Microsoft: More Zunes coming in 2009
Remember that teenage trick of sticking your fingers in your ears and saying, "I can't hear you"? That's how I felt on Thursday morning when I talked to Adam Sohn, the marketing director for Zune.
No retreat, baby, no surrender.
I don't mean that Microsoft is oblivious to reality: Sohn admitted that the latest Zune sales figures were bad (though apparently in line with Microsoft's very low expectations) and that the company would prefer to be selling millions of the things instead of having them pile up in warehouses. It's more like Microsoft doesn't care what the world thinks.
Despite calls from me and other bloggers for Microsoft to stop making standalone digital-media players--and maybe focus on its increasingly embattled Windows Mobile platform instead--Sohn insisted that as long as anybody else (read: Apple) is selling lots of standalone digital-media players, proving that there is a market for them, then Microsoft is going to keep trying.
Without getting into details, Sohn promised that there will be new Zunes before the 2009 holiday season and that they'll be a surprising step up from the current models.
The conversation eventually moved into other ways Microsoft could benefit from the Zune platform--integration with Xbox and Media Center, reselling it to cell carriers for their own music and video stores--but I kept wondering what Microsoft could be planning for next year.
A touch-screen Zune? Apple did that in 2007. Games? Apple's advertising the heck out of games for iPod Touch now. Some sort of whizzy communciations application, like voice communications in Wi-Fi hot spots using Windows Live Messenger IDs? (I'm reaching now, plus the mobile carriers--to whom Microsoft is trying to sell Windows Mobile--would freak.)
How about a built-in Zune Pass subscription, giving you unlimited music streaming and some number of permanent downloads for the first year or two? That idea doesn't seem to be working so well for Nokia, but Microsoft wouldn't have to rely on cell phone carriers (which have their own services) to push it.
Seriously. What, if anything, would convince you to buy a Zune next year?
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Matt Rosoff is an analyst with Directions on Microsoft, where he covers Microsoft's consumer products and corporate news. He's written about the technology industry since 1995, and reviewed the first Rio MP3 player for CNET.com in 1998. He is a member of the CNET Blog Network. Disclosure. You can follow Matt on Twitter @mattrosoff. 
For starters I know I would'nt have the same mp3 palyer as you.
The Zune is a great PMP compared to the other thing from apple. Can't comment on the touch cause thats it would be unfair to compare the zune to the touch.
[CNET editors' note: Prohibited content deleted.]
Unfair for who to compare a Zune to an iTouch??? Just shows how late Microsoft was to the game. Apple has years of a headstart and Apple isn't afraid to change the rules.
Microsoft was way late to the mp3 hardware game. They're trying to model after the iPod/iTunes game yet unless Microsoft does something really neat, like turning a Zune into a Xbox controller or Xbox sub-screen or whatever - they were just too late to the game. Microsoft needs to lean the Zune off their Xbox, since a ton of people like Xbox. Microsoft needs an angle Apple doesn't have, and the Xbox could be that angle.
Microsoft couldn't beat the PS2 with the Xbox, but they have beat the PS3 with their Xbox360 (for now). Of course the Wii kicked both of those for a loop. Wii did something really different and people liked it. As long as the Zune is trying to just be a non-iPod iPod, the Zune fails. Only hope is to trick Xbox360 owners into needing a Zune to aid their Xbox experience.
It works really well...unless my iPOD which looses its setting periodically.
Compare the Zune to any hard drive based iPod and it is a much more accurate comparison.
Disclosure: I don't own any Zunes, but I do own a 4Gb Nano, 60Gb video iPod, and a 32Gb Touch.
You MSFT cheerleaders just crack me up sometimes... *chuckle*.
So if that's the case, then yes, the Zune is the absolute king of the 30GB hard-disk-based, square/oval-buttoned, leap-year-hating, windows-only, .wma-playing, "squirting" segment of the portable media player market. There - finally something you can claim your pretty little device to have absolute domination in!
Too bad that the world isn't all searching for something with that much specificity, innit? ;)
The declining marketshare and sales of the Zune mean one thing: The PMP market said in one loud voice that the Zune blows. Deal with it, campers.
/P
(a): Need to be considerably cheaper than a comparable Ipod.
(b): Need to also have at least ONE enticing feature that an Ipod doesn't have.
B. Radio, bigger screen, better sound quality, touch pad, free firmware upgrades, 5 free games for now, cheaper store for content, wifi built in, Zune pass, Zune computer software is much easier to use than iTunes, user interface is better(my opinion) on the Zune, A few Xbox 360 features, wireless sync, wireless music store(combined with Zune pass is awesome!), Ear buds are also much better sounding.
I have the Zune 30, and they have had great customer service, and give you free songs, Tv shows, etc. occasionally.(iTunes does too) I never regretted buying it, and with new firmware for free the old ones are almost as good as a brand new one years after you buy it.
I do not care who makes a player. I want it to work, and I want it supported, both now and in the foreseeable future. I believe that my attitude is shared among the majority. Individuality comes from the person, not from he or she carries around in the pocket.
