Hoping to loosen Apple Computer's grip on the digital music player market, Microsoft is rallying consumer electronics companies to form a common link.
The software maker is part of a working group launched last week by the Consumer Electronics Association to develop a standard port for connecting gadgets like music players to audio systems in homes and cars.
"It is important for the industry to create an open, industrywide standard for docking connectors that will give consumers greater access to the digital entertainment they have stored on devices," Jai Jaisimha, the lead program manager in Microsoft's Windows digital media division, said in a statement.
It's the latest in a series of moves by Microsoft to try to unify the many device makers and music sellers that use its technology.
Apple's popular iPod already has a standard dock connector that allows all recent models to connect to speakers, car kits and other devices.
However, other music player makers, such as Creative Labs, Dell and iRiver, have designed their own ports. That makes it difficult for accessory manufacturers, which need to design add-ons that will work with the multiple formats.
Most build accessories for the iPod, the market leader. Apple collects a cut from each "made for iPod" add-on that connects to the music player's port.
Ray Ozzie, Microsoft's chief technology officer, has praised Apple for its integration of the iPod hardware and iTunes service. Other executives have acknowledged Apple's lead in the area, and Microsoft has gone as far as to tout iPod compatibility as one of the features of the just-released Xbox 360 games console.
Microsoft said it has heard from a variety of companies--including those that make the devices, those who sell them, those who build accessories and car makers--that there needs to be a standard among devices. The need is particularly acute inside the car, said Chad Hodge, a group product manager in Microsoft's Windows digital media unit.
"Having 15 different connectors on the dash of your car doesn't seem like a good experience," Hodge said. "I'll give credit to Apple; they've done a really good job there."
Carving a slice
There appears to be a long list of companies that,
like Microsoft, want to take a bite from Apple's pie.
So far over 60 people from more than 40 companies have signed up to be part of the working group, according to the CEA. They include representatives from Creative Technology, iRiver, Sirius, Belkin, Best Buy, Bose and Nokia. Apple is not a member of the group. The group came out of CEA committee discussions over the summer and had its first meeting earlier this month. Microsoft's Jaisimha is chairing the effort.
The working group aims to have a connector that maps out both an electrical and mechanical standard, so companies can design common accessories. However, the specification would not dictate what digital music encryption methods are used. It would also allow for both analog and digital output.
Although such collaborations always take time, there is a sense of urgency on the part of all involved.
"The goal is to get it done certainly next year, hopefully by mid-next year," said Dave Wilson, the director of standards and technology at the CEA.
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