I certainly get your point, but then how do you explain the late-entry, slow-start-but-finally-kicking-butt success of XBox? On paper, that was a silly idea, but it seems to be making an impact, and possibly growing the category to boot.

-- Stuart

you've definitely got a point with the xBox, although msft spend an awful lot of money to gain a foothold, and i guess they could do the same with the xPod. one thing that puzzles me about microsoft is its inability to move quickly or first into new markets. it has a tendency to move when a market - MP3 players, search, mobile e-mail devices, etc. - are already established. sure, first-mover advantage doesn't always ensure success but with $35-billion of cash, you can afford to make mistakes.

If microsoft can offer a cost effective version of the Ipod then I would love that. I feel the price of Ipods are too high when you factor in all the accessories.

It will be a similar battle that OS makers have with going against microsoft. The problem is that since the Ipod has become so big manufacturers of other products have jumped on the train and integrated Ipod support (like car audio).

I don't know if it can be done though because clearly Apple will put up a huge fight since the Ipod is there bread and butter. Microsoft would give a good battle though.

- Chris

I think MS has one big advantage over Creative and iRiver if they attempt to introduce an "xPod". The fact that they control the OS, and have enough clout with the distribution companies can make them a contender. I believe that what made the iPod much more successful than the competitors was the seamless integration with the OS and the iTunes Store. MS has the potential to replicate all of those. Though I guess it will never advance to be anything beyond "potential".

The XBox experience just proves an old adage about Microsoft; they need to introduce 3 more more versions to get it right. Windows never took off until Windows 3.1 in 1991; but there was a Windows 1.0 and 2.0 in the late 80's. Until Windows 95, Quarterdeck's DESQview was regarded as the premier multi-tasking environment. So if MS brings out an xPOD look at the first couple of versions as "market betas" to determine how they can put together a product sufficiently differentiated to gain significant market traction. Only MS has the cash resources to support "market beta" programs.

Disclosure: I was involved in the sales and marketing of Quarterdeck products from 1986 to 1996.