James Fee
12-02-2004, 09:00 PM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://ptech.wsj.com/archive/ptech-20041202.html' target='_blank'>http://ptech.wsj.com/archive/ptech-20041202.html</a><br /><br /></div>"There's a tendency in the technology industry to think that, just because a product can be built, it should be built, even if all the necessary pieces to make it a success aren't in place. Sometimes these premature products eventually become hits. Sometimes they just fail.<br /><br />It's too early to know which of those fates awaits the latest premature tech device: the handheld, hard-disk-based video player. But one thing is certain. It's not ready for prime time yet."<br /><br /> <img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/MK-AD693_PTECH12012004212103.jpg" /> <br /><br />Walter Mossberg hasn't been too kind to Microsoft these days, but I do think he has a point about the PMC. As with the original hard drive based MP3 players, these devices are only really aimed at hard core users. In time, I do believe these will take off, but for now most people are better served getting a portable DVD player.<br /><br />Michael Gartenberg has posted comments about Mossberg's article <a href="http://weblogs.jupiterresearch.com/analysts/gartenberg/archives/005224.html">here</a>.