“Microsoft’s Zune portable music player will let people share and sample tracks via wi-fi, reports suggest,” BBC News reports. “Although details of the gadgets are sketchy, Microsoft said it will use a hard drive, wi-fi and owners will be able to buy tracks that are downloaded direct to the device. The first Zune player will appear in late 2006 with more to follow in 2007.”
“Zune is the umbrella term for the hardware player, the software on it and the download service it will be tied into. Music tracks, movies and other content will be available via this service,” The Beeb reports. “Microsoft said that, at first, only music will be available via Zune with other content to follow later.”
“Incompatible copy protection systems will make it unlikely that music can be moved seamlessly from iTunes – used predominately by iPod owners – to Zune or vice versa,” The Beeb reports. “It is not clear whether Zune will be a closed system or if it will work with the other music, media and movie systems Microsoft is a partner in. Microsoft has yet to say how, or if, Zune will work with its existing MSN Music service or how it will affect its alliance with MTV on a download service. There is also no word on whether Zune will impact the Plays For Sure initiative which helps people work out what gadgets will play their music collection.”
“Respected analyst Rob Enderle from the Enderle Group said the Zune project was less about Microsoft making its own iPod and more about changing the entire music download market,” The Beeb reports. “‘It is a flanking move,’ Mr Enderle said. ‘Microsoft is trying to encompass Apple and turn them into a bit player.’ He added: ‘The strategy is brilliant, but the question is can they execute?’ Mr Enderle said Zune was likely to be pitched at those creating music, movies and other content. The service would also use download statistics to generate lists of the most popular tracks and compile recommendations of artists that others might like.”
“By contrast, said Mr Enderle, Apple was aimed more squarely at consumers,” The Beeb reports. “By courting artists and recording studios Microsoft could end up with a very large portfolio of fresh content on Zune, said Mr Enderle. ‘If you get the artists excited collectively, they will be more powerful than a Steve Jobs can be,’ he said.”
Full article here.
Respected analyst Rob Enderle? Bwahahahahahahahahaha! The Beeb wrote “respected…” Bwahaha! For “analyst” Rob Enderle! Bwahahahahahahahahaha! Is this from the “Humour” section?
Phew! Of course, everything Enderle says is wrong or idiotic gibberish. The strategy is brilliant? Does Enderle mean the strategy where Microsoft eats its own partners or the one where no one outside Microsoft fully knows the features and specs of the new device(s) and/or service(s) or the one where, if Microsoft ever gets even a hint of traction, Steve Jobs licenses FairPlay DRM to selected partners (Ahem, Sony) and/or everyone else thereby rendering Zune a complete and total loss?
If Rob Enderle thinks Microsoft’s Zune is “brilliant strategy,” you know it’s DOA. There’s no more effective ‘killer’ than an Enderle kiss of death.
Is Microsoft really trying to turn Apple into a “bit player” or are they trying to grab a minority share that Apple’s “competitors” currently occupy? We strongly suspect the latter.
Zune will use “statistics to generate lists of the most popular tracks and compile recommendations of artists that others might like” as part of its “brilliant strategy.” You know, just like iTunes does already. Supposedly, this means that Zune is aimed squarely at artists. So, Apple can have those hundreds of millions of consumers, Microsoft will take the 50-100 “artists” that will sell out to Redmond. Brilliant.
Rob “Microsoft Wrote the First Mac OS” Enderle is an idiot and so are the idiots at the BBC who decided to get his quotes and attempt to pass him off as “respected.”
Still, thanks for the early Monday morning laugh, Beeb!
