“Well, here’s a bit of a surprise: a wireless PMP just showed up on the FCC, featuring a 30GB HDD, FM tuner and a strangely familiar 3-inch screen,” Paul Miller reports for Engadget.
Miller reports, “And it ain’t being manufactured by Microsoft. Instead it looks like Microsoft got their good pal Toshiba to produce the Zune, which not only saves Microsoft the job of gearing up some production lines for the thing, but seems to keep them from stepping on at least one PlayForSure licensee’s toes.”
Full article with photos of the bulky Zune cracked open and completely dissected here.
More photos via the FCC here.
Thick as a brick ain’t gonna sell. This Zune thing gets worse with each passing day (and it wasn’t sounding so great to begin with).
And when’s the last time you saw a laptop that thick? At least it makes the Zune look “thinner.” Imagine how thick a Zune would look next to a MacBook Pro. (shudder)
UPDATE: 1:40pm EDT: Microsoft’s PlaysForSure hacked: FairUse4WM strips Windows Media DRM – August 25, 2006
Related articles:
Microsoft confirms brick-like Zune to be made by Toshiba – August 25, 2006
RUMOR: Microsoft Zune’s user interface revealed in images – August 23, 2006
Details of Microsoft’s Zune interface, features exposed – August 17, 2006
Microsoft to sell single Zune model this fall, rumors of Wi-Fi capability were greatly exaggerated – August 10, 2006
Zune already shedding features? ‘iPod killer’ won’t offer video at launch – August 04, 2006
RealNetworks CEO Glaser a little miffed with Microsoft over Zune – July 28, 2006
Microsoft to spend hundreds of millions, several years on Zune trying to catch Apple iPod+iTunes – July 27, 2006
In wake of Zune announcement, should ex-Microsoft ‘partners’ join iPod ecosystem? – July 27, 2006
Zune: Apple cannot lose. Microsoft cannot win. – July 26, 2006
Analyst: Microsoft partners zune to be the biggest losers – July 25, 2006
In wake of Zune, Microsoft ‘partners’ consider abandoning PlaysForSure – July 25, 2006
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
MTV-Microsoft URGE music service not targeting iPod, iTunes users; Real CEO PlayedForSure? – December 13, 2005
Report: Apple to bring out Bluetooth adapter for iPods – August 25, 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
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Wireless Apple iPods coming in 2006? – December 09, 2005
More blood on Apple iPod’s Click Wheel: Dell’s ‘DJ Ditty’ flash-based MP3 player is dead – August 22, 2006
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
“…this news report just in: NASA have reported that, along with the Great Wall of China, the ‘Zune’ music player is the second man-made object clearly visible from space…“
Second only to Mallow Cups, Chunky’s are the best candy bar…ever.
It’s called the ‘FatBoy’ and named after the ‘CEO’.
It has an opening sequence that shows chairs flying through the air and then asks you where you want to go today.
I just want to stay at home!
Wait…! That can’t be a Zune. There’s a cable connecting it to the laptop. The Zune has wi-fi! Oh, yea… That was just a token feature that doesn’t do anything except “bookmark” songs from other Zune playlists. OK. I believe you. Zune sucks.
“Wait…! That can’t be a Zune. There’s a cable connecting it to the laptop.”
Speaking of which, did anybody notice that size of that connector!? Is that normal?!
It’s been ages since I looked at an iPod, but the last time I saw one, I think you just used a standard USB cable for recharging. Am I missing something?
I think there’s a big dose of “Dust in the Wind” floating around with regard to all this Zune business.
“You Ain’t Seen Nuthin’ Yet” too — though not in a good way.
And I . . . am . . . OUTTA HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I actually thought I ws looking at a first gen Nintendo Gameboy… from, like the 1980s. I’m not kidding! The thinkg is HUGE!
Hopefully these pics are a ruse.
Whoa everybody, calm down.
Apple actually does need those wireless features… those sound really amazing.
I’m sure that all of us would love to be able to wirelessly listen to what our friends are listening to on their iPod, instead of doing what we currently do: crouch over one iPod, sharing the earbuds, listening with one ear to whatever is going on on one device.
These wireless sharing features are actually LONG-OVERDUE features on the iPod.
So how long Apple will avoid this for?? I mean, Apple was still shipping one-button mice until just LAST WEEK… about 15 YEARS after the rest of the industry moved over to multi-button mice!
I’d hate to see Apple drop the ball on this one, as they have so many times in the past.
This is Apple’s game to lose, and they’ve been known to be EXTREMELY STUBBORN in the past.
Do you think that it might be a disguise to hide the real device?
Like when the automakers are testing a prototype vehicle and they disguise it by adding extra bodywork to camoflage its true shape.
Maybe the real Zune is inside the fake shell? That would explain why is so huge.
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Ok, there’s plenty of evidence to show it’s made by Toshiba. But where is the evidence that it’s a Zune ?
Apart from the headline and text, what is there to say it really is a Zune ? Have I missed something ?
Engadget previously publicised pics of a hoax video iPod, why should we believe this is true ?
AlanAudio,
Microsoft confirms brick-like Zune to be made by Toshiba – Friday, August 25, 2006 – 04:20 PM EDT
And best of all, they could be an indispensible piece of equipment to runners. Ankle weights.
