Pod Invasion, Wintel-Style (11/14/01)
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Say, remember how, at the iPod's big surprise intro, Steve mentioned that Apple was "considering" adding Windows support at some point down the line? Well, it looks like an enterprising third party may be sparing Apple the trouble. Faithful viewer Brian Oberquell pointed out that Mediafour Corporation is already hard at work on XPod: software which will grant Windows users access to the portable music player that's taking the whole world by storm. (Note: stormy world-taking is inferred by product reviews and anecdotal evidence, and may prove false upon the examination of actual sales data. Offer not valid in Tennessee. Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball.)

When you think about it, since the iPod is fundamentally a FireWire hard drive, there isn't a whole lot of doing necessary to provide basic functionality under Windows; all you really need, other than a PC with a FireWire port, is software that allows Windows to recognize Mac volumes. Several such products already exist (and by some incredible coincidence, Mediafour just happens to make one of them). But lest you think that XPod is just going to be some rushed-out cheesy hack that will require Windows users to drag MP3 files to the iPod's hidden music folder manually, faithful viewer resteves notes that Lockergnome MediaREPORT claims that XPod, when finished, will allow tracks to be uploaded directly from Windows Media Player. The iPod and Windows Media Player? Talk about a clash of cultures... Why do we get the feeling that Mediafour's biggest technical hurdle will be preventing the iPods from self-immolating in shock when connected to Microsoft's software?

Anyway, it sounds like the iPod will indeed be an option for Windows users, and sooner rather than later. That could be a bummer to Apple (especially if Steve was readying an "iPod: Only For Mac" ad blitz this holiday season), but more likely, our buddies in Cupertino are looking forward to it. For one thing, they'll see increased iPod sales from Windows users who would otherwise be locked out, and they won't have to develop or support their own Windows software. For another, Windows users who have enough taste to want to buy an iPod just might be close enough to the Platform Line that the iPod's incredible design and user interface might nudge them over into the Mac camp when it's time to upgrade their systems. And lastly, we'll be pretty surprised if XPod can manage the same sort of seamless integration with Windows Media Player that Apple accomplished with iTunes 2, so we're guessing that the Mac will remain the best platform for iPod owners anyway.

Heck, if nothing else, it warms the cockles of our hearts to think that Windows users might actually have to pay extra to use a peripheral. Sure feels nice to be wearing that shoe on the other foot for a change...

 
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From the writer/creator of AtAT, a Pandemic Dad Joke taken WAYYYYYY too far

 

The above scene was taken from the 11/14/01 episode:

November 14, 2001: Brace yourselves and secure the backups: Mac OS X 10.1.1 is here. Meanwhile, a third-party company takes the initiative to bring the iPod to Windows, and the Apple Store sells out of slot-loading CD-RW drives for the new PowerBook...

Other scenes from that episode:

  • 3394: It's Here-- And It's Safe (11/14/01)   Like some kind of unstoppable force from beyond, the Update Train just keeps on chug-chug-chugging along. We knew it was coming, and now it's finally made its presence known: faithful viewer Jon Rousseau tipped us off to the arrival of Mac OS X 10.1.1 late yesterday afternoon...

  • 3396: Yearning For The Burning (11/14/01)   You know, when Apple announced its new and improved PowerBooks last month and revealed our original prediction to be spookily accurate (DVD-ROM or CD-RW drives, but no combo option), we furrowed our collective brow in concern...

Or view the entire episode as originally broadcast...

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