Reader Comments

Price differentiation.. it's a way of capturing as much money as possible

I'm not sure if I agree with that comment. If there are different versions (and obviously at different prices) if you don't need the full blown version with all the features a cut down cheaper version is a better option (particularly for many home users).

I heard Microsoft was moving to a Unix based OS. Sounds like all of the cusomers they are losing to Apple's MAC is starting to hurt them.

There is a need for more sales middlemen, to explain why a 2 person SOHO shop should always purchase Enterprise products... At this rate of growth 50% of those employeed will be in sales

Losing to Mac...? You're kidding, right? Apple is losing market share every quarter (and has been doing so every quarter since stand-up comedian Jobs came back). Moving to Unix core...why? Why would someone change to almost 40 year old technology? I heard that Ford is bringing back t T-Ford, 'cause they're losing all their customers to Yugo. Not.

Move to a UNIX core? Pfft. M$ has spent billions in R&D for their OS, do you really think that they would just junk all of that research to go to UNIX? I am still laughing at that comment...

I heard Microsoft was moving to a Unix based OS. Sounds like all of the cusomers they are losing to Apple's MAC is starting to hurt them. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA I never heard anything so phunny in all my life. What a pathetic attempt to stir up some Mickysoft vs Duhpple conversation. Hey I have a bridge to sell you too.

Why don't Microsoft just buy Apple? It'd be the quickest way to get a secure OS and all the technology they're copying from OSX like decent searching, 3d composite desktops, multimedia software that works, a DRM scheme that people don't mind and the record industry likes, ..... And they'd still be able to sell their cash cow Office product.

I'm guessing the friendly edition names are something like this. Windows Work - For business Windows Recreate - For Home and Entertainment Windows Free - Tablet PC

With all the new infrastructure and APIs for developers to learn, Longhorn won't likely be relevant immediately on launch. Kinda like with 1.0 software in general. IMHO, it'd be realistic to add one more date point to the schedule, signifying an estimate for a first patch, ie. 'First Usable'. How far off would it be? J

I don't agree with the way that Microsoft has set a firm date for the release of Longhorn. What if the software simply isn't ready? Are they going to ship it anyway with what they have?

This article says Beta 1 in March. The "Long Road" says Beta 1 in May and something else in March.

"multimedia software that works, a DRM scheme that people don't mind and the record industry likes, ....." I know you shouldn't feed a troll, but I found this statement just silly. MS's multimedia software and formats run across more device types than Apple could dream of, so I'm not sure why it isn't "working". I'm also not sure what you are trying to say with the your comments on the record industry. As far as I know, the record industry seems to be happy to license the songs to anyone. The fact that the recording industry shafts Apple with pricing as much as they shaft anyone who wants these files (as well as consumers but that is another story) leaves me wondering how they express this supposed special love for Apple? Steve

Regarding LongWait - as it's humorously referred to... I didn’t mind the previous distinction of Home, Professional and Server OS’s. It was simple enough to understand the target market for each edition. The Tablet and MediaCentre editions are such minor additions feature wise they are not worth the price of differentiation IMO. Those features should just be rolled back into the Home and Professional versions, and only installed if the required hardware s detected. I like what MS has done in the mobile space by dumping the SmartPhone and PocketPC monikers for the simpler “Windows Mobile” schema. I wish that sort of clarity would translate back into their mainstream OS. Steve

"a DRM scheme that people don't mind " I missed this bit of idiocy before. You mean *some* people do not mind. The fact that Apple currently is leader in legal music downloads does not mean we all feel as warm and fuzzy about their DRM as you do. Music continues to be overwhelming sold in CD format. I'll continue to purchase my music in CD format so I can enjoy all the advantages of the superiour quality and no DRM shackles. Cheers Steve

Unix based OS? Microsoft losing customers to Macs? yeah right. Linux baby. that's their only thorn. Macs are dead in the single digit % waters. truly a pathetic ultra-closed platform. macs popular? in your dreams.

