The first handheld devices to play music and movies on Microsoft's so-called "iPod killer" software will be available in Europe in the second half of 2004. The devices will run on Microsoft's yet-to-be-unveiled Portable Media Centre software in a direct assault on iPod, Apple Computer's hugely popular digital music player. Working with a host of manufacturing partners, Microsoft is introducing a device that plays movies and stores digital photos as well as songs in a bid to grab a share of the fast-growing digital media player market.
|