Xbox 360 and iPod interoperability? Sort of
Microsoft has made claim that the Xbox 360 enables the user to transfer MP3’s from any MP3 player, including the very popular (and very proprietary) Apple iPod. However, that compatibility is only for MP3 and AAC formats, and not for the proprietary iTunes format used by Apple to protect downloaded music. It may very well be possible that a backlash will occur from this due to the iPod being proprietary, as in Apple could possibly release a version of iTunes or come out with a new iPod with firmware that could block the transfer of MP3’s to the Xbox 360 console.
Officially, the company says the new console can stream music from just about any MP3 player. But during a preview of the next-generation console in San Francisco last month, Microsoft execs talked up the interoperability between iPods and the Xbox 360. “When you plug your iPod in,” Xbox digital-entertainment executive producer Jeff Henshaw told CNET News.com, “the Xbox 360 automatically detects that it’s there. You can browse by artist or album or genre or by custom playlist.” However, because of the iPod’s digital-rights-management software, the Xbox 360 cannot stream songs purchased from Apple’s iTunes Music Store, Henshaw said. There’s a reason for that: Microsoft built its iPod connection without the support of the folks at Apple. “We do not have an official relationship with Apple for the iPod connectivity,” said Scott Henson, product unit manager in Microsoft’s advanced technology group. He maintains that “Xbox 360 leverages standard protocols such as USB mass storage to enable iPod support.”
Comments are closed.