Get Off Microsoft

Microsoft has lots to worry about and can’t point fingers at iPhone security while living in the glass house of Windows Mobile. This explains why the Gartner analysts that adhere to Microsoft’s way of thinking took the first propaganda shot against the iPhone, calling it unfit for business due to lack of security measures.

Among several Windows Vista patches released yesterday, Microsoft included one that lets iPods be disconnected without getting corrupted. This time, Microsoft blinked first and fixed the problem.

So far there have been no reports of trouble with the iTunes 7.1 update, other than Vista problems. The new iTunes version 7.1.1., released last week, which packs a lot of new features, fixes some of these problems, but not all.

It looks like Apple is serious about not licensing its FairPlay Digital Rights Management (DRM) technology used to protect music sold through its iTunes online store.

Microsoft, with Zune, is making the classic mistake of using price, features, and incremental improvements to compete against the iPod.

What might make Microsoft’s Zune better than the iPod is its price — as yet unannounced. But how low must Toshiba go before anyone will pay attention?

Apple can head off any real competition to the iPod by switching its policy and licensing FairPlay.

Controversy about privacy swirled briefly around Apple’s latest iTunes update, which turns on a new feature that transmits listening habits back to Apple.

Bill Gates used the Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show to provide yet another glimpse of Microsoft Vista, and Google introduced an online video service that has everyone confused.

Macworld Expo in S.F. in early January is more than just a rally for Mac users. Apple’s Steve Jobs typically trots out something totally new and cool for the faithful. The buzz focuses on two important areas: Macs with Intel chips, and a new video delivery system.