“Microsoft’s forthcoming ‘family of hardware and software products’ under the name Zune came as a bombshell to many companies when the rumors initially started flying, especially since MS had previously denied that the move was even on the roadmap,” Mike Kobrin writes for PC Magazine.
“I can certainly feel the backlash brewing among the current non-Apple device makers, who are basically about to be cut loose on their own. Some are talking about abandoning PlaysForSure as a platform, since Microsoft gets that licensing money. But some, like iriver, have really committed to particular online services (URGE in iriver’s case), and I think that when the dust settles, this may be the new paradigm. As hardware companies and music-service providers continue to pair off, we may see a gradual growing together between partners to the point where there’s an overlap in look and feel,” Kobrin writes.
“I’ve never been particularly impressed with Windows Media Player as a sync and music-management application, and that has not changed with what I’ve seen in WMP 11 (though others seem to disagree). Thankfully, the Zune brand will start from scratch and not use Windows Mobile or WMP, so at least Microsoft has a fighting chance in that regard,” Kobrin writes. “One major consideration is that video will play a key role in the Zune brand, and if MS can corner the market on movie content—not just TV shows—before Apple dives in fully (which may be sooner than you think), that may make a crucial difference. The Zune’s rumored limited gaming capabilities, however, are not likely to play a major role in the race. Another thing going for the first Zune product is Wi-Fi capability, which may dovetail nicely with an MS music store for over-the-air downloads, though it’s still unclear whether consumers on a large scale will see this as a bonus or a gimmick.”
As for Microsoft’s chances of taking a sizeable chunk of the market, Kobrin says he is “cautiously optimistic” because of “marketing.” Kobrin writes, “Most importantly, though, I hope the Zune brand doesn’t suffer from the same delays as Vista and actually makes it to market in time for the holidays.”
Full article here.
Zune is another Microsoft product that the market hasn’t shown any signs of needing or wanting. Mac and Windows users are already served very well with Apple’s iPod+iTunes — the only major player line and online service to offer equal compatibility to both major platforms. Zune isn’t going to be a success simply because Microsoft (and PC Mag wag Kobrin) wishes it to be so, regardless of how much or how it markets the thing.
People vastly overestimate Microsoft’s abilities constantly. Apple has the unbeaten track record here, not Microsoft. In fact, Apple’s iPod+iTunes should be up on charges of serial murder for the dead would-be “iPod killers” and “iTunes killers” that are piling up all over. Of course, Zune may well top the also-ran “Microsoft partners” and capture most of Apple’s leftovers — hardly a difficult accomplishment judging by the competition.
Regardless, CEO’s of many struggling MP3 player makers and online music outfits must be asking themselves today, “With ‘partners’ like Microsoft, who needs enemies?” In the future, other companies would do well to remember how Microsoft “partners” before potentially signing their companies’ lives away.
Related articles:
Wi-Fi seen limiting battery life on Microsoft’s Zune – July 24, 2006
Why Microsoft’s Zune is doomed to fail – July 24, 2006
Bear Stearns analyst expects Apple to respond to Microsoft’s ‘challenge’ with new iPod innovations – July 24, 2006
Microsoft Zune? They should’ve called it the Microsoft ‘iClod’ – July 24, 2006
Enderle: Microsoft’s ‘iPod killer’ Zune is ‘brilliant strategy’ – July 24, 2006
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
What does this mean?
“Most importantly, though, I hope the Zune brand doesn’t suffer from the same delays as Vista and actually makes it to market in time for the holidays.”
Why does he hope this? What does a journalist care?
“it’s still unclear whether consumers on a large scale will see this as a bonus or a gimmick.”
I’ve asked before… I’ll ask again… how exactly will the presence of WiFi on an MP3 player benefit me?
“I’ve asked before… I’ll ask again… how exactly will the presence of WiFi on an MP3 player benefit me?”
Not only that, but what does it do to your battery life?
