[olePigeon]

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/09/te...ref=technology

Zune:

No Games
No Alarm Clock
No Stopwatch
No World clock
No Volume limiter
No Equalizer
No Calendar
No Address book
No Notes module
No PlaysForSure support
Can't be used as an external Hard Drive
Can't be used with Windows Media Player

Wow.

[ajprice]

It does play music though, right???

[olePigeon]

Originally Posted by ajprice 

It does play music though, right???

It can play any music except Open Content.

I just realized why they don't support Podcasts. Every song that gets stuck onto a Zune gets encrypted with DRM. You can't do that to Open Content, it violates Copyright/Creative Commons.

[- - e r i k - -]

It doesn't support Podcasts?

[olePigeon]

Originally Posted by - - e r i k - - 

It doesn't support Podcasts?

They don't sell Podcasts on their Zune website. I would imaging you could still put any old MP3 Podcast on your Zune, but it'd be illegal.

[Salty]

I use my address book all the time... I LOVE IT!

[slpdLoad]

But...but...it comes in BROWN!!!! Oh, yeah, nevermind. I'll take my nano, thanks.

[Philip J. Fry]

So wait, it doesn't work with Windows Media Player? Holy crap this ship sank faster than it arrived.

[SirCastor]

Widescreen doesn't actually support widescreen (it's resultion is the same as the iPod)
Can't share videos over it's cool sharing feature™

[JoshuaZ]

Using the Zune does not give me the power to fly and shoot laser beams out of my eyes. Dumb Microsoft.

[olePigeon]

Originally Posted by SirCastor 

Widescreen doesn't actually support widescreen (it's resultion is the same as the iPod)
Can't share videos over it's cool sharing feature™

Funny part is that you have to rotate the Zune sideways to view pictures.

[Jawbone54]

LoooooooooooovemyiPodthankyou

[G4ME]

still curious to see how they strong arm into the market.

I almost remember everyone saying the exact same comments with the xbox when it first came out but they dug in dropped mad cash and succeded.

[turtle777]

Only idiots believe the Zune will be a success.

-t

[::maroma::]

Originally Posted by G4ME 

still curious to see how they strong arm into the market.

I almost remember everyone saying the exact same comments with the xbox when it first came out but they dug in dropped mad cash and succeded.

Yeah, but the XBox didn't have something to compete against that was so ingrained into the market as the iPod is. The PS2 was big but wasn't nearly as much a part of popular culture as the iPod is. Its a totally different market.

I predict the Zune to stick around for a few revisions, then just become another media player that blends right in with all the other half-assed media players out there.

[Big Mac]

Originally Posted by what_the_heck 

Only idiots believe the Zune will be a success.

-t

What market has M$ ever conceded? I cannot think of one. If M$ really wants to go after the iPod, it will. Apple cannot afford to ever become complacent.

[Jawbone54]

Originally Posted by what_the_heck 

Only idiots believe the Zune will be a success.

-t

Y'heard that, G4ME? You gonna take that from him?

*steps back*

[SirCastor]

Originally Posted by what_the_heck 

Only idiots believe the Zune will be a success.

-t

That's a really weak statement. If you're going to say something like that, back it up with something. Why should we consider someone who thinks the Zune has a chance, an idiot?

[Eriamjh]

So the Zune can't play ordinary MP3s? Isn't that all a podcast is?

[Eriamjh]

Originally Posted by olePigeon 

Funny part is that you have to rotate the Zune sideways to view pictures.

Yeah. That's way too much work.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by SirCastor 

That's a really weak statement. If you're going to say something like that, back it up with something.

The facts are out there, no need to repeat.

And in this case, the facts speak for themselves: Zune is DOA !

Originally Posted by SirCastor 

Why should we consider someone who thinks the Zune has a chance, an idiot?

Why not ?

-t

[::maroma::]

Originally Posted by what_the_heck 

The facts are out there, no need to repeat.

LOL! What a great argument.

"What? You want facts to back up my statement? Go find em yerself, they're out there somewhere."

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by ::maroma:: 

LOL! What a great argument.

"What? You want facts to back up my statement? Go find em yerself, they're out there somewhere."

Well, duh, here for the reasearch incapacitated:

• No playback of un-DRMed MP3
• Your whole Music Library gets DRMed
• No compatibility to Plays for Sure
• No price advantage
• It's farking M$
• No killer feature (no, wireless is not)

-t

[chris v]

Brown is the new Avocado!

[Buckaroo]

Can't be used as an external Hard Drive

So Windows users can't see it on the desktop? Can they upload mp3's?


It can play any music except Open Content.

What is Open Content? Some M$ version of music? Can you upload your CD's?

But...but...it comes in BROWN!!!!

That sucks. Can you imagine if someone dropped it in a airline toilet. Security wouldn't know the difference.

