MS patenting auto-downloading 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]