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unbelievable breaking news!! my kitten just killed her first mouse!

"Apple Computer Inc.'s iPod has driven the company's success of late. . . .

At least the beleagured seems to be banished. But now all the Intel Macs are nothing but chopped liver.

A-a-h-h.... I remember my first mouse. <wistful sigh>

And they haven't even released it. That is a shame. Microsoft needs to keep stuff closer to the vest.

I can't wait to laugh at the inevitable lame-ass commercials from Microsoft, featuring sell-out celebrities jamming out to their huge-ass Zunes that they can barely wrap their hands around, in a desperate attempt to convince young people that Microsoft is "hip".

Eric wrote: "... Microsoft needs to keep stuff closer to the vest."

ummm, how about "...needs to INNOVATE"... ? but that would be too novel a concept for all these would-be iPod "killers"

Am I the only one who can't believe that a company with Microsoft or Toshiba, for that matter) with enormous resources can't do better than this? Inspiration, evidently, is not a commodity.

"Apple's iPod is poised to be the 'Walkman of the portable media space"

I thought that already happened.

Microsoft Fails4Sure

The next item Apple should produce (aimed squarly at Microsoft) is the 'iNdestructable Chair' or 'iChair' - then Ballmer could throw them around as much as he likes (preferably in a very large padded room!)

The Zune is just another brick in the wall.

And by brick I mean "brick".

"virtual" blood-on-the-click-wheel...it's a vapor product.

ABC, the "closer to the vest" was a direct link to Steve Jobs' comment at WWDC with respect to certain features of Leopard.

It really is hard to come up with something "better" than the iPod's current implementation. The click-wheel is absolute genius at work. It just feels "right".

Now iPods are starting to talk. Next, we'll be able to talk to them, or even better, just "think" of a song and it starts playing.

OK, maybe this is one for the tinfoil hat brigade, but what if the Zune we've been seeing is not the final product, but a developmental chassis to prove out the core functionality while the case is still being kept under wraps. MS had to get something out to the FCC for compliance testing, so they went the easy way instead of waiting for the whole package to be complete.

(And that's another thing - with the FCC clearance required for any raidating device, wouldn't something have already popped out about an Apple device with WiFi or Bluetooth?)

OK, so its a Gigabeat's guts with WiFi and Bluetooth grafted on (which adds to the expense and cuts battery life, so I say no thanks)...but is it confirmed that that is the final enclosure....or just the proof-of-principle chassis?

"Apple's iPod is poised to be the 'Walkman of the portable media space"

Poised to be? Way to go out on a limb. In other news, the Red Sox are poised to be the winners of the 2004 world series.

I bet Apple will go with an add on device for wireless / bluetooth functionality. Works well for the Nike gizmo.

Best thing about this is that the battery power isn't an issue cos the spec won't be with the add-on device.

The bad thing is that it would work with old pods.

Um, B-Sabre - no matter what the enclosure looks like, it will still not be an iPod. It could be titanium plated for all that would be worth. AND STILL NOT BE AN iPOD. So yes - it's a tinfoil hat brigade comment. Utterly inconsequential.

Ahem...

...having just apprised the UK's Tesco supermart chain of the uselessness of giving away downloads that are not iPod (or iTunes or Apple) compatible, you do wonder what planet these iPod wannabees live on.

So far as I'm aware, the iPod achieved 'Walkman of Today' status some while ago.

B-Sabre

Interesting speculation, but since how components are put together on a chassis affects how a device radiates, I doubt if the FCC is in the business of certifying compliance in a device that will have a significantly different layout when it reaches the consumer.

But, to be fair, this observation is pure speculation on my part as well.

I guess we'll all soon see.

FTA:

AP reports, "Wu said he is unimpressed by Zune's fake clickwheel, which 'does not scroll nor is touch-pressure sensitive, making navigation difficult, particularly for users with large music, video and photo libraries.' Like most other vendors, Microsoft has created an iPod-look for its rival player, but chosen not to add the scrolling clickwheel. 'We believe this key 'look-and-feel' feature may be difficult to replicate without infringing on Apple's extensive patent portfolio,' notes Wu."

This paragraph from the article shows the "cargo cult" character of the design approach. It only has the superficial look of the iPod, but not the exquisite interface and use experience of the latter.

Let's call this the fauxPod experience.

Ceaser,

I wouldn't sell B-Sabres comment short. Companies can do their own testing, or contract it out. I assume that hasn't changed since the 80's as Atari tested their machines in an open field themselves.

He does make a valid point about it not being a production model. If I was M$, I would go with a private lab to do the testing if I WANTED to keep the details secret.

This way they get pre-release buzz. The opportunity to exceed expectations.

Well, now we should wait for the new M$ Music Store: iZunes Music Store. Cannot wait.......wait (that is, the reader), I certainly can, but I will not.

Wouldn't it be a shock if M$ was being clever and planted the Gigabeat as a stand-in for the real Zune to distract the rumor sites into believing that they are putting out another "me-too" MP3 player. Then they surprise the world with some fantastic design that blows people away and eventually becomes a true iPod killer?

Yeah, I know. When pigs fly.

If you look at this review:
http://www.mobilemag.com/content/100/335/C9281/

Toshiba Gigabeat was announced by ... Bill Gates ...
in January 2006, to be launched in March
The Gigabeat didn't launch in March, it just launched this month.
The Gigabeat is the first and only device to feature the Portable Media Center software.

An upgraded GigaBeat will launch before the year under the Microsoft Zune name. It will be an iPod Killer.

