Microsot Zune to be released tomorrow

[devin_mm]

It looks like we're going to have a little competition on our hands. Engadget is claiming that Microsoft is going to be releasing the Zune DAP tomorrow.

 

[blessingx]

Let the battle begin.

iTunes versus My Zunes.

Lately Sony has released players on the same day as Apple and no one noticed. Hopefully for MS, waiting two days will help there.

 

[mitchjordan]

How generic / uninteresting

 

[devin_mm]

I'm interested if only to see what Microsoft is bringing to the table. Sure It will probably be crammed with DRM and sure it will probably ask you a million times if you're sure you want to power it off but look what they did with their consoles. I am very happy with my XBox360.

*note this message was made in OSX

 

[Whitebread]

Quote:

Originally Posted by devin_mm I'm interested if only to see what Microsoft is bringing to the table. Sure It will probably be crammed with DRM and sure it will probably ask you a million times if you're sure you want to power it off but look what they did with their consoles. I am very happy with my XBox360. *note this message was made in OSX

If the 360 is any indication of how the Zune is going to do then I'm not too intrested. Microsoft has been having problems up the wazoo with the US launch of the 360 and they've all but fallen flat on their faces in Japan. PS3 will reign supreme and dominate this generation of consoles.

 

[sethsez]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whitebread If the 360 is any indication of how the Zune is going to do then I'm not too intrested. Microsoft has been having problems up the wazoo with the US launch of the 360 and they've all but fallen flat on their faces in Japan. PS3 will reign supreme and dominate this generation of consoles.

Not to distract too much, but the PS3 appears to be having more issues than the 360 and Wii combined. It's looking like we could see another shift in power (has any gaming company ever been number one for more than two generations in a row?).

 

[chrisfromalbany]

Quote:

Originally Posted by devin_mm It looks like we're going to have a little competition on our hands. Engadget is claiming that Microsoft is going to be releasing the Zune DAP tomorrow.

I will be interested in seeing what microsoft will bring to the table. Even if there ideas don't work, I am guessing they were root cause of the ipod prices coming down.

 

[FaBoLoUsRmX]

I agree chris. That apple price cut might of made Bill Gates sweat off a few of those pounds. I hope we will be shocked with Zune

 

[sethsez]

Honestly I'm not expecting much. Microsoft has never been great at simple, streamlined functionality, which is what they'd need to challenge the iPod.

 

[blessingx]

Although I'm not sure if we'll see the 'make' being the wi-fi, since it seems at this point Zunes strongest trait, I think we may see a 'break' if it's not well implemented. At least that's what I'm keeping my eyes on- the wireless sharing/transfer. If the introduction/splash is a failure it will take a long time to recover in the general publics mind. Of course MS can go for a long time draining resources.

On the other side Apple/iPods strongest trait (and rarely discussed on this board) is iTunes. We'll see what My Zunes (man I'm trying to hold back comments on that name) does. I think many know if Sony had gotten their software together quicker (well maybe still) their marketshare would be much higher.

 

[r1n7r4h]

My opinion of the Zune is that Microsoft is gonna see what people like and dislike about it because it is just a rebranded Toshiba with extra features. And MS seems to do very well when it comes to stepping up their game when it comes to the 2nd revision when you take the example of the X360.

 

[PerformanceFirst]

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/ZDM/story?id=2434921

Sept. 14 Microsoft semi-officially launched its Zune wireless MP3 player on Thursday, describing in more detail how its business model will work.

Previously, Microsoft had confirmed that the device will be manufactured by Toshiba and will contain a 30-Gbyte hard drive and wireless capabilities. Microsoft confirmed the Zune's wireless abilities, although the company didn't officially disclose the actual technology itself. In addition, the Zune's price was not disclosed.

The Zune is Microsoft's answer to the iPod, and speculation was that the Apple player would be one-upped by the Zune in its ability to share songs with friends. As it turns out, however, the Zune will only be able to share "full-length sample tracks of complete songs," which another user will be able to listen to only three times per day. If he or she likes it however, the song will be flagged for download, and the user will be able to purchase it later.

"Millions of songs" will be available to be downloaded from the Zune Marketplace, according to Microsoft. But every Zune will be preloaded with music from DTS, EMI Music's Astralwerks Records and Virgin Records, Ninja Tune, Playlouderecordings, Quango Music Group, Sub Pop Records, and V2/Artemis Records.

However, the Zune will also feature the ability to be "upgraded," most likely with digital-rights-management updates in case the Zune's digital barriers are breached.

Other confirmed features include a 3-inch screen and FM tuner.

Microsoft also confirmed three bundles, one each for the car, home, and travel. The Zune Car Pack includes a Zune Car Charger. The Zune Home A/V Pack is designed to interoperate with the TV and music speakers, including a Zune AV Output Cable, Zune Dock, Zune Sync Cable, Zune AC Adapter and the Zune Wireless Remote for Zune Dock. Finally, the Zune Travel Pack includes the Zune Premium Earphones, Zune Dual Connect Remote, Zune Gear Bag, Zune Sync Cable and the Zune AC Adapter.

Microsoft also said it was working with a number of leading electronics manufacturers to develop peripherals: Altec Lansing, Belkin, Digital Lifestyle Outfitters (DLO), Dual Electronics, Griffin Technology, Harman Kardon and JBL, Integrated Mobile Electronics, Jamo International, Klipsch Audio Technologies, Logitech, Monster Cable Products, Speck, Targus Group International Inc. and VAF Research

I guess the prediction about being crammed with DRM was spot on.

 

[nfusion770]

Sounds like a gigantic hassle to me.

 

[devin_mm]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PerformanceFirst Microsoft also confirmed three bundles, one each for the car, home, and travel. The Zune Car Pack includes a Zune Car Charger. The Zune Home A/V Pack is designed to interoperate with the TV and music speakers, including a Zune AV Output Cable, Zune Dock, Zune Sync Cable, Zune AC Adapter and the Zune Wireless Remote for Zune Dock. Finally, the Zune Travel Pack includes the Zune Premium Earphones, Zune Dual Connect Remote, Zune Gear Bag, Zune Sync Cable and the Zune AC Adapter.

Ahh... Microsoft and their bundles, two XBox360 bundles, 4 billion different versions of Vista. When will Microsoft learn people don't want choice (choice makes people confused and scared) people want to be told what to get.

 

[greenleaf]

[click play]...
are you sure you want to play this song [yes] [no]....