around for a loooong time, profitability be damned, just like the Xbox. The potential market is too delicious for them to give up after only a few years. But it does smell a little depserate -- it took HOW many years of failure for them to get to this point? I'm just glad we're not hearing "iPod Killer" bandied about as easily as before. That is gonna be one tough market to break into significantly. Me, there's no way I'd give up my iPod for one.

And enough with the iPod fanboy crap. The iPod is a great device with a fanastic design, and it deserves the adulation it gets.

BTW, brown? BROWN? And I thought "Blue Dalmatian" and "Flower Power" were bad ...]]>Sep 14th 2006 3:06PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/]]>Sep 14th 2006 3:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/the-engadget-interview-j-allard-microsoft-corporate-vice-presi/
So here's my take away from this.

#1. Playsforsure is dead and a lie. It doesn't "Play for sure". It isn't easy as promised. It isn't seamless as promised. It doesn't work.

#2. Microsoft is simply copying the iPod from head to toe. Same business model. Same aesthetic approach. Same promise of simplicity and usability.

#3. It's got WiFi. For all the typical Microsoft "in the future" BS, it's just an ipod clone with wifi.

I believe J puts it best when he dodges the Playsforsure question for a second time:

to paraphrase: Playsforsure is like Windows. It's a platform for hardware partners that many people find just doesn't work. For people that want something that works, a closed, vertical model is needed....

...you know, like the iPod and Macintosh.]]>Sep 14th 2006 3:33PM