Santa Brings Microsoft's iPod rival

Microsoft plans to compete with Apple Computer's Ipod and is gathering resources in order to do so before the holiday shopping season. Microsoft Ipod's challenger will take form as a portable music and video player and aims to shake the supremacy of Apple as the world's largest provider of such products and services.

At this time, Apple's Ipod reigns supreme controlling over 77% of the 4 billion dollars US market, as studies from market researcher NPD Group Inc. indicate. Besides that, Apple's iTunes music store commands over 72 percent of all digital music downloaded.

The Redmond Company has discussed its future project with several record companies including EMI Group Plc and Universal Music Group, and TV broadcasters NBC, Fox and CBS Corp.. But Microsoft representatives, as well as those of the music companies and the TV networks have vigorously denied that the meeting had as main purpose an accord regarding music and video content that will eventually be used against Apple's iTunes.

Microsoft's device will bring a few new features to the table, but the Redmond Company has as yet to devise an "ace up the sleeve" like option that will clearly shift the balance in its favor and provide a marketable and lucrative advantage. So far, iPod's rival will feature a wireless fidelity connection to the computer as a standard characteristic and a superior screen quality. Its price wasn't announced but there are speculations that it will be considerably lower than the Apple product.