Well Microsoft, as usual, continues on in its game of catch up with just about everybody around.
From its new Zune player, aka “iPod killer,” to the new Windows Live, aka “Google killer,” those deep pockets up in Redmond have taken reverse-engineering to a different level.
Now they have devised a new site called Soapbox, their venerable answer to YouTube. The site is still closed to the public, but for those wishing to volunteer they have a sign up list for beta testers starting today. It will launch to the public as part of MSN Video within 6 months.
What’s not really addressed so far as I can see is why? Why is Microsoft bothering with this “YouTube killer?” YouTube has not only found it difficult or make real money from its site, but it has also been recently sued by Universal Music Group for alleged copyright infringement. The only real bright spot for YouTube was news from a a few days ago, that Warner Music had agreed to distribute its songs and music videos on the site under an ad revenue sharing deal. Could Microsoft have similar deals in the works or will each and every piece of media be vetted by their legal dept.? Microsoft does make some note of this by apparently offering to to take down any material per objection by the copyright holder.
Either way I’m not sure Microsoft is filling a niche here and most likely instead looking to push aside the competition as usual.
“It’s really early days in online video; this is still act one,” said Rob Bennet, general manager of MSN’s entertainment and video services.”We’re definitely not blind to the fact that YouTube has a big lead right now.” Isn’t this what they also said about Netscape?
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bastards
leave my youtube alone!
Seems like microsoft isnt about innovation no more there trying to catch up to the people and sites that have taken off.. Microsoft doesnt lead the way no more but are trying to catch up from behind everyone after they got a strong following of people.
I couldnt agree more……….
Microsoft doesn’t work with “Partner(s)” & using their proprietary DRM technology. They believe they can enter online video business however Microsoft isn’t known for running great online socializing services. So I bet they will “not” be able to compete with YouTube & MySpace!
Microsoft is going to flop in all the music and video content distribution schemes because they are simply too restrictive. It is already a fact that most people that buy an iPod which is THE most popular mp3 player already do not purchase most of their tunes from the iStore! What makes Microsoft think they can charge the same amount DRM it to death and people will pay the same high prices as their competition??
If apple and youtube are the leaders what makes Microsoft think they can de-throne them? Because they make an operating system that is used in a majority of computers?? I don’t think so. They had better stick with trying to make a DECENT OS…because after Vista bombs and it will they will already have their hands full trying to make a decent OS again.
Well I think it’s funny with all of the money they rake in and the amount of minds they have employed there that they haven’t innovated a single thing since…ever. I mean the original MS Dos was stolen for heaven’s sake. Even Windows Vista is FAR behind apple if any of you have a mac you know what I’m talking about. Sure Windows has more compatibility but duh!. One of these days Linux is going to get it’s crap together and make the ULE (united linux effort) version and put Microsoft on the ropes then maybe they’ll get the eye of the tiger back. I guess Microsoft just needs something else to blow their money on.
Well thats really the sad thing I mean with all that cash and employees its a downright shame. They need to divide everyone into like groups of 10 and just have them brainstrom and be given carte blanche to truly come up with new and innovating ideas.
The sad thing is that with all the thousands of employees and billions spent annually what are al these people doing exactly? Fixing bugs in IE or XP? I mean c’mon now. Turn that wasted talent loose like Google and give people the freedom to create new and exciting things for a change.
It has to be really depressing as an employee there to have to “imitate” the great works of others rather than being given a chance to let your imagination and talent run free and create bold and new innovations rather thane merely squash the innovations of others. Again Netscape anyone?
All that wasted talent such a shame. And even more of a shame is all the people out there who know of IE and nothing else. Windows runs their world by default and they dont even know it.
Hopefully know that Apple has decided to put Intel chips into their new Macs will we perhaps at last have a true choice. Time will only tell but hopefully Jobs will ease up on his iron fisted control of all things Apple and allow it to finally openly compete with dam Microsoft. Otherwise we’ll all be sentenced to a new MS OS Vista and all bets are off on that one.
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