Closed means reliable and consistent. An open platform is a zoo and too confusing for consumers. Support = being shuffled around between the OS maker, app maker, hardware maker whenever there's a difficult bug or problem (which is often because there's no way to test all the million different configurations out there on an open platform. Open platforms are for individuals or companies with tech skills (geeks, power users, companies with IT staffs). We'll see a gradual shift away from open systems for consumers. I know you guys don't think this, but you'll see. Could be 10 years, could be 20, but it will happen.

So, I use a Mac. Well 2 - the one at work, whch is bobbins (eMac) and my PowerBook (which is mine). I like them (Macs) a lot - as computers go, well, they're alright. But I used to use Windows machines all the time and I still do a bit, and, well, they're not as bad as 'our' zealots say. In fact the worst thing about owning a Mac is that, despite sliding market share and half the company's success now pinned to a sodding fashion accessory (albeit a very nice one), these people go on and on about them as if it was somehow the righteous path. Mac usuers actually consider it something to be proud of that Apple is one of only two 'PC' manufacturers to turn a profit persistently. Yeah. Off our backs. Personally I'd be proud to have got a machine so cheaply the company went broke. But no, the core fans actually applaud Steve Jobs when he tells them that. Mental.

It's quite an easy target for Mac Zealots though isn't it? Microsoft getting stuffed for once in the digital music realm with consumers voting with their wallets from something other than Microsoft's solution. Only 8% takeup for PlaysForSure from the hardware manufacturers. Longhorn losing features that MacOSX already has left, right and center yet still very, very delayed. And now they're cheaper than most of the competition.

"Microsoft getting stuffed for once in the digital music realm with consumers voting with their wallets from something other than Microsoft's solution. Only 8% takeup for PlaysForSure from the hardware manufacturers." Regarding "Voting with their wallets" well it depends which way you look at it. As I said before, consumers are "voting with their wallets" that they prefer the CD format as a distribution mechanism over both iTunes and MediaPlayer stores. Sadly (no doubt for you) when you look at music format popularity, WMA still remains a more popular format ahead of the Apple. Of course MP3 slaps them both silly. The WMA format also has more brand recognition over Apple's format, although once again MP3 leads. http://news.com.com/MP3+losing+steam/2100-1027_3-5409604.html I honestly have no idea why you iBots are programmed to jump up and down excitingly about Apple's music format. It just really isn't that great, and barely used comparative to WMA and MP3. I think MS is poised to grow their market share quite nicely given their format is more popular than Apple's atm and through *new* initiatives like PlaysForSure. They are also very good at pushing their format onto as many devices as possible where Apple is still determined to make the iPod the centre of the universe. Whether that translates into more sales through their onlines stores I don't care. I'm sticking with CD for as long as it is possible. The rest of your post was just a troll, so won't bother to address any of the opinions you presented there. Steve

The WMA format also has more brand recognition over Apple's format, although once again MP3 leads. --- PROOF PLEASE 240 Mil AAC Tracks downloaded... WMA has the slimming 30% of the market to Apple's 70%.. You are off your rocker on that last comment.. iPods legitimize the AAC/F format.

I bet not many people know what the format is - if asked "What format are the songs on your ipod", they would probably reply "its an ipod file..." - most people are not tech oriented or geeks. Windows Media has the benefit of the player and format having the same name. Windows Media Video and Windows Media Audio file can be played on a.... yes, you've guessed it, a Windows Media Player!

“The WMA format also has more brand recognition over Apple's format, although once again MP3 leads. --- PROOF PLEASE 240 Mil AAC Tracks downloaded... WMA has the slimming 30% of the market to Apple's 70%.. You are off your rocker on that last comment.. iPods legitimize the AAC/F format.” Well if you had bothered to read the article I posted… “About 20 percent of people in the study said MP3 support was important to them when selecting a portable media device, while just 7 percent said support for Microsoft's WMA was important. Close to zero percent said AAC, the file format supported by Apple's iPod and iTunes, was essential to them.” Like it or not, Apple’s music format has near-ZERO consumer presence- which is hardly surprising when you think about it. Like I said, Apple is determined to make the iPod the centre of the music universe so all it’s branding is focussed around the hardware, and the software (iTunes) to deliver music to the hardware. It says very little of the format. Being a software company, MS is much more focussed on the branding of their format, and to get that format onto as many devices as possible. They do this with marketing initiatives like “Plays For Sure”. It’s hardly surprising that in the survey more consumers thought it was more important to have WMA support than “AAC/F” support. Now you have disingenuously posted stats on the legal download market only btw (without a reference of course) but that’s ok because I know all Apple iBot‘s only have so many pre-programmed angry responses to work with. Read the article again, or read it for the first time and you will come to the same conclusion. WMA is used more than the Apple format. Consumers are more aware of the WMA format than the Apple format. Steve

