The software, XPod, would let users with a Windows PC and a FireWire port connect to the device. Mediafour announced this week that it is at work on an XPod beta, but did not give a launch date.
IPod has won the praise of many critics for combining the high storage capacity of players like Creative's Jukebox with the pocket-sized form factor of more traditional digital music players. It costs US$399 in the States, and is available on Apple's Web site.
There's one catch, however: most Windows machines, unlike Macs, don't come with FireWire built in, an exception being Sony's VAIO series. FireWire add-on cards are available, but will add another £80 or so to the already pricey iPod.
Mediafour, based in the US, makes cross-platform Windows-Mac software, such as Macdrive, which lets Windows boot Mac discs.
