Zune, Microsoft Corp.’s distant also-ran music and entertainment outfit, has announced some updates ahead of Apple’s “Let’s Rock” special event tomorrow.
According to Microsoft, starting next week, Zune players will offer those who’ve not yet returned Aunt Tilly’s gift mistake for store credit the ability wirelessly download or stream songs from wireless hot spots. Free software and firmware updates will give Zune owners the ability to discover, tag and purchase songs directly from the Zune’s static-prone built-in FM radio, wirelessly access the Zune Marketplace store and its rip-off “points” system, and tap into “personalized music recommendations.” Yawn.
Zune is also expanding its device lineup with 16GB and 120GB capacities as well as “blue-on-silver” and “all-black” colors in the same old 2nd-generation Zune case “designs.” The new features won’t begin rolling out until Sept. 16, 2008, but Microsoft knows that by this time tomorrow, Apple will have debuted their iPod lineup for the holiday shopping season, so Redmond has rushed out yet another press release extolling vapor with the vain hope that they can sell a Zune or two, which would effectively double or triple their current sales total to date.
Zune will finally bring games on the go to the device which is rarely, if ever, seen in public outside of a dusty display case. Two free games, “Hexic” and “Texas Hold ’Em,” will keep all three Zune users entertained. All Zune devices will also feature support for audiobooks this fall. Is this when the “wow” is supposed to start?
The amount Microsoft hopes to charge for Zune Devices (effective Sept. 16):
• 120 GB: $249.99
• 80 GB: $229.99
• 16 GB: $199.00
• 8 GB: $149.99
• 4 GB: $129.99
The fiasco continues… for now.
What, no Solitaire?!?!?
No sale!
MS keeps on innovating!!
Seriously, how do they keep coming up with new and fresh features for their stuff? W O W is right!
This is why I return to MacDailyNews again and again: the even-handed, unbiased journalistic integrity.
But just one question: why is there an MDN Take on MDN’s own reporting? Is the reporting so bad that it requires explanation? (rhetorical question)
SJG take: MDN, stick to quoting and pasting references to other people’s work. It’s funnier.
flying home friday night around me on the airplane was someone listening to his ipod, someone playing a game on her iphone, three of us typing away on our mac notebooks and the guy across the aisle from me playing solitare on his h.p. laptop.
Blue on Silver, just like aunt Tilly’s hair!
ya know man, You just keep on keeping on!!!! woo!!! keep selling them zune’, i like to put that apostrophe to make sound french!
zune is a piece of sh*t. why continue with its missery.
Cupertino, start your copiers – hehehehehehe
Take that MAC dorks! Apple’s yawnfest for September 9 has been brilliantly upstaged by Microsoft. Again. Gotta hand it the the Zune geniuses in Redmond. Are you points-challenged I-Pod lemmings tired of getting your asses kicked by Zune yet? Wake up!
Your potential. Our passion.™
I heard Russian Roulette was a killer game on jello-broken Zunes….
(∙*∙)
//︠ll\\
Zune Tang..cake. Cake is good.
Me like see Zune-like stuff exit my anal orifice every morning when me take a shit.
Now why would anyone want to be seen in public with shit in there hands?
Only Microsoft could be so vane!!!
Here’s to Microshit.
No new Zune hardware? just a software update. Guess the South American, Central American and Canadian Closeout over stock discounters stopped buying Zune lots as they can’t sell the lots that they’ve got. So, MS is stuck with them and will discount them and just apply a software up to them.
This is the end for the Zune… The last feature update before the quit end comes middle (around a June/July time frame) of 2009.
If MS were going to keep the Zune around they would have announced international availability. They didn’t so it’s days are numbered. Minimal update just to say it was updated with new features. MS just looking to squeak out some holiday 2008 sales before they kill the Zune off.
I used to fear, MS. I kept thinking that, with all of their money, MS would pull some incredible move, and bury Apple.
After seeing, VISTA, Zune and their latest TV commercial, I don’t fear them anymore. I actually feel sorry for anyone working for MS.
Talk about a barking dog with no teeth.
Sorry about the last comment by me. I sound like a real ass. I know. I just smoked some killer Grand Daddy Purple. I really can’t bullshit with you guys anymore. I think this is the final act for Microsoft and the beginning of my sobriety.
Your potential. Our Blunder.™
The sad part about all this is that MS will not give up with the Zune. They can afford to keep losing money till they win.
I’m surprised MS ID’s the Zune models by capacity instead of name.
I.e. “Microsoft Zune Home Basic Blue-On-Silver”, etc.
the comments on this website are just too hilarious…i can’t take it no mo
@the REAL Zune Tang – Great one!
@the FAKE Zune Tang – Lame one – way to embarrass yourself
Texas Hold ‘Em game? Maybe Apple should put out their own version real quick!
How about Zune Remote?
Has Zune Tang finally come to his senses?
“Do you remember those white, non-biodegradable, city dump-fillers diapers of us?”
“Well… the WOW starts today!
We have, for immediate availability, coast to coast, for all our customers…
The new black-and-silver and all-black models!!!!!!”
Da-daaa….
Shit happens!
Still never seen one in the wild.
$199 for a 16gb iPod nano would be great.
I guess Microsoft is betting that Apple won’t match their prices. By announcing first, their hope is that people will be disappointed should the iPods come in above those amounts.
Face it, Zune is already dead!
Poor Zune Tang…
Three? I switched to iPod a while ago….