Zune: IPod Killer? or yet Another Victim?
The Pros and Cons of Microsoft's Upcoming Zune Media Player
The Pros
- WiFi: This is a big one, something I think Apple should have put into its newest models. Sure, it's not that hard to put in a USB cable, but why would you want to if you don't need it? It also keeps you from having to carry a cable around if you want to sync up with your laptop; one less thing to keep in your pockets.
- XM Radio: The WiFi antenna also will help Microsoft to support XM radio on the Zune, something they've been looking into. If Zune is to kill the iPod, they need something big that the iPod doesn't have; this may or may not be it, but they'll need all the firepower they can get. With the iPod lacking even an FM radio, this could be a big advantage.
- Windows Media Player: If you're on a Windows PC, you probably have Windows Media Player, and your iPod doesn't work with it. Zune (being made by Microsoft) is designed specifically for WMP; in fact, it won't work in iTunes at all (depending on your player preference this could actually be a problem for you). The Zune will also be tailored to work with WMP's new URGE music and video download service, co-created by MTV.
- Optimized for video content: It's pretty clear when I look at my iPod that it's designed to be used primarily for audio, not video. Which is fine for my purposes, but portable video is getting more popular, and Zune is brand new, meaning it's built from the ground up to excel at video playback. The bigger screen should help immensely. Hopefully the battery life in video playback won't be as disappointing as iPod's two hours.
The Cons
- It's not the iPod: Sadly enough, a lot of people buy an iPod just because it's an iPod, and all their friends have one. Personally I bought mine because, after doing my research, I found it best suited my needs, but a lot of others don't. Even if Zune turns out better than iPod, there will still be the "fanboys" that stick with their iPod.
- Price, price, price! One of the biggest complaints against the iPod is that it's too expensive for what you get out of it. But the 30GB Zune will be $399 at launch, which is $100 more than the 30GB iPod. If Microsoft wants to sell a lot of these, they'll want to make the price more competitive. Even if the extra features are worth the price, $400 or $500 won't be in as many consumers' price ranges.
The bottom line? Not too much is known about the Zune yet, f anyone's going to bring down the iPod, I think Microsoft has a good shot at it. But they better not blow it. The more features they can pack into the Zune the better, because when push comes to shove Microsoft will need everything they've got to win a spot in this market.
Related Reads:
Why Zune Will Take Over the Shared Media Market
Napster: The Music Service That Makes You Laugh at iTunes
The Archos MP3 Recorder is Still the Best
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15 Comments
Post a Commentmicrosoft zune is gunna kick ipods ass. the only reason that they are selling more is because more people know about the ipod than the zune. also for the price zune gives you much more than the ipod does. when you put the zune up against the ipod classic you get more for what you pay for when you get the zune because you get fm radio, wirelessly share songs with other zunes and sync with your computer wirelessly. when you put the zune up against the ipod touch you get way more for what you pay for because you only get something like 16 or 30 gigs of memory and with the zune you can get 120 gigs. so basicly every one is trying to be "cool" and get the ipod even though all they are paying for is the little ipod sign on the back. that is why i am a happy owner of the zune.
Microsoft doesn't have a good shot at anything...all they are is one big monopoly that likes to try and beat everybody out of their innovative products by copying them. BOOOO Microsoft you are a very naughty company
that guy got his for 200 dollars i got mine new for only 91 dollars
that guy got his for 200 dollars i got mine new for only 91 dollars
the zune is the best because it has bluetooth which allows you to share music videos photos and it has a radio tuner which the ipod does not have just give it a year more and microsoft will dominate again.
Zune's price totally kicks the iPod's expensive prices in the ass. I got mine for only $199.99 (30GB!). All you really had to do was wait a year for the price to go down, heh. Compare a $199.99 30GB Zune to an 8GB iPod Nano at the same price? I'd totally choose the Zune instead!
Oh yea, and I bought a Zune BECAUSE of the fact that EVERYONE else has iPods. I'd rather stand out than go with the flow. =D
the zune DOES sync with your computer. you just have to know how to use it!
I saw a Zune at Walmart that matched my shoes :)
Lol though, I doubt Zune will beat out the iPods, because of as you said, the iPod's fan base. From what I've seen however, there's been something wrong with every generation of iPods released so far. The first one had major battery issues, the mini hmm... can't remember right now. Lol it's like 2 in the morning. But I remember the nano's screen would break due to slight temperature changes, it got scratched up like it was made of play-do, but the screen breaking thing was so bad that they wouldn't cover it under warranty. My friend had his sitting on the dresser and it was fine, woke up the next morning and the screen was busted from the inside. *Cheers for zune though I know nothing about it! yaaaay!*
wifi isnt bluetooth. The zune does not sych up with your computer...it only allows you to connect w/ other zunes (which is pretty much a worthless option unless ur in jr high)
Microsoft proves time and again that you do not have to have the best product to be on top of the pile. For good or bad, Apple IPOD will probably remain the standard. Zune may take buyers away from RIO (my choice) or other none IPOD makes, but people will want the standard.