Xbox Next = Ipod killer?

USSR · Post by **USSR** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 7:15 am

The Xbox Next will come with an external, palm-sized hard drive, which can be used like the Apple iPod.

Microsoft's J Allard supposedly said Microsoft was planning: to sell its next-gen console's hard drive separately, to have it be self-powered, and to infuse it with MP3 and WMA playback functionality. He allegedly boasted it would be an "iPod killer," as Microsoft would sell it at a loss for a mere $100. While optional HDDs are undesirable from a development perspective (just look at all those PS2 HDD-compatible games), the thought of a $100 handheld 40GB MP3 player and game storage device sounds like a geek's dream.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 10:59 am

Sounds like a cool concept. Supposedly this rumor came from some guy who snowboarded with Allard, who got a little drunk and spilled.

But if MS is interested in saving money and thus not making the HDD built-in, then how would they save money by selling a 40 GB MP3 player for $100? That severely underprices the current MP3 players in the market so MS would be selling these for a loss.

So they take the HDD out to save money but would sell it as an add-on with more features at a price that is likely to be at a loss?

davet010 · Post by **davet010** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 12:54 pm

What on Earth would be the point of that ? All of the gaming storage for the Xbox 2 is likely to be flash memory, so this sounds like a pointless exercise.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 1:17 pm

Won't happen. No one would even by an Xbox...just the HD.

Blublub · Post by **Blublub** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 5:55 pm

Somehow I don't think Steve Jobs is exactly soiling himself in fear.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 6:44 pm

Blublub wrote:Somehow I don't think Steve Jobs is exactly soiling himself in fear.

Especially considering the success of the Mini. 5 week wait to get a mini direct from Apple.com...sheesh. Glad I got mine the day it came out.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Tue Apr 13, 2004 6:58 pm

There is a story today about the Mini suffering from scratchy sound. It appears the headphone jack is flimsy. Apple is investigating they said.

BTW, they say pink is the most popular color while silver is the least popular. Pink is favored by females while males go for the conservative silver. This data will add to the perception of it being a chick gadget, which is too bad since that size is what more people are going to demand.