No. 1 Story
Construction needs cloud flexibility
Australia’s embattled construction sector could benefit from cloud based information systems that can be switched on and off in lockstep with individual projects – with the exception of those organisations based in remote areas like the Kimberleys.
read moreZune plus Xbox 360 may give Microsoft the edge
Stan Beer
Saturday, 16 September 2006 19:21
Of course, unless you're a gamer, at first glance Microsoft's US$498 solution (you'll need the US$399 20GB Xbox 360 plus the US$99 adapter) may seem an expensive one compared to Apple's US$299 iTV. However, Xbox 360 is here already, while iTV is still just a promise for 2007.
Another factor to consider is Apple's fanatical penchant for keeping everything a closed system. Thus, it's a pretty safe bet to assume that iTV will only stream iTunes content to the TV from your PC or Mac or iPod.
This may be where Microsoft will gain an advantage. A wirelessly fitted out Xbox 360 could stream video and music from a number of sources, in a number of formats, including iPod (only non-iTunes music because of the Apple DRM), most other MP3 players, Amazon Unbox, Guba, CinemaNow, Movielink and the other video and music download sites.
The non-Apple world mostly uses either Microsoft's PlayForSure DRM or no DRM.
Presumably Zune, as well as being able download music and eventually videos from Microsoft's own store the Zune Marketplace, will also be compatible with videos and music from just about every download source other than iTunes.
In addition, Zune, unlike iPod, is going to be an 802.11 wireless device, which means that it may well just fit into the wireless home network like the Xbox 360, thus allowing users to stream music and videos wirelessly to and from their Xbox 360 and PC. iPod as we now know remains a wireless device.
As we have found out in the past couple of days, Zune is only making a half-hearted attempt to match the iPod for style. However, with a bigger screen, a more robust casing, wireless networking capabilities and tight integration with Xbox 360, Zune may well have enough ammunition to give Apple's iPod a run for its money.
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