errr AAC is MP4

Steve.. this proves that most people don't know what the format is on the iPod... The point is... the iPod and AAC/F and so tightly interwoven... AAC/F is here to stay. The fact that Apple never says the Acronym AAC/F in ads, etc. is beside the point. WMA has 6% of HD music player sales.. Millions of dollars of branding and a Windows monopoly got them 6%. Yippee.

Steve.. this proves that most people don't know what the format is on the iPod... The point is... the iPod and AAC/F and so tightly interwoven... AAC/F is here to stay. The fact that Apple never says the Acronym AAC/F in ads, etc. is beside the point. WMA has 6% of HD music player sales.. Millions of dollars of branding and a Windows monopoly got them 6%. Yippee. Oops.. we're not talking about Longhorn.. guess the iPod/AACF has some mindshare after all

Microsoft Unix based OS - Have any of you ever read the Microsoft License Agreement? Count how many times BSD is noted within the license agreement. Ever wonder why Microsoft DNS (and others) never fail when set up correctly? (Perhaps its BIND) Or, have you ever compaired the Microsoft FTP command line program and the Unix ARPANET command line program? When you get deep into Windows you notice more alike than dislike. p.s. Look for MS to aquire Sun.

"Steve.. this proves that most people don't know what the format is on the iPod... “ Hence why I have been saying the WMA format has better branding than the “hidden” format used by Apple. Nice to see you have finely clued in to that after initially being so sceptical. “The point is... the iPod and AAC/F and so tightly interwoven... AAC/F is here to stay. The fact that Apple never says the Acronym AAC/F in ads, etc. is beside the point." I find these statements strikingly contradictory with your recent epiphany that consumers don’t even know which format is used by the iPod. Look, Apple could change to the WMA format for the iPod tomorrow and by your own words, most consumers probably wouldn't even notice. The iPod and the AAC/F format therefore are anything but tightly interwoven. Sorry, but consumers are more aware of the MS WMA format than Apple’s AAC/F format hence why my statement that WMA is better branded than Apple’s format still holds. You have failed entirely in presenting any hard evidence to the contrary. "Millions of dollars of branding and a Windows monopoly got them 6%. Yippee." Perhaps something even more to celebrate is the fact that even with that measly 6% consumer recognition, MS still has a better branded music format than Apple just like I said. Having a good sook and whine about monopolies (as is typical for your average iBot) doesn’t change that fact. Steve

"Oops.. we're not talking about Longhorn.. guess the iPod/AACF has some mindshare after all" Like I said, you should never feed a troll. This is what happens as a result. You go off on whatever silly little tangent the troll is obsessed with. In your case it's the iPod and AACF. Interesting that we have still come to the conclusion that the AACF format has zero mindshare with consumers at the end of that tangent though. Oops. Steve

Microsoft has already had a Unix based OS. It was called Xenix. Windows NT/XP/2kx is based on a newer and better core technology then the old Unix based platforms. Even Dennis Ritchie admited that Unix's days were numbered and it wasn't even meant to be a mainstream OS in the first place! His second OS, which was designed from the ground up to be an OS was far more superior. Unfortunately it didn't go far. Cutler's efforts however, moving from VMS onto NT, was far more successful. Looking at the core achitectures of the popular OS's (Linux / Windows XX / etc), I'd take Windows. They have done some incredible things over the past few releases, that now others are copying. Cutler and team are still the best out there in terms of OS architects. The rest have retired or left the field... OS developer / major software company