I can't wait to laugh at the inevitable lame-ass commercials from Microsoft, featuring sell-out celebrities jamming out to their huge-ass Zunes that they can barely wrap their hands around, in a desperate attempt to convince young people that Microsoft is "hip".

30GB iPod: 2.4" x4.1" x0.43" 4.8oz
30GB Gigabeat: 2.36"x3.93 x0.58" 4.84oz
60GB iPod: 2.4" x4.1" x0.55" 5.5oz

So if Gigabeat's a "Brick", and a Zune is just a Gigabeat, a 30GB iPod is just a slightly larger but thinner brick, and a 60GB iPod is a fully fledged brick.

BuriedCaesar:

My comment was mostly aimed at how many people are busting on the Zune/Gigabeat's looks, not at its functionality (and like I pointed out, WiFi and built-in bluetooth are not something I want until it has minimal effect on battery life). I fully expect the functionality of the system (which would not change from the demoed units probably) to be lackluster. But, the styling of the case may not in fact be final.

The parallel I was thinking of was how Detroit tests their cars on the open road with a bunch of crap stuck on to disguise the aerodynamics and styling cues until they do a final reveal of the car. Also, it might have been a way to save time to market, the same way that Apple chose to make only minor adjustements to the G5 iMac/PowerMac enclosures for the Intel transition. And Apple got bagged on for that as well.

MU1984:

I agree. I work in aerospace, and am familiar with how minor changes can cause major performance changes in electronics. BUT...given that both cases will probably be plastic AND assuming that the arrangement of the guts will stay the same, MS might be able to argue a "qual by simularity" approval with the FCC.

Dunno. I'm just arguing that the photos we are seeing might not represent the final appearance of the unit for a number of reasons.

"So if Gigabeat's a "Brick", and a Zune is just a Gigabeat, a 30GB iPod is just a slightly larger but thinner brick, and a 60GB iPod is a fully fledged brick."

You must have very tiny hands...

Zune size.

The Zune appears (from web photos) to be slightly thicker than even the Gigabeat.

Keep in mind, the 30 GB Gigabeat is just slightly thicker than the iPod 60 GB product - which is too thick for many people, after they get their hands on the 30 GB version.

For Zune to be even "slightly" thicker than even the Gigabeat is a big deal.

These products must be sleek, as it directly relates to cool and state-of-the-art, or lame wannabe. The razor is only successful due to how thin it is - and that's it.

If the Zune comes in at .60" or even slightly thicker it will indeed be known as the "ZeeBrick"

I can't quite understand why Microsoft is releasing Zune (what a stupid name).

Is it because of the Apple halo effect where people are exposed to Apple's iPod+iTunes and then want a Mac later? Is M$ really worried about loosing significant market share?

Is it just the same old M$ trying to own every market?

I do think that Microsoft is intensely, insanely paranoid about loosing market share. Really the only place left for them to go is down. Then there's the Karma factor that all the long-term leaders at Microsoft pushed the company to success through illegal actions, and down right ripping off the genius of creative people who work for other companies. In the back of their minds they can't really be proud of their success because it's hollow--they didn't earn it--they stole it. Which leads to intense Apple envy because Apple's Karma is clean and pure. They made their success through true creativity and innovation. Time and time again the entire computer industry follows Apple's lead.

Microsoft's Apple envy leads them to release an also-ran iPod wanna be. Their envy can't even make them see that by releasing a D.O.A music player they're only reinforcing their image as a company the copies rather than innovates.

My only fear of this is that Zune could be M$'s next Internet Explorer 3--a failed, flop of a product where M$ funnels hundreds of millions of dollars into it's development AT A LOSS until they finally get something that's good enough that the masses of people accept it because it's something stupid like $10 less than an iPod.

What are your thoughts?

All a guy asks for is just one week - heck, just ONE DAY - without a bunch of Zune news being tossed across the pan.

It seems everyone of us is making the same arguments over and over again. And we'll keep making the same silly arguments over and over again until the thing is released.

Maybe, just maybe, we should stop giving MS or Toshiba (whomever will brand the product) the liberty of our time.

Of course, I'm probably speaking to a brick wall here...

DW:

"Of course, I'm probably speaking to a brick wall here..."

A brick wall....made up of UNSOLD ZUNES!!!! BWA-HA-HA-HA-HA!

I kill me!

"I kill me!"

Trying not to laugh.... trying so hard not to laugh! Nope, I won't do it...

B-Sabre:

I am following in the footsteps of DW and am NOT going laugh. Maybe a "guffaw" but not a laugh. I just will not do it. "Brick wall. Unsold Zunes...." (GUFFAW)

I just chatted with my company's head of technology who's quite familiar with FCC testing requirements. He says that final form factor is essential for FCC testing cos how chips and such are arranged on a chassis definitely does affect how the final product radiates. Looks like its "what we see is what we get" in terms for what Zune is supposed to look and feel like. Of course, question is, is that really a Zune?

Here ya go:

"Zune Zucks."

Here, the Pre-Zune (or how about calling it the "Longhorn Media Player").

http://gigabeat.toshiba.co.uk/

(Can I barf already?)

Check out the pre-Zune.

It's got (hold yer horses) a hold switch! a USB 2.0 connector! a color screen! and PlusTouch(tm) sensor switch.

The (tm) makes it cooler.

SucksForSure.

That Laptop still has a floppy drive !!!! ROTFLH! Now that's a hip machine! Obviously, the Zune is fully backwards compatible with Win95, and it can play Solitaire.

MW: century = 20th century