Related articles:
Enderle on what it would take for Microsoft to kill Apple’s iPod – July 10, 2006
Enderle spouts some incredible nonsense about Apple iPod+iTunes – July 07, 2006
Enderle: If Apple can’t double market share it will abandon Macs – May 02, 2006
Enderle: Apple as Windows OEM – April 10, 2006
Enderle: Microsoft’s ‘PlaysForSure’ going to be a long-term problem for Apple – January 09, 2006
Big surprise: Enderle was wrong about Apple’s holiday quarter Mac sales – January 19, 2006
Enderle: What if Microsoft bought Apple? – April 03, 2006
Enderle: Apple+Intel could be wonderful for those of us that love design and use Windows – December 26, 2005
Enderle admits Apple’s switch to Intel not hurting Mac sales, says Apple ‘has never looked stronger’ – December 08, 2005
Enderle: ‘Some people got really excited by the new iPod, but a growing number of people did not’ – October 19, 2005
Tech pundit Enderle: ‘Microsoft wrote the first Mac OS’ – September 28, 2005
Tech pundit Enderle incorrectly compares Apple’s Mac OS to iPod licensing – September 01, 2005
Enderle: ‘Surveys indicate demand for Apple’s products is dropping like a rock’ due to Intel switch – August 01, 2005
Rob Enderle’s latest Windows Vista article is ‘vapid and incomprehensible’ – August 01, 2005
Enderle: ‘iPod Halo Effect is just a myth, same thing as having Paris Hilton visit Apple stores’ – May 02, 2005
Tech pundit Enderle: Apple’s Mac OS X Tiger’s main features ‘borrow heavily from Longhorn’ – May 02, 2005
Tech Pundit Enderle: ‘This year will be more difficult for Apple Computer’ and iMacs in earthquakes – January 24, 2005
Enderle: Gateway’s MP3 Photo Jukebox ‘ahead of the Apple design curve, like the iPod of the next-generation – November 08, 2004
Microsoft’s so-called ‘iPod killer’ Zune won’t zoom up the charts – July 23, 2006
Microsoft confirms ‘iPod Killer’ plans – July 21, 2006
Microsoft’s rumored ‘iPod killer’ poses little threat to Apple’s domination – July 18, 2006
Microsoft plans Super Bowl ad for ‘iPod killer’ – July 17, 2006
Sounds serious: Microsoft approaches iPod accessory makers for Zune would-be ‘iPod killer’ – July 12, 2006
Microsoft preps complete line of Xbox-branded digital-media products – July 11, 2006
Photo of Microsoft’s ‘iPod killer?’ – July 11, 2006
10 reasons why Microsoft’s ‘iPod killer’ will fail – July 11, 2006
Enderle on what it would take for Microsoft to kill Apple’s iPod – July 10, 2006
Microsoft: ‘iPod killer’ reports based on ‘speculation and rumors’ – July 07, 2006
Can Microsoft hit a fast moving target? Apple likely to debut wireless iPod this year – July 07, 2006
Analysts: Microsoft faces uphill fight to supplant Apple’s iPod+iTunes market dominance – July 07, 2006
Microsoft plans to convert iPod users by replacing iTMS songs with free WMA format songs – July 06, 2006
Microsoft to release wireless ‘iPod killer’ by Christmas to challenge Apple – July 05, 2006
Analyst Wu: Microsoft unlikely to dethrone Apple iPod+iTunes – June 21, 2006
Microsoft preps iPod+iTunes killer – June 19, 2006
Report: Microsoft readying Apple iPod+iTunes rival – June 16, 2006
Microsoft: No iPod killer planned – June 05, 2006
Microsoft, Toshiba, DoCoMo, Victor to develop Japan iPod+iTunes killer – June 02, 2006
Patent application shows iPod capable of live wireless video conferencing – June 13, 2006
Apple patent application filed for wireless iPod+iTunes distribution – May 04, 2006
Generator Research: Apple to Ship $4.2bn in Wireless iPods (WiPods) by 2010 – March 14, 2006
Ready for your wireless Apple iPod? – February 09, 2006
Wireless iPod? CSR and PortalPlayer to bring wireless connectivity to personal media players – February 08, 2006
Wireless Apple iPods coming in 2006? – December 09, 2005
More blood on Apple iTunes Music Store’s play button: MyCokeMusic is dead – June 20, 2006
More blood on Apple iPod’s Click Wheel: iRiver gives up on digital media player market – May 23, 2006
More blood on Apple iPod’s Click Wheel: Sony’s Walkman Bean is cooked – February 13, 2006
More blood on Apple iPod’s Click Wheel: Dell dumps ‘DJ’ hard-drive MP3 player line – February 04, 2006
More blood on Apple iPod’s Click Wheel: iRiver pulling out of Europe? – February 01, 2006
More blood on Apple iPod’s Click Wheel: Thomson gives up on MP3 player, CE markets – December 12, 2005
More blood on Apple iPod’s Click Wheel: BenQ withdraws from MP3 player markets – November 28, 2005
More blood on Apple iPod’s Click Wheel: Olympus halts production of portable digital music players – November 09, 2005
More blood on Apple iPod’s Click Wheel: Rio is dead – August 26, 2005
Apple’s iPod has blood on its Click Wheel: Virgin Electronics is dead – March 08, 2005
Apple’s iTunes Music Store has blood on its play button: BuyMusic.com is dead – March 28, 2004
“more about changing the entire music download market…
and suck it also into the sh*thole called Micro$oft windblows.