The only wireless I want is for my earbuds. I would love to cut the cord on those. Also, I would like to simple set my iPod next to an electrical outlet for charging; no wire or plugs.
When you’ve got those wireless issues resolved, talk to me. Anyone who has used the web browser on their cell phone gets the idea of a wireless version of a music store. What a waste!
M$ will copy iPod and iTunes and be very successful. Apple has done all the ground work for them. Apple has only 50% market share worldwide. There is plenty still to play for.
-Obvious_
I’ve said before. It will not! It is a stupid gimmick. You will chew up battery, which leave you less time to do what you bought the thing for, listen and enjoy. Battery, Battery, Battery. On-the-spot downloading over the air is the stupidest thing since a pet rock.
Features don’t benfit if they comprimise and limit the sole function of the object. I wish we could get off this “wi-fi” thing about as bad as that damned term “iPod Killer”
These people and their over-the-air download fantasies. Wi-Fi is not cellular. Microsoft’s music store will not be available everywhere. So, what, I can be driving down I-95 and will be able to download the hot new single I hear on the radio? I don’t think so. Whenever it comes to Microsoft, people have these impractical grandiose ideas of what will actually be capable of what they produce. I laugh every time. Origami anyone?
Just more nanny-nanny-boo-boo, we-sell-more-than-you-do, yawn-inducing “news” from MDN.
But then again, history could repeat itself….
WiFi for a music player = come home, computer detects my music player, updates my podcasts and syncs those to my music player wirelessly.
or
purchase or rip new music, library detects new music has been added, sycs to music player wirelessly.
Don’t think “buying music when you’re out and about”, think “removing that cable that goes between the iPod and the computer”.
Why would anyone want battery hungry WiFi in their “iPod device”? (instead of calling it a “MP3 device” since the iPod dominates)
Is that latest song which was just released so important that it can’t wait until you get home?
Ideas:
1. Apple could counter with an “offline” music store that hosts the latest catalog on your iPod. Then you can select songs to buy “on the go” thru a mini browser, then when you sync up, it would then purchase them for you. Even host the 30 second clips of “iTunes recommended songs” on your HD. This option could be turned off, of course, to save HD space on the smaller capacity iPods.
2. Or just have an application on your iPod where you could input a song name and artist (or TV or Movie title) and it would search and return results automatically when you sync on your computer. That way if you thought of a song/tv show/movie title on the go, you could “queue” it up for download.
3. Apple could team up with a cell company to allow the iTunes Store on your phone which could download and then transfer the songs to your iPod via a cable for the older iPods and via BlueTooth on the new iPods when released with BlueTooth.
Slowly, slowly Apple.
Wait until Microsoft launch the product, put out the ads, invest in the hardware, software & logistics.
Wait until they’ve spent an obscene amount of money, in anticipation of the hoards users that will allow them to recoup their investment.
Just wait, until they reach the crescendo of hype & throwing all the money at this vapourware that they can in anticipation of its success…
…and then licence Fairplay & the iTMS to their ‘PlaysForSure’ partners, and watch them (and their users) come running your way, and watch Microsoft suddenly realise they’ve played right into your hands.
I don’t think it would affect Apple’s bottom line much, especially if they kept on innovating the iPod.
With any luck we’ll bankrupt the bastards, or at least take of a hefty slice of their 40+ billion in cash, it’d be worth it just to see the look on BG’s face.
I know I’m putting aside some money, just to purchase more songs from the iTMS, and then I’m gonna claim my free WMA songs from Microsoft (and then trash them).
Imagine if we all did this. 20 million Mac users, how much is that gonna cost Microsoft?
Microsoft’s “partners” must have epic levels of hemorrhoids.
It almost sounds like to me that M$ is targeting both the iPod and the Sony PSP/Nintendo DS market with Zune. If history has taught us anything, it’s that these swiss army knife type devices (that are jacks of all trades but masters of none) always end up falling flat in the consumer marketplace. Just ask Palm and countless others how things are going these days.
