Devices Connect to the PC

One of the main advantages of the PC compared with traditional consumer electronics devices is its ability to transfer data-including digital media content-to and from peripheral devices. As part of its effort to establish the Windows PC as a home entertainment device, Microsoft has taken steps to ensure that portable (“on the go”) and networked (“in the home”) devices can connect to the PC and retrieve content from it. Despite these efforts, however, Apple continues to dominate the portable market with its iPod series of music and video players.

The importance of devices to Microsoft’s home entertainment strategy became clearer in late 2005 when the company’s mobile and embedded device business unit was moved out of the business-oriented Platforms division and into the same division (Entertainment and Devices) as other consumer products, including Xbox and online digital media services.

On the Go

Beginning in fall 2004, Microsoft took several steps to try to break Apple’s grip on the portable media player market, including the following: