DailyTech - Microsoft Patent Outlines an Actual Social Component to the Zune Social

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Gadgets Microsoft Patent Outlines an Actual Social Component to the Zune Social
Wolfgang Hansson (Blog) - September 25, 2007 3:56 PM

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11 comment(s) - last by HighWing.. on Sep 26 at 6:12 PM

Microsoft patent outlines software allowing users to subscribe to play lists and update automatically

History repeats itself with a new Microsoft patent turning up that outlines some possible future technology for the Zune. The patent describes a method of personalizing content on a portable media player -- similar in spirit to how TiVo automatically finds and records programming based on previously recorded shows.

Microsoft describes the service in its patent as, “a media service that can evaluate content based on a user’s media device as well as action related thereto to infer the user’s preferences.” If a user makes a playlist with a nice mix of music, his friends could then subscribe to the playlist. Every time the playlist updates, Zune-compatible friends could opt to update their playlist as well.

The WiFi-enabled Zune enables the possibility that as users go through their day and come into contact with WiFi hotspots, the Zune could be updated automatically with music based on friends' likes or on genres.

Podcasts could easily be rolled up into the playlists.

The patent also outlines methods of triggering updates based on time of day, updating or addition of new playlists by a person to whom the user has subscribed and several more options. The patent also outlines a method for rating tracks on a user’s device that would allow the deletion of the lowest rated files to make space for new tracks the user subscribed to or downloaded.

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Inaccuracy

By soxfan on 9/26/2007 7:26:56 AM , Rating: 3

"Microsoft patent outlines" should read "Microsoft patent application outlines." The document linked in the article is a published patent application, not a patent. And no, the difference is not a mere technicality.

Well that's nice

By nitrous9200 on 9/25/07, Rating: -1

RE: Well that's nice

By MatthewAC on 9/25/2007 5:19:06 PM , Rating: 2

Does everyone still use a walkman? No, eventually the iPod will loose it's steam and a new one will take its place, or just a general market of players.

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RE: Well that's nice

By omnicronx on 9/25/2007 7:41:55 PM , Rating: 2

quote:
or just a general market of players.

OR.... a better iphone...

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RE: Well that's nice

By Crowbar77 on 9/25/2007 11:44:38 PM , Rating: 2

You can't really compare the two, mp3 players are a lot more complex than sticking in a cd and pressing play. Everyone is so familiar with the ipod/itunes interface now that I can't see the average user wanting to completely relearn everything. Not to mention the DRM tying people to itunes.

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RE: Well that's nice

By Runiteshark on 9/26/2007 5:05:58 AM , Rating: 1

What?

In a CD player:
Laser with actuator to move it around the disk's radius
Sometimes an additional laser
Flash memory to cache several seconds or up to a minute ahead
Microcontroller to control use of buttons, track skipping etc
Small processor to determine CD position, track information, time, etc
Some have fancier equalizers
LCD screen with associated controller to display information

In an MP3 player:
Flash/hard drive based storage
Small processor thats used to scan the drive, build a small index of what is there, its length (and all the other crap you can ascertain by looking at a beginning of a music file)
Small microcontroller to control buttons
LCD screen with associated controller to display information

If anything, mp3 players are more simple, and much more powerful. By using a CD player, you couldn't change practically anything (as you hopefully know), whereas with a mp3 player, you can change the OS, or in some Mp3 players, provide upgrades etc.

Another example of its simplification, is that instead of having all the delicate controlling mechanisms for the laser and actuator to move said laser around, you just have a small, well documented interface to use (if you so choose to do so), and associated controllers.

Go look at homemade Mp3 players. Then go look at homemade CD players. Oh thats right, you wont find any.

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RE: Well that's nice

By Samus on 9/26/2007 6:05:30 AM , Rating: 2

good rundown, but you left DAC's out of both devices ;)

/geek

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RE: Well that's nice

By mmntech on 9/26/2007 11:06:22 AM , Rating: 2

DACs are the most critical part of any media device unless you're using a direct digital connection like SPDIF or HDMI. Even then, the receiver/amp needs DACs for the speakers. And yes, they can be upgraded, even in CD players. A lot of hard core audiophiles do it.

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