Bloomberg: Microsoft's Allard-Created Portable Due This Xmas Posted by XanTium | July 5 19:37 EST

From gamasutra.com: [QUOTE] A news report from financial website Bloomberg claims that Microsoft plans to release a J Allard-overseen wireless portable music and video player in time for Christmas, in a move to directly compete with Apple's popular iPod player. The news follows a March report from San Jose Mercury News reporter Dean Takahashi that Allard is heading efforts to create a new portable, Xbox branded game console, with other prominent Xbox figures also being involved and some music/video functionality - but it is unclear whether this device is the same as the one cited in the Bloomberg report. According to the news agency, Microsoft's upcoming digital player, whose creation is being overseen by J Allard as well as Xbox executive Robbie Bach, will include wireless internet connectivity, so users will be able to download music without a computer - a feature not currently supported by the iPod. However, as previously mentioned, there is no mention of anything video game related with regards to the forthcoming handheld, which will apparently feature a higher quality screen than currently available on the iPod, leaving the possibility of game compatibility extant. [/QUOTE] Read More: gamasutra.com and bloomberg.com

Good. Competetion will hopefully get Apple to make the iPod better.

I would like to know the storage capacity and the price of this thing.

i would like m$ to release a portable media/gaming device

Oh brother...

I can see it now. "Use your gamertag to log into Xbox Live and download X-tunes! You can use your Xbox360 or the X-tunes handheld to add MS points to your account...blah blah blah..."

Not only better but cheaper. I have a 30 gig ipod video myself. I Agree, competition is good.
The ipods are a bit overpriced especially those nano's.
$249 for 4 gigs.. HA!!

I think they will call it the L!ve Player unless it's going to be a portable console going up against the PSP, then they should call it the XBX because it flows and sounds better for marketing purposes or they could call it XBP which stands for XBOX Portable.

Not to dis the PSP, but how often do you hear someone saying that gaming is the main reason they got one? Most of the people I know of who have one, got it as a portable media device. And considering how important third parties are to any video gaming console (portable or not), the idea of creating something for a '06 release without any hype at the '06 annual gaming convention E3 seems unlikely. I just hope that the media compatibility is better than it is on the 360.

Don't know about around there, but here I see tons of people playing a PSP at school.

Also, I agree with the competition stuff, I already have an ipod nano, but it will be nice for people wanting to buy one. I don't think they can compete with Apple though, Apple has built a pretty good name for themselves when it comes to ipod, but hey only time will tell.

YYYAAAWWWNNNN!!!! Is it me or are we just spectulating?? If you ask me, its has nothing to do with gaming untill confirmed. More useless info.

if it is like that im sold.

Exactly. PSPs are great for kids who have to sit in the car on trips while Mom and Dad drive to the soccer game or during study hall/free period. But seriously, my brother got one for me for my birthday in April and I never use it, but I can't sell it because it would look bad. Why does a 26 year-old need a portable gaming device? For that matter, what is the obsession with having all your music with you 24/7? I'm a musician and I don't even need to have music at my hip like a freaking siamese twin.

my psp is in my cabinet collecting dust..
other than gta... the psp games suck!!!

Too much speculation and not enough substance. Also those who are anti-psp and want to sell theirs I know a number of interested parties.

kick ass...

Damn it!
And I just broke down and bought a DS Lite

Oh well, this better be a portable gaming device and it better have dual analog controls.
Lets hope M$ learned from Sony's mistake with the PSP.
3D graphics without 3D gameplay.... Lame....