Microsoft's Zune will target iPod/iTunes

Being a long time Windows user and stumbling along this site from Google news I find it interesting that nobody has mentioned a simple yet simplistic approach. Why not make the IPod more Windows friendly? Meaning the ability to use the IPod with Media Player which will me what Microsoft will base there application of off. I understand there is a version of ITunes for windows. However what if I don’t want to use ITunes? Then I lose many of the basic and simple functions of the IPod.

Please understand that I just purchased the 1g Nano for my daughter and we LOVE it. The third party attachments are sold at Wal-Mart which tells me that it’s going to be around for a sometime. I think I’ll purchase the 4g Nano for myself.

For the love of god, will people stop saying 'iPod Killer'?!?!? Someone should just come out with a product called the 'iPod Killer' so that people would get sued for saying it! After the thing fails and goes off the market of course.

'iPod Competitor'? Sure...that's what it is. That's fine.

Someone needs to start a website with a gallery of all of the things that have 'killed' the iPod like the insanely popular Sony TWAC (or whatever) Walkman, and the Creative Zen and the thousand other also-rans. You can show off their 'french whorehouse' style interfaces and crappy battery life.

It's almost become a hex or a curse...call your item the 'iPod Killer' and it will kill nothing but your R&D dollars.

I'm not convinced WiFi and Bluetooth are killer add-ons just yet. I have a Windows 5.0 smartphone, and the wifi on that is annoying...dropping out, freezing up, and difficult to connect to anything. So I stopped using it for the most part. I suspect many users would react the same way.

Also, I can't say that I WANT people having access to my music. First, I'd want to know how that works...EXACTLY how it works. How many people can access it at the same time? What happens if 5 people all want to get in to the drive at once?

As for Bluetooth, once they develope bluetooth headphones that don't look ridiculous, sound decent, and don't eat up battery life, then Bluetooth will be useful. But not now.

Also, as I've said before, I simply have no faith in MS developing a UI that users can actually interface with, without copying Apple. Now I'm not who MS is targeting (I won't but another MS box or laptop...too many bad experiences), but I also would say that the casual user won't be swayed by the MS brand (any more than they are by Apple).

Sounds good to me Brian. Tell you what, lets meet back here a year from now and we'll see how bullish you are on the Zune's prospects then. I know WiFi and Bluetooth are complete killer add-ons for the DAP's of the world, at least according to the denziens of the internets, but I am not entirely convinced.

So a year ok? We'll make it August 1st of 07, you swing by TUAW and bring the Zune sales numbers with you. We'll see how trampled the iPod sales are by the bright lights in Redmond. Hows that work for you?

Jonas (#11) and matt (#9),

I don't think Steve Ballmer is thinking about user's needs, but simply forcing his maze of departments to change the Portable-MP3-Device market share, with any possible audio device. A device able to do almost anything, including abilities to mix fruits and producing carrot juice.    

iPod is still unique because of its simplicity, and you can not find this simplicity in any other Zen, Xen or Zune, unless Microsoft gives you a perfect copy.

AH- I don't see how you can stretch an analysis about the iPod delay into "burying the iPod" but whatever. Go ahead and keep you head buried in the sand. The iPOD *is* getting long in the tooth. What innovation has it really had since the last release? Bluetooth? Wifi? Oh, a Nike tie-in. Whoopee-freakin-do.

Of course Zune does not "exist" in the fact that you can't buy it *today*. Can you buy the fabled touchscreen widescreen video iPod today either? Microsoft has confirmed Zuen is coming out, and if you haven't noticed it has gotten a ton more buzz than the Nike iPod deal. It's coming, it has features the iPod is (currently) lacking, get used to it.

"Zune may or