Microsoft Reportedly Plans Digital Player
Microsoft Corp. is preparing to roll out a portable digital music player later this year, an apparent bid to capture a slice of the market now dominated by the iPod, music industry executives said Thursday.
The worlds largest software maker has been briefing record companies on the proposed device that would play digital music and video files and carry wireless technology enabling users to download music without linking to a computer, according to executives who spoke on condition of anonymity because plans for the player have not been made public.
In addition, Microsoft has engaged in talks to secure licenses to sell digital content for the device, the executives said.
It was unclear if the company intended to augment its existing online music service, MSN Music, or build a new one.
