IP Democracy: Is Microsoft Gearing Up to Offer an iPod Rival?

Business Week writer Jay Greene has this item about Microsoft’s supposed plans to develop a portable media player to compete with Apple’s dominant iPod. The software giant has put together a team to develop a device that would be marketed under the XBox name, although Microsoft hasn’t decided whether it will move ahead on the plans.

One problem: Microsoft could alienate its partners, such as Creative, that already make iPod-like devices. Another issue is the XBox brand name — most consumers know that as a games platform and might have a hard time thinking of it as a media player.

Posted by Cynthia Brumfield on January 26, 2006 8:51 AM to IP Democracy