Zune's wireless capabilities overblown - report
Microsoft's upcoming Zune digital media player has long been rumored to sport on-the-go wireless capabilities that would differentiate it from Apple's iPod offerings, but it appears those reports are partially inaccurate.
According to a report published on Twice, retailers briefed by Microsoft say Zune will offer Wi-Fi capability but will require that the player be connected to a PC in order to purchase tracks.
"Retailers, who claimed Microsoft remained 'fuzzy' on the Zune?s wireless capability, said only that Zune will allow users to bookmark songs that may be shared via Wi-Fi, but that users cannot purchase songs on the go from the Microsoft Zune Web site," the report states.
Retailers cited in the report further state that the player will incorporate a 30GB hard drive, be available in three colors and retail for US$299.
At least one retailer has claimed that Zune's display screen would be larger than that of Apple?s video iPod models.
"The retailers were pleased with Microsoft?s feature-per-price package," the report adds.
Last month, Microsoft confirmed that has been working on music and entertainment products that will compete with Apple's iPod and iTunes jukebox software.
Media reports suggest Microsoft will launch the music initiative in November.
According to a report published on Twice, retailers briefed by Microsoft say Zune will offer Wi-Fi capability but will require that the player be connected to a PC in order to purchase tracks.
"Retailers, who claimed Microsoft remained 'fuzzy' on the Zune?s wireless capability, said only that Zune will allow users to bookmark songs that may be shared via Wi-Fi, but that users cannot purchase songs on the go from the Microsoft Zune Web site," the report states.
Retailers cited in the report further state that the player will incorporate a 30GB hard drive, be available in three colors and retail for US$299.
At least one retailer has claimed that Zune's display screen would be larger than that of Apple?s video iPod models.
"The retailers were pleased with Microsoft?s feature-per-price package," the report adds.
Last month, Microsoft confirmed that has been working on music and entertainment products that will compete with Apple's iPod and iTunes jukebox software.
Media reports suggest Microsoft will launch the music initiative in November.
Comments
first post! woot!
Hmmm... So it took them a year to try to exactly copy the iPod with video capability right down to the hard drive size and price, and slap together a shitty UI. If you can't buy songs via WiFi, what the hell good will it do except waste battery?
MS is DOOMED, they are offering last year's iPod at last year's price while Apple will offer a brand new iPod this year.
Seriously, one thing I admire about Apple is that it seems like they try to avoid including worthless features and only include those that are really ready for making their products better for the user. One recent example is the Nike Sport Kit. Very well done and easy to use. I can think of a couple of great improvements they could implement, but overall, very well thought out. One thing that would be nice is to have the iPod automatically go to the Nike menu whenever you plug in the reciever (or at least make that an option, since you're pretty much just using it for that whenever the receiver is connected).
</sarcasm>
And yeah, I hope for their sake that they don't actually name the product Zune.
Let the price wars begin!
There's no way MS can compete with Apple on price unless they want to lose billions of dollars (like they did with the xBox). Apple has a 4 year lead, plus they operate on larger quantities, so they can corner the market on certain types of components.
Let the price wars begin!
The Zune, when it's released, has the exact same $ per MB as the iPod has today... if they'd wanted to start a price war they'd have priced it lower. Creative tried this approach (same $ as iPod, only with a lot more "features") and failed. The price per feature isn't what sells this stuff, and Microsoft appears to be explicitly trying NOT to start a price war.
That being said, Apple has the lowest component costs in the industry because of volume, long-term deals, and bundling, so Apple should be able to win any price war in which the company makes money on these things. Of course, Microsoft could try the loss-leader approach again, but eventually their investors are going to want them to actually make money on their ventures instead of tapping MS Office and Windows monopolies to lose money elsewhere.
I dunno if it's just me but that seems kinda useless.
And is it just me, or is a 30 GB hard drive really small for a video player? I don't play videos on my iPod but my music alone takes up 20 GB.
The only way the Zune will be successful is if consumers buy it because of brand familiarity, given Windows' market share. They may also think that it will work flawlessly with Windows, and in theory it should, but we all know the answer to that
I wonderwhat OS X compatibility will be like.
My guess is nil for the first while, then more if they sell enough devices to make it worth it. Well, I take that back, MS likes to develop products whether they will be profitable or not, just so they can be in everything.
My guess is nil for the first while, then more if they sell enough devices to make it worth it. Well, I take that back, MS likes to develop products whether they will be profitable or not, just so they can be in everything.
Except linux beacuse we all know that its cancer
not quite everything just most everything
The only way the Zune will be successful is if consumers buy it because of brand familiarity, given Windows' market share. They may also think that it will work flawlessly with Windows, and in theory it should, but we all know the answer to that
Yes its kindda like how ipod users like the Ipod and then buy a mac...
Windows users will think: "well microsoft makes a great OS, so im sure their MP3..."
wait...
Let's wait and see the Zune..
8)
P.S. I'm still waiting for the 23" iMac
Seriously, one thing I admire about Apple is that it seems like they try to avoid including worthless features.
I dunno. The WiFi feature holds no appeal for me, but I can see that kids might like being able to listen to what others are listening to. If you had a critical mass of Zune users (like in a school bus) those with inovative tastes could become like mini radio stations. When listening to other peoples music, then, I can see how it would be quite usefull to be able to mark something to buy--you wouldn't have to remember the name of anything.
This being said, one still has to wonder:
--Will there ever be critical mass? The tweens and teens I know love their I pods!
--How will it compete with the next gen iPod?
--How much will WiFi cost in battery life?
--Will anyone actually enjoy using the product?