Apple and Microsoft Battle Over Wi-Fi iPod

Finally, finally, Apple and Microsoft are taking seriously the idea of putting Wi-Fi into digital music players, at least according to the rumors that are currently making the rounds. While Wi-Fi players have been on the market for at least a year, no major, name-brand company has released one yet, and no one has one that can connect to the Internet, only to a PC.

Why the delay? The big issue is what exactly you would do with Wi-Fi on a handheld. Using it to connect to a PC isn't that interesting, since most users charge their device via USB already. What's more interesting is using Wi-Fi to connect directly to the internet, so you can immediately download music wherever there's a hotspot.

However, the interface issue is a big concern: Using Wi-Fi usually requires entering a security key or paying for access. In lieu of a small keyboard or even a numeric keypad, entering a lengthy encryption key with the iPod's click wheel would be a headache of immense proportions. Every hotspot is different, so doing this over and over again could numb the brain.

Then there's the question of power consumption. Wi-Fi really eats the juice, and MP3 players are already notorious for having barely-passable battery life. (That's been the chief complaint about the iPod since the very beginning.) Adding a wireless radio to that mix could knock 20 percent or more off the battery life.

I'm assuming that a Wi-Fi iPod would be a little larger, and may have room for a bigger battery inside, so this problem might be minimized. If Apple's smart, it'll ensure the radio stays off unless it's in active use.

Despite the challenges, the rumors are flying: Both Apple and Microsoft (which doesn't have an iPod competitor at all right now) have Wi-Fi players in the works. It's even theorized that Microsoft's music player might also be a handheld game console, though I find this highly unlikely. (Game consoles are usually announced months or years in advance, so game developers can actually work on the games.)

Both devices, if the rumors hold, should arrive by Christmas. But what do you think? Would you buy one?