As for the “PlaysForSure” crowd of companies out there, they had better abandon that sinking ship as quickly as possible if they want to survive at all in the marketplace.
Eventually, Apple will offer wireless connections, but now is not the time, since 802.11g is a power hog. When wi-fi is ready, Apple will put it in. MS has constantly suffered from a technology for technology sake mentality; putting in technologies as features without thinking about the entire package (performance, size, cost, usage scenarios) from the end user point of view. Evidence Origami.
On a different tack, MS had better execute at getting widespread availability of the Zune by Christmas, or they’ll just repeat the Xbox 360 fiasco. Apple will eat their lunch if Zune’s (hate that name!) aren’t available all over the place.
Isn’t “Plays For Sure” the son of the narcoleptic “Crashes For Sure”?
But then, if Zune eventually incorporates videogaming, WIFI let’s you play online. Simple as that.
Also, it doesn’t have to be constantly on.
I too have thought that the wifi ability is a great move for “just syncing” when at home…
But thinking one step deeper, one discovers that isn’t so.
Question 1:
How does one charge a Zune?…
Question 2:
What is the difference in plugging a Zune into a wall socket vs. plugging it to your computer?
Answer:
None.
Any player needs charging, so it will always need to plug into something that can charge it. Why not charge it from a computer while it syncs at the same time?…
Therefor, wifi syncing does NOT eliminate the “must plug the Zune into something” step…
WiFi does not eliminate a plug-in step, so there is no advantage with this home sync stuff. When one gets home, they will need to plug it into a wall socket somewhere to charge…
I’d rather plug it into my computer where I am likely to gravitate towards when I arrive home.
Lastly:
One could argue it will be a AA battery product and require no charging… Let’s not even go to how incredibly dumb that thinking is…
~Steven
YOU are “wrong again.”
You must considder:
The appeal to the masses
The effects to the opporation of the unit as a whole
the reality and probability of the technology and opporation satisfying the high standards of Apple
You want to have all of this automation at the cost of your battery. Do you know how long it would take to sync all of the info you are talking about and the drain of the battery? You are willing to comprimise what you call convenince for battery – which is the driving force of the object. You would not consider such options for your vehicle if it SERIOUSLY hampered you horsepower or fuel efficiency.
With one cord, not 5, you get a briefcharging of your ipod, as opposed to a major drain, and much faster speed.
So your life is so damn complex you just can possibly plug one cord in? This is un-frikin’-real.
Get off of it people.
Yup, Microsoft is playing right into Apple’s hands. Steve didn’t issue a challenge to M$ to make their own iPod for nothing! I too believe that once M$ gets the Zune to market, Apple will license Fairplay. Microsoft fall down, go boom.
I’m just wondering if there is a possability of the “Zune” OS or it’s file system being infected by a virus or malware since it’s so prevelant on the MS side. I think wifi would also leave them open to hacking etc.
How much market share is really left for pure MP3/video players?…
MS is stepping into the market with a device that is not low-cost, so let us focus on the Western world, which is where this battle will commense.
Apple owns roughly 60 – 65%% of the Western market.
Consider Sony is believed to have sold roughly 350 million Walkman’s in it’s hay day, and that MP3 devices (the one’s people are favoring)are considerably more costly than Walkman’s were…
The result is that roughly 1/3rd of the MP3 player market is sold into, and Apple owns the majority of that market.
If MS were to grab 35% of the remaining market (even at this late in the game), the odds are long that they will ever achieve more than 25% of the overall western market share. It’s just mathmatically difficult for MS to gain much more than that.
So why is MS doing this?
MS is moving on this because after four years of watching their approach be shredded by Apple, they have no choice. Zune is the last ditch effort to ensure the Family-room and digital lifestyle is not consumed by Apple.
xBox is a help for MS, but it is not the mass appeal family hub solution Apple has coming…
Spark >The only wireless I want is for my earbuds. I would love to cut the cord on those.>
What happens when they fall out? Right now, you just haul them back.
my question is how close will microsoft copy the feel of itunes music store?
