wired.com — Prior to Friday's announcement, some were calling the new device the "mPod" (Microsoft + iPod) killer. But given Microsoft's typically tone deaf approach to usability and Apple's market lead it will be a miracle if its next nickname isn't the "iClod" (iPod + clone + awful).
Jul 24, 2006 View in Crawl 4
grtwhtJul 24, 2006
Well, I can't see Microsoft being the ones to do it, but if someone were to make an "iPod clone" that wasn't tied to software and DRM, but instead behaved as a USB hard drive when connected (allowing software/OS independent uploading and downloading of files) and played all popular formats, I would happily buy it...maybe I would be the only one who would, but that's what I'm waiting for.
javamacJul 24, 2006
I love my iPod and am a huge Apple fanboy, but I wouldn't count Microsoft out either. And I don't think that's a bad thing...competition breads innovation. I really wish Apple would open up their platform (ACC and the ITunes Music Store) in particular and allow others to help innovate. I like iTunes over Windows Media Player, not because it's Apple's product, but because I feel it has a better UI, organization, and searching--some people would disagree. I also like controlling when I spend money (e.g. owning my music) vs. re-occuring costs (e.g. subscription service). There is a lot of people that buy so much music, that perhaps a subscription service works better--just not for me.I think at the end of the day, that will be the big decision point for people. Own or rent. I was surprised to find out that many of my friends did not know that if they used a service like Napster, when they cancelled their subscription, they did not have access to their music. I really feel this will be/should be the key decision point. But, like I said, that's just my opinion.
hobophobeJul 24, 2006
I don't recall saying I _wanted_ anything. I don't plan on using it. My point was pretty straight forward: the existing market is dominated by iTunes. Microsoft is trying to enter the market at a disadvantage. They will have a much easier time of gaining marketshare if in some way or other it 'works with' (ie, what the replies state: they'll credit you with equivalent music) iTunes.I've never used iTunes. I don't have an iPod. I don't particularly like either company. This is an article about business: Microsoft entering a market dominated by Apple. I treated it as such.
adizzy615Jul 24, 2006
The iPod being PERFECT is a bit a of stretch. There is always room for improvement, especially with the ancient UI. Take a look at this post <a class="user" href="http://www.tuaw.com/2006/07/22/on-improving-the-ipods-aging-ui-and-experience">http://www.tuaw.com/2006/07/22/on-improving-the-ipods-aging-ui-and-experience</a>The latest mp3 player offerings have a better UI, such as browsing by album cover, and grouping by alphabet when scrolling (if want to play usher, scroll to 'u', and the scroll artist beginning with 'u').I have had two ipods, and bought a couple for my family. From experience there is alot of things I wish the ipod would allow me to do.
kaffeinJul 24, 2006
@OB,Its quite unfortunate, and to honest I don't really know of any portable music player that has a S/N > 90dB.These things need to start having AT LEAST a S/N of 96dB and a dynamic range of 99dB.Although I don't think most consumers care, as they are probably just fine listening to their tunes with the onboard audio on their comp, with its 86dB or so S/N in all its noisy/distorted glory. So why would a 90dB S/N bother them. It wouldn't.Blah.
quixJul 24, 2006
Not J. Allard. J Allard. Periods aren't cool, yo. And they don't help your "Microsoft really is hip!" marketing efforts.And from now on, please call me Q. :)
salmonmooseJul 25, 2006
"The original was large, but I still have 3 keyboards of theirs from when they came out, and dread the day that they go bad."The 4000 is a great replacement, none of those dicky small cursor keys.
kisstheringJul 25, 2006
all I know is that I'm not paying for anything in protected WMA format, in fact I'll have no WMA audio at all on my computer