Portable media is about to go to the next level, with Amazon.com
Did Apple
Anyone who's been following the digital music player scene knows that one of the major speculations has been whether Apple would expand its iPod's functionality to download and show movies. Steve Jobs has been quoted as nixing the idea, theorizing that people don't want to watch movies on tiny screens.
To my way of thinking, Jobs may be onto something. Digital movie downloads to personal computers haven't even yet hit the mainstream, though some companies, such as Netflix
Music, of course, lends itself well to the portable concept, as it's always been a medium that went well with multitasking, such as jogging, working, or reading. Portable movies or television seem a harder sell, since that feature doesn't accommodate many activities that require portability, with the exception of perhaps long subway train commutes or airplane flights.
At any rate, Microsoft's Portable Media Centers, which will be manufactured by Creative Labs, iRiver, and Samsung, will have what could be called a steep price tag of $500 (though, as has often been pointed out, Apple's iPod sported what many mocked as a too-hefty price, and it still became a sensation).
These are key times for digital media, and Apple's got more than its fair share of competition, judging by recent product launches by hungry rivals. In the case of all-inclusive portable digital media, though, Microsoft may be jumping ahead of the times too soon.
Has Jobs been right to focus the iPod on music? Or will Microsoft's portable media solution bring movie downloads mainstream and slow down the iPod's growth? Talk to other Fools about the issues on the Apple and Microsoft discussion boards.
Alyce Lomax does not own shares of any companies mentioned.
