[Kerrigan]

Will the Zune be more successful than the Toshiba Gigabeat? It's the same product, just retooled by MS. I have trouble imagining it being a big hit, since the Gigabeat has already been out for ages, and hasn't done anything to eat into iPod marketshare.

[imitchellg5]

I doubt the Zune will be that much of a hit. If it had come out last year, maybe, but today... never. I really doubt that anything will be able to beat the iPod's marketshare, unless Apple stops making the iPod. I think that it may be a bit more successful than the Toshiba Gigabeat, but again, it won't make a big impact on the iPod marketshare.

[Apfhex]

Considering I know more about the Zune, an unreleased product, than the Gigabeat...

Microsoft will advertise it, so probably /more/ successful, but still not all that successful.

[Salty]

I'm hoping they get crushed

[Eriamjh]

Zune will be nothing more than another iPod wanna-be.

[macfantn]

what did you get for Christmas, I got an ipod video how about you...I got a Zune

[- - e r i k - -]

Damn. That's harsh.

[macfantn]

harsh but true

[macfantn]

reminds me of shoes growing up, no matter what shoes you got if they weren't nikes you supposedly weren't cool. no one could topple nike, they are still number one, by a large margin i'd imagine.

[El Gato]

Not Nikes. Jordan's.

[Salty]

Originally Posted by macfantn

reminds me of shoes growing up, no matter what shoes you got if they weren't nikes you supposedly weren't cool. no one could topple nike, they are still number one, by a large margin i'd imagine.

I don't think Nike is as king as they once were. I think now you're cool if you have converse or something. Actually I think the whole spots wear crazy that nike rode has cooled down a lot. Now it's the skater/surfer/extreme spot/casual look. Billabong, Quicksilver etc, Hurley. The nice thing about clothing is that there's very little that stops a new brand from cementing itself except for distribution.

[macfantn]

True dat

[slugslugslug]

Good thing for Nike they bought Converse a few years back, then, eh?

[macfantn]

just found this searching google

Nike is the industry leader, with a 47% market share, followed by Reebok, a distant second at 16%, and Adidas at 6%

that is a leader if you ask me

[Kerrigan]

Not Nikes. Jordan's.

God send us another Michael Jordon. And another Michael Jackson while we're at it.

[Salty]

Originally Posted by Kerrigan

And another Michael Jackson while we're at it.

Won't someone please think of the children!

[macfantn]

[Kerrigan]

I'd hit it.

[turtle777]

Zune is going to sell like hot sh!t. Literally.

-t

[Landos Mustache]

The only thing the Zune will do is create a civil war with every MP3 player other than the iPod.

If someone wants it over an iPod because it can WiFi share songs then they can go nuts. They will find out soon enough that they won't run into anyone else with a Zune and if they do nobody will bother sharing a song when it expires after a set time. It is easier to go download it yourself legally or illegally.

[mitchell_pgh]

The Zune will flop because Microsoft doesn't understand what customers NEED.

Seriously... what does WiFi offer in a music player?

1) Why would I want to listen to the music on your music player? And if I did, I'd rather just plug into your music player.

2) The docking system of the iPod is flawless. It's simple enough for even the tech-novice to understand. Also, you are still going to need to recharge your Zune.

3) WiFi adds another level of complexity. Even if it's rather easy, it's not as easy as simply plugging the music player into a USB.

IMHO, WiFi integration into cameras, music players, etc. is very much a novelty... something that I'm sure looks good on a consumer reports checklist, but in reality, it's quasi-useless.

[Oversoul]

On the subject of "NEED," who needs another portable music player when the market is already so saturated with iPods?

Sure, people upgrade, and Apple releases new iPods and new players hit the market. But if the consumer has been happy with his or her iPod, they'll buy another new iPod when it's time to upgrade. And assuming the price point for the Zune (or any of the other players) are comparable to the iPod, we've already seen consumers will choose the iPod even over players with more functions (i.e., the Samsung Napster player with FM and line in). Microsoft might just be coming too late to the game to capture any meaningful market share.

[Obi Wan's Ghost]

The Zune will only be successful if they give it away for free with XBox 360.

[Obi Wan's Ghost]

Originally Posted by Kerrigan

I'd hit it.

