MS patenting auto-downloading playlists
updated 09:45 am EDT, Fri September 21, 2007
MS Auto-Download Playlists
Microsoft may ultimately have developed an edge for its Zune media player that takes better advantage of its wireless networking than even Apple, according to a recently published patent filing. Dubbed "Automatic delivery of personalized content to a portable media player with feedback," the application would let users load playlists on a handheld that would intelligently queue downloads of tracks depending on the user's preferences. On a basic level, a device using the patent could collect the metadata from songs and notice which songs are played through to completion or skipped. This would automatically sync with a remote server that would push recommended songs to the playlist with each update, ensuring a constant rotation of new but welcome music on the player, according to Microsoft.
The method could also be used to link with outside recommendations, the company adds. Users who know they share similar tastes could have playlists joined to each other's media devices that would refresh themselves with new music from a media server as one user or the other loads and plays new music. Commercial services could also establish playlists, such as a personalized "radio station" or recommended music from a favorite artist or a promotional song.
Microsoft's patent does not explain how users would obtain content legally, though unlimited music subscription models such as the Zune Pass or Windows Media's "Janus" DRM format would allow the downloads without extra purchases or copyright issues. A successfully developed system would mean that users could theoretically avoid having to manage at least some of their song collection on a PC to add or delete tracks on the media player, the Redmond, Washington-based firm says.
Although the company is under no obligation to use the patent, the original filing was made in March 2006 during the development of the Zune and suggests a possible feature addition for the impending Zune update. The move may also represent some or all of Microsoft's first attempt at countering the wireless features of players released on the market since the Zune's November 2006 release, such as the direct music download features of Apple's iPod touch or SanDisk's Sansa Connect. [via ZDNet]
skipped songs
09/21, 10:16am reply
I often place music on shuffle to listen to a variety, and skip based upon my mood. It does not mean I don't like it (why would I put it in my playlist if I didn't?????
I sort of do like the iTunes/Amazon approach of others who bought this also bought....
dynsight
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: May 2005
iTunes sort of does this
09/21, 10:26am reply
iTunes already keeps Star ratings and skip counts. Users can easily make smart playlists that do what this patent claims to do.
hayesk
Professional Poster
Joined: Sep 1999
love that picture..
09/21, 11:01am reply
it's hilarious..!
Rezzz
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Joined: Jan 2006
there's either
09/21, 12:01pm reply
one crucial patentable process in that long list of stuff, or the patent would have to cover the entire list in it's entirety.
If the latter, then the entire list of processes as described, would have to be duplicated in order to have a chance at defending infringment. I'm pretty sure most of those processes - examined singly - existed through one piece of software or another, before Microsoft got their hands on them.
Flying Meat
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Joined: Jan 2007
picture...
09/21, 12:03pm reply
...so he's the guy who bought the Zune. Would've thought he'd want to stay anonymous.
Feathers
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 1999
WOW!!
09/21, 01:26pm reply
A patent on auto-moving suggested songs! What an innovative leap from a "Just for You" list! The creativeness of the human mind is just unbelievable! The INCREDIBLE patents just keep flowing like a river!!!
chulitomio
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Joined: May 2004
deleted
09/21, 01:26pm reply
deleted
chulitomio
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Joined: May 2004
"squircle"
09/21, 02:03pm reply
did they get that sucker patented too?
Herod
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Joined: Jun 2007
dell
09/21, 05:03pm reply
The sad thing is the number of people buying macs and then just running bootleg copies of windows on it.
Indeed it felt so much more special when apple wasn't just a purveyor of stylised clones
also don't underestimate dell, they're going to bounce back with that DellDJ.
chucker
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Joined: Mar 2007
chucker
09/21, 06:44pm reply
What the h*** are you talking about?
Anyway - back to the MS playlist thing. The key word here is "push" -- what a surprise, MS is going to determine what you like and then "push" it at you. The problem - in 30 years MS has never been able to figure out what people like.
robttwo
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Joined: Nov 2005