No, not APPL v MSFT again - New comment on Microsoft Company Meeting 2006

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Yeah APPL got a good move on iPod -- but it will be like the 1950 audio greats of Marantz, Scott, and Fisher -- roadkill when the market really gets going.

The market is already "going". Try this on for size:

iTunes outsells traditional music stores
http://news.com.com/iTunes+outsells+traditional+music+stores/2100-1027_3-5965314.html

70 percent of the new cars sold in the US offer iPod connectivity as an option.
http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/12/live-from-the-steve-jobs-keynote-its-showtime/
Note, that's iPod connectivity, not Zune connectivity.

Walt Disney Chief Executive Robert Iger on Tuesday said the company sold 125,000 movie downloads worth $1 million in revenue through Apple Computer's iTunes online music store in the first week Disney movies were offered.
http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9588_22-6117655.html

The retail behemoth isn't happy about the iPod maker's plans to offer movie downloads through iTunes. Has Wal-Mart met its match?
http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/aug2006/db20060831_806225.htm
If Wal-Mart is scared, Apple must be on to something.

Over 450,000 Nike+iPod sport kits sold in less than 90 days. Note, that's Nike+*iPod* sport kits, not Nike+*Zune* sport kits.

Companies are falling over themselves to make accessories for the iPod.

And soon, with the iTV device (real name as yet to be released), Apple will also be in your living room.

My next portable digital audio player? An iPod, not a Zune.

Where do I go for my digital content? The iTunes Store, not the Zune Marketplace.

How many of my friends will buy Zunes, so that they can take advantage of wireless music sharing? Exactly zero.

The digital content and distribution market has arrived, and iPod+iTunes is clearly where it is at.

Honestly, I wish Microsoft good luck, but they really need to just sit back, re-evaluate their core competencies, and stop trying to conquer every market. It shows a clear lack of direction, and it just makes MS look like they are scrambling.

Innovation at Microsoft is dead. All I see is lame attempts at capturing markets already dominated by others.

It will take years before MS hits rock bottom, and years again for them to recover, if they can recover.

It will be an interesting story once it is over, that's for sure.

(I think we need something like a applvmsft.blogspot.com for all the APPL and MSFT fans to connect in productive dialogue. Right now, I've learned continuing points like this [and I appreciate the points above] just takes you off into the weeds.)