[Buckaroo]

Originally Posted by what_the_heck 

Well, duh, here for the reasearch incapacitated:

• No playback of un-DRMed MP3
• Your whole Music Library gets DRMed
• No compatibility to Plays for Sure
• No price advantage
• It's farking M$
• No killer feature (no, wireless is not)

-t

M$ screwed up big time. They bought Sony's method of treating customers. Treat them all as theives, and screw them.

[mitchell_pgh]

Originally Posted by what_the_heck 

• No playback of un-DRMed MP3

-t

I don't understand this... it won't play standard MP3s?

or do you mean it will DRM the MP3s that you load on it?

[SirCastor]

The Zune automatically DRMs anything that goes to play on it. It DRMs MP3s that you put on it.

Regarding the idea that anyone who thinks the Zune will be successful is an idiot, I might say quite easily that back in 2001, anyone who thought the iPod was going to be successful was an idiot as well. It was overpriced and underpowered for its time. The iPod changed and grew and now anyone who thinks that the iPod is remotely unsuccessful is an idiot.

The reason I asked why is because I don't like the senseless name calling. There are lots of reasons that many people think the Zune is going to be a hit. A lot of it lies within the media blitz that's happened around the device (regardless of what it's really capable of) and the Money that MS is pouring into it.

We may all find ourselves in 3 or 4 years in a very mixed market where the Zune and the iPod are neck and neck with each other. It's hard to imagine now, but we've all seen the way that MS first-gen hardware sucks, but their second-gen stuff kicks-trash...

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by mitchell_pgh 

I don't understand this... it won't play standard MP3s?

or do you mean it will DRM the MP3s that you load on it?

The latter. The player itself can only play M$ format. All MP3 will be converted to DRMed Zune M$ format. No way back (unless, of course, someone hacks that and offers some decryption...)

-t

[turtle777]

[QUOTE=SirCastor;3200813]Regarding the idea that anyone who thinks the Zune will be successful is an idiot, I might say quite easily that back in 2001, anyone who thought the iPod was going to be successful was an idiot as well. QUOTE]

Methinks that these are two different type of idiots.

Again, do I fail to see *ANYTHING* compelling new that the Zune has to offer, which might justify market success ?

-t

[Buckaroo]

[QUOTE=what_the_heck;3200864]

Originally Posted by SirCastor 

Regarding the idea that anyone who thinks the Zune will be successful is an idiot, I might say quite easily that back in 2001, anyone who thought the iPod was going to be successful was an idiot as well. QUOTE]

Methinks that these are two different type of idiots.

Again, do I fail to see *ANYTHING* compelling new that the Zune has to offer, which might justify market success ?

-t

hehehehe . . . you mean like introducing a model in Brown?

I hope that isn't the only color that they start out with. There is a white and black model ain't there?

[houstonmacbro]

i have a friend (a windows zealot) who has seen them and he says they suck and that the brown color just looks icky.

he loves the ipods.

[olePigeon]

[QUOTE=Buckaroo;3200988]

Originally Posted by what_the_heck 

hehehehe . . . you mean like introducing a model in Brown?

I hope that isn't the only color that they start out with. There is a white and black model ain't there?

See, a brown iPod would be cool because if Apple did it, they would bundle it with all the Firefly episodes, put a "Serenity" engraving on the back with cast/director/producer signatures on it, and include a miniature brown coat that doubles as the iPod sleeve.

At least, that'd be totally awesome if they did.

[G4ME]

Originally Posted by Jawbone54 

Y'heard that, G4ME? You gonna take that from him?

*steps back*

I never said it was going to be a success, I was curious at how the mad cash they are dropping on marketing will boost sales

[Cadaver]

Originally Posted by olePigeon 

See, a brown iPod would be cool because if Apple did it, they would bundle it with all the Firefly episodes, put a "Serenity" engraving on the back with cast/director/producer signatures on it, and include a miniature brown coat that doubles as the iPod sleeve.

At least, that'd be totally awesome if they did.

Not to hijack the thread, but I bought recently the Firefly DVD set and the Serenity movie DVD. Had never watched them before. Most excellent show. Too bad they killed after 1 (short) season. Movie did a decent job wrapping things up.

[olePigeon]

Originally Posted by Cadaver 

Not to hijack the thread, but I bought recently the Firefly DVD set and the Serenity movie DVD. Had never watched them before. Most excellent show. Too bad they killed after 1 (short) season. Movie did a decent job wrapping things up.

"Most excellent" is an understatement.

No, really, it is.

[ambush]

Originally Posted by what_the_heck 

Why not ?

-t

C.F.: When Windows became more popular than the Mac.

You're one dumb ****.

[torsoboy]

Originally Posted by abiresearch

A new survey conducted by ABI Research has shown that many prospective MP3 player buyers—even owners of iPods—would be likely to choose Microsoft's Zune player. 1725 teenage and adult US residents were asked whether they planned to buy an MP3 player in the next 12 months. Of those responding that they were likely to do so, 58% of those identifying themselves as existing iPod owners and 59% of those who owned other brands said they would be "somewhat likely" or "extremely likely" to choose a Microsoft Zune player over an iPod or another brand of MP3 player.