“zune” is a stupid name. it doesn’t roll off the tongue or sound cool like “ipod”. it’s forgetable, and so will the player and service. nothing that mdn quoted enderle on makes any sense, or give good reason why it’s a “brilliant strategy. what a tool.
How brilliant is it to sell a 30GB player for the same price as an existing 60GB player? Still I suppose it is innovative………
Now this is just scary.
http://comingzune.com
Is that supposed to be Bullmer letting you pat his wittle wabbit.
Good way to start MS. Cannot wait to see what’s next, maybe boiled lollies to get the kiddies interested.
“closed system”? count on it.
however M$ can throw a fuhtillion dollars at the project and sheeple like bEnderle will buy it up. this is the same company that could shell out 357 mil to the EU just to preserve their crappy business practices. make no mistake, this could potentially threaten the iPod’s dominance.
Actually he may have a point. If M$ can develop an Media Player OS that runs on 3rd party players. Then develop a music app like iTunes, and license both as a package to all the 3rd party vendors… its possible that they could gain some traction.
I think Apple will ultimately have to move in this direction… licensing its technology, otherwise its risks becoming a “bit player” in portable media – dejavu – GUI-Based OS.
Its important to play well with others…
Puzzled, ya’ beat me to it. The video’s really strange. Maybe they’re hoping for the bunny to multiply if you keep rubbing it? Or a djinni comes out and smites the iPod?
Enderle is just trying to piss us off again so that he gets picked up by blogs
Why, oh why, do they insist on calling Rob Enderle an analyst. He is a PR flack masquerading as an anlyst so he can charge his clients more. His strategy only works when he is called an analyst, which he clearly is not. But lazy news people just go to him when they need a quote. I don’t know why? They can go to real analysts like Forrester or Jupiter, or even IDC. I used to work at one of those tech news sites, and I have to tell you, most of what you read there is complete PR nonsense. The usual story comes in off the web, they give it to some J-school graduate making 30,000 a year, if she is lucky, and tell her to have it by the end of the day. She basically copies the press release and then calls up an analyst to get a quote. Slap the quote into the article and its done. Collect meager paycheck and go home by 5. Their mistake is actually thinking that these analysts know what they are talking about, or that people don’t take these things seriously.
OK, hasn”t this April fools joke gone long enough? They cant really be thinking about taking on the iPod can they? If they do, I am dumping every share of M$ stock I own the day it is announced before it turns to junk.
“He added: ‘The strategy is brilliant, but the question is can they execute?”
What strategie ? or do you mean cheap immitation perhaps?
The BBC has fallen so far down it can never get up. The U.K. government has pulled its fangs and replaced anyone with a sense of ethics and professionalism with a Rupert Murdock-like crowd of Blair-ass-kissing toadies who exist only for their five-figure bonuses contingent upon the number of employees they fire in any given month.
”
Enderle: Microsoft’s ‘iPod killer’ Zune is ‘brilliant strategy’
Monday, July 24, 2006 – 09:16 AM EDT
“Microsoft’s Zune portable music player will let people share and sample tracks via wi-fi, reports suggest,” BBC News reports. “Although details of the gadgets are sketchy, Microsoft said it will use a hard drive, wi-fi and owners will be able to buy tracks that are downloaded direct to the device. The first Zune player will appear in late 2006 with more to follow in 2007.”
“Zune is the umbrella term for the hardware player, the software on it and the download service it will be tied into. Music tracks, movies and other content will be available via this service,” The Beeb reports. “Microsoft said that, at first, only music will be available via Zune with other content to follow later.”
“Incompatible copy protection systems will make it unlikely that music can be moved seamlessly from iTunes – used predominately by iPod owners – to Zune or vice versa,” The Beeb reports. “It is not clear whether Zune will be a closed system or if it will work with the other music, media and movie systems Microsoft is a partner in. Microsoft has yet to say how, or if, Zune will work with its existing MSN Music service or how it will affect its alliance with MTV on a download service. There is also no word on whether Zune will impact the Plays For Sure initiative which helps people work out what gadgets will play their music collection.”
