Microsoft and its hardware partners will continue to develop new digital media devices aimed at challenging the dominance of Apple's iPod music player, according to chairman Bill Gates.
"I don't think what's out on the market today is the final answer," Mr Gates said, speaking to a group of minority students. "Between us and our partners, you can expect some pretty hot products coming out over the next few years."
Mr Gates praised Apple's iTunes music store and said Microsoft was talking with hardware partners to create media devices that were less expensive, easier to connect and that handled pictures and video better.
He said the market share for digital music players compatible with Microsoft software was around 20 percent, a figure that is lower than he would like.
Microsoft's strategy has been to allow various device manufacturers to create players that would be compatible with its software, arguing that it offered consumers more options.
However, BusinessWeek reported last week that Microsoft was mulling its own media device in an effort to cut into Apple's nearly 70 per cent US market share. The company declined to comment on the article at the time.
Story source:
theinquirer.net.
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