Zune, Microsoft’s iPod competitor

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. 🙂

13 Comments

  • David says:

    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 says:

    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 <abbr title="Micro$oft">MS</abbr> 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… 🙁

  • 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 says:

    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 says:

    I wonder if it time-limits regular MP3's and other non-DRM content…?

  • Robert Nyman says:

    Olly,

    Good question. Unfortunately I don't know the answer to it…

  • 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 says:

    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… 🙂

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  • DVD to Zune says:

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  • Muh Chelle says:

    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 says:

    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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