A lot of people today are excited about the new Zune HD. And that’s great news for Microsoft, as it has been attempting for a few years now to even just steal some buzz from Apple in the MP3 market, if not sales. Well, they’ve succeeded in the first part, but the second? That could be much more difficult.
Microsoft’s new device sounds great: OLED screen, HD radio, HD video (720p) outputs, powerful Tegra chip, and most importantly a iPod-beating price of $219.99 for the 16 GB variety, and just $289.99 for the 32 GB version. That latter is a $110 savings over the comparable iPod touch, which the Zune HD clearly targets. And now it has a very real release date: About a month from now, September 15.
Are the planets aligning for a hit version of the Zune, finally? Not so fast.
Apple typically takes the first week of September to hold a press event to show off its new iPods. Last year, the event was on Tuesday, September 9. This year, that same second Tuesday is on September 8. Music industry sources tell MediaMemo’s Peter Kafka that Apple is going to hold an event the week of September 7. Bingo.
So yes, it looks very likely that Apple will hold its next iPod press event one week before the launch of the new Zune. And what does that likely mean? Aside from Apple likely talking about the “Cocktail” music format project it has been working on, and quite possibly a new social iTunes 9, also very likely to drop are the new iPod touches. Yes, the device the Zune HD is competing against. Uh oh.
Why uh oh? Well because while the Zune HD looks good compared to the current iPod touch, the new versions will certain be seeing some upgrades. What are the two most likely upgrades? A camera, which the Zune HD doesn’t have. And a price drop. Again, uh oh.
It’s not clear if Daring Fireball’s John Gruber has some inside information here or if he’s just making a prediction, but what he writes today certainly sounds like it could be the case for the new iPod touches:
The Zune HD prices look good compared to today’s iPod Touches, but not so much compared to the new camera-equipped ones Apple is set to announce next month (16/32/64 GB for $199/299/399).
That would make the Zune HD 32 GB only $10 cheaper than the comprable iPod touch. And again, with no camera, and no apps (at least not yet anyway). The Zune HD could still very well hold an edge with an OLED screen (it’s not clear if a new iPod touch would feature that) and the HD-outputs, but would that really be enough to dethrone the dominant player in the market?
Look, the Zune HD does sound very nice, and I’ve said as much many times. But the overall idea of the Zune is still a bit odd to me. It’s Microsoft burning money to compete in a market (MP3 players) that is slowly fading away. Now, there is undoubtedly a plan to get apps on it eventually, and I’m sure games, to turn it into more than an MP3 player. But right now, there is basically no mention of any of that by Microsoft. So that means that when it does happen, it will likely be months from now.
And even with those, the bigger question remains: What’s the end game here for Microsoft, which makes its money off of Windows and Office?.
My point is that Microsoft has spent the entire lifespan of the Zune chasing Apple’s tail, for what? The first hard drive-based Zunes came years after the iPod, and didn’t sell well. Then it released a Flash memory version well after the first flash iPods, and that too didn’t sell well. Now it has an iPod touch competitor 2 years after the iPod touch was released. On paper, it sounds promising right now, but come September 8, it’s likely to be one-upped by Apple yet again.
It’s not hard to see how this plays out, sometime next year we’ll hear about a new Zune HD that has a camera and has app support. The question is will the Zune HD have made any headway into Apple’s market by then? That is far from a certainty, despite the nice-looking new device.
What I’d really like to know is who plans these events for Microsoft? How on Earth didn’t they not realize that Apple has an iPod event pretty much every year now in the first few days of September? I’m sure it would have been a big pain in the ass, but why not put everything you have into ramping up production earlier and getting it to market before Apple can respond?
NICE!!! Now I can’t wait to see how things turn out for both Microsoft & Apple
don’t have to …. as the post says M$ will have a tough time to compete with iPod. totally agree with MS’s logic here.
Wow you used a $ sign! How NEW, WITTY and CLEVER of you!
Yeh they’ll never be able to compete with Appl€.
Idiot.