The reason for all the BSD talk is because of the Unix tools that were ported onto Windows XX. There is also additional Unix tools that you can install optionally, as well as connectivity / compatiblity tools. That's where it comes from. Has nothing to do with the OS architecture. The OS architecture on the latest generation of Mac's BTW, are based on the MACH kernel, not the Unix kernel. OSX is based on the old NexT OS, which in turn was Job's effort to move Canagie-Mellon's MACH kernel into a mainstream OS, and to prove it's worth. Windows XX; however, was developed by Cutler and crew from the ground up. Cutler leveraged all he knew and learned from other OS's (as well as his architecture of VMS) and combined the best of the best into the newer / better Windows architecture. The exposure and development of fibers and other developments in the core are a real tribute to what Cutler and his crew have been doing over the past 20 years. Mark Russinovich, Ph.D., did a terrific job of comparing the Windows OS architecture to Linux a few years ago. It is very clear that Linux was developed by a much less capable architect...

I like beef.

Of course customers are aware of WMA. They know it sucks and doesn't work on their iPods. ;-)

"Of course customers are aware of WMA. They know it sucks and doesn't work on their iPods. ;-)" That must be why 7% of them see WMA compatability as important vs near 0% for Apple's format. Please feel free to troll all you like, but at least learn to read so you can keep up with the conversation and not make a fool of yourself. It's emabarrasing for all concerned. Steve

to the WMA-troll: 100% of all people want an iPod, they don't care what format goes on it (and probably don't know... that's where the 0% came from, WMA has been around for much longer that's why 7% off the people actually heard off it) Musiclovers who preffer WMA are like art-lovers who like their reproductions made by a matrix-printer, anyone claiming WMA is better then AAC is payed off or nearly-deaf.

to the WMA-troll: 100% of all people want an iPod, they don't care what format goes on it (and probably don't know... that's where the 0% came from, WMA has been around for much longer that's why 7% off the people actually heard off it) Musiclovers who preffer WMA are like art-lovers who like their reproductions made by a matrix-printer, anyone claiming WMA is better then AAC is payed off or nearly-deaf.

Let's get back on topic shall we: 2003: Longhorn vs Jaguar: Jaguar won because longhorn didn't show up 2004: Longhorn vs Panther: Panther won because longhorn didn't show up 2005: Longhorn vs Tiger: Tiger wil win because longhorn won't show up it's about time microsoft put their software where their mouth is.

Does anyone know if Longhorn Beta 1 will ship with the Aero UI? The think for many users we are dying to know what Longhorn will LOOK like and if it will compare to the elegance (I am strictly talking about visuals here) of OS X Tiger.

"WMA has been around for much longer that's why 7% off the people actually heard off it) Musiclovers who preffer WMA are like art-lovers who like their reproductions made by a matrix-printer, anyone claiming WMA is better then AAC is payed off or nearly-deaf." What nonsense. ACTRAC as a format has been around longer than WMA and AAC and yet it didn't even register in the survey. I suspect the AAC format is also older than WMA as it is based on the MPEG4 standard. WMA's success I suspect is all about branding, and I am still waiting for a reasonable argument otherwise. Again, please feel free to troll all you like guys, but *try* get your facts right. You are just embarrasing yourself and not contributing anything interesting to the discussion. Steve

"Does anyone know if Longhorn Beta 1 will ship with the Aero UI? The think for many users we are dying to know what Longhorn will LOOK like and if it will compare to the elegance (I am strictly talking about visuals here) of OS X Tiger." I think the Aero L&F comes later. I also think OS X has room for improvement with its' visuals. Some things in it I find anythng but elegant like the clunky slide out panels etc I'm hoping they redo those in Tiger amongst some other small things. Steve