I like the screen size. I suppose you are to hold it horizontally to watch movies.
Microsoft should target portable video players instead of the iPod.
Indeed, you were making a point regarding price and what MS could do.
MS could go the $249-ish type route, and while Apple could at worst break even with this 30 GB iPod video price point, MS would still bleed bank, as they do not have the economies of scale Apple enjoys.
Add this to the cost of marketing a complete loss leader, and it is not a financially viable solution for the long run… In short, MS shareholders won’t stand for it… They have in the past, but I think the board is about to give Balmer and others the boot if this is their idea of “brilliant strategy moving forward.”
How successful can the Zune be? Is really a question one must investigate.
I mentioned breifly, the tornado of mass MP3 player adoption is ending. Replacement purchases and a slow expansion are to be key moving forward. With that in mind, Apple cannot be expected to lose the majority war at this point.
A US numbers game (as the rest of the world generally follows this trend or cannot afford to play, making that market irrelevant for iPod and Zune):
– 300 million people in the US
– Roughly 45 million iPods sold in the US
– That’s one iPod per every six people… Add in other MP3 players on the market and there are roughly two players for every five people in the US out there. Saturation is peaking.
– If another 50 million (at best) are the laggards to join in the MP3 world, and MS manages to capture 25% of those (amazing number btw), that delivers MS 12.5 million Zune users.
– Consider WMA products shrink to 10%, representing around 5 million new WMA users.
– iPod/iTunes garners the rest at 65% – down from the current 76% range. This still delivers Apple 32.5 million laggards left in the market.
Add in Apple’s install base and Apple dominates this market, and Zune becomes the second play citizen at around 25% at best in overall install base.
This leaves Apple ripe to change the game to another technology, and have massive adopters – upgrades to the platform.
Such a change? How about an amazingly well designed iPhone and non-touch video iPod for true HD movie playback anyone? Oh yes, music of course.
Steve made the Creative lawsuit legitimate. Paid up $100 million. Gets his 100 mil back if Creative finds a bigger fish to fry.
Hummmmmm. Where is there a bigger fish to fry. Oh, yeah! That would be them copy cats at Microsloft who are currently doing a quick and dirty copy of the iPod.
Oh, that means Creative is gonna sue their asses to hell and back.
Steve gets his 100 mil back, Bill Gates pays Creative big time.
Apple Wins!
Then, just for the hell of it, just for the fun of it, maybe Steve gives Creative access to the iTunes store. Brings Creative into the fold, shoves a big one up Gates ass. Year from now Zune quietly dies just like the Dell shit died the other day.
The pig is happy.
I wouldn’t judge a final product by what’s probably a proto-type.
zune goon: What’s it using? SCSI? Can it use floppies?
——————–
Dude, I laughed so hard I think I f’ing broke something… spittle and everything… thanks for the chuckle!
Dogfriend:
Do you think that it might be a disguise to hide the real device? Like when the automakers are testing a prototype…
———–
I had the same thought but more along the lines of whether it might have something to do with the tests they’re doing for/with the FCC. Could it be a special case just for RFI testing? MS makes me sick and I loathe everything they do and make but even THEY can’t be that stupid not to see that it’s fugly! Anybody know about FCC testing?
Another Mistake –
I was being facetious about the disguise, but some of the photo captions indicate that they were testing the “Zune” for RF signal radiation – if that were true, then I think it would be verboten to enclose it in a case that would help to shield the RF transmission.
O.K., the Ampar clone is getting really old and annoying. You’re not funny. And truly pathetic if you can’t find your own nick. At least add “tial” to the name.
Between the loud iPod nano pop-under banner crap and idiots trying to be me, the annoyance level is nearing critical.
I was going to make a comment about chunky bricks and Ballmer. Never mind.
“MacDailyNews Take: Thick as a brick ain’t gonna sell. This Zune thing gets worse with each passing day (and it wasn’t sounding so great to begin with).
And when’s the last time you saw a laptop that thick? At least it makes the Zune look “thinner.” Imagine how thick a Zune would look next to a MacBook Pro. (shudder)”
MDN u crack me up so hard. thats one of the funniest things ive read in a while.
Grow up guys. Calling the competition names is for 4th graders. I’m a mac user, yet I know there’s a place for competition.
You’re lobbing grenades at questionable fuzzy pictures and speculation. The Gigabeat isnt even that big, so why the heck would you actually think the Zune would be? Don’t you think you should wait until the actual product is launched?
Or are you scared of a flagship product that actually contains things iPod users have been screaming at Apple for for YEARS (Wi-fi, radio, wireless music sharing…)?
wait a minute… if you loom closely, either it’s huge, or that may be a docking device. look real close. see that little brighter edge? it may be just a big dock with the zune on top. if it’s that thin and that big darker part is simply a dock, then this could be good. like look at the bottom, by that green thing. if thats the true line of how thick it is, that could actually be the iPod killer we’ve heard about.
*look, not loom^
Youre reaching, Joe.
lol. also what i noticed, on a similar photo, is that surrounding the cick wheel (4 way directionsl button) is a small plastic, partly transparent circle with a small swollen spot, and it seems to me a user could place their thumb on this swollen spot and possibly rotate the plastis circle… just a thought. i forget where i saw this photo. it might have been gizmodo.com.
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Any thoughts? Other than im crazy =]