Doesnt anyone find it weird that none of the HD demo videos show any apps or games. It’s almost crazy how every demo given has gone out of there way to not show the “marketplace” or “Social” pieces of the zuneHD.
I think when project pink is announced rumored to be around Sept 9, you will all see ZuneHD in a new light!!
Yes Project Pink, When Microsoft announces its foray into the thong market… what will eventually become the REAL draw at its Mall locations, suspiciously placed not just next door to Apple stores, but directly across from Victorias Secret.
I agree, the two giants are launching more or less at the same time. This creates a high competition in market place. Microsoft will have tough competition with Apple as it provides greater options with cameras.
Yes, greater options with cameras… all while companys are banning items like this from there facilities. Oh, your mp3 player has a camera? You can’t bring that in…
MG,
It looks like there will be apps on ZuneHD based on the ONEAPP trademark application by Microsoft.
http://www.ista...-store-zune-hd/
sure, as I say, I’m sure they’re coming, but months from now. will that be good enough? Apple will have nearly a 2 year head start on apps alone by then.
Go pray to Apple’s God!
Zune HD is looking very, very good!
Did you not read the article? It looks very, very good… right now.
Not sure it will be good enough but there are a lot of developers already using the .Net and XNA platform.
Games will be key and we’ll see how they would take advantage of XBox which Apple doesn’t have.
agree, but how will xbox games relate to zune games is a key question, they obviously can’t be the same.
XNA is the underlying technology for zune games. Which is also the language for XBOX games. So they share the same exact language for building games with. We have this with current generation zunes (xbox xna games work on zunes).
Im sure MS are keeping things quiet to save some fireworks for when Apple do there announcements. Give MS a break they pay millions of dollars to marketing agencies, they would know that Apple are doing there announcements in early Sept and im sure they have something left in there announcements to counteract apple announcements…
Apps on zuneHD will be really really cool, im sure its gonna blow apples app store out of the water.
Games will be sold in the Xbox marketplace.
Games which will REQUIRE using your headphones since there’s no built-in speaker. That would be very annoying.
O crap it doesn’t have a speaker that is worse than a cellphones, i mean come on those speakers are antigood thing just like the camera will be. I have a little camera on my phone, I have a nice expensive camera and I have a small nikon so having a camera on my pmp will do nothing for me no what about the faster processor huh that will be able to handle games like quake 3 with 35 fps so yeah that is good. the head phone jack is at the bottom of the zune so it doesn’t get in the way of the screen just saying
Step up MG Siegler, since Google CEO has something more interesting to do with his free time, maybe you can go on the board of directors and decide to set the dates of apple events!
i humbly accept.
Congratulations. Here is your salary.
*opens room full of Apple schwag*
Pick any 5 items.
That one’s easy. Mac Pro, MacBook Pro 17″, MacBook Pro 13″, and iPhone 4G. Oh, and another Mac Pro. Just Because.
No Cinema Display?
I’m assuming the Cinema Display comes with the Apple Board Member Mac Pro Bundle.
I mean, we’re dreaming, right? And I’m guessing there are no iPonies in the room of swag, right?
Who cares if its a 2 year head start? Apple came 6years late to the smart phone market and look where they are now!
The Zune looks awesome (FINALLY) and has features that I wish my iPod touch had. I don’t give a crap about a camera. I have a damn good digital camera already.
I am excited about the Zune and seriously considering getting one.
As far as Microsoft planning its event at this time, I think it is the right decision. This way the Apple-loving media can get all their drooling out of the way.
Apple came 6 years late with something revolutionary. MS came 2 years late with something barely different that what’s already there.
HD output? Not practical at all with only 32 GB and you have to buy a $50 dock to even use it.
HD radio? Radio? Who fricken cares about the wasteland that is terrestrial radio anymore?
OLED screen? Very nice, but these aren’t new, just uncommon at this point.
So you’ve got 2 marginally useful features and one awesome screen, but it’s missing a speaker, a camera, and an app store. All 3 of those being VERY useful.