"to the WMA-troll: 100% of all people want an iPod, they don't care what format goes on it (and probably don't know... that's where the 0% came from" LOL. I just realised this is supposedly a reference to me. I get sick of saying this, but RTFA (Read the ****ing article) trolls. Obviously 100% of people do not want an iPod because 7% of them rated WMA compatability as important. That should clue you dunces in a bit for starters. You couldn't even get the second part of your statement 100% right because 20% of consumers also rated MP3 playback as an important requirement of their chosen device, so for them it very much does matter which formats the iPod supports. The only thing you managed to get 100% right is that consumers don't seem to care about Apple’s format at all- I have suggested that this is because Apple does not attempt to market their music format and are only interested in the hardware (iPod) and the software (iTunes). I'm glad you have just had your epiphany about this now, but you are a bit late. Cheers

"WMA's success I suspect is all about branding" well it must be, it shure isnt' about quality

"well it must be, it shure isnt' about quality" Given you can not seem to spell a word I am *sure* a five year old would have no trouble with, I am pretty *sure* you are not qualified to discuss the technical quality of the WMA format. In fact, I am pretty *sure* you are just another idiot troll. Steve

Quote: "Obviously 100% of people do not want an iPod because 7% of them rated WMA compatability as important." Hear hear! T3 magazine had a quick poll and found that the Sony NW-HD3 was the preferred choice of respondants. The NW-HD3 has WMA support, along with MP3 and ATRAC, which was one of the reasons I bought one in the weekend. http://www.t3.co.uk/news/default.asp?pagetypeid=2&articleid=33602&subsectionid=753

And millions of housewives are driving around happily in their which happens to have a Bosch multiport fuel injection system. So what? Do they really care? It's suddenly not popular cause they don't know what parts (formats) are under the hood? The whole iPod/iTunes success story is that they don't HAVE to care.

"The NW-HD3 has WMA support, along with MP3 and ATRAC, which was one of the reasons I bought one in the weekend." The bugger about the Sony devices is that although they say they "support" WMA it really means they are transencoding it into ACTRAC on the device itself which may actually result in a loss of quality if you are varying your bit rates. I think they support MP3 natively now, but I'm not sure if it's supported in your device yet? I appreciate the looks of the NW-HD3 myself being somewhat of a Sony Whore myself... Yum! LOL... Steve

"So what? Do they really care? It's suddenly not popular cause they don't know what parts (formats) are under the hood?" *sigh* RTFA again and pay attention to the discussion. You can't argue with facts. The consumers in the survey used Apple’s AAC/F format significantly less than MP3 and WMA as a music storage medium. Yes, it is *less* popular than these 2 formats, but not what I would call "unpopular". I never suggested otherwise. As a DRM format it's doing very well IMO, but then as I've already mentioned consumers still prefer CD as a music distribution format over both the Apple store and anything else MS can come up with. "The whole iPod/iTunes success story is that they don't HAVE to care." Don’t have to care… yet. Where consumers do notice (and RTFA the survey again) is when they get a new device with music playback capability and find out the format isn’t supported on it. MS has countered this by trying to get their format on to as many devices as possible and to market that format and diversity with the “Plays For Sure” initiative. Apple is taking a different tack again by diversifying their hardware into as many new formats as possible i.e The flash based Shuffle, The Motorola mobile phone etc. So to take the mobile example, a customer of a phone marked “Plays For Sure” can choose from a variety of different hardware vendors and know that it will work with all the other “Plays For Sure” devices. A current iPod owner will have to realise that they are either going to have to bypass iTunes, use Hymn to break the DRM, and then transencode to perhaps MP3 or WMA to play their files on a hardware device not made by Apple. Please tell me they won’t care then. For Apple, IMO it all depends on the success of their hardware designs. We know they are indisputably good at that. I have to wonder if they are limiting their potential though by taking this path. Sony... read same as Apple, but then they are also very good at building hardware and they happen to make a hell of a lot of it. They just suck at the software side IMO. Oh, but the hardware... so pretty! ;c) I hardly think the game is hardly over yet. It's just getting interesting! Steve

AAC/F may not be a widely known format name, but it still sounds better than WMA and MP3 (tin cans sound better than MP3) and it plays just fine on my Windows 2000 PRO system...ala my homemade media player.

