Microsoft readying music player and store to compete with Apple

It’s been a long time coming, but Reuters is reporting that Microsoft is preparing an MP3 player and music store to compete with the ever-so-popular iPod and iTunes Music Store. The “sources familiar with [Microsoft's] plans” have not given any details or specs, but apparently Microsoft is going to build in more social aspects than Apple has. Possibly another digg-like rating system to join AOL? They will focus on the pay-per-download model, but will also have subscription options similar to other PlaysForSure services. Maybe they’ll even utilize their Urge partnership with MTV. Pictured is the supposed iPod-killer that was sent into Engadget at the beginning of this month. It looks like there’s some sort of antenna on it, but maybe that’s just the blurriness of the picture. If we hear anything further, we’ll let you know.

Via [Engadget]