Aping the iPod

Edvarcl Heng | Jul 11, 2006

The portable music war is getting personal. After countless failed efforts by manufacturers to create the ultimate iPod killer (with Microsoft software), the Redmond giant has decided to take matters into its own hands. The rumored xPod will be Microsoft's doomsday device to wipe out the iPod from the face of this here earth.

Information on the device is not out yet, but pundits are expecting at least a PMC-like interface (portable media center) and, perhaps, the ability to play games like a miniature Xbox (sure beats the iPod's music quiz game). Microsoft already has the music management software (Windows Media Player 11), the audio format (WMA) and the mobile OS (PMC); so what's stopping it? The xPod could well be the missing jigsaw piece that will allow Bill Gates to topple Steve Job's iPod empire.

Engadget even has a picture of the mystery device. It doesn’t look very enticing, but never judge a pod by its shell. Read more here