They copied Google white space layout for MS search.
iTunes will be the template everyone reproduces.
“What is the difference in plugging a Zune into a wall socket vs. plugging it to your computer?”
Wall-sockets are ubiquitous. Computers are not.
WiFi will only suck battery while it’s in use. And not much, if they mean Bluetooth rather than 802.11! My iBook has Airport (WiFi). It doesn’t use much battery unless I’m connected to a WiFi station with it.
The market numbers I’ve seen are all above 70% for the iPod, not including the incursion of cell phones into the market. And … cell phones may be able to play MP3s, that doesn’t make them “MP3 players”. My iPod can play all day long and a shuffle can play as long as most people can exercise (longer, with repeats), where do phones stand?
As for why MS is doing this … perhaps because they see the vPod (that tablet-sized video-player with the “touchless scroll-wheel”) coming and want to head it off at the pass by getting a) movies and b) WiFi out there ahead of Apple. Apple has been enjoying the profits of selling to the top end of the computer and MP3 player markets for a while now … MS likes profit above all.
Yeah, they copied Google w/ MSN Search and look at how far that got them!
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Hey Peter
So, i forego the computer and plug the thing into a ubiquitous wall socket.
Then, I assume, I purchase my entire music library from Microsoft, download it wirelessly, and store it on my Zune. No facility to RIP CD’s, right?
Then, lets say I lose my Zune, or it gets ripped off, or it overheats and bursts into flames, or the hard drive craps out. Then wha? No computer to sync to, so I get to pay for and download my entire music collection again on my brand new/repaired Zune.
Wait a minute… that’s brilliant.
Crappy hardware + No computer to sync to + Paid music downloads + inevitable catastrophic failure or loss + Idiots who’ll buy another Zune + requirement to repurchase music = Perpetual profit stream
That’s why Microsoft rules!
So Zune is going to use its own jukebox software instead of WiMP? Gosh, I wonder how it’s going to look. How about playlists in the left column, and songs in the right, some sort of “party mode,” circular buttons, special playlists that select songs based on certain crite–
What?
What’s that you say?
Drat.
On screwing Microsoft with WMA
I’m assuming you will have to buy a Zune to take advantage of the free WMA songs (if they exist) from Microsoft. In that case, make sure you get a good return policy. On the other hand, if MS is thinking, you may need to send in your UPC and receipt as a WMA rebate type program and will then have to sell your Zune on eBay.
On available market share for Zune
To determine how much market share is available for the Zune you would need to know the number of iPod owners using the iTMS as their source of music. Even then, some may switch if the free WMA is true. Otherwise, the iPod suffers the same fate as a cell phone – If all brands work with my service provider (Ripped CDs and pirated MP3s) I can use whichever brand of device I like. This makes switching from an iPod easy. It is entirely possible that 90% of personal music device sales could go to Zune this holiday season.
Who am I kidding. Microsoft is destroying the entire non-iPod market by adding confusion.
Hey, my iPod works fine.
Why should I spend over $100 just to get an MS-branded MP3 player?
Sure, I got zillions in legally downloaded songs, but they’re only 99¢ per pop, not a freakin’ C-note.
I already made my purchase. I have no reason to switch.
And how long will MS keep their alleged “we’ll pay for you to switch your songs to Zune?” Will they be doing it in two years when it’s time to upgrade my iPod?
Oh, and considering that MS loses money on every XBox they sell, I wonder how much they’ll lose on each Zune?
Ha! Buy a Zune to help bankrupt MS?
> Therefor, wifi syncing does NOT eliminate the “must plug the Zune into something” step…
It must be plugged into something, but why does that something have to be a computer? Heck, plug it into a iPod Hi-Fi type speaker set! Always powered AND always synced.
