Microsoft Portable Music Player

I've been reading about Microsoft's venture into the world of the iPod for a few days, but this piece from Engadget had something that really blew me away! MS will scan you iTunes account and pay for you to add those songs to their new player. Ingenious, I say!

But it gets better. To attract current iPod users Microsoft is going to let you download for free any songs you've already bought from the iTunes Music Store. They'll actually scan iTunes for purchased tracks and then automatically add those to your account. Microsoft will still have to pay the rights-holders for the songs, but they believe it'll be worth it to acquire converts to their new player.

They’re adding WiFi and a social network play, which could also be very interesting twist on the music experience. The idea of using technology to create the same kind of social networking offline that we find online is pretty compelling to us. It’s a topic that we’re starting to explore this concept ourselves and applaud what they’re doing here. There’s lots more detail in the Engadget story, so make sure you read the whole piece.

Microsoft's new portable audio and video player will have a screen that's "bigger than that of the iPod video" (which isn't really saying much) and built-in WiFi so you can not only download content directly to the player (sort of like with the MusicGremlin), but actually participate in an Xbox Live-like social network that will help you connect with other people with similar taste and interests. Whether that's going to be the Live Anywhere service they introduced at E3 we don't yet know. But we do know the tag line they're pitching for the device combined with this new network is "Connected Entertainment."

Link: Microsoft planning WiFi-enabled portable media player, working on MVNO for next year - Engadget.

Comments

[jbelkin]

MS Zune sounds like another MSN. Billions down the drain with nothing to show for it.

First, by noon of day 1, some hacker will write a utility so every mp3 will look like a Apple AAC track and MS will be on the hook for a billion tracks.

Wifi? MS cannot get direct connect to work correctly on their current players - you really want a slower wonkier connection from MS that requires you to stand outside the house? wifi might be free at your house but elsewhere - like the cell pone companies - you will to pay $16.99 to buy one track?

Communities. You honestly think MS can create an organic community - not even MTV can ... will it be as "great" as the new walmart myspace?
bwhaahaha ... there are about 45 music community sites already - don't see people switching to join MS MSN's community - not just the last place on earth to find hip but it's awful close.

MS has created 11 versions of a music player - none even remotely close to itunes (WMP 11 has a community feature of sorts) - but in 6 months, they'll come up with something better?

As for design - you really must be expecting miracles - anything is possible but so far, it looks a walmart case for an ipod ...

They've already announced pricing at $399 for a 30GB - more costly than an ipod already ...

MS couldn't take down AOL with MSN.

As if that's not enough strikes against it - apprently it won't work with any other WMA store OR plays4sure ... so the marketing message is it's MS ZUNE WMA - better than MS WMA?

Add to the fact, MS will position it as an XBox accessory ... gamers will see through it since it plays no games ... and "average" consumers will wonder why they would buy an xbox mp3 player thinking it's some gaming thing ...

This thing will bomb badly.