Support Our Site
Get Better Gear!
- Madden NFL 10: The Grizzled Veteran from Electronic Arts, US$9.99
- NFL 2010: Rookie of the Year from Gameloft, US$2.99
- UNIEA Intrecciato, U-Pouch and U-Hip Pop iPhone Cases from UNIEA, $34.95, $22.95, $29.95
- Kensington Windshield/Vent Car Mount with Sound Amplified Cradle for iPhone from Kensington, $39.99
- SigFx Energy iPhone Case Contains Smart Battery from SigFx Energy, US$69.95
Premier Sponsors
Top 5 Free Apps
iTunes New Music Releases
Top 5 Paid Apps
Discover New Music
- Powderfinger
- Guitar-driven rock out of Australia, Powderfinger has not seen much exposure in the States, but should get a nod for their toe-tapping songs. Building off their previous release, "Internationalist" (
- David Bowie
- It must be a lonely place to be considered David Bowie's worst album by just about everyone, including the artist himself. As the last album before Bowie "rebooted" and formed the band Tin Machine, "N
- The Who
Quadrophenia is everything that Tommy wanted to be, a rock opera that told a story, but one where every song could still stand alone. It was also Pete Townshend's farewell tribute to the Mod
- Secret Machines
The Secret Machines' inaugural album, Now Here is Nowhere is both old and new in its sonic assault. The trio's surprisingly big sound evokes Pink Floyd (without ever sounding like any Pink
Every Day: The Best of the Verve Years
- Joe Williams
- Joe Williams was Figure Two in my three-man education in singing. A brilliant vocalist, scatter, and interpreter of jazz and blues, Williams produces music that's totally unique, yet sounds so effortl
Reader Specials
Visit Deals On The Web for the best deals on all consumer electronics, iPods, and more!
News
Microsoft Teams Up for "iPod Killer"
Wednesday, May 31st, 2006 at 3:00 PM - by Jeff Gamet
Microsoft is teaming up with several companies in an effort to create a video and music distribution system along with media players designed to go head-to-head with the iPod and iTunes Music Store. Toshiba, Victor Co. of Japan, NTT DoCoMo Inc., and five other companies will be working with Microsoft to produce a portable music and video player that will initially be available in Japan, according to Bloomberg.
The software for the new portable media devices will be developed by Microsoft, and the hardware will be built by Toshiba and Victor. DoCoMo also committed to producing a cell phone that is compatible with the software and will transfer Windows formatted music files from a PC to the hand set.
Apple's iPod holds the lion's share of the portable music player market, and the iTunes Music Store is the most popular legal media download service.
Microsoft's biggest obstacle to tackling Apple's market dominance is that, unlike Apple, it won't control its product completely from development to customer delivery. Excluding the successful Xbox gaming console, Microsoft relies on other companies to produce products based on its software and concepts, which usually results in product compromises - compromises that Apple doesn't have to make.
There is no official word yet on when to expect Microsoft's service or players to hit the market.
Recent Headlines
- EA Publishes Original Monopoly for iPhone
- New iPhone Games: Secret of the Lost Cavern Ep 1, New DJ Nights, More
- Musée du Louvre, Art Lite, SketchBook Mobile X and More.
- GelaSkins Intros Tim Burton, Bettie Page, WETA iPhone Skins
- iPhone Gets the Green Light in South Korea
- Qualcomm Hopes to Get In On the iPhone Action
- Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs Lands at App Store
Post Your Comments