Janice Dickinson?

[Oversoul]

Originally Posted by Obi Wan's Ghost

Janice Dickinson?

I just figured she was a new cast member on Desperate Housewives.

[Obi Wan's Ghost]

Originally Posted by Oversoul

I just figured she was a new cast member on Desperate Housewives.

Or a contestant on America's Next Top Model

[Salty]

Originally Posted by mitchell_pgh

The Zune will flop because Microsoft doesn't understand what customers NEED.

Seriously... what does WiFi offer in a music player?

1) Why would I want to listen to the music on your music player? And if I did, I'd rather just plug into your music player.

2) The docking system of the iPod is flawless. It's simple enough for even the tech-novice to understand. Also, you are still going to need to recharge your Zune.

3) WiFi adds another level of complexity. Even if it's rather easy, it's not as easy as simply plugging the music player into a USB.

IMHO, WiFi integration into cameras, music players, etc. is very much a novelty... something that I'm sure looks good on a consumer reports checklist, but in reality, it's quasi-useless.

I would have bought a WiFi camera if it had been as cheap as the 4mp one that I bought because I knew I'd drop it. And why did I drop it? I went to grab it without realizing the USB cable was still connected, and SNAP out of my hands and onto the floor.
WiFi in cameras makes a good deal of sense.

As for WiFi in an iPod, I've always thought it'd be cool to be able to look around a room and see who's listening to what. Maybe even let others listen to whatever it is you're listening to. Or if I went roller blading with friends it'd be nice to be able to have the same playlist play on both our iPods at the exact same time, and if one of us wanted to say something we could just pause the play list.

WiFi isn't totally useless, but I imagine Toshiba and MS's format will be.

[Kerrigan]

WiFi would be cool for iPods, because I see iPods wherever I go. It would be kinda nice to be able to see what the other person has in his collection, and to share your songs. The iPod by itself makes people become more isolated in public areas, but WiFi could give it a more social aspect.

[vmarks]

Here's the thing: MS isn't making it themselves.

They've got Toshiba making it.

So hooray, MS has just succeeded in ticking off all the hardware mfrs who got on board for MS's 'PlaysForSure' campaign.

[Dakar]

Originally Posted by Obi Wan's Ghost

Janice Dickinson?

Pam Anderson.

[olePigeon]

Originally Posted by macfantn

what did you get for Christmas, I got an ipod video how about you...I got a Zune

"Apple. The power to crush other kids."

[Oversoul]

Originally Posted by vmarks

Here's the thing: MS isn't making it themselves.

They've got Toshiba making it.

So hooray, MS has just succeeded in ticking off all the hardware mfrs who got on board for MS's 'PlaysForSure' campaign.

Precisely, as one analyst put it:

"While the focus is on Apple, we believe this move will likely have a much larger competitive impact on Creative, SanDisk, Sony, Toshiba, Samsung, iRiver, Archos, and others . . . We believe Microsoft's action could also make partners think twice before deciding to work with Microsoft on future projects."

In other words, Microsoft's Zune probably won't be much competition for the iPod, but it will compete with non-iPod players and further dilute what little of that market exists. Something like 15% market share is a tight place to be for Microsoft et al. And if that's the case, then Microsoft will essentially be in direct market competition with companies that had been friendly towards Windows Media in the past and will surely piss off former and potential partners.

[Obi Wan's Ghost]

Originally Posted by Oversoul

Precisely, as one analyst put it:

"While the focus is on Apple, we believe this move will likely have a much larger competitive impact on Creative, SanDisk, Sony, Toshiba, Samsung, iRiver, Archos, and others . . . We believe Microsoft's action could also make partners think twice before deciding to work with Microsoft on future projects."

In other words, Microsoft's Zune probably won't be much competition for the iPod, but it will compete with non-iPod players and further dilute what little of that market exists. Something like 15% market share is a tight place to be for Microsoft et al. And if that's the case, then Microsoft will essentially be in direct market competition with companies that had been friendly towards Windows Media in the past and will surely piss off former and potential partners.

Ya they all invested so much money to get some of that market share off the demand Apple created and now MS is muscling them out after promising them so much with PlaysForSure. Isn't Sony the only one with their own system Atrac whatever? The rest are fugged.