Microsoft Considering Its Own Media Player to Battle iPod (and PSP)

By Michael Santo
Contributing Writer, RealTechNews

Earlier today Alice wrote about rumors of a Google iTunes competitor; now there is also talk of a Microsoft digital media device to rival the iPod. This would be a Microsoft product, not one developed with partners.

The device would also leverage the Xbox brand, by including games as well as music and videos. This device would really be more similar to the PSP, in that respect.

“It can’t just be our version of the iPod,” says (Xbox boss Peter) Moore, who nonetheless would not confirm that Microsoft is considering making such a device. So in addition to playing music and videos, a Microsoft device would include games. Microsoft would probably use the Xbox brand to market the gadget. “I think the brand is an opportunity,” Moore says. Source: Business Week

We Say: Microsoft is still thinking about this; at this point it hasn’t decided if it will go ahead with the device. But remember the news from last year about how irked Microsoft execs were about a certain music player showing up in the hands of Microsoft employees? Hey, this could fix that problem, especially with employee discounts!