“Respected analyst Rob Enderle” is an example of the amateurish level of journalism to which the BBC has plunged, not only because the sentiment is patently false but because using an adjective such as “respected” is editorializing in what purports to be a news story and is superfluous, even stupid.
It’s the same as using the term “famous” when discussing someone who is. It suggests the person isn’t, and it makes the writer look like an idiot. “The famous president of the United States, George W. Bush, . . .” shows how silly the construcion is. Enderle is respected or he is not respeted. It’s not up to the fucking BBC to point it out. This is Journalism 101.
How the mighty have fallen.
It’s
No idea what happened. I think a copy-paste screwed up. Could MDM kill my first post?
With apologies, I’ll try again:
The BBC has fallen so far down it can never get up. The U.K. government has pulled its fangs and replaced anyone with a sense of ethics and professionalism with a Rupert Murdock-like crowd of Blair-ass-kissing toadies who exist only for their five-figure bonuses contingent upon the number of employees they fire in any given month.
“Respected analyst Rob Enderle” is an example of the amateurish level of journalism to which the BBC has plunged, not only because the sentiment is patently false but because using an adjective such as “respected” is editorializing in what purports to be a news story and is superfluous, even stupid.
It’s the same as using the term “famous” when discussing someone who is. It suggests the person isn’t, and it makes the writer look like an idiot. “The famous president of the United States, George W. Bush, . . .” shows how silly the construcion is. Enderle is respected or he is not respected. It’s not up to the fucking BBC to point it out. This is Journalism 101.
How the mighty have fallen.
Well, Enderle is known for being an absolute imbecil.
Mmmmmm … wabbits. Much fluffier than fluorescent silhouettes!
So, after five years of witnessing iPod-iTunes success the brilliant minds at Microsoft finally concluded that people like their music stored as digital files on portable devices. If brilliance is stating the obvious then Microsoft is brimming with geniuses. I suppose we will soon know how well Microsoft can translate their vision of digital music technology into a viable commercial service.
I wonder if Zune will dial home every time it boots to let M$ know of piracy…
Umm, next time you come up with an analogy, at least get it correct. The Beeb is the British equivalent of CBS with Dan Rather and his lackies creating news stories to fit their libbie agenda. At least get your story straight before babbling on like a fool next time.
zune zune zuuuune
I’ve ranted before about people in general not wanting to change from Doze to OS X because of a strong “status quo”, it’s good enough mentality. That seems to be the only thing Doze has going for it in the overall market. If people don’t switch to OS X in larger numbers because of inertia, why all of a sudden are thousands, millions, going to switch to the latest and greatest non-iPod?(or buy something else to begin with?) Doesn’t inertia work FOR Apple and the iPod here?
Are the “masses” clammering for something “better” than iPod, or more to the point the iPod/iTunes market model? I seriously doubt that too many normal consumers are wondering when somebody, anybody, will market a totally open system.
I suppose the French, Creative and M$ are, but that’s about it. This may be the normal competitive behavior for businesses, but after all of the failed attempts the last few years, it strikes me as desperation.
Oh boy! I can’t wait for Zunecasting.
Does anyone else think Zune is a dumb name, or is it just me?
Anyone want to predict how long it will take for the first Zune virus to rear it’s ugly head? I smell a colossal failure in the works folks. I went over to zunenation.com to see what’s what – there’s a whole 21 people (including me) online. The other 20 are probably M$ employees. As far as all these gee-whiz features go, just remember what they said Vista would do…
The BBC is the anal sphincter of the world press. Its rabid lib, and they got bitch slapped when they openly lied about Blair. It was so, so funny … the head of the BBC got his ass kicked out, the head of the news division got his ass kicked out, the lying ass dog journalist got his ass kicked out, etc. etc.
Lying ass dog libs, and forever discredited like that ass Dan Rather. Never, ever, have I had so much fun watching yellow belly libs get their lying asses kicked
Most creative artists don’t trust Microsoft, having said that..most creative artist’s love Apple and what they have done for them. Apple has done more than just sell iPods, or computer’s, Apple has enriched lives. Something MS falls short. It’s been that way since the beginning of time.
Are you a creative artist? Do you trust MS? What about Apple?
Now Microsoft is ruining even Evil itself. Notice the logo at the end.