It wasnt revolutionary till you got your hands on it and played with it.. Ill reserve my judgement till after im able to physically play with it..
Heh I totally agree.. The new Zune looks pretty awesome and they’ve made some impressive headway with the UI. However, I just can’t see it actually challenging the iPod touch in any real way. Especially if they lose the price advantage.
You kind of ignore all the different things MS has/is doing with the Zune..
I don’t see an iTunes subscription service, HD radio, OLED, Tegra in the current touchs, not sure if they are going to make it into the new one…
In a lot of ways they are following, but they do seem to be trying to make them a little unique..
The old FM radio argument with an HD twist… how’s that worked out for the competitors in the past? Same for subscription services… how’s that worked out for the competitors in the past? The masses that will ultimately decide a success or failure (vs. the tech geeks on this forum.. myself included) will not know, or care, about an OLED vs. LCD or Tegra vs. Cortex A8.
Look, I’m not saying that the Zune HD is crap, it’s a nice effort… but it’s still too little too late.
well yes the subscription service isn’t a factor right now but add in finally a wifi marketplace that allows you to dl on the fly will be something that will move it in that direction it would be like a pandora app that natively would come on the zune just saying and you don’t have to wait an hour to skip a song you don’t like just saying. yeah too little greater in about every hardware way yeah but too little to late what do you have to do make it into a rocketship also people are stupid plain to say they all act like sheeps. Microsoft should just get a bunch of rich and famous people to constantly use the zune where ever they go and it will be famous
Pre-Order Zune and No More iPod ..
Mansour, are you crazy?
Fanboys will find yout IP# and destroy your computer
The point is that they are two very closely competitive products. Even if the Zune has a slight edge over the iPod Touch with features, people would much rather want something that they are familiar with.
Similar to the Google and Bing situation. even if Bing is slightly better people would rather not change.
Microsoft needs to come out with something that is two generations ahead of the current ipod touch – not try to catch up to its current standards, which will undoubtedly be passed up very shortly (or in this case before it launches).
Will Zune HD play songs that i purchased through iTunes. My iPod is kinda old and dying. I am looking for a new one. So if Zune HD wont support iTunes music format, I will still buy the Apple iPod Touch.
Even if MSFT willing to do them migration, APL will not untill and unless it is DRM free. So just buy an iPod and pray infront Steve Jobs idol.
I have a Zune 120GB and use Zune Marketplace subscription but I started out with an iPod and iTunes.
I recently purchased a couple of Albums via iTunes which weren’t yet available in Zune Marketplace and Zune recognised them right away. *My Zune music folders have been setup to monitor my iTunes and Zune folders and when I first installed my Zune it recognised almost all my songs and Albums.
So, yes Zune will play your iTunes songs.
NICE
i have a zune 120gb too
i had no clue you could do that
thanks!
MG,
Competition is always better, in general. And yes, the MP3 market is definitely shrinking but I’m pretty sure MS vision is more towards a mobile computing device and that’s how the iDevices are slowly evolving into.
A shitty 3MP camera with marginal image processing capabilities is just not a compelling feature to me. How many people that own iPod Touches also own a cell phone that already has a camera? To suggest that the addition of a camera will completely catapault the iPod Touch’s feature set beyond the Zune HD seems to be a poorly thought out, lame argument.
A shitty radio tuner doesn’t help me either, especially when there probably aren’t any HD stations here anyway.
HD outputs that require a dock don’t help either.
Both of those features seem poorly thought out from the perspective of usability.
So the inclusion of an HD/FM radio tuner somehow hinders usability? Maybe you live out in the boonies where electricity and indoor toilets are novel concepts, but 95% of the country will be able to utilize this functionality. You seem to be nitpicking needlessly.
simple minded comment. HD hasnt taken off because a real world killer application for it hasnt come along.