"AAC/F may not be a widely known format name, but it still sounds better than WMA and MP3 (tin cans sound better than MP3) and it plays just fine on my Windows 2000 PRO system...ala my homemade media player." I'm sure AAC/F plays just fine on your home system. I’m glad you are happy, although you are wrong. How good a digital music file sounds has alot more to do with a few other variables. Bit rate encoding level being chief amongst them. FYI WMA tracks I rip off CD are encoded at a higher bit rate than the 128 bit AAC/F tracks you download off the Apple store. WMA also supports lossless recording- so does Apple btw. Both will result in higher quality files. Its no wonder most of us are refusing to budge off CD. Anyone interested in a comparison of what Apple’s Music Store tracks sound like in comparison to higher bit rate AAC formats can check out: http://recordstorereview.com/misc/aacmp3.shtml Steve

"Anyone interested in a comparison of what Apple’s Music Store tracks sound like in comparison to higher bit rate AAC formats can check out" this shouls read: "Anyone interested in a comparison of what lower bitrate tracks sound like in comparison to higher bit rate AAC formats can check out" but by replacing lower-bitrate with "apple's music store" you make it sound like apple sucks. Are you Paul T himself? or just after his job? Every track bought in the iTunes music stire can be burned to a regular CD which can be played in zillions of non-apple hardware. This burned CD can be ripped again in any format you wish, result: an audio-file that plays everywhere, it's a 'hack' a six year old can understand, yet you seem to insist that apple wants to lock people into their technology and throw in some geeky words to make it look complicated... you're drowning in bias (and you're faulty but plenty use of acronyms reveals you're a IT-wannabee, go troll slashdot)

Quote: "I think [the Sony NW-HD3] support MP3 natively now, but I'm not sure if it's supported in your device yet? " Yes, the HD3 has MP3 native support, the HD1 (the old version) didn't. You can however get new firmware loaded on the HD1 to give it native MP3 support. Here's hoping that Sony don't stop there and introduce a firmware upgrade to give both models native WMA support as well. It's a lovely little player though, well saucy.

apple should also put stickers on their iPods "Sells for sure"

Did you even comprehend Steve's post? He was obviously implying that Apple's Music Store should be providing downloads at higher-then-128bit encoded rates. Don't know where you got the Apple 'lock[ing] people into their technology' angle from. I have to agree with Steve, why stop at 128bit in this day and age of 8Mbs broadband connections and 60 Gig MP3 players.

"Did you even comprehend Steve's post? He was obviously implying that Apple's Music Store should be providing downloads at higher-then-128bit encoded rates. Don't know where you got the Apple 'lock[ing] people into their technology' angle from." wtf did you even read steve's post ??: "A current iPod owner will have to realise that they are either going to have to bypass iTunes, use Hymn to break the DRM, and then transencode to perhaps MP3 or WMA to play their files on a hardware device not made by Apple." You see, I'm actually capable of reading AND comprehending multiple posts. Maybe when you grow up you will be too. And all off you WMA-fanboys should try listening to some classical music (like fragile violins) both in WMA and AAC (same bitrate) then come back and tell me you still like that transistor-radio-codec.

this shouls read: "Anyone interested in a comparison of what lower bitrate tracks sound like in comparison to higher bit rate AAC formats can check out" but by replacing lower-bitrate with "apple's music store" you make it sound like apple sucks. Are you Paul T himself? or just after his job? “ This should read? You are projecting what you wanted me to say rather than what I did say and then you humorously claim I am drowning in bias? Sorry idiot. If you can’t read what I said and understand it then don’t make things up as you go to suit your own biases. “you seem to insist that apple wants to lock people into their technology and throw in some geeky words to make it look complicated...” Projecting again. I never said anywhere that Apple wants to lock people into their technology. That’s something you just dishonestly made up. I said consumers will have a harder time of moving Apple’s AAC/F format onto other non-Apple devices than using devices that share a common format. Something I thought would be quite simple to understand, oh well... The process you described of having to burn all of the DRM’d files to a CD just to re-rip them into another format is patently more complicated than simply dragging and dropping the same file from device A to B. “you're drowning in bias (and you're faulty but plenty use of acronyms reveals you're a IT-wannabee, go troll slashdot)” I’m drowning in bias for describing my opinion on the way the two biggest players in the media market are taking different tacts at growing their markets? I’m drowning in bias because I described Apple as being “indisputably good” at hardware design? Oh I get it. I’m drowning in bias because I said something (which I didn’t actually say, but you wanted me to say) and you really, really like Apple. Yeah that figures. P.S. Don’t get upset diddums but I ain’t going anywhere. Steve

