Microsoft To Enter Portable Gaming Market?

[Kent Pribbernow]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jan2006/tc20060126_148049.htm?campaign_id=rss_tech' target='_blank'>http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jan2006/tc20060126_148049.htm?campaign_id=rss_tech</a><br /><br /></div><i>"The software giant is mulling its own digital device that adds gaming to music and video, in an effort to compete with Apple's iPod empire. After getting trounced for four years in the digital music business by Apple Computer (AAPL), Microsoft (MSFT) finally seems poised to do something about it. BusinessWeek has learned that the software giant is working on plans to develop its own portable digital media device to rival the iPod, rather than just providing technology to partners. Microsoft hasn't decided if it will go ahead. But sources inside the company and at its partners say Microsoft has put together a team that's considering the business end of such an initiative."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/images482455_bill-gates.jpg" /><br /><br />With the widespread popularity of the iPod and Sony PSP, Microsoft has finally awoken to this rapidly growing new market. But will its efforts be too little, too late? iPod already commands a dominating share of the mobile media market. Sony and Nintendo own the handheld gaming space. Conceivably, an all-in-one device would have to fight against both segments at once. Can that formula work, or is Microsoft barking up the wrong tree?<br /><br />What really irks me is that essentially this device already exists, and has for several years. It's called Pocket PC. Had Microsoft marketed these handhelds aggressively and worked to convey multitude of tasks these devices can perform in the minds of consumers, Windows Mobile handhelds could have become the iPod and PSP of its time.

[sojourner753]

Microsoft has finally awoken to this rapidly growing new market. But will its efforts be too little, too late?

Given Microsoft's penchant for arriving at the party late, I'm not sure that it even makes sense to ask this question. Granted there's no guarantee that they'll end up on top, but they'll certainly make their encumbants sweat.

Usually third major iteration of a product is the one that most that most observers begin saying that "this one could take home the gold".



What really irks me is that essentially this device already exists, and has for several years. It's called Pocket PC. Had Microsoft marketed these handhelds aggressively and worked to convey multitude of tasks these devices can perform in the minds of consumers, Windows Mobile handhelds could have become the iPod and PSP of its time.

I agree with you in part. I don't think the current incarnation of products could do it. The software and hardware interfaces just can't compete with dedicated devices. IMHO. But I think that MS definitely should have encouraged ODMs to push the envelope. Microsoft could provide the media centric UI capabilites and the ODMs could add the hardware.

HTC is definitely making their own strides in the hardware direction with the Muse and the Tornado (I think thats the one with the media buttons).

[rzanology]

i tend to agree...ppc does so much more so much better. BUT!!!....how does the intel graphics chip in my 50v stack up to the psp? Is the technolog on par? If not then ppc would be out the question. but i think microsoft is going to blow this thing wiiiide open...as they did with the xbox. How many people said they were barking up the wrong tree with xbox? and in its last year it clearly killed sony and nintendo with little to no effort.

I think we could see some very exciting hardware...some sort of wifi....media center....40 gig.... gaming thing in one. Imagine being able to play halo portable on the train....get to work and connect to your media center at home to watch and episode of attack of the show you missed.

Only question in my mind is can they make this thing eye candy??? i have a psp....though i refuse to own the clown-pod....it does look pretty. To us hard core gadget people features will always be at the top of our list....but for the Sheep out there...it haaas to be pretty. lets see what they can come up with.