ZuneHD hopefully will show people the benefits of HD stations… In several years time chances are that if there are still radio stations they will mostly be HD, so MS have a safe bet on there hands by going HD
You will be surprised to see how many stations now are on HD. Check out stations at your area http://www.hdra...dio_station.php, of course assuming you live in US.
I value HD radio feature more than 3MP camera.
If you tried to buy a Zune in a European electronics store, all you’d get is blank stare from the sales rep. I hear that now (almost three years after Microsoft realized Apple was eating their lunch) they consider bringing it to Europe, but frankly I think it’s over.
I think Microsoft’s success with the XBox is well-deserved (and I hope Apple doesn’t try to compete with them by bringing out a Pippin 2.0 …) – but as far as high-end audio players are concerned, Microsoft is irrelevant outside of the US, and I doubt that’ll change.
ipods are not high-end audio players
Things change. If Zune HD performs well at all features it provides, it could change the game.
Very nice!
MG, msft is well know for taking a second round to get their products up to snuff. Big markets are typically 2 or 3 player games. msft can be very happy as the #2 guy in digital music just like they want to be the #2 guy in search.
It would be foolish to let someone like sony, or sandisk, palm grab this foothold.
Look, if msft could kill it with this product, offer a compelling subscription model with a big catalog inventory, and do some cross platform integration with xbox… that would certainly be a compelling reason to make a switch to zune. I’m sure I’m not alone here.
But this would be the 3rd round, or 4th round for Zune. I’ve lost count. I see the point in being #2 in search, moving online, etc. Not sure I see it here. They’re just dumping money into this.
Apple would not exist today if Microsoft did not helped them back in the 90s…
Zune will be good for Ipod as Bing is for google! You can bet that Apple will react as did google.
Google changed their Ads, added features, all after bing!
Apple is a very creative company, I am curious to see how they will respond.
Last apple “cult” conference the only innovation was in the price tag.
Now despite of ALL Microsoft Bashing and crazy evangelistic stupidity about ‘openness’ of software, Microsoft is annoucing one innovation after the other, and NO ONE, give them merit!
Photosynth, seadragon, Natal, bing, azure, tuva, and the list goes on…
why is that?
Do apple fanboys know that the multi-touch technology was bought by apple, not created by apple? when they bought fingerworks?
Recent google campaing to cruch apple’s phone strategies are not clear enough that ALL those corporations are equal! ALL of them look for profits, even if they are pimping the open-source mouvement as cheerleader, you can bet that the bank account will not be open source! NEVER!
Dumping money into a worthless product … Hmmm … Reminds me of TechCrunch paying you to write this drivel.
LOL! well said, Jonas!
LOL!
+100
@MG,
I think you’ve overlooked the key advantages that the Zune HD has over the iPod Touch (which I own one by the way), the Tegra chipset and the installed base of the XBox. The chipset opens the door to voice capabilities and integration with netbooks and the pending smartbooks. Clearly longer term Microsoft is likely eyeing the enterprise integration where they’re still dominant. The Zune HD makes this an achievable goal.
Additionally, XBox integration opens up the installed base of games, not the casual games offered on iTunes, but the real games that contribute to the $18 billion gaming industry. Additionally, XBox integration opens up home media applications on the Zune HD. This is still a wide open market for all players in the telecom, media, and software space.
Again, this is all made possible by use of the Tegra chipset – significant long term competitive advantage.
My $.02,
Best…
Pretty good points, I see the Xbox stuff, I just don’t really see how they’re going to pull that off, but we’ll see, should be interesting.
What exactly is going to make games on Zune any different than on the iPod? They both lack hardware controls and in Sept, will have roughly the same graphics power. Yes, that’s right. The 3GS is already using a better CPU than the Tegra offers, because the Tegra CPU is still an ARM11 (read: old) where the 3GS is using a Cortex A8. The Tegra’s GPU is on par, but not BETTER than the 3GS.
@Scott,
It doesn’t matter that the Tegra cpu uses ARM11, it is a new chipset and the Zune HD is the first product to feature it. Secondly, it is VASTLY superior to the Cortex A8 in terms of speed, graphics processing, energy management, etc. Of note, the Zune HD will allow HDTV playback to your television. Your iPhone 3GS cannot handle anything close to this level of processing.
