In wake of Zune, Microsoft ‘partners’ consider abandoning PlaysForSure

20 years ago

“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.

Patent application shows iPod capable of live wireless video conferencing – June 13, 2006
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Generator Research: Apple to Ship $4.2bn in Wireless iPods (WiPods) by 2010 – March 14, 2006
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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