Zune - Microsoft's iPod Killer

[Iced_Eagle]

Well today was the unveiling of Microsoft's iPod Killer, Zune

Full details are here: http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/14/microsoft-launches-the-zune/
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/presskits/zune/default.mspx
http://www.zuneinsider.com/

I'll try to sum up the major points.

- 30 GB only
- Comes in White, Black, and Brown
- Wireless WiFi
- FM Receiver
- Plays Music and Video and also displays photos
- Screen goes both horizontal and vertical (horizontal while watching video I think)
- 3" screen (video iPod is 2.5" for comparison)
- Zune-to-Zune music sharing... Let your friends "borrow" songs for either 3 plays or 3 days... You can then flag the song as a "buy" if you wish, so when you resync you have the option of getting the song permanently.
- Uzing the Zune store, you can buy songs individual, or download unlimited number of songs for a flat subscription rate

No prices or dates have been announced, but it should be here by the end of the year.

http://img370.imageshack.us/img370/7084/image001uu8.jpg

(No, that is not a scroll/click wheel... It's just a 4-directional button with a center-button)

 

[Asus]

Looks pretty simple and the bigger screen is a plus. Although the I perfer Apple's scroll,click wheel to the directional pad. Wonder what the prices will be for songs. iTunes and iPod are pretty established already.

 

[giant384]

looks like it can make a sucess to me, but im sure apple will use this idea in the next ipod anyways. so who knows what will happen. also that video is just wierd lol

 

[Shamrock]

I might get it. Looks pretty sweet imo. I heard it was going to be $250-$300.

 

[Icarusintel]

I'd get it mostly just because it's not an iPod

 

[XtremesT]

I will stick with my Zen even though this does look pretty cool. :O

 

[Absinthe]

I'll get it just because that video ****ing rocked.

Also, it's not an iPod. So I won't have to deal with that shitty, pompous, beret-wearing faggotry that courses through my veins every time I pick one up.

 

[Qonfused]

That looks really sexy.

 

[Revisedsoul]

the design looks nice, but the colors put be off a bit.

 

[63]

I'd like something that doesn't look like an ipod.

 

[Dekstar]

Looks awesome, and pretty cheap for the looks too. Wonder what the battery life is, and if it suffers some of the lameness that the iPods do.

 

[Iced_Eagle]

the design looks nice, but the colors put be off a bit.

They said the Brown looks a LOT better in real-life than in pictures. Otherwise it's the "standard" white and black.

I doubt this will be a success right away...If I wasn't using my money for college, than I would totally buy one (I probably will in a year or two once the more advanced ones come out)... I think that right now, Microsoft just needs to start chipping away at the idea that "iPods are the greatest thing since Sliced Bread!"

I do see this seeing a success though in the long run. It's sort of the same thing with the Playstation and XBox... Playstation was already well-established and had a lot more experience and the XBox was the "new kid on the block"... However, XBox360 is really starting to take a lot of people away because they have the better stuff IMHO (please no flame war it's my opinion, so don't debate it). I forsee something similar with the Zune and iPod.

 

[destrukt]

Yup, I doubt this thing will fail and this seems even more polished than when the Xbox originally launched, it seems kind of half way between the Xbox and Xbox 360.

Anyway, I was going to get an iPod and I will now most likely be getting this.

Here's a post I've made elsewhere:

Good:
- Black one looks hot as does the GUI
- WiFi !
- Good screen
- Flat rate subscription
- Software (The new Zune app looks good but hopefully we can use WMP11 or Zune is on par)
- Use of MS Points (Share them with my 360 ??)
- Possible (And most likely) software/firmware updates; hello Live Anywhere !
- A MS product, so good integration with 360, Vista, Media Centre and other products will most likely be there
- Finally, a 'big' competitor to Apple in the MP3 market; should bring about some fun

Bad:
- Not a click wheel but it might still be good
- Price(s) ?
- Availability ?
- Deciding whether or not to buy a 1st gen product :s

And here are some videos:

Zune in use, shows GUI, playing videos, sending pictures via wireless, etc.

http://mobilitytoday.com/news/zune_video_upclose.html

Part 2 showing sharing files.

http://mobilitytoday.com/news/zune_video_sharing.html

 

[giant384]

Yup, I doubt this thing will fail and this seems even more polished than when the Xbox originally launched, it seems kind of half way between the Xbox and Xbox 360.

Anyway, I was going to get an iPod and I will now most likely be getting this.

Here's a post I've made elsewhere:

Good:
- Black one looks hot as does the GUI
- WiFi !
- Good screen
- Flat rate subscription
- Software (The new Zune app looks good but hopefully we can use WMP11 or Zune is on par)
- Use of MS Points (Share them with my 360 ??)
- Possible (And most likely) software/firmware updates; hello Live Anywhere !
- A MS product, so good integration with 360, Vista, Media Centre and other products will most likely be there
- Finally, a 'big' competitor to Apple in the MP3 market; should bring about some fun

Bad:
- Not a click wheel but it might still be good
- Price(s) ?
- Availability ?
- Deciding whether or not to buy a 1st gen product :s

And here are some videos:

Zune in use, shows GUI, playing videos, sending pictures via wireless, etc.

http://mobilitytoday.com/news/zune_video_upclose.html

Part 2 showing sharing files.

http://mobilitytoday.com/news/zune_video_sharing.html

how do you compare a mp3/video player to a game system??

