Nickname: Rayman

Review: I think that this "innovative" idea of Microsoft is a risk. However, a risk that they, as an entire company, should take. I believe that this "Xpod" or "Xbox Portable" will fall into its own category, above all others, once it hits the market. Microsoft needs to show some healthy competition in the portable/handheld systems. I believe this idea would be a great way to enter themselves into this niche.

Date reviewed: Feb 14, 2006 1:48 PM

Nickname: Pachilles

Review: Call it the XPod!

Date reviewed: Feb 4, 2006 1:25 AM

Nickname: Robert

Review: Each time I read a story about how Microsoft wants to enter a new market, I want to gag. What Microsoft really needs to do is initiate their own "Manhattan Project" to do a complete re-write of the Windows OS which is fatally flawed. Example: I'm a software developer and last night I installed Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 on my Windows XP Pro laptop. Immediately afterwards, my Retrospect OneTouch backup program stopped working. Also, I now can't retrieve email via Microsoft Outlook Web Access. The architecture of Windows OS (and I'm using that term loosely) is a mess! Apple had the same problem and re-wrote the Mac OS which is very stable (I use it for all my personal computing). Microsoft needs to do the same.

Date reviewed: Jan 31, 2006 5:46 PM

Nickname: Schmitt

Review: Microsoft is already working on the software that I think will put a dent in Apple's leadership position. They don't need to build the hardware. http://www.nyquistcapital.com/2006/01/30/microsoft-sideshow-ipod-killer/

Date reviewed: Jan 30, 2006 7:32 PM

Nickname: davinder

Review: I think Microsoft is capable of giving tough cmpetition to Apple. So instead of worring about Apple's invention you should try something niche like an iPod including video games or an iPod showing videos with music or you should first survey the iPod industry in Japan and then invent an iPod including a cell phone.

Date reviewed: Jan 29, 2006 10:12 AM

Nickname: Eric

Review: Another fine example of Microsoft being "innovative." I think if clown shoes became Windows compatible, Microsoft would have to sell their own line.

Date reviewed: Jan 28, 2006 11:48 PM

Nickname: Trace

Review: Creative's Mr. Sim is right on: Microsoft has to be careful not to alienate partners that are just now starting to see some return on their investment in the broad vision. If Microsoft wants to truly partner in the space, they need to provide a great experience for the consumer, so that the PC is more of a consumer electronics hub in the home for content, and a portal to more of it (potentially from Microsoft's online services). Apple's iTunes is easy to use and offers what customers really want and then some, but it's still scratching the surface. Microsoft has great partners who know how to build great devices. Hey, Robbie, let your manufacturing partners run with the ball! And give them better software support and a link to MSN (or Windows Live). But a separate portable Xbox player would be great when you have the online strategy to support it on top of Xbox Live with great music and video content, and a way to use my current library of Xbox games!

Date reviewed: Jan 28, 2006 9:15 PM

Nickname: gabe

Review: There are many games already available for the Pocket PC and I'm sure they have access to plenty of media through the MSNBC affiliation. All Microsoft has to do is add a hard drive to a Palm-Treo-like cellphone running Microsoft's Pocket PC operating system, sell it without a SIM card/ free of a carrier contract, allow music to be purchased through the phone at MSN Music, and market it aggressively through a subscription to a "new" MSN - Microsofts Subscription Network (TM) -- bundle the subscription service with Hotmail, MSN Messenger, MSN Music and MSN's ZONE game service. If they throw in free downloads of games & music with initial purchase then they might not ever have to subsidize the cost of the unit. But they definitely need to either manufacture it themselves or offer a lucrative partnership with a select company. Creative comes to mind. It would be an offer that Creative could not refuse.

Date reviewed: Jan 28, 2006 2:18 AM

Nickname: Ben

Review: If they can work out what to do with Xbox, it would make sense for Microsoft to partner with Sony to not only challenge Apple but the Apple-Disney digital entertainement 800 pound gorilla that is forming under our eyes.

Date reviewed: Jan 27, 2006 11:13 PM

Nickname: Gary

Review: Then again, Microsoft is smart about moving into other markets instead of fighting competitors in their "bread and butter" market. Their business portfolio will be diversified enough by the time Red Hat poses a real threat to it, and technological prowess has never been such a huge factor in their success (since they make more money than competitors who have better technology, like Apple and Linux). There are so many markets they can enter or expand in, such as creating, enhancing and selling operating systems to car manufacturers, plane/motorcycle manufacturers, and the videogaming industry. I'm in no way a Microsoft fan since I use Linux, but their business strategy is sound in regard to the realities of their industry.

Date reviewed: Jan 27, 2006 9:59 PM