In true Microsoft fashion, this is a poor, backwards, upside down copy of an elegant and functional Pentagram that has been bloated with extra lines and other features, resulting in a confusing mess!
Rrrraaaaaa!!!!
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”vampire” style=”border:0;” />
Go play in the traffic. When a bus runs over your head, no one will care because it won’t make any difference.
Wired calls it the iClod.
Supid Name:
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”wink” style=”border:0;” />
<i>”zune” is a stupid name. it doesn’t roll off the tongue or sound cool like “ipod”,/i>
Ah memories. I recall the iPod’s intro and the grumblings about the name. Cynical groans about “another “i” product. And reviewers questioning why it was called a “Pod” when pod signified nothing about music. The existing mp3 players had nothing to worry about.
Apple sure was stupid back then.
PLEASE keep the iPod news to iPOD daily news and OUT of the MAC section.
Being a Brit and having lived in Germany since 1976, the BBC World Service has been and still is an important source of news and, to a lesser extent, entertainment.
But slowly and surely they’re going down hill!
Particularly in things technology.
The quite awful ‘Click’ on BBC World TV is a tech. programme which is both inane and MS orientated.
Moreover, BBC downloads don’t support the Quicktime format.
Articles like this just show where their heads are at, and
Calling Enderle a ‘respected analyst’ has to be the last straw for me.
This is a hoot. Pot calling kettle black. MDN slamming Enderle, Thurott, etc., on a constant basis, but won’t answer whether it derives revenue by linking to their articles.
Rabid, hypocritical, Apple acolytes slamming MS for it OS domination, yet completely embracing conformity with the iPod. Say what you want about how good the iPod/iTunes combo is. But anything that dominates the market by definition shows conformity by it’s adopters.
It’s just a product. Choice is good. As long as we have competition, it will work for the best for customers. Apple provides that for the OS. MS is attempting that in the DRM world. Ying and yang.
Just my “analysis”.
Will Podcasts become Zunecasts?
Well, I’m all for competition, as I do believe when you have good, healthy competion we all win. I think one difference I see-at the risk of seeming to be a fan boy-is that Doze is most definately NOT recognized as the “best” in its category-it just dominates the market, whereas iPod/ITunes by most accounts IS the “best” in its category, at the moment at least, and dominates as a result.
That’s why people buy the iPod, and if that’s being conformist as zupchuck pejoratively put it, so be it.
I still say Apple has something very big in coming up in it’s future iPod/iPhone releases and Microsoft has heard about it.
Microsoft’s Zune BS is just some sort of preemptive strike to keep the few Microsoft fanboys left in this world from becoming early iPod/iPhone adopters. They have a history of announcing vaporware and vapor hardware that never really sees the light of day.
Until a Zune product is on a store shelf, color me skeptical about Zune’s very existence.
The BBC is the anal sphincter of the world press. Its rabid lib, and they got bitch slapped when they openly lied about Blair. It was so, so funny … the head of the BBC got his ass kicked out, the head of the news division got his ass kicked out, the lying ass dog journalist got his ass kicked out, etc. etc.
Lying ass dog libs, and forever discredited like that ass Dan Rather. Never, ever, have I had so much fun watching yellow belly libs get their lying asses kicked
Just so I’m clear, you think that they’re lying and they’re liberals and they’re possibly cowards. I wasn’t sure so I thought I’d check.
The quite awful ‘Click’ on BBC World TV is a tech. programme which is both inane and MS orientated.
But the good news is that it appears on BBC1 or 2 sometimes at around 3am, so if I’m having trouble sleeping it really makes a difference. In any case, it’s no worse than the appalling Gadget Show on C5. I’d really like to commit acts of violence on nearly everyone in that show other than Suzi Perry (for obvious reasons).
I don’t care if it’s Labour, Tory, Lib-Dem, gay, straight or Martian. I want it to keep its head out of the politician of the day’s ass, stop editorializing in it’s so-called news stories and rise above the level of the New York Sun and Oor Wullie.
Yes BBC is going down hill, I’ve met a few of their guys in the past, they were all decent folks. They’ve been defanged by this govt.
BBC didn’t lie about Blair, they were right but Blair exercised his power (set his attack dog Campbell on them) and shafted them.
