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Microsoft has released a guide for picking the right portable audio player, focusing on ten criteria:

• Size and weight
• Storage space
• Durability
• Screen
• Battery life
• File format
• User interface
• Music subscription services
• Miscellaneous options
• Shopping

Of course, while iTunes and AAC are listed as options, there is no mention of the market-dominating iPod, and most of the criteria are weighted against the iPod. For example: The durability section doesn't favor the iPod, and in some ways it recommends bulkier players; The storage space section recommends four gigs for most people, knowing full well that Apple's 4 gig Nano is their most poorly priced product; It recommends against paying more for fancy screens if all you want is music.

I also like this article, which has Apple and Microsoft user interface designers comparing notes and experiences.

UPDATE: Forgot to mention this: In a Fortune interview (via Digg), Steve Ballmer joked:Question: Do you have an iPod?

No, I do not. Nor do my children. My children-in many dimensions they're as poorly behaved as many other children, but at least on this dimension I've got my kids brainwashed: You don't use Google, and you don't use an iPod.Ballmer also comments on the AOL/Google deal, and says that newspaper and TV advertising are becoming more irrelevant and useless.

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Nathan Weinberg writes the popular InsideGoogle blog, offering the latest news and insights about Google and search engines.

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