May 13
Gates gets catty
CMU reports that Bill Gates is getting a bit catty about the ole’ iPod.
...Microsoft have done a non-exclusive deal with Philips electronics which will see Windows Media systems installed on Philips’ digital media devices. On the deal, Philips say “by supporting Windows Media technology, we’re opening additional opportunities for a seamless user experience from the internet and PC to consumer electronics devices at home and on the move”. What that probably means is that Microsoft plan to get their media technology (for playing audio and video) installed on so many different electronic devices (PC, mobile, car stereo, PDA, games console, TV, radio, fridge) that over time the iPod, and therefore iTunes, becomes irrelevant. Which is good news for all those download platforms selling music in Microsoft formats.
And one wonders why PC-drones are so obnoxious and nasty? Gates does seem to get rather annoyed when he does not dominate a certain part of the technology sector.
Speaking of iPods I have a shuffle and am rather enjoying it. It is very useful for listening to review discs on the fly. Because there are so few tunes on there; I am less likely to listen to other non-review stuff.