Trust me, Microsoft’s Vista will definitely be ready in forty-five minutes
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”wink” style=”border:0;” />
Channel4 is where to go for UK news however they don’t do Quicktime either. BlairWatch is fun too: http://www.blairwatch.co.uk/
Zune is a combination of the two most popular brand names other than iPod, Zen and iTunes. It’s not a bad strategy for picking a name
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”grin” style=”border:0;” />
Oh, Microsoft doesn’t even own zune.com:
Registrant:
Zune
GATE MARKET RESEARCH LIMITED
20-22 BEDFORD ROW
LONDON, LONDON WC16 4JS
UK
Domain Name: ZUNE.COM
…..
Record expires on 21-Jun-2009.
Record created on 22-Jun-1998.
It’s been registered for quite a long time, although “off the air”.
Enderle must write satire. That’s the only explanation for this. For a long time he’s just been spewing total crap, and we all fell for it. That’s the only explanation. He can’t believe the crap he’s writing.
The BBC is just like that pro-life twit who cited an Onion article.
Jay,
So what was pejorative? If everyone buys the same product, isn’t that conformity? Regardless of its perceived quality? I believe conformity exists outside of reasons for one’s choice or any degree of singlemindedness.
If you make your choice based upon what you think is best for you, then whether the choice is the predominant one or not shouldn’t matter. BTW, I’m a long-term Apple customer owning various Macs and an iPod (really). And I did conform when buying an iPod (but I did seriously ponder other MP3 players).
I guess I just belittled myself!
” width=”19″ height=”19″ alt=”wink” style=”border:0;” />
Check out BBC’s coverage of the Middle East (specifically their tender-hearted treatment of Hamas and Hezbollah) — that will tell you where their politics are and always have been.
And about Blair? The BBC was caught red-handed lying about documents and claimed that they had been “sexed up”. In that sense, they are comparable to Dan Rather and his forged documents. What is it about leftist media and the inability to be truthful?
Another thing, the BBC is funded by the government. The closest comparison to American media is PBS, which is also notoriously leftist. If the BBC had any guts, they’d turn down government funding to “speak truth to power”. But they won’t. The money is too good, and the playing the martyr bit is too addicting. If people had to pay directly for the BBC, they wouldn’t.
“zune”. (n.) Swahili word literally translated as, “steaming pile of droppings left by a clueless elephant.”
alt. meaning. (n.) Microsoft product. See above description.
“Well you see, we get inside the rabbit and when Apple takes it into it’s headquarters we jump out and..”
“Inside the what?”
“The rabbit. And then we…”
BOOOOINNNGGG!
Courage MS, Courage
hahahahaha…i can’t laugh enough at this ridiculous attempt by microsoft. i went over to zunenation.com and i happened to be the 11th person online at the time. there will be plenty of hype surrounding the release, and then even more hype about how it doesn’t live up to the then-announced vPod. Complete domination by apple.
MDN Magic Word: miss…As in “Microsoft steps up to the plate….here comes the pitch…swing and a MISS!”
Now I have to find a Wi-Fi network that I can log into… Scroll on a tiny device through a million songs to sample and then download the song I want.. Wow thats innovation.. I have a hard enough time finding a Wi-Fi spot that is free as it is and most of the time they half-way work.
It’s probably forgotten by now, but about nine million comments ago, “Jack Spratt” expressed concern that Microsoft could threaten the iPod, because they have sooooo much money to throw at the problem.
Folks, stop worrying about this! It’s a non-issue! Yes, Microsoft has loads of cash! Yes, they can afford to lose a ton pushing their way into new markets! But people who worry about this seem to have memorys that stop with the stories of Internet Explorer and Word. Has Microsoft succeeding in spending their way into market domination since those days?
NO!! Every attempt has been an utter failure! Even the “success” of the XBox has lost them horrific amounts of cash and made only the smallest of dents in Sony’s market share.
I fully expect “Zune” to be the XBox of digital audio players. In other words, it will be the on everyone’s lips, it will be a big deal in the media, but at the end of the day, it will be yet another Microsoft money loser, and Apple will continue to dominate the market.
zupchuck-point(s) very well taken.
If Rob Enderle thinks Microsoft’s Zune is “brilliant strategy,” you know it’s DOA.
I didn’t even have to type that, MDN did it for me. I would have referred to him as the Fudmeister though.
I queried Rob Enderle about this, using some of MDN’s points, but not all. Here is his response to me:
I see, you actually don’t understand the strategy or simply assume that
since it didn’t come from Apple it won’t work (I might even agree with
that last part).
