There has been too much information leaking out about Microsoft’s device to rival the iPod for some of it not to be a stealth campaign by Microsoft to build word of mouth. Most reports have talked of their Project Argo and the iPod like device called the Zune. The big deal to me seems to be the wireless connectivity. And reports are that they may show it at the end of August with an October launch in mind.
There have also been numerous reports that it would use the Urge service that Microsoft and MTV own. According to BetaNews, that is not the case. They will have a new service code named Alexandria that is meant to work with their players. Not quite sure why they are setting up another service, but they may want to have a service that they control fully.
I would say a smaller company would have no chance to dethrone the reigning king of players, the iPod, but Microsoft has the cash to stick around for a while and hope that their offering can make a dent in the marketplace.
Posted by Jeff