 

[destrukt]

how do you compare a mp3/video player to a game system??

Where did I compare a mp3/video player to a game system??

If you're talking about how I said it seems more polished than the Xbox, I'm not comparing the actual product in it's functionality, features, design, etc I'm simply comparing how much 'fit and finish' it seems to have, etc.

You really thought I was comparing the Zune to XB/XB360 ? Wow..

 

[Qonfused]

Hmm.

If they add some sort of touch scroll wheel thinger I'd be a lot more inclined to buy one.

 

[MiccyNarc]

No thank you. *hugs iPod*

 

[hungryduck]

I really doubt this thing will be a success.

I agree.....if nothing else, the word iPod has been ingraved into the minds and wallets of soccer moms, pre-teen girls and music loving adults the world over.....its like coke and soda. People see any mp3 player and they call it an iPod....

 

[Absinthe]

I agree.....if nothing else, the word iPod has been ingraved into the minds and wallets of soccer moms, pre-teen girls and music loving adults the world over.....its like coke and soda. People see any mp3 player and they call it an iPod....

You didn't read the rest of his post.

 

[Iced_Eagle]

I agree.....if nothing else, the word iPod has been ingraved into the minds and wallets of soccer moms, pre-teen girls and music loving adults the world over.....its like coke and soda. People see any mp3 player and they call it an iPod....

Exactly what I was talking about. People have such brand recognition with iPod's it's insane.

However, I for one have already started talking to people about the Zune trying to show them there is more out there than an iPod... For those who don't have an iPod, they seem impressed with it (more so than an iPod due completely to its feature set, not the brand)

 

[Shamrock]

I'm getting this when it launches.

 

[Raziaar]

Why are these things always so simple? I need a million sliders and buttons. Like those old casette players.

 

[Krynn72]

Zen Vision M is still FTW.

 

[Naudian]

Looks too similar to the ipod...so...unoriginal. But it looks like it performs better (and does more)

Hmm.....

HUMMMM......

 

[Asus]

Zen Vision M is still FTW.

I agree. Good player.

 

[MiccyNarc]

Exactly what I was talking about. People have such brand recognition with iPod's it's insane.

However, I for one have already started talking to people about the Zune trying to show them there is more out there than an iPod... For those who don't have an iPod, they seem impressed with it (more so than an iPod due completely to its feature set, not the brand)

I can't believe you're actually going out trying to spread the word about a music player that you won't even be making money off of.

 

[Barney Fife]

Ipod suxs, and belongs to the same people that took the techno, The In-line-skates, The rainbow flag (Used to belong to the damn hippies), the tight Jeans (I remember those) and the six-pack Abs.
And they now want our own marriage certificate. Damn em all.

I Hate Ipods....I still use my Zen Nx Nomad JukeBox Tank, and I still love it.

 

[-Psy-]

Looks sexeh even if it does resemble an iPod...

 

[destrukt]

The iPod isn't even that original and it was bought from another company (Or the company was bought, one of the 2).

I can't believe you're actually going out trying to spread the word about a music player that you won't even be making money off of.

You should go say that to all the Open Source fanatics.

 

[Hectic Glenn]

The FM Radio, the ability to transfer songs between units via WiFi and a decent battery are all reasons i refuse to go even NEAR an iPod, and this seems to be the solution to all of these. I hope it takes a bite out the 75% market apple have, when people see what they are missing.

Funny thing about the transfering of songs, i had that idea when i got my first sony mp3 player about 3 years ago, and now it's been done. Should have patented it D:

 

[CrazyHarij]

Claiming ipod has more brand recognition is a pretty irrelevant statement, it's only because apple has marketed it so well, and microsoft should have the same financial opportunity, if not more, to do the same.

Anyway, personally I think we should all go back to walkman cassette players.

 

[Lucid]

So many iPod haters. D:

 

[-Psy-]

It's just the fact that you can't drag and drop mp3s onto it.

It's stupid

 

[Dekstar]

well my Mpio HD300 just died, and this looks good. Not sure if I'll get it though.

 

[Javert]

Without a competitive price, it'll only be an ipod contender, if not laggard.

 

[Xune]

Do you ever get the feeling you're being watched?

 

[Barney Fife]

Do you ever get the feeling you're being watched?

Yes!

 

[Hectic Glenn]

Do you ever get the feeling you're being watched?

Hehe, only on wednesdays when you walk past that alleyway at dusk.

 

[Barney Fife]

Hehe, only on wednesdays when you walk past that alleyway at dusk.

My bad Hectic. That was me

 

[hungryduck]

well, **** microsoft anyway, they could make nothing for 100 years and still have piles of money.