“Microsoft is in the process of unveiling to select retailers the first of its line of Zune wearable digital audio players and informed retailers it will offer a single unit [30GB] this fall, available in three colors at a suggested retail price of $299,” Amy Gilroy reports for This Week In Consumer Electronics (TWICE).
Gilroy reports, “Retailers who have been briefed by Microsoft told TWICE the player will offer Wi-Fi capability, but will require that the portable be connected to a PC for the actual purchase of songs. Retailers, who claimed Microsoft remained ‘fuzzy’ on the Zune’s wireless capability, said only that Zune will allow users to bookmark songs that may be shared via Wi-Fi, but that users cannot purchase songs on the go from the Microsoft Zune Web site.”
According to the report, Microsoft plans to continue PlaysForSure licensing despite the launch of the Zune portable audio player and online music service which will be effectively competing with the PlaysForSure licensees.
Full article here.
Unsurprisingly, Zune’s abilities diminish with each passing day; just like those of the derivative company that’s trying to make the thing.
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MDN: “Unsurprisingly, Zune’s abilities diminish with each passing day; just like those of the derivative company that’s trying to make the thing.”
It must run on Vista.
It needs Vista? So when will people really be able to use their Zune?
Macster: that was a pun. Not sure what it runs on. Just thought it was interesting how e verything Microsoft touches runs on a backwards clock, and features seem to disappear.
“According to the report, Microsoft plans to continue PlaysForSure licensing despite the launch of the Zune portable audio player and online music service which will be effectively competing with the PlaysForSure licensees.”
-what a frick’n mess…all these “partners” gotta feel ‘PlayedForSure’
Waaahhh Wahhhh Wahhhh Wahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Everything Microshaft touched turns to $#iT.
What a mess that company is.
I’ll continue to thank god for making me a life long Mac user.
Nice one Mike. My sensors are tingling.
“Microsoft officials have just released a statement saying, “After a beta test of the Zune player, we have decided that it will not support a ‘play’ option, nor will it support a hard drive.” When asked what the official was really trying to tell us, he responded, “honestly, I believe that we will just release a small, empty black box. It will retail for $299, and be completely useless. However, we expect our dedicated Microsoft customers to purchase at least two per sale.”
We tried for a comment from Steve Ballmer however, we were told that he was busy purchasing iPods for the holiday rush.
The first batch will have a 35% failure rate out-of-the-box, dead on arrival.
Yeah, nice one, Mike.
“PlayedForSure.” LOL!
Of course, it was even better back last December when MDN said it first: http://tinyurl.com/g2svm
Sells for $299.
Gee. That’s aggressive pricing against the sector dominating 30 gb iPod which sells for… oh… wait. It sells for $299 too.
This is fun to watch
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“You have a case of the Zunes.”
“Is there an ointment for that?”
Jeez. You all don’t see how I see.
I know Zune will work. This is how:
For iPod users with OS X: Oh well, MS is screwed here
But…
For iPod users with windows:
In the next windows update, software will be discreetly installed that will cause iTunes to fail and install a windows OS on the iPod so a virus can be loaded that burns up the HDD or something. Then, everyone will go and buy a Zune.
You see, microsoft already does this. It’s called “Internet Explorer Beta 3,” which causes the best internet browser available for windows, Mozilla Firefox, not to work.
I think we should start sweating bullets.
So, is the damned thing (and I DO mean that) gonna’ be video-capable?
However, this innovation from Microsoft is expected to be a huge hit in the Florida retirement community of Del Zuna Vista.
Players will come preloaded with hits from Zamfir the pan flute virtuoso, Perry Como’s greatest songs, Leon Uris’ QB VII narrated by Ernest Borgnine, championship shuffleboard strategies, Rosemary Clooney’s “Come On-A My House”, John Tesh playing from some desert somewhere, and the collected memoirs of Adlai Stevenson. Please adjust your medication, hearing aids and any other prosthetics now.
rasterbator: Your sensors just called. They’ve been waiting in Dean Wormer’s daughter’s room for you to come get them. Bring some Brillo pads, six AA batteries, a CAT 5 ethernet cable and a double edge razor. Just in case.
Hey which way to the iZune store?
Who put the zoo in Zune?
Zero Use-No Excuse
Microsoft-opposite of big and hard
PlayForShit
The Window is closing…
Sabotaging iTunes is not as easy as it seems considering the installed base. If M$ does it, it’s going to reflect badly on them, because iTunes has been basically spotless all along.
Choice of colors…
1) You can have your choice of colors. As long as its Black.
Henry Ford on the Model T.
2)Zume come in three colors… All Blue Screens of Death.
Microsoft on the Zume
Also….
The come up with a ad that look like the iPod figures. But instead of dancing, Its shaking the darn thing after it repeatly dies!
I think this thing is going to blow chunks!. However I never understimate MS pockets…..and they are deep.
So on the off chance you are next to someone else with a wi-fi zune you can bookmark a song they are playing to purchase later? BFD.
BTW, I think Rosemary Clooney’s “Come-on-a-my-house” is a groovy song!
so was George’s “Man of Constant Sorrow”
Of course it was fake, like his politics
Why does this sound like a pathetic attempt at a Frank Herbert sequel?
And on that thought:
“The people I distrust most are those who want to improve our lives but have only one course of action.”
– Frank Herbert
Actually, the Zune is simply a metal case to hold the iPod that gives Ballmer the illusion of innovation.