Bottom line, gaming upside is far greater on the Zune HD. The issue is processing power, not HW controls.
Best…
So does a 720p HD output for the ZuneHD mean that it can output a game from the ZuneHD in true HD?? Cause that would be awesome! I mean honestly a portable version of an xbox… or use your zune to HD output your apps or presentations to a screen during a work presentation..
I do alot of talks and i would luv to be able to lug around just my zune rather than my laptop…
I really think the Zune HD is also a test platform for WinMo 7 and beyond. So it may not compete very well with the new iPod Touch however it is already a success with the tech buzz it is getting.
Now that is interesting. I’ve heard some things not far off from that. But i’ve also heard there’s still a divide between Zune apps and WinMo apps. We’ll see.
This is exactly what I’ve been thinking. Happy to hear I’m not the only one. Microsoft has been learning a ton with the zune (current), and through years of WinMo. That new UI is beatiful, and this is definately a step to being the next Microsoft phone platform. They have IE8, which apparently works very well on the device.
When you put that together with the enterprise pieces, and the xbox installed base (which i hadn’t initially considered), Microsoft has set themselves up to pounce when they finally get the product right.
The biggest advantage Zune has on the iPod is the Zune marketplace and its subscription music service.
Most people don’t realize it – but for $15 a month you get 10 songs to download and keep forever (about $10 in iTunes value), and the ability to download and listen as much as you want to all the music in the store.
This includes all the new albums from all major artists.
As someone who don’t want to spend hours chasing high quality music in torrents, this is the best deal out there. Especially if you want to listen to more than one new album a month (which will cost you much more than $15 in iTunes).
Until Apple will come with their own subscription music service, I’m staying with the Zune.
One of the main advantages the Zune has over the ipod (well for me at least) is their Zune pass subscription. That’s one of the only reasons why I owned one and it’s pretty amazing to just think up of a song and download/sync the album to your Zune. Using the marketplace was way too clunky on the older models and it looks like the Zune HD will fix that.
However, I’ll be dropping the Zune once Apple finally comes out with a subscription model. Battery life can’t catch up to convergence with my iphone yet and I’ll gladly own and Ipod touch and iphone. That will help preserve the battery life on my iphone when I put the offline apps on my ipod touch and use my iphone mainly for web browsing, twitter and apps that require syncing online (like evernote and toodledo).
Touch and Zune are bit different. Touch is about music and apps, while Zune is very very serious about music with it’s Artist Bio and Picture features, favorites pinning and so on. So it looks like there’s room for both.
I want a Zune phone, now that would be legit
I think Zune HD and iPod Touch are aimed at a little different type of people (or) experiences.
Zune HD – Is primarily ONLY for music and music enthusiasts. Its the music listening/discovering/sharing experience that this is aiming for. Look at the UI/Social features of Zune HD, that is its primary aim and i believe it nailed it. Its actually good that microsoft did not compete at everything else (that iTouch offers) and ruin/downplay the music experience.
iPod Touch – This is more of a all-in-one device which extends the traditional music player (iPod) and provides additional functionality with APPs, email etc. It doesn’t necessarily take iPod to the next level in terms of music experience (may be some App’s do.. but that is not the point).
I believe ppl who want a seperate MP3 player for music and another device for Phone/apps (even iPhone) would prefer Zune HD.
Now this I can agree with. The question is how many people really want a dedicated single-purpose device anymore? I think that question has already been answered by the increasing market for smart phones and decresing PMP market.
Everyone wins in strong competitive battles. Congrats to Zune HD for its latest volley. Now the big gorilla is going to step up.
You are correct sir the MP3 player market is pretty much dead in the water and Microsoft are late to the party(again).
The iPod Touch has been out for over 2 years now and in that timeframe the iPhone has been eating its marketshare.
