Zune, Microsoft’s iPod competitor

Published on Thursday, September 14th, 2006

Microsoft has just publicly announced Zune, their iPod competitor. And, surprisingly enough, at least it doesn’t look as tacky as I expected. According to TechCrunch in Zune is Here:

The Zune has 802.11 networking built in and you can send a song to your friend for three days or three plays…

Yeah, that’s just what we need: more protection and DRM paranoia. It is interesting, though, that they believe there is such an interest out there for sharing music with other people. Maybe there is, maybe there isn’t; I don’t know. But I have to say I’m a bit curious about how the general market will react to this…

A picture of the Zune digital media player from Microsoft

I also have to admit that I laughed out loud when reading CrunchGear’s Zune is Here:

The Zune will include in the box earphones, a protective sleeve, a USB sync cable and a sticker (oh boy!).

A sticker is definitely the thing that will push me over the brink! I gotta have one!

For now, I think I’ll just stick with my iPod.

Posted in Technology | 13 comments

13 comments

David
September 14th, 2006 at 21:52

I think they’re right that people want to share music - unfortunately, people want to share DRM-free music so that they can do what they like with it. 3 listens is ludicrous.

And 30GB seems a bit low, especially in light of Apple’s recent upgrade.
Goulven
September 14th, 2006 at 22:51

Come to think of it, there was a pair of stickers alongside my iPod. Funny, huh?
Or, to be more precise, there was exactly the same gear in the box. Who said that MS didn’t recycle Apple’s ideas?

If only they had come up with an iPhone, that would have been a wise move considering the strong push for it. But no, Steve didn’t dare so they won’t try either –too risky.

…still, I wouldn’t mind connecting to any computer with a regular USB cable. This non-standard dock thing breaks my standardista’s heart…
Hayden Noonan [Duste]
September 15th, 2006 at 1:32

Sounds very interesting. That built-in 802.11 networking would be a gem if it didn’t have a time or play limit, and I really like the design!

You know, I think I may actually switch over to a Zune. Maybe…
Robert Nyman - author
September 15th, 2006 at 15:17

David,

Yeah, I agree. 30 GB is definitely sufficient, but doesn’t seem enough compared to Apple’s new releases.

Goulven,

Ha ha! So Apple are stickers-people too!
I’m convinced there will be an iPhone; just give it a little more time.

Hayden,

If you do, please let me know what you think about it.
Olly
September 15th, 2006 at 15:20

I wonder if it time-limits regular MP3’s and other non-DRM content…?
Robert Nyman - author
September 15th, 2006 at 15:28

Olly,

Good question. Unfortunately I don’t know the answer to it…
Jeroen Mulder
September 18th, 2006 at 12:17

Still, looking at the bigger picture, it will be interesting to see what Microsoft is going to do. I’ll be the last to say they won’t succeed — Xbox is a good example of how they managed to find their own spot in the console market.

I am positive Microsoft is capable of doing better than Apple. Apple is starting to slip and it’s time for something new and innovative, because it sure isn’t Apple. Whether that’s WiFi sharing or not remains to be the question. They might not get it right in the first generation of the Zune, but they have everything they need to get it right later on.

Regarding the stickers, while it may seem trivial, it’s a clever viral marketing technique. Now all we need is a great product in an even greater ecosystem
Robert Nyman - author
September 18th, 2006 at 12:29

Jeroen,

Oh, absolutely, it is definitely interesting and Microsoft have some enormous resources if they set their mind at succeeding.

I just don’t agree with you about the Microsoft stickers…
zunevideo
November 23rd, 2006 at 9:40

Zune had releaseg ,do you know how to Converter DVD to Zune and How to rip DVD and put DVD on Zune? Please visit below website there have some software can help you complete .

http://www.bestshareware.net/howto/rip-DVD-and-put-DVD-on-zune.htm
Tonqn
December 6th, 2006 at 6:35

Zune vs iPod Comparison here!
DVD to Zune
January 11th, 2007 at 2:18

Apple has just released its news product-iPhone, which seems to cover the whole digital market. Still there is sth left for us to compare.:Which can provides video as we want? No. If you try
DVD to Zune , you may converter any DVD to zune video.
Muh Chelle
October 14th, 2007 at 23:20

I’ve been looking into buying a zune for several weeks now. I’m a bit confused with people’s reviews. On the first few sites I looked up reviews for the 30gb zune about 39% were negative, 50% were positive and 11% were neutral.

So what’s the deal:
Is the software really that bad?
How much does it cost for one of the plans to buy music?
How do I put music I already have on my computer onto the device?
Should I buy an extended coverage plan?
What’s the average life of a zune?
Major Pros and Cons?
Can ‘Limewire’ be used to put music on this device?

Please help! haha I’m so confused!
-Michelle
Robert Nyman - author
October 16th, 2007 at 11:46

Muh Chelle,

I’m sorry, but I don’t own a Zune, so I don’t really feel in title to answer your questions. Please follow the links in comments above to find more information.

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