"Our conclusion," says principal analyst Steve Wilson, "is that iPod users don't display the same passionate loyalty to iPods that Macintosh users have historically shown for their Apple products." Only 15% of iPod owners said they were "not very likely" or "not at all likely" to choose Zune.

source: ABI Research Survey: 58% of iPod Owners Planning Another MP3 Player Purchase Will Consider Microsoft's Zune | Press Release | ABI Research

Seems like only an idiot would believe it will not suceed. But who knows... only time will tell.

[torsoboy]

Pre-Loaded Content

Zune is a vehicle to explore new sounds and experiences. With that in mind, Microsoft pre-loaded each Zune device with a variety of songs and music videos from hot, new artists as well as some fun films and images. With something for everyone, the pre-loaded Zune content may just help you discover your new favorite band. Zune preloaded content includes the following:

Audio Tracks
•

Band of Horses, “Wicked Gil” (Sub Pop Records)
•

Bitter:Sweet, “The Mating Game” (Quango Music Group)
•

CSS, “Alala (Microsoft edit)” (Sub Pop Records)
•

Darkel, “At The End of The Sky (edit)” (Astralwerks)
•

Every Move a Picture, “Signs of Life” (V2)
•

Small Sins, “Stay” (Astralwerks)
•

The Adored, “Tell Me Tell Me” (V2)
•

The Rakes, “Open Book” (V2)
•

The Thermals, “A Pillar of Salt” (Sub Pop Records)

Music Video
•

30 Seconds to Mars, “The Kill” (Virgin Records)
•

BT, “1.618” (DTS Entertainment)
•

Chad VanGaalen, “Red Hot Drops” (Sub Pop Records)
•

Coldcut featuring Roots Manuva, “True Skool” (Ninja Tune)
•

CSS, “Let’s Make Love and Listen to Death From Above” (Sub Pop Records)
•

Fruit Bats, “Live: The Wind That Blew My Heart Away” (Sub Pop Records)
•

Grandaddy, “Elevate Myself” (V2)
•

Hot Chip, “Over and Over” (Astralwerks Records)
•

Kraak & Smaak featuring Dez., “Keep Me Home” (Quango Music Group)
•

Kinski, “Live: The Snowy Parts of Scandinavia” (Sub Pop Records)
•

Paul Oakenfold, “Faster Kill Pussycat (Featuring Brittany Murphy)” (Maverick Records)
•

Serena-Maneesh, “Drain Cosmetics” (Playlouderecordings)

Film Shorts
•

5 Boro: “A New York Skateboarding Minute” (Skateboarding)
•

Radical Films: “Kranked — Progression” (Mountain Biking)
•

TGRTV The North Face (Skiing/Snowboarding)

Images
•

A variety of images to personalize a Zune device, including 12 classic rock posters from “Art of Modern Rock”


Source: Zune MP3 Player

[kick52]

i wonder what proccessor it uses and such...

maybe somebody could make zunelinux, and unlease its potential

[seanc]

Originally Posted by Buckaroo 

M$ screwed up big time. They bought Sony's method of treating customers. Treat them all as theives, and screw them.

Windows Genuine Advantage anyone?

[chris v]

Originally Posted by torsoboy 

source: ABI Research Survey: 58% of iPod Owners Planning Another MP3 Player Purchase Will Consider Microsoft's Zune | Press Release | ABI Research

A large percentage of whom will most likely consider, then reject. It'll be interesting to get some serious side-by-side ease-of-use reports.

When does the thing launch again? They're going to get it out for the Xmas season, right?

[Kevin Moon]

I messed with a demo model, not powered on, but it was enough to see it was ugly and cheap. I think some will buy them right away to see what they are about but after that sales will drop to nothing. I see this sucking money from M$ but not making anything for them. I guess it is doomed to failure since it is in the back of the store away from all the other mp3 players.

[Andrew Stephens]

Maybe M$ just didn't want to have to use the word POD (cast) on th eir new baby.

Will the zune become the Edsel of the computer world?

[kick52]

damn... whats the difference?

[Mister Elf]

The difference is the first picture was totally unnecessary.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by ambush 

You're one dumb ****.

O Rly ?

Go buy some Vietnamese Zippos, genius !

-t

[Buckaroo]

I noticed the Zunes on display at Walmart tonight. The iPods were on the end of the aisle facing the main aisle. The Zunes were on along a side aisle with all the other iPod wannabees.

[Jawbone54]

Originally Posted by kick52 

damn... whats the difference?

Where is the headphone jack?

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by Jawbone54 

Where is the headphone jack?

Everywhere. Just plug it in

-t