go steve u rock though u are opinionated. i wouldn't like to get into an argument with you!! :-) I don't have an iPod; I have a BenQ because it has a radio. When apple make an iPod with a radio I'll be first in line to try it. I used to have a MiniDisc Walkman but it fell to bits and started making grating and wheezing noises! Maybe Sony products sound better than other companies' because they make really good earphones. All you people saying Longhorn sucks because it is being delayed should remember Windows 2000; *THAT* was delayed forever but when they finally released it everyone thought it was the duck's guts. Now it's the minimum standard for heaps of software and hardware. Maybe they're delaying Longhorn so they can GET IT GOOD! However Microsoft should slice the price of Office; it is too expensive for Joe Average. Even at academic prices. OpenOffice is caning it in computer magazines.

"You see, I'm actually capable of reading AND comprehending multiple posts. Maybe when you grow up you will be too." LOL. To take a leaf out of your sorry book, that should read "You see, I'm actually capable of reading and miscomprehending multiple posts simultaneously, but I'll just make it all up as I go along and hope nobody notices I'm just projecting." "And all off you WMA-fanboys should try listening to some classical music (like fragile violins) both in WMA and AAC (same bitrate) then come back and tell me you still like that transistor-radio-codec." I listen to lots of different styles of music- well except country and c-rap. How typically biased and presumptuous of you to think otherwise. Steve

"Yes, the HD3 has MP3 native support, the HD1 (the old version) didn't. You can however get new firmware loaded on the HD1 to give it native MP3 support. Here's hoping that Sony don't stop there and introduce a firmware upgrade to give both models native WMA support as well. It's a lovely little player though, well saucy" I actually dig all of Sony's new digital music players although the hard drive based one is obviously the pinnacle. They have some great form factors out now. It’s like watching a sleeping giant wake up, and ready to start bitch slapping everyone. LOL Did you see this news? Idei: Exec Slams Sony Management For Failure To Exploit Content http://www.forbes.com/facesinthenews/2005/01/20/0120autofacescan06.html Looks like Sony might be finally waking up to themself that trying to go it alone all the time with their own proprietary formats isn't necessarily a good thing. Steve

"apple should also put stickers on their iPods 'Sells for sure'" Except for the iPod Photo that is. That one would read. "Still For sale, for sure" Not quite as catchy. LOL Steve

"'Did you even comprehend Steve's post? He was obviously implying that Apple's Music Store should be providing downloads at higher-then-128bit encoded rates...' wtf did you even read steve's post ??:" For the record, the first poster had it right, and not the Master of Miscomprehension. As I’ve said all along, I think consumers are better served getting their tracks off CD for best quality until the music downloaded providers give us files that are equivalent in quality to CD. IMO Apple is being a bit stingy with the 128bit downloads and it’s an opinion I know I share with many others including Apple/iPod fans, so I’m not afraid to express it even if a certain angry little troll here gets into a sook about it. Steve

"go steve u rock though u are opinionated. i wouldn't like to get into an argument with you!! :-) I don't have an iPod; I have a BenQ because it has a radio. When apple make an iPod with a radio I'll be first in line to try it. I used to have a MiniDisc Walkman but it fell to bits and started making grating and wheezing noises! Maybe Sony products sound better than other companies' because they make really good earphones." Cheers. I don't get why Apple refuses to put a radio in either, but it is very Apple IMO. They seem to go for design "simplicity" over features as a mandate. Oh, I just got a new pair of Sony headphones yesterday to replace an old pair I had which were great, and the new ones are horrible! They are the new styled ones that clip over the ear with the wire just going around the back. Everyone else in the office can hear what I am listening to as the sound spillage from the headphones is really bad. As a result of the spillage they are also really quiet too, and I love my music loud! I almost feel like taking them back and investing in a pair of B&O's. Not happy Sony! Steve

