Bill + Japanese tool makers VS. Steve's I-POD Let the battle begin!

Microsoft Denies iPod Rival Rumors

By Bary Alyssa Johnson

Microsoft reps have denied recent rumors alleging that it has partnered with a number of Japanese consumer electronics companies to develop a device to compete in Japan with Apple's iPod.

Several reports are currently making the rounds, reporting that Microsoft has collaborated with eight other companies to create a new product to compete with Apple. "The announcement that came out of Japan this week was simply about the Japanese launch of Windows Media Player 11," said a Microsoft representative who asked not to be named. "Due to translation issues the announcement was misconstrued to sound like Microsoft was developing a rival to the iPod; that's just not the case." According to Microsoft, the press release (which is in Japanese) actually states that Microsoft announced availability for its new WMP 11 in the Japanese market. The companies listed in the release are companies that Microsoft has partnered with in Japan to ensure a good user experience. These companies have all agreed to support Windows Digital Rights Management 10 for portable devices. "The companies listed in the Japanese release are device partners," the representative said. "For example, in the U.S. one of our device partners is iRiver. We've partnered closely with them to ensure that their Clix [media player] device runs WMP 11 technology." The release lists both device partners and service partners. Device partners include iRiver Japan, NTT DoCoMo, CreativeMedia, Toshiba, and Victor JVC. Service partners include The Language Channel, a subscription-based e-learning service; OCN Music Store, which is used for Portable Media Center (PMC)-optimized video downloads; and Napster Japan. Napster Japan service is slated to become available in the fall of 2006. "The announcement was written about the WMP 11 launch in Japan," said Microsoft representative Sally Julien. "The companies listed are partners who will use the technology in their products, just as they have done with WMP 10." Both sources at Microsoft refused to comment when asked whether the company has plans to launch its own MP3 player. In addition, Microsoft refused to confirm recent rumors regarding a portable gaming device dubbed "xplayer." "We don't comment on speculation," Julien said. "There are a ton of rumors out there right now but we have nothing to announce at this time." Microsoft has already unveiled its WMP 11 technology in the states. The player comes integrated with MTV's URGE digital music service. Similar to existing music download services, URGE also offers music blogs, feeds, editorial content, radio, and MTV/VH1/CMT channel hubs. URGE incorporates MusicNet's 2 million-track music library. Microsoft reps say U.S. consumers can expect to see verified MEDIA devices rolling out to retail stores in the coming months. These devices will be interoperable with WMP 11 and URGE.

Source: PCmag website:http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1971200,00.asp

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I've been waiting for a very long time for this moment that Bill's Microsoft will also try to get into the MP3 Player Business (Although Just a Rumor). In my earlier post I have been wondering this pass few days on what the heck Bill is going to do next... well my questions are answered Bill is ploting to conquer the MP3 world that is currently dominated by Steve's I-POD series. Again Bill has surprised me with his actions, and now  it all makes good sense to me. Microsoft released WMP 11 with the Audiofile buying feature to make way for the New Anti-POD player that Bill is going to introduce to the marker in the near future. I guess the release date for such anti-POD product will be after WIN Vista goes mainstream. It's all quite logical, when the Anti-POD player comes out anyone ho wants to buy one should also buy a Vista OS for his/her PC so that it would be compatible with the new ANTI-POD player. Hmmm.... in return more people will buy the new OS so that they'd get into the Anti-POD craze.... Genius! I must say.