PC Magazine's Mark Hachman contends that Microsoft's efforts to enter the MP3 market will fail, and that Apple will respond with something far better -- an ultrawideband-enabled iPod.

"Let's not beat around the bush -- this is purely speculation," Hachman writes. "But every UWB executive I've asked about this has clearly thought about marrying their UWB technology with Apple's player. You know that little chuckle you make inside when you draw pocket ACeS in poker? These guys actually chuckle that chuckle."

It does make a lot more sense than Wi-Fi: UWB offers high bandwidth, low power demands, security (thanks to its short range) -- and, most importantly, ease of use. "Replacing what once required wires with a wireless connection is magical," Hachman writes. "Wi-Fi does not inspire that same sense of wonderment. There are SSIDs to worry about, passphrases to set up, roaming profiles and per-minute charges and MAC addresses. Complexity abounds."

Hachman notes that Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference begins on August 7th. "A UWB-enabled iPod is an unlikely choice for a developer conference -- but it's just in time for the back-to-school season," he writes. "Wouldn't that make for a status symbol on campus?"