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Apr 12, 2001
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News.com reports that Microsoft is taking cues from Apple's digital hub strategy with its own "Microsoft Plus Digital Media Edition" to be introduced on Tuesday.

"This raises the water for tens of millions of PC users," said Richard Doherty, president of research firm Envisioneering Group. "It's a way for them to get some of the flavor and sizzle of a full media center PC from Hewlett-Packard or Gateway without buying a new PC. Even if they bought a Pentium 3 or 4 computer, this will bring them a lot closer to the ease of use of, say, the iMac."

The software package, which will sell for $19.95 contains added features beyond Apple's current offerings.
 
MSFT couldn't find an original idea of its own if it **** on its face.

(and no, that's not a typo :D )
 
This isn't news.com this is history.com! Microsoft has been doing this for years. Sadly their products never have the apple user feeling. I'm sure you guys what I'm talking about ;)
 
I think it's a nice try by Microsoft but I don't think it will matter much. One of the reasons Apple's Digital Hub strategy works so well is their complete control over the hardware and software. That's what makes the integration between the different iApps and external devices work so flawlessly. Also, I think Apple has a better idea of what people really want instead of just a bunch of junk that no one will ever really use. I doubt Microsoft could pull off something like iSync that works as well as Apple's version (although I hear it's not too great...but it's still in beta). Also, the article notes that Movie Maker 2.0 will be released on Jan. 7. That's the same day as Job's keynote at MWSF...I'm hoping that iMovie 3.0 will come out and kick some major ASS!! and put the newly released Movie Maker years behind on it's first day of release!
 
well, ok, but this is part of competition. granted, the story is always that apple has a great idea and MS steals it and makes more with it, but that is part of the market. this forces apple to come up with something better. i like that a lot. if apple weren't pressured, progress would slow. now maybe they will have to hurry on iTunes 4.
 
The software also includes features for people to host a digital music "party" on the PC. Called Plus Party mode, the technology provides a password-protected environment for people to mix collections of music, add visual effects or an interactive guest book.

The answer to a question nobody asked.
 
It's a real shame.. Although apple is in the lead know, MS will eventually catch up and surpass them. And people of the future will say : "remember the day when Microsoft annoced the Digital Hub..."

I really hate ms more now than ever ! apple needs to cut off Office v.X for mac and make Appleworks 7 on both markets, a version that can actually do something ! Apple should also make Appleworks 7 95/98 compatible, cause ms has locked out those users with newer versions of office.
 
Originally posted by adamcoop
The software also includes features for people to host a digital music "party" on the PC. Called Plus Party mode, the technology provides a password-protected environment for people to mix collections of music, add visual effects or an interactive guest book.

The answer to a question nobody asked.

guestbook on a PC... how sad... how am I going to digitally sign ? By typing my name ? MS logic...
 
Originally posted by adamcoop


No, you'd type something original, that no one had thought of before... How un-microsoft.

Yeah.. and after you type it, you would have to accept 3 license agreements giving away your home, car & life to microsoft.
 
Originally posted by dantec
It's a real shame.. Although apple is in the lead know, MS will eventually catch up and surpass them. And people of the future will say : "remember the day when Microsoft annoced the Digital Hub..."

I really hate ms more now than ever ! apple needs to cut off Office v.X for mac and make Appleworks 7 on both markets, a version that can actually do something ! Apple should also make Appleworks 7 95/98 compatible, cause ms has locked out those users with newer versions of office.

Agree with you completely on the Office/Appleworks angle.

As for the first part, about the MS surpassing of Apple, I hope my sarcasm early warning system is malfunctioning...:confused:
 
Re: $19.95.

Originally posted by bryank1
We don't have to pay for this stuff in OS X

That's a good point

However

HP, Dell and others will probably throw it in for free, and market their machines as the most wonderful home movie making computers in the world.

And the idiots will buy it.
 
Originally posted by adamcoop
...mix collections of music...

How does this fit in with Palladium and the whole 'copying music is bad' thing?

Probably under Zero Conf, which Apple is calling Rendezvous. Although MS will probably call it "Microsoft We're the First to do This XP ":rolleyes:.

RL
 
Originally posted by adamcoop


Angry, angry young man.

While I agree with you, have used OS 9 lately?

I use OS 9 every day for audio work, and it never crashes. Sure OMS is a jerk sometimes, but other than that, it's solid. 9.2.2 is the OS of gods I tell you!
 
Originally posted by adamcoop


Angry, angry young man.

While I agree with you, have used OS 9 lately?

There we go again......
I bet you wanted to say it's not stable.... bah
I still use it every day 24/7. and no crashes.
oops off topic.
I just can't stand "I hate OS9" whiners or
Micro$oft. Bah
Positive thing is that M$ will nevr bring out something that actually works as it is meant to work.
Only APPLE succeeds there.
 
Originally posted by iwantanewmac


There we go again......
I bet you wanted to say it's not stable.... bah
I still use it every day 24/7. and no crashes.
oops off topic.
I just can't stand "I hate OS9" whiners or
Micro$oft. Bah
Positive thing is that M$ will nevr bring out something that actually works as it is meant to work.
Only APPLE succeeds there.

Acrobat, now there's a product that crashes regardless of whether it's used on OS 9 or X.

Out of interest, what programs are you using 24/7?
 
Originally posted by skunk
This is very interesting from the CD copying point of view: where does MS stand now? What price copy-protection?

Perhaps you can only share songs for which you have a receipt, a 16 digit serial number (generated by Microsoft), and a letter from the band.
 
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