Char Ell Posted July 22, 2006 Posted July 22, 2006 As has been widely reported today, Microsoft has officially announced it is going head-to-head with Apple in the portable and digital music distribution arena. CNET's article After trying for years to compete with the iPod through an array of partners, Microsoft confirmed Friday that it plans to directly go after Apple Computer with its own rival, Zune. Confirming weeks of rumors, Microsoft said it will launch music software and players under the Zune brand, though the software maker left plenty unsaid in its confirmation. "Today we confirmed a new music and entertainment project called Zune," Chris Stephenson, a general manager of marketing for the software maker, said in a statement. "Under the Zune brand, we will deliver a family of hardware and software products, the first of which will be available this year." The initial device will have Wi-Fi and use a hard drive to store music, Microsoft said. Stephenson's statement also lent some credence to speculation that the company's player will use wireless connectivity to share music with other Zune devices. Zune's launch website (of a sort) Will Microsoft be able to repeat history and knock Apple off the top of the hill for a second time?
Jeff Posted July 22, 2006 Posted July 22, 2006 Will Microsoft be able to repeat history and knock Apple off the top of the hill for a second time?Doubt it. The iPod is so popular all around the world, I can't see anything topping it.
Dath Maximus Posted July 22, 2006 Posted July 22, 2006 the ark of the covenant could stop the ipod, and lay down some musical commandments while its at it
EnderWiggin Posted July 22, 2006 Posted July 22, 2006 This is going to go over like a lead balloon. I do hope so. I have major issues with Microsoft, and I am hoping that Apple will be able to dominate this battle. _EW_
Jae Onasi Posted July 22, 2006 Posted July 22, 2006 As long as Apple stays at the cutting edge of technology, they'll make it. They lose that edge, though, and MS will be chomping on their behinds. And quite possibly their front ends while they're at it.
HerbieZ Posted July 22, 2006 Posted July 22, 2006 Zune's launch website (of a sort) What in the blue hell was that.
RC-1162 Posted July 22, 2006 Posted July 22, 2006 you've to wait till the animation is over, though i have absolutely no clue as to WTF the rabbit is all about. i have an iPod Nano and it is just amazing. nothing Gates could come up with can match that. Apple are going to pwn MS's a$$.
Mace MacLeod Posted July 22, 2006 Posted July 22, 2006 ^^^What HerbieZ said. Their marketing campaign is off to a tenuous start.
Char Ell Posted July 22, 2006 Author Posted July 22, 2006 What in the blue hell was that. Indeed, hence the reason I added the (of a sort). I wasn't sure what to make of it either. In any case, Apple is unquestionably sitting pretty with its portable music player products and digital music distribution channel. But MS is relentless. If they can build a comparable product to the iPod that is significantly cheaper then Apple may lose traction. Americans have shown time and time again that their first loyalty is to price. But whether or not MS can produce a product that truly competes with Apple's product line remains to be seen.
Pavlos Posted July 22, 2006 Posted July 22, 2006 That webpage is scary. Hmm, I doubt we will see Microsoft conquering this area in the near future, the iPod has wormed its way into our culture - it is more a designer item than an actual MP3 player now. One of my friends managed to buy one... and he doesn't even listen to music.
HerbieZ Posted July 22, 2006 Posted July 22, 2006 To be honest, i think the only way Microsoft can compete is if they have some sort of msn messenger software that links to similar units. Sounds lousy but il bet my shoes that Microsoft try to sell it with a at least a bag of gimmicks.
Lynk Former Posted July 22, 2006 Posted July 22, 2006 This'll end up being another DS vs PSP type battle...
stingerhs Posted July 22, 2006 Posted July 22, 2006 ^^^^ the only problem is that Apple has a huge head start with the iPod. so far, there hasn't been a real competitor that can match the iPod, and i don't think that M$ is going to be able to come up with one. besides, i love my iPod too much to worry about a M$ clone/hack version.
Aash Li Posted July 22, 2006 Posted July 22, 2006 The only way I see iPod getting knocked off the top would be if Microsuck made an item that matched it in quality and usage, but was way cheaper. Arent ipods like 400$ each?
stingerhs Posted July 22, 2006 Posted July 22, 2006 ^^^^ $299 USD last i checked. not bad for 30GB of music/video space, IMHO.
Lynk Former Posted July 22, 2006 Posted July 22, 2006 ^^^^ the only problem is that Apple has a huge head start with the iPod. so far, there hasn't been a real competitor that can match the iPod, and i don't think that M$ is going to be able to come up with one. besides, i love my iPod too much to worry about a M$ clone/hack version. XD That's exactly what I meant.
ChAiNz.2da Posted July 22, 2006 Posted July 22, 2006 yeah, the $400 dollar one is the 60gb version, which unless you're just one of those people that "have to have the big'un" the 30gb is more than ample for listening to music or a few vids http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wo/1.RSLID?mco=CC4D3CBB&nclm=iPod ============================= Anyone seen the pic of this thing? Can you say *cough* rip-off *cough* http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/top/microsoft-argos-final-name-the-zune-186359.php
Point Man Posted July 22, 2006 Posted July 22, 2006 I say bring on the competition. Maybe it will force Apple to lower their prices.
BasiliskJC Posted July 22, 2006 Posted July 22, 2006 have you guys seen what it looks like (or atleast what I might look like). It's not too bad looking, especially considering it's from MS.
The Doctor Posted July 22, 2006 Posted July 22, 2006 yeah, the $400 dollar one is the 60gb version, which unless you're just one of those people that "have to have the big'un" the 30gb is more than ample for listening to music or a few vids http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wo/1.RSLID?mco=CC4D3CBB&nclm=iPod You don't even need the 30GB, really. I have a 1GB Nano, and that's more than I need...
HerbieZ Posted July 22, 2006 Posted July 22, 2006 You can't get a 1Gb nano. The smallest Nano they do is 2Gb
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