I believe that judging from the rest of your comment, perhaps you should lie down and rethink this blind devotion to a physical device. The article author actually does pose an interesting question, that is how can Zune hope to differentiate itself? The answer is, it cannot, really. At least not in a way that would give an incentive for sales. They did have a chance with built-in wifi, but they sacrificed that feature on the altar of DRM.
Do you really know ANYTHING about the Zune? Apparently not.
The parent may or may not know much about 'em, but it's not hard to research the news and figure out that the Zune is a loser.
To clarify DRM, When the Zune first came out, its wifi feature was crippled by DRM. I think it was called "three days or three plays", which made the feature useless.
Next, (and you might have guessed it) I want to use iTunes to manage my library on the Zune. Windows Media interface is just plain klunky compared to a fairly klunky (but functional) iTunes interface.
Last: adopt the iPod hardware interface and some of their APIs, so I can use any of the bazillion iPod docking systems on the market. In other words, give me a better iPod than Apple can at a more aggressive price. [and drop the "social networking" piece on the Zune. Ho-hum.... snooze....]
The social networking on the Zune is one of its amazing features! I like being able to go to my friends accounts and checking out what they are listening to and see if i might like it! Way better than anything else for music discovery because it is real people who i know... not an automated program.
In Canada the Zune is a lot better of a deal that any of the IPods that it compares to because the Zunes are the same price as in the US... while the IPods take into account of the exchange rate and add 10-30 dollars more onto the price making them more expensive. So that is one of the reasons i ended up getting a Zune... and because i tried out my friends and i found the interface to be a lot better. There are some improvements I'd make but they'd just be tweaks to the software.
If you don't own a Mac, I'd highly recommend sampling the Zune software. As mentioned before me, Zune devices come with their own software and do not utilize the Windows Media interface.
The social networking is actually quite unique and a pretty fun way of finding out what others with similar music tastes listen to. It's a great way to discover new music. Zune comes with something iTunes will probably introduce in the future, and they do it right: subscription music. Unlimited dowloads for $14.99 a month, and you can keep 10 tracks a month now starting in November of '08.
Have you ever even SEEN the Zune software?
And just because you have no use (or friends) for the social - doesn't mean it's useless... I have my children marked as friends, and their plays automatically sync to my Zune under their cards, so I can keep an eye on what they're listening to. Oh, and the sync takes place wirelessly too.
Yes, your MICROSOFT product makes you a real individualist! HEY EVERYONE, STOP CONFORMING! BUY MICROSOFT!!!
Hilarious.
Apple is no different - now you must conform to intel's platform. RISC IS GOOD - POWERPC4LIFE
"But if you buy an iPod you can be a free thinking individual"
Of course! All those people I see on the subway with their album art-less iPod Touches and those amazing iPod earphones, they REALLY love their music. If you talk to an iPod user about music they talk about "that cool song thats always on the radio" or "that song they play at Starbucks." Truly unique. Here I am with my Zune and obscure bands I discovered on Zune Marketplace. Man, I wish I shelled out that extra $20 for an iPod.
I was being sarcastic there.
I have an Apple iPod
and Apple iTunes..
i have never heard of an apple itune.
"They've lost about 8-10 BILLION dollars on the xbox so far to date."
What proof do you have on that?
Xbox division: From 2001 till now MS has go negative between 7-9 billion dollars on the xbox. 8 straight years of negative profits in a row.
2001-2005: Negative 4 billion dollars
"Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Since launching Xbox in 2001, the Microsoft game console project has resulted in a $4 billion loss for the company, an amount estimated to be approximately equal to 10% of Microsoft's total cash reserves.
The Xbox game console was marketed by Microsoft as a loss leader with the plan of establishing a profit base derived from game sales and licensing to third party game publishers.
Microsoft intends to continue their loss leader strategy with the successor to their console, the Xbox 360, which will be released November 22, 2005, just in time for the Christmas buying season."
2006: Negative 1.29 billion dollars
"Despite losses in its game division of $1.26 billion for the fiscal year 2006"
2007: Negative 1.89 billion dollars
"Xbox 360 warranty charges drove Microsoft's Xbox division to post a $1.89 billion operating loss for the fiscal year."
2008: Positive 426 million dollars
"Microsoft Xbox Division Sees $426m Profit In Fiscal 2008"
Other: Negative 1 billion dollars
"income for 4Q07 is distorted by the $1 billion dollar charge for defective Xbox consoles"
The crude soldering in the xbox's gave them that loss, they still make profit from the licensing however
They can make a 500% profit on the screws and the sticks on it but the facts are they are BILLIONS in the hole and have been LOSING on it for years. All the LOSES have been in Microsoft's stock holders reports as well DIRECTLY from Microsoft. It's no secret that they are 7-9 BILLION down from the xbox so far. Microsoft is thinking long term so they hope to recoupe the loss over the next 10 years. With a new system needing to be released in that window I'd doubt they will turn an OVERALL PROFIT or ROI within 15 years.
What is the Zune library management software called? I've never heard much about it in all the Zune articles I've read.
