RSSZune Set to Make First Appearance
By Nate Mook | Published September 13, 2006, 6:13 PM
Microsoft's highly-anticipated "Zune" portable media device is set to make its first official appearance at an invite-only press event Thursday. The unveiling will follow the introduction of a completely revamped iPod lineup by Apple just two days earlier.
Although Microsoft itself has remained tight-lipped regarding the iPod competitor, little is not already known about Zune, which is being manufactured by Toshiba. The device will feature a 30GB hard drive, three-inch TFT LCD, an FM tuner, wireless 802.11 b/g, and USB 2.0 support. Zune will connect up with a new music service specially designed for the player.
Zune will additionally feature social networking capabilities, with a focus on sharing music and music-related content. Users will be able to link up with "friends" and stream music and playlist data between devices. Content, says Microsoft's J. Allard, who is largely responsible for the player's development and also managed the Xbox 360, is central to the Zune effort.
In a Seattle Weekly profile, Allard calls Apple's iPod "the Pong of digital music," and notes a variety of advanced functionality Zune will bring to the table. But the launch won't be without contention, as it will likely draw the ire of a number of Microsoft PlaysForSure partners.
Microsoft previously remained hands-off when it came to portable device development, simply providing the Windows Media Player software for third parties to build upon. WMP 11 in Windows Vista will feature the URGE music store developed by MTV, along with a number of other legal download options for consumers.
The PlaysForSure strategy has largely failed to catch on, however, and Microsoft is taking a page from Apple's playbook by developing a complete ecosystem: device, software and infrastructure to sell digital content. But the question remains whether Microsoft can bring back the "cool" factor that Apple has exuded since the iPod debuted five years ago.
Zune is expected to go on sale for the holiday season, and Microsoft will likely announce specifics -- including pricing -- at Thursday's event.
I like it! Watch out Apple.
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|i'm gonna buy one.
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|Why oh why oh why. Is microsoft enterint the music player business. Are they going to enter the home appliance market too, you know just turn into a GE of the information technology industry. they have no business there. Can't they do something useful, you know like get vista finished and out the door along with ie7 which is 5 years over due. I have an idea Microsoft, let's ignore the markets your successful in. Oh wait, do you smell your own death in the near future in those markets therefore you need to find some other market to secure? good luck, your in apple's stronghold and I have no doubt there they will dominate you. Maybe you like that? The dominator in one market has no chance in another, although microsoft should be familiar with that.
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|I'm waiting for the Microsoft Vacuum Cleaner and the Microsoft Fully Automatic Automobile
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|Don't forget the future Microsoft Inflatable Doll, with wi-fi included so it can connect to a LiveHotLine service and users community connectivity
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|Finally technology has the potential to come up with something useful. Invest now.
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|...
"Why oh why oh why.
Is microsoft enterint
the music player business"
...
Because they have no original thoughts of their
own. They can only attempt to copy other's ideas.
And ~that~ ISN'T necessarily bad. In fact, it
worked extremely well in the operating system
and business productivity software markets.
Microsoft took the best of other's ideas, and
fashioned them into solid products.
Now, Microsoft wants to out-Apple the iPod and
out-Google Google. This WON'T work !
Principally because there's no glaring inadequacy
in the products they hope to displace. [ And -if
there is- Microsoft is too blind to perceive it. ]
There's no pressing demand for clones of Google
and the iPod.
...
The Computer Rodent
...
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|Not only that, but Apple have copied other people's ideas too (iPod certainitely wasn't invented in a vacuum). However, as long as there's competition and they both bring a lot of useful features to users, it doesn't matter about who copied who.
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|Actually MS has the most sound business model a large company can have to not become stagnant in growth.
This tactic of course being to stand on the shoulders of giants.
The products they are trying to supplant do not need to have any inadequacies, they just need to lack that marginal amount of gratification to make it worth the price.
If this is accomplished, MS wins, esecially since it can force the marginal cost/benefit just by using its own warchest of money to gain control of most if not any market it so chooses to do so.
All MS is guilty f is NOT re-inventing the wheel, just making it better.
And this can ONLY work. ( as it has several times already )
Latz, SB
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|Look at Cisco, they bought up 50 or so companies to expand their product base. Much cheaper than developing the products on their own. Microsoft does the same thing. If they can do it better, more power to them.
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|Good time to release it IMHO, people wanting an iPod for christmas may change their mind. I know I am in the market right now (was waiting for new iPods) and I am keeping a close eye on the Zune. If it hits Europe before November (so I can read reviews, etc.) it might be on my christmas list ;)
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|They have already admitted that they are planning to get creamed in this market for years. They are just doing it to take apple off their high. Just like going into the console market, its a black hole dominated by another player. They will loose millions maybe even billions, just like creative is. But being microsoft, the loss will be financed by windows and office sales. I am sure the hype will die very quickly. Just like every other dud of a product they released including the tablet pc. origami and the new msn search. Microsoft has a history of doing this and do to their financial strength they appear to be successful. However if not or windows and office, Microsoft would bankrupt a long time ago. Their day is coming, within our life we will see them fall and not get back up. At least we can hope right.
Competition is good, let's see what apple can do to 10x up the zune.
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|Zune... what a crappy name. At least it's not an iPod though.
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|Zuen fans and communities can't wait!
Discuss at www.ZuneBoards.com
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|"Zune will connect up with a new music service specially designed for the player."
Stupid question I know but am I to think that it will work with this service and no other?
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|I'm sure it will be Windows Media compatible, so it will work with other WMA-based music services as well. However, there will likely be specific tie-ins to the Microsoft service it is being designed for.
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|I'm just curious because the article makes it seem like it will only work with Microsoft's service.
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|...
"Zune is expected
to go on sale for
the holiday season"
...
If it's like WinVista, we must ask "holiday season
of ~what~ year ?".
...
The Computer Rodent
...
"Share a file /
Pay a $300 million
fine !"
...
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|Is that it ?
Im disapointed !
How about ...
"Zune is expected
to go on sale for
the holiday season"
...
Ms might be unable to ship to europe and will only manage 400,000 for the US and 100,000 for the japan markets
...
The PC Twa%
"They hurt me bad /
I still cry at night
!"
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|"Ms might be unable to ship to europe and will only manage 400,000 for the US and 100,000 for the japan markets"
Hmm....That sounds familiar....wait its coming back to me....P.....S............3!!!!
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|But Microsoft can only dream of selling that many Zunes. ;)
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