> So your life is so damn complex you just can possibly plug one cord in? This is un-frikin’-real.
Wow, glad you weren’t around when Apple was thinking up “Airport”.
Peter, DLMeyer,
Good points, and more for DLMeyer, I wouldn’t be surprised if this was Microsoft making sure that if there were to be only two players in the DAP arena, that one was Microsoft. The numbers look like it’s headed for Apple and Sandisk.
The reason you don’t see WiFi in an iPod is that WiMAX is being built out as we speak. Buy a Zune and your wireless technology will be obsolete within months. But since when did MS worry about such things?
From: The VERY Satirical Realist
Jul 25, 06 – 12:11 pm, But then again, history could repeat itself….
If you’re talking about the OS wars of the 80s, you’d be wrong in comparing the two. iPods and the iTMS work on both Macs and PCs.
The only way M$ would win this is IF they gave it away for free, how long could they keep that going without looking criminal? Besides I think Jobs would just open up FairPlay for licensing to all MP3 player manufacturers if things got to bad.
How about this:
Creative and Apple settle their Patent lawsuit, and in it’s place Creative agrees to license Apple’s DRM. Apple extends the same courtesy to Sony for their Sony PSP and players. Apple’s DRM becomes the most open DRM solution out there silencing all their detractors (i.e. EU, etc…). Instead Microsoft’s solution will be considered a monopoly. Go figure
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Apple still has the right to develop unique hardware solutions that differentiate themselves from their partners, while selling tons more iTunes.
I also believe Apple should go with a pay per monthly service again to answer detractors.
This is classic Microsoft. Pre-announce vaporware to spread FUD. Throw their competition off their game plans. Freeze consumers into delaying purchases.
Everybody that wants a Zune, raise your hands. Everybody else, just change the subject.
Hey, is there any site taking a body count of all iPod+iTunes victims so far. I’d love to see the list…
Why WI-FI? I understand why WI-FI is so cool for laptop computers; continuous network connectivity without a wire is a great benefit. Why does a music player device need it? It doesn’t. A music player device should be as small as possible, as light as possible, and have the longest possible battery life… All sacrificed to add WI-FI, which does not help it perform its primary function – PLAY MUSIC.
So tell me this… If a home has WI-FI, isn’t it a given that this home also has a Mac or PC. If there’s a Mac or PC in the home, why would the user need a WI-FI enabled music player to purchase music directly from the device, using a tiny screen and awkward interface? Is it such a burden to connect one wire from device to the computer once every few days to sync the media library? You’ll still have to connect it to charge the battery. If it has WI-FI, you’ll probably have to connect to charge once every few HOURS. How does the user add their own music collection on CD to the WI-FI device? or does MS expect that the user will buy ALL of their songs from its online store? And even if they do, how does the user backup up online purchases, in case the device is lost or broken?
Everyone seems to want a WI-FI iPod, but what’s the big deal? I don’t want it. Tell me why I should want it…
Perhaps this will teach companies to include a non-compete clause before considering Microsoft as a partner.
> A music player device should be as small as possible, as light as possible, and have the longest possible battery life
Very interesting that this is PRECISELY where Windows compatible DAP’s were going for YEARS when the iPod was larger, heavier and had a shorter battery life than the competition. This infers that “ease of use” can easily trump your requirements.
> You’ll still have to connect it to charge the battery
> you’ll probably have to connect to charge once every few HOURS
Not if it’s connected to a powered speaker set.
>How does the user add their own music collection on CD to the WI-FI device
Rip it on your computer. After complete, it would sync wirelessly. Now you’ve got the library on your computer and your portable device.
> Tell me why I should want it.
You DON’T want it. God meant for Wi-Fi to be used for an internet connection and THAT’S ALL! All these newfangled uses like Bonjour is just there to confuse and befuddle you!
They’ve been played for sure!
Cheers,
Tim.