Fact of the matter is with 16GB of storage the iPhone is more than enough for most people to store their songs.
Considering that the average person is unlikely to listen to more than 1 hour of music a day while on the road battery life isn’t a concern either.
Smart phones like the iPhone are eating away at the traditional MP3 market. It’s only a matter of time before smart phones pretty much gobble up the MP3 player market and Apple realise that(hence the iPhone).
The only thing that iPhones and Android phones suck at is they are horrible as proper multi media players due to their small screens.
Watching video on a iPhone is far from ideal but then you get the same problem with any other multimedia device like the iPod Touch.
The way to deal with it is to launch a bigger device with a bigger higher resolution screen.
Imagine a blown up iPod Touch with a sharp high resolution ten inch screen.
It has hand writing recognition. You can surf the net on it. It has built in accelerometer so you can read your books on it and you can watch high resolution video on the screen.
Thats pretty much a perfect companion to your phone that can play music.
Put your music on your iPhone and then read books, surf the net and watch high res video on your.. wait for it.. iTablet.
Fact of the matter is there are better solutions to it all than MP3 players. The only reason MP3 players are even around is because most people don’t realise their iPhone would do just as well as an iPod Touch and has practically the same amount of storage.
With MP3 players turning into smartphones the device for reading your books, watching high res vid on a nice screen and surfing the net is naturally a bigger tablet.
Apple are leaving behind what is a dying market. Every move they made since the iPhone has dictated they don’t see a future for MP3 players.
im srry i don’t like the idea of tablets they just don’t appeal to me I would rather use my Laptop
Another point…
Traditionally Microsoft has been the one aiming for all-in-one devices..with no refinement in any particular area. whare as Apple aiming for one particular experience at a time and gettting it right.
This time around with Zune HD and iPod Touch… looks like the roles have reversed… very interesting..
TechCrunch should definitely change it’s name to “AppleCrunch”
!!
I think you mean TwitterCrunch should change its name to AppleCrunch.
YCombitterappleCrunch!
Another thing the Zune doesn’t have is the world-wide presence. I could go to my grandma and say “I got a new iPod” and she’d know what I mean. I wouldn’t be able to say “I got a new Zune” without having to explain to her what it is. And most people explain a Zune to other people as “like an iPod”
The Zune never had that name on it that everyone knows what it is, and unless the next Zune can spew magical flying unicorns out of it’s headphone jack, or HDMI port, or whatever, then it’s always going to be a step behind the iPod in brand recognition.
Yea, check back in 6 months. I think we are talking about the future, not the past.
No, they don’t need magic. Just work on quality control and make all the features work flawlessly. This may be harder but not impossible…
You keep saying its not a competitor to the iPod Touch but then wonder if…it will compete with the iPod touch. Of course it is not a competitor to the Touch and will be even less of one when the new Touch comes out around the same time as the Zune. I have no idea why anyone would buy this Zune instead of a Touch which has vastly more capabilities, better UI, etc. Microsoft always tryies to compete based on a list of features while ignoring the software which is kid of an odd thing since they are a software company and lose money on just about every hardware item they have ever sold. Except maybe the keyboards and mice that Logitech make for them but they can’t make much on those. Always amusing though to see the anti-apple comments form people who somehow thinks its cool to dislike Apple. Get a life.
oh jesus christ shut up you overly-sensitive fanboy.
Have you even seen the new interface in action? It’s superior to the iPod/iPhone UI IMO.
What are you doing on a post related to Zune? Trolling? It seems, You are the one who needs to get a life.
Finally, a good one from MG
OK here we go, if nobody has noticed the Zune HD seems to be almost overpowered for its main purpose as of what we seem to know.
Its an MP3 player Media device blah blah and the iPod touch is a actual computer the Zune isn’t.
So… The Zune HD is a hand held computer in every sense of the word as the iPod touch, App store to come, and more..