Your assessment of the 'squircle' is unfortunately (for me anyways as I own a device with one on it) correct: it sucks. However fortunately for those with later models, this was done away with.
First, I have to agree "eltoro2827" that it helps to drive idiots like you nuts....
Second, my Zune30's battery is dying....
Third, I need more capacity....
Finally, I find the iPod Classic, nano, shuffle and iTunes "lacking". I gave up standalone PDA's years ago and I don't need to play games on a PDA, so the iTouch is worthless to me. Though the iPhone is pretty cool, until you need to use it in a business environment or need a solid battery life (Blackberry or WinMo for me).
I like a solid MP3 player and my Zune30 has been great. I could care less about being an iClone or "cool". I left high school 20 years ago....
Sorry iDon't, so the Zune is a good substitute for me....
Thanks for the irrational Microsoft bashing. It really helps prove your points, but you did for get to use the dollar sign in Micro$oft.
"Choose Life. Choose a job. Choose a career. Choose a family...."
Choose to hate Apple. Choose a F@#ing Zune.
I feel bad for your 20 years after high school.
Personally, I think the fact that Microsoft allows the Zune Pass to be shared is the killer app here. Up to 3 computers and 3 Zunes for $15 per month is a ton better than iTunes buck a song. And DRM or not, I can still stream all of those downloads to my XBox without any problems.
Now, they just need to get the cost down. I think under $10 a month is the sweet spot for services like that.
And it certainly is a heck of a lot better then shelling out $10,000 to Apple.
Seems to me the Zune would work with any wireless device that has WiFi.
Secondly, the Zune has been able to do games for quite some time, most of them are community made and completely free. Finally, the high end Zune is $250 for a 120 GB model, I've got mine about half full and I'm don't have half the content friends of mine have. Sure you could get an iPod Classic for $250 if want that kind of storage but you can forget WiFi and the Radio. It's just another cause of Apple charging people more for less and then making you buy accessories (like an FM Tuner) to make up the for the inadequacies.
As for the the comments that you don't want to use Windows Media Player (I agree Media Player is rather clunky) you actually don't. Zune has it's own program, most of the backend is still Media Player, but the interface is entirely different. I've worked quite a bit with both iTunes and the Zune Software and I have to say the Zune software is much easier to use. One feature that my friends really wish iTunes did was let you redownload songs you've already purchased. That means if you have some sort of melt down or just want to transfer over to a new machine you don't need to have the music backed up to CDs. Simply log into your account and redownload all your purchased music.
To me these are all very good reasons to at least look again at the Zune and not brush it off so readily. It really is an excellent device.
If you don't keep up with the news, Apple just made 8-10 million songs DRM-free.
@Jetface: Microsoft started out with subscriptions because they needed that if they were to have any marketshare. Why would Apple consider shrinking their profit by offering subscriptions if the business is going well? In other words, MS was desperate, Apple was not. Don't get me wrong--I think the Z
I guess the term, 'You snooze, you lose' applies to Microsoft. It stinks too, as I have a Zune 80gb and I would have loved to see that functionality on the device, but what are ya' gonna do, eh?
PLEASE pay attention to the negative Zune comments. They are nearly always mis-informed and anti-Microsoft, which is *not* the way to choose your technology. Having owned 3 iPods and now 3 Zunes, I much prefer the Zune experience. The hardware is great, the software is awesome, and the Zune subscription totally rocks. I have more and more friends using Zunes all the time -- not to mention that I've converted several people myself -- and being able to swap tunes with them via player-to-player or in the Zune software is really great!
There is no doubt that iPod owns the PMP industry right now -- much as Microsoft owns the OS and Office Suite industries -- but, if anything, the competition is good for everyone. Microsoft can certainly improve the Zune experience, but Apple has some things to learn too...
Just my $.02
If I find something my kids might like all I have to do is send them the link through the social.
The only time any of our Zunes were down was the clock bug on the 30g at the end of January and that was fixed within 24 hours. My original 30 is still going strong and has all the same functions and support as my 120. Can you say that about the IPod?
I am glad Microsoft is staying with its loyal fan base and I will continue to inform people of its many attributes.
- by eltoro2827 January 29, 2009 4:51 PM PST
- "What a TROLL! Are you one of the 1,000 people in North America who actually bought a Zune? i sure hope it wasn't that Turd Brown one!
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- by Apollo7814 January 30, 2009 2:08 PM PST
- haha, i love how the apple fan boy is trying to talk smack on the company who holds over 85% of the operating system market share...however, i will admit Microsoft has been lacking in the MP3 player department, so i hope that they finally step up to the plate and put Apple fanatics in their place...
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- by B757Man January 31, 2009 1:47 PM PST
- Are you one of the millions who bought because everyone else did?!
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- by spark09223 February 2, 2009 6:18 AM PST
- @Apollo7814: we're not talking about OS here. I'm sure you know, but Apple holds just as much marketshare in the digital player and digital music download market as MS does
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I sure was,,,the zune gave better bang for my buck....r you one of the million apple ***** that bought an ipod.....hope is wasnt the click wheel one.