Microsoft chopping Zune prices
With the economy tanking and the holidays looming, Microsoft is hoping to salvage some Zune sales by chopping prices.
(Credit:
Microsoft)
The software maker plans to announce on Wednesday a price cut for its flash-based models. The 4GB version will drop to $99, the 8GB model will drop by $10 to $139, and the 16GB model will sell for $179, down from $199.
Microsoft is also cutting prices for several of its Zune accessories. The cuts take effect on Wednesday in the U.S. and on Friday in Canada.
Zune marketing director Adam Sohn said in an interview on Tuesday that the moves were being made to "ensure hopefully we have a good holiday season." The prices put Zune's flash players cheaper than a similar capacity iPod Nano, though Sohn said that wasn't the explicit goal of the price cuts.
"We're trying to take into consideration what the realities of the market are," Sohn said.
The company introduced the latest Zune models, as well as the version 3.0 update to its software in September. Microsoft introduced a few new games and other device features on Tuesday as part of a version 3.1 firmware update.
Microsoft also kicked off a new wave of TV ads on Monday that aim to get more people to download the free Zune software, even if they haven't yet decided to plunk down for a Zune player or Zune Pass subscription.
"We think we need to attack it from both sides," Sohn said. The ads will run in prime time as well as on national cable and online, he said.
During her years at CNET News, Ina Fried has changed beats several times, changed genders once, and covered both of the Pirates of Silicon Valley. These days, most of her attention is focused on Microsoft. E-mail Ina. 
The reality is that the market forces (wage disparities) here are far, far too strong. Imagine if you owned a company. You're paying $20/hour for your employees. Now your competitor across the street finds a way to pay only $2/hour per employee, and as a result, their product costs far, far less. What choice do you have? You may hate outsourcing (or off-shoring, which is what you really mean), but you hate going out of business even more.
There isn't much anyone can do in a free market to prevent this. And isolationism isn't the way to go, either.
Stop buying Japenese, Korean cars
Stop buying clothes
Stop using ur damn laptop/computer
All of these are outsourced .. :D
Why can't they just take the hint and give up already - it's not like the economy is going to let them afford to continue with money-sinks like Zune forever...
(note to the MSFT cheerleading squad: If I hated MSFT as you allege, I'd seriously be cheering MSFT on with their rather obvious fool's errand... food for thought, kids.)
/P
Only in the world of Penguinisto. Where black shadows dance all day in front of colorful screens, only taking 1 break an hour to pray to their lord and savior, Steve Jobs.
You can't deny that, you know. Your own comments will only prove it to be true.
This is just troll posting by you yet again. It's getting rather pathetic that don't even try anymore.
I think you may want to go on a diet FUD program. :)
...and when the Windows cow goes dry, and they finally go bankrupt from this and a whole host of other failed ventures (see also Windows Mobile), you can bask in the glow of knowing that you loved and defended them 'til the end - defending even their most drop-stupid decisions with a zeal that a Knight Templar could never hope to match.
Carry on, boys!
/P
The Zune has never made money. It's wrapped up in their entertainment division, which also includes Xbox. That makes it a little difficult to discern what's making and what's losing money, but as the fortunes of that division have gone, MS has always either credited or blamed the Xbox. They've never claimed the Zune to be profitable.
And, frankly, companies don't cut prices on products to "ensure they hopefully have a good holiday season" and claim they're bowing to "the realities of the marketplace" if they're doing well. It's not rocket science to figure this out.
"You MSFT cheerleaders" -- when are you ever going to get it Peng? We're not MSFT cheerleaders we're Peng (and the like) haters. We bash you and your ilk for your constant FUD. Yes you and you alone will turn the tide and get everyone to stop using Microsoft products and use Linux and open source products exclusively!! (no, I'm not bashing Linux and open source, just your tactics). You have no idea what a disservice you are to your "cause".
Go home Chicken Little. The sky is not falling.
QUOTE "And, frankly, companies don't cut prices on products to "ensure they hopefully have a good holiday season" and claim they're bowing to "the realities of the marketplace" if they're doing well. It's not rocket science to figure this out."
When other companies do this they don't get this much flak for it lets look at Apples price cuts over the last year. iPhone $200 dollar price cut last november - from the numbers it looks to be selling well. Macbook $300 dollar price cut - again Apple says it's doing very well. Macbook Air $500 dollar price cut - well Apple doesn't really talk about that one too much.
(The iPod works with two officially, and four unofficially (Linux and BSD courtesy of gtkpod). )
Don't be so clueless. Read up on libmtp:
http://libmtp.sourceforge.net/history.php
I would rather get teeth pulled than have to deal with the crap that is called Itunes.
I have WiFi network at home - and to sync my Zune I don't have to do anything apart from simply putting it in the dock - then it syncs automatically through WiFi connection (to do it for the very first time you have to tell Zune how to use WiFi connection - but you do it only once)
So, basically, it's easier to sync than an iPod because it's almost as easy to sync as an iPod?
I'm a little annoyed that I own 3 Zunes and now the price dropped on two of the models I own. :P
Go run along to your lil M$ hating bandwagon now.
i wish i could get a zune in an ipod body
if you don't agree you probably haven't ever really used a Zune and don't know the specs of the 2
the newer Zunes are better than the 1st gen but still not as sleek and cool as the iPod
and those that think this is a fire sell, iPods drop in price just as frequently
Is that a new iPod lookalike from Microsoft or something?
Its not your fault, you were born that way!
perfectly clear, and it has a kick stand so I can set it up to watch movies.
They even had FREE shipping when I ordered it.
I know they still have one on sale for $4.99, but I'm not sure about the shipping, might still be free.
Best $5 I've ever spent.
www.griffintechnology.com
I know they recently added a clock with a recent update, so I think alarm functions might be on the way.
MSFT support the unicode on Windows, but still no way for the Zune.
I'll answer with fact since you don't understand the meaning of the word. Neither "lets you strip the DRM off the files." Though with either you can burn music to a CD and re-rip them to your hard drive. (hint: try and know what you are talking about before posting a claim)
Soooo... where's MS's DRM-free selection on the Zune store again?
Soooo... why post comments about stuff you don't know anything about?
"Buy Vista and get a Zune!" That would get people to flock to their newest OS!
- by castelazo November 18, 2008 7:39 PM PST
- It's a joy to use the zune marketplace as my jukebox.
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Showing 1 of 2 pages (87 Comments)Do I care if it doesn't run on a MAC? Nop, 'cause I don't use a MAC. Period...