First there is nothing in this that says Microsoft won’t license most
parts of this out (and that is part of the plan). People have been
asking, begging, and pleading Steve to license Fair Play out, so far he
has said he never will do this. Of course we all know Steve tells the
truth when he says he won’t do stuff (Intel, Flash etc.). Guy lies
like
a rug.
As for whether people outside of Microsoft know about this, they have
pitched it to a broad cross section of artists and labels and both
groups like it better then iTunes. (Not a surprise on the label side,
the labels have not been happy with iTunes for some time). Much of
this
is anecdotal but Microsoft has been sharing which is how this story
leaked in the first place.
A Strategy is a plan, the plan is good, execution has been a bit of an
issue for Microsoft of late and you have to know Apple’s own excellent
competitive analysis has seen this coming and will have a response. No
strategy ever survives the battlefield. But, all of that being said,
this is a good strategy, and the execution team looks good but man,
betting on Microsoft executing these days is really iffy.
Enjoy your laugh, but if you did your homework before you wrote perhaps
you would be respected as well.
Enjoy your laugh.
Rob Enderle
Principal Analyst
Enderle Group
(408) 272-8560 work
(408) 832-6326 cell
enderle@enderlegroup.com
I’m not bashing Rob, and I have a lot of experience with strategy, and I honestly don’t get his point.
How is this a flanking move?
I’d love to understand his point better, but it really doesn’t make any sense.
Huh? Enderle pretty much says in the response that MS won’t succeed, but “the plan is good”, “groups like it better _then_ iTunes”, etc…
Does Enderle think the plan is brilliant since it only exists on paper (for now), or brilliant as in “it might render you blind” brilliant, or what? I honestly don’t get his point, either.
BTW, I think Steve will eventually license FairPlay when it suits Apple. Right now, it does not. And so what if Steve “lies like a rug”. Why should he give up his competative advantage (or give Apple a disadvantage) by telling us their secrets? Folks are chasing Apple. Why should Apple advertise its strategy for success and give competitors and leg up on what’s going to happen?
Well perhaps we need to do our own homework and come to the conclusion that MS wrote the MacOS, too. And we’ll be respected for doing so. Next thing you know, MS wrote iTunes, too.
MS problem is that they built a online music frameowrk they licensed to others since 1999 – and essentially ignored by consumers.
Somehow in their deluded belief, they are going to come up with something better in 6 months time?
And they have already pretty much said it will NOT work with Urge or plays4sure – after all this time that MS claimed that anything other than WMA is “closd,” they really are closing themselves off from their partners with a new flavor of WMA that is not like any other WMA – how confused will those sticking to the ipod be?
Napster WMA works with Creative and samsung but not Sony WMA … MS WMA does not work with MTV WMA …
Or maybe just buy an ipod?
Yea, Enderle is an amazing idiot. He’s like that Iraqi Minster of Information during the fighting portion of the war … “what American troops?”
zu-ne (zün)
n. Extremely Vulgar Slang.
A terribly deformed anus.
An extremely contemptible, detestable person. Someone with vulgar taste and shocking manners.
Ex: They all agreed that there might not be greater zune in the analyst world that Rob Enderle.
……………………
Rob, rob rob… you are making it so easy. But thank you for your dedication to being the best living example… no matter how discusting it is to witness.
Ummm, what strategy?
Oh, you mean the one Apple used many years ago when the iPod was released?
Actually, that fits with Microsoft’s past couple of years – do everything they can to catch up to Apple, but always stay a few years behind. Brilliant strategy!
How can 40 million iPod users all buying songs from iTunes, result in anyone trurning Apple into a “bit player” overnight?
Wow…how analytical…and worthy of respect…
So will these creative artists they enlist be able to use Zune to listen to the songs they create in ProTools on their Macs? I guess they probably liked the sound of increased royalties from Zune(?) without giving much thought to which platform is used for said creation! Sounds like they talked to 3 major artists who think they’re getting ripped off online.
I do not have hard numbers. It seems that WiFi requires a larger battery one of the key “features” of the iPods is their size. Apple has beeen vigourously reducing the size of iPods for increasing functionality. How big will Zune need to be to include the battery that will allow 8 hours play time. I suspect Zune’s acceptance may resemble that of another MS product, Bob.