How To Make Zune An iPod Killer: Turn It Into A PDA?
from the um-okay dept
Microsoft's Zune was supposed to be the latest in a long line of would-be "iPod killers", however, like such stellar previous attempts like the Dell DJ, it hasn't been met with much enthusiasm. A column runs down the criticisms leveled at the Zune (poor hardware, poor usability, compatibility problems -- in other words, pretty much everything), and says that to make the Zune more desirable, Microsoft needs to make it "more like Windows". That conjures up all sorts of possibilities in the mind, but the writer somehow takes that to mean making the Zune more open to customization and modification, as opposed to "Apple's strict gadget lockdown". He says Microsoft should create a development environment for the Zune, giving out free developer tools and fostering the creation of new applications and uses for the Zune. Which sounds pretty much exactly like... the development environment Microsoft's created around Windows Mobile PDAs, and last time we checked, that ecosystem wasn't exactly helping Pocket PCs destroy the iPod. While it's inevitable that convergence will see music and other media playback features rolled into devices like mobile phones, standalone devices will continue to thrive until converged devices can offer a comparable user experience to players such as the iPod -- and that's where Zune falls down. And never mind that Microsoft's willingess to accede to record labels and favor their interests over those of users means the iPod's probably safe for a while yet. Microsoft's corporate culture makes it hard pressed to come up with something that can compete favorably against the iPod. Perhaps instead of trying to create an iPod killer of its own, its time would be better spent improving its software so that a hipper and more nimble company could build one instead.Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
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first look at zune
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Re: first look at zune
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ummm... what?
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A few looks at Zune
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Re: A few looks at Zune
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Re: Re: A few looks at Zune
Do you work for Apple?
People can have legitimate differences of opinion. Please note, I haven't looked at the Zune, and probably won't. I prefer my now ancient San Disk that uses standard thumb drives for memory -- and does not have DRM.
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Combo devices are not every "killers"
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Ipod Snobs
Having the best doesn't make you a snob, in fact from my experience with Apple products it makes you a smarter consumer. Has anyone noticed that the shelf life of an Apple products seems to be a lot longer than any of the other products on the market. I know what people say when they mention BRICK...my top of the line Dell LapLOAD is a BRICK and I hate to travel with it...my Apple laptop is a joy to travel with.
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Re: Ipod Snobs
Please don't try and tell me that you have never met someone jaded over their ipod to the point of refusing to intelligently consider alternatives...
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Re: Ipod Snobs
I don't understand why people feel like they have to impose their opinions on everyone else. If you like ipod's then buy one, and if you don't then buy something else. Don't chastise people if they don't like ipod's and vise versa. It's stupid.
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Re: Ipod Snobs
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Re: Ipod Snobs
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Re: Ipod Snobs
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That PDA already exists
So I could use it for just music / video (ipod like functions), but since it can do much more with Mobile 5, it is a better device to carry.
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My 3 cents.
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Re:
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Re: All Apple users are like that
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9.
Uh? So all the ipod people just love strutting around the ipod because its cool but dont care for the product? But, can there really be 67 million people who are just so vain? And I here I am thinking Jobs' goal was to sell a product. Doh!
"All Mp3 players are simple. Hell all they do is play music, it's not like they are being used for Quantum Mathematics... But i currently own a Zune, and to tell you the truth it's by far the best Mp3 player i've owned."
Oh, I get it. You like the product for what it is, but iPod people just like the image and not the product? Ok, cool. Good for you. Why can't you stupid "Metro-macs" not see this?
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Zune Thud...
iPod Killer? Well, it would appear not in this case.
But that does not mean an iPod killer CAN'T be built. Eventually, it will happen. Until then, all I have to say to Microsoft is:
"Next..."
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Absolutely...
Absolutely 67 million people can be that vain! To quote from Tommy Lee Jones in Men In Black:
A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky, dangerous animals, and you know it.
How many stupid fads have we seen because people are directly affected by media hype as opposed to good thinking. Tickle me elmos, cabbage patch kids, pound puppies, ferbies, pet rocks, whatever, we sometimes want stuff just because "everyone else has it", not because its really something we need or is the best of a particular product line.
As it was said before, Mp3 players were around long before IPod, the only significant thing IPod did was infuse marketing muscle into a relatively soft sector and was able to get the covetted "brand name" association as a result.
I've owned a couple of Mp3 players and honestly I've seen better and worse than IPod and never understood the near fanatical allegiance people have to it.
As per the Zune, Microsoft really messed up the marketing for it. The larger issue is that I think it's silly to try to topple the IPod unless you have something so innovative it changes the paradigm on what the sector is about. As I said before, IPod is the "brand name" of the sector. It be like trying to dethrown "band-aids" as the number one selling adhesive bandage.
For the record, I own neither an IPod or a Zune Mp3 player. I have a much less expensive, but still kick ass, Creative Labs Player.
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are people really that stupid?
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ZUNE "Social Networking" feature
networking.
Consider this: What if it is a Point of Purchase feature? Where
displays are set up in malls, and CD retailers that have the wireless
networking to ZUNE available, and allowing consumers to freely SAMPLE
NEW SONGS!
After listening three times, they can choose to buy it.
http://myfreepress.com/2006/11/16.html#a4006
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wow..
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Pocket PC and Zune
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Why do nerds never understand things like this.
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You're kidding, right?
-jcr
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Funny
Before people start calling other people who buy IPOD snobs, maybe you should look at your own buying habits.
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If Zune wants to be an iPod killer...
Imagine if the iPod only played AAC music files. It WOULD NOT as successful as it is today. Why support un-DRMed music but not video???
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Windows Mobile
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I'd agree with you, only that iPods come with tons more space built in (3G and greater) for a cheaper price on average, brand new. As it is, our converged devices have max capacities and no way to increase them other than SD-Cards, and the 4GB ones aren't really supported 100%.
Still, I won't give up my O2 mini for anything other than a similar device. Even with activsync, it just does... everything better.
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happy owner
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