You're viewing an article in iPO's historic archive vault. Here, we've preserved the comments and how the site looked along with the article. Use this link to view the article on our current site: Gates Talks MP3 Player Plans With High School Students

News

Gates Talks MP3 Player Plans With High School Students

Monday, February 13th, 2006 at 1:55 PM - by Staff

Speaking at Microsoft's annual Minority Student Day, Bill Gates was asked by a high school student if Microsoft will be developing its own MP3 player to take on the iPod. According to Seattle Post-Intelligencer reporter Todd Bishop,, Mr. Gates acknowledged that "Apple has done a fantastic job with the iPod" and then said: "We're seeing where we [and our partners] can come together to make a device that's less expensive and connects in better ways, does photos and videos in better ways."

He also said that he didn't see "the final answer" among the devices currently on the market, predicting that "between us and our partners, you can expect to see some pretty hot products coming out over the next couple of years." While Mr. Gates didn't directly answer the student's question, Mr. Bishop noted: "There have been signs that Microsoft is at least mulling the possibility of changing its approach and coming out with its own portable music or gaming device."

Thanks to iLounge for the link.

5 comments from the community.

You can post your own below.

+ show options

Your current settings, click to change: Sort Oldest First, Show Guest Posts, Hide Community Stats

A guest said: (hide)

Mon Feb 13, 2006 3:10 pm

and has ridiculous WMA DRM issues. Just what we want.

Quote this post ↓

A guest said: (hide)

Mon Feb 13, 2006 3:12 pm

ah, he said that same thing in fall of 2004. his "partners" are without a rudder.

Quote this post ↓

Tiger said:

member since 17 Jun 2003 with 1018 posts, unranked, send him a message or view his profile

Mon Feb 13, 2006 3:33 pm

The students should have followed up with the question, "Well, after 3 years, what the HELL are y'all waiting for, an engraved invitation?"

Mcirosoft could have just as easily partnered with Apple on the iPod. As the holder of 90% of the desktop computers in the world, it was in their best interest to do something. But instead, they took a wait and see attitude and Apple saw a market and moved in. Now that Apple has 70% of the digital download market, clawing their way back in is Microsoft's only hope. And they could do it, but to date, they have yet to pose a credible threat to Apple's dominance. Are they afraid? Are they not up to the task? Or are they too "old" to get into the game now. All viable questions.

Quote this post ↓

MOSiX Man said:

member since 20 Jun 2001 with 558 posts, unranked, send him a message or view his profile

Mon Feb 13, 2006 7:32 pm

Hmmm... It appears that Gates will never change his way of thinking - that he still believes that Microsoft should hold ALL of the cards. It's all spelled out where he says 'that he didn't see "the final answer" among the devices currently on the market'... Yes, he believes that there SHOULD and WILL be a final answer to what a portable digital music player should be - and that it will be whatever Microsoft dictates that you should use. Specifically, he thinks it will be the solution Microsoft can put into your hands, to gain control of your music downloading and listening experience. There's only one little problem: Gates and Co. only won out against bigger and/or better players, in the computing market, by lying, cheating, stealing, and spreading FUD.

Unfortunately for Microsoft, most intelligent people are now well aware of their tactics and only do business with them when they HAVE to. Fortunately for the mass market, Microsoft really doesn't have its act together, or any real market leverage, when it comes to multimedia products. The few attempts they have made to get into that space, have not fared too well. Gates is blowing smoke up peoples' hindsides, buying time and hoping somebody - ANYBODY - will come up with an idea on how to really compete with iTunes and the iPod, so that he can buy them out, or play the silent partner, until the time is right to slap the Microsoft label all over whatever it is.

If the stars line up, and Microsoft somehow gets its chance to really go head-to-head with iTunes, will they win? I seriously doubt it. Microsoft needs people's trust, to get them to sign off on yet another long-term money grab, thinly disguised as (poorly built and insecure) products and services. Again, the problem is that peoples' trust in Microsoft has been shaken so often that the typical end user comonly looks for outside solutions first, nowadays. Also, those once-stalwart champions of the 'Windows-only world' - the IT system administrators, are moving more and more towards non-Windows solutions, too, because they are tired of all the headaches involved in supporting, maintaining and securing a Windows network. Why don't you just admit it, Gates? Apple has beaten your pants off, in the digital music player (and sales) market, and you have nothing but pipedreams.

Oh, also, did I mention that the Media Center PC is an even more scrambled pile of inconsistent parts, than a regular PC, and is loosely held together by a hacked version of Windows that is even more bloated than normal? Their not selling too well, either. Who really wants to have to put a tower PC next to their TV? Apple's simple, elegant and powerful Front Row - loaded on a next-gen Mac Mini - is going to, once again, show Microsoft how it should be done.

Quote this post ↓

A guest said: (hide)

Tue Feb 14, 2006 12:07 am

Microsoft is laughable when it comes to talking about music players and services.

At first, they were saying their 'partners' were coming up with stuff that could beat the iPod. But the iPod kicked all their asses.

Then Microsoft said, well, that doesn't matter, because music on cellphones will make iPods obsolete. That hasn't happened either.

Now MS seems to be interested in making a player of their OWN that'll be able to take on the iPod. WHY, Bill? Weren't your partners and/or cellphones supposed to take out the iPod for you?

Btw, you'll fail too. You make a Microsoft-branded player, and your 'partners' will suddenly lose interest in making WMA-compatible devices. And the best thing you yourself can do is copy Apple, which won't be enough this time around.

Face it Bill, you lost. And all because you lacked Apple's vision and execution in this market.

.

Quote this post ↓

Post Your Comments

  Remember Me

Not a member? Register now. You can post comments without logging in, but they'll show up as a "guest" post.


Please enter the word exactly as you see it in the image above. Registered users aren't prompted for this. Having trouble reading the image get a new one.