you forgot an H in IMO oh wait... no you didn't

"you forgot an H in IMO oh wait... no you didn't " Because if I had put a "H" in there it would be *guaranteed* to be my honest opinion? IMO the H in IMHO is redundant. Make your own mind up. ;c) Steve

just when I thought the fun was leaving this thread... he thinks the H stands for honest and goes on about it. ROFLOL

Except for the iPod Photo that is. That one would read. "Still For sale, for sure" So the iPod Photo doesn't sell as well as other iPods... whaah funny!!! Try comparing it to the sales of [choose any playsforsure-device].... whaaah way funnier!!

"I never said anywhere that Apple wants to lock people into their technology. I said consumers will have a harder time of moving Apple’s AAC/F format onto other non-Apple devices" What do you think "locking people into their technology" actually means ? who's the idiot/troll/liar here do you think?

So what is the scheduled date for Longhorn beta 1 then? Acording to this article, it's March 16, but according to the 'Road to Longhorn' article on your Windows Supersite site, apparently last updated on January 13, it's May...?

"just when I thought the fun was leaving this thread... he thinks the H stands for honest and goes on about it." So what does it stand for then? Enlighten us? Steve

"So the iPod Photo doesn't sell as well as other iPods... whaah funny!!! Try comparing it to the sales of [choose any playsforsure-device].... whaaah way funnier!!" Sure. Personally the handheld device I choose to view photo's on is my iPaq. The iPaq line has been very succesful over the years with sales far outstripping the "success" (read flop) of the iPod Photo. Still laughing? Steve

"’I never said anywhere that Apple wants to lock people into their technology. I said consumers will have a harder time of moving Apple’s AAC/F format onto other non-Apple devices’ What do you think "locking people into their technology" actually means ?” Locking people into the technology implies some deliberate intention on the part of the company. As I already mentioned, I’ve never suggested Apple had done this. That’s something you just dishonestly made up. I simply just described the rather tedious process of using Hymn to strip away Apple’s DRM to move it onto another non-Apple device. You described an even more tedious process of having to rip to CD’s first to accomplish the same. If you would like to imply some malice on Apple’s part for making consumers go through this rigmarole then wear it yourself. Don’t lie and try project your opinion onto me. who's the idiot/troll/liar here do you think?" Let me think. You, you and… why that would be you also. Steve

"So what does it stand for then? Enlighten us? " Never mind. I looked it up. I've seen people describe it as "honest". Sorry. Not quite sure why you got so excited about such a simple mistake on my part, but since you guys havn't been doing to well with your debating skills, having to try make stuff up etc... I'll let you have it. Enjoy your laugh. :c) Steve

My girlfriend has an Ipod..and all her friends,,and as far as formats go they could give a crap...all they talk about it what new mp3's are on the damn thing...no matter what format it is,,songs will allways be mp3's to most people. Anonymous User -January 24, 2005

People take forever to adopt a new format. Once they do, they take forever to move on the next successor. Probably one of the few exceptions to this was the DVD. CDs have been around since the early 1980's. It's about time that we adopt a replacement format, like DVD-Audio or SACD. It's a shame that we're arguing over formats (MP3 & WMA) when both of them are designed with 16-bit audio in mind. It took Microsoft how many years after the DVD came out to allow for playback and recording of music in anything other than 16-bit audio? People won't adopt something new when the music they listen to isn't complex enough for them to notice a better sound from a different music format. Some people I know didn't see the big deal to have music recorded in STEREO in the late 80's. To them, MP3 is easier and like an old shoe. They won't adopt AAC/M4A until the technology has advanced way beyond 24-bit audio. When 64-bit audio (32 bit integer with 32 bit float) comes out, maybe.... maybe... we'll see a major change in audio quality for home use.... :) Lauren