Microsoft hasn’t really revealed their hand with this device and won’t for a few more weeks to come…..
agree! best announcements are yet to come!!!!
basically both have a flush or a straight but who has the highest card
Here’s the question: will the Zune work on an Apple computer without having to run parallels or boot camp or something else? I have a Zune that I love, but ever since my Dell died (and was replaced with a Mac), I haven’t added anything to it.
obviously microsoft wants to compete with the ipod touch, but the reality is that nothing is going to dethrone the ipod or the iphone anytime soon. the best they can do is make a sold player, hope it sells well, and hope that more than just nerds appreciate its technology and features.
Beware of Fore-tellers!
The question is would you consider Zune HD if it performs well at all features? If not, this is not type of device for you. If yes, then wait until you see it in action.
Do you know that there is no low cost HD radio in the market, and if the feature works well, it alone can change the game?
I’m looking forward to HD Radio (+1 Microsoft), streaming internet music, watching HD movies from the HD tv in my hotel rooms (+1 Microsoft), and continuing the awesome value of the $14.95 ZunePass (+1 Microsoft).
One would hope that we will eventually see some XNA or Xbox games ported too. So yeah, there’s alot of OOTB new and future possibilities.
Amen!
Microsoft may be able to compete with ipod and what’s wrong with that?
The Zune HD looks like a really high quality product and is shall I say, “sexy.” Even than though why would I carry around a new MP3 player that is about the same size as my iPhone and does less? When I’m at the gym I would like for most of my pockets to be empty. Secondly, I am a Mac user and the only way that I could use this device is if I used Windows to sync with the Zune HD. Additionally, I believe that Apple has already dominated the marked with their products. Only die hard Windows users will honestly use this thing.
Ironically, many users still have a Windows machine. People like me brought Mac because we can install Windows as well and do real work, while exploring Mac.
I for one will seriously consider Zune HD. If Zune HD performs well, many people will write sync apps for Mac.
Subscription music and HD-Video is good, and moreover competition is good! Now looking fwd to zPhone from MS. Apple has to feel the heat, else its too cold & and lonely on the top (apart from no more taking developers for a ride).
MG, I think you’re right if Zune is (remains) an isolated island as a developer platform.
If MS get it together they would create a single appstore spanning Zune, WinMob, XBOX, PC. Base it on some web compatible RIA technology (Silverlight) – so that the apps work in the browser too. And enable device management of those apps and the data they use using some sort of synchronization engine (Mesh).
ZuneHD right now doesn’t make sense as a MP3 player. It does make sense as part of an ecosystem where Silvelight and XNA are the APIs of choice and devices range from PC to Apple Mac to even Nokia Symbian devices.
ZuneHD is not enough by itself.
Agreed! Neither could iPod survive without iTunes!
As you pointed out, MS seems to be ready to mount a synchronized attack. The devil is in execution.
Nevertheless, it makes an interesting fight.
Two things that are important to me.
1. Xvid capability (I already have my entire dvd collection in this format and have just started with MKV)
2. Skype or some free voip app that works (I really would have liked video chat)
I have been waiting for tegra since owning a nokia n800 and seeing the potential. I might have to see what a samsung m1 can pull out
I don’t think people realize the degree to which the OLED screen is a gamble. I will not be surprised if there are long-term color stability issues.
yep. but the technology is so awesome.
OLED could get lot of attention, thus earns a real chance of beating iPod. Of course, other features must perform well. Enticement is only fleeting!
If they had some tight inter-connectivity with Xbox Live I’d buy one in a heartbeat. Say getting live stats on your Call of Duty ranking, Fight Night etc .. face it – we all dig technology and money is not the issue on what we use and adopt.
If you had a tiny budget and want the best bang for your buck – get an iTouch and be happy, Apple has a great EcoSystem around it.
Personally I buy and use devices for thier strengths and I still have a free Zune 8gb kicking around from TechNet 2006 I got for free .. loaded it up for the kids and it works.
Anyone who’s used both knows the strengths and weaknesses. They don’t have to beat one another as the market is huge. I do agree for a music fan Zune offers a better environment to enjoy music. Apple is getting a little too tight assed for my liking lately.
And Microsoft’s Pink on September 9 http://www.mobi...on-september-9/
Hmmm, this diffusely savours of mobile-phony-ness, even coming over here to Germany from far away Redmond.
Am I right?
I am buying this. Screw Apple and their nazi policies.
you guys don’t understand one thing..
once a product gains hell of a lot of market share it is pretty much impossible for any competing product to catch up or even come close in terms of market share..
look at windows OS vs mac OSX.. sure windows vista sucked [or did it actually?] & it’s been a few years since the release of the [shitty] OS but mac OSX has barely gained much market share, despite the increase in ‘media attention’.. if i remember correctly, mac OSX has like 7.5% market share or something?
my point is.. the iPod is not going to be overtaken by the zune hd or any other portable media player out there but these companies [microsoft, sandisk, creative etc.] still have plenty of room for high profits [at least i think they do] & so there is no reason for them to stop supporting their own portable media players & keep bringing in cash for more R&D cause you never know when your going to hit the jackpot that’ll ultimately tilt the market share your way.
i have an iphone 3gs & am planning to switch to mac osx [though i've been using windows 7 rc & it looks ridiculously good] but i’m still considering getting the zune hd, since it can be used with vmware fusion. the zune pass is unbelievable & apple cannot compete with that! put that together with a good sync option with my xbox 360 & i think the zune HD is a clear winner.
microsoft is not trying to wipe out the ipod with its zune portable media players, it’s just bringing in a new set of features & some competition that is totally needed so quit crying & whining about the zune hd & wait for it cause i’m sure microsoft isn’t quite done with their set of announcements for the zune hd.
Remember Lotus 123, DBase, Wordstar, Wordperfect, Netscape. MS doesn’t excel in innovation but perseverance and commitment.
The reason why Mac OS hasn’t gained the market share is because you have to buy an overpriced shitty Mac to run it. If you could simply buy and install it on any PC it probably would have done a lot better.
yeah ur mac windows comparison is not valid with a mac at x price you dont get the same windows you actually get weaker hardware for x price
with the zune maybe less or equal price no one knows exactly but you get better performance and possibly if Mac used that logic they would have gain real market share just saying my logic is better than yours
If Apple had a subscription-based service like the Zune Pass, you guys would be writing about it everyday. Zune Pass is reason enough to own a new Zune. Granted, a Zune 120GB would probably be best because you’ll be consuming so much music.
I’m a happy iPhone 3GS user. But, I wish Apple would catch up to Microsoft and get subscription-based music (and TV and movies; this would be a DVR killer).
I’d love to ditch Zune and move over to iTunes and hopefully we’ll hear more about it next month.
“To suggest that the addition of a camera will completely catapault the iPod Touch’s feature set beyond the Zune HD seems to be a poorly thought out, lame argument.”
this
OLED do not have long term issues… many companies such as Nokia, Sony, Samsung, LG, Nikon and others already use large OLEDs in many cell phones, cameras and MP3 players…
Ron
hey any one can say how much it cost ?
Gyandeep
bpo solutions
After Bing Zune HD, MS has got some fresh blood out there
“What I’d really like to know is who plans these events for Microsoft? How on Earth didn’t they not realize that Apple has an iPod event pretty much every year now in the first few days of September? I’m sure it would have been a big pain in the ass, but why not put everything you have into ramping up production earlier and getting it to market before Apple can respond?”
You’re the journalist. You make the requisite phone calls and emails and you tell us.
If Microsoft comes up with a better product and game plan, it is the one that will have a final word. Apple is too eager to play its cards early, that itself doesn’t need to give an advantage.
I am loading up on over $200K worth of MSFT shares. The release of Windows 7 and the new Zune + BING will skyrocket Microsoft this year after earnings. Cyaaaa in the green zone.
Zune HD. I’m very excited about it..it’s great
Yes! I saw it is availble for pre order, check out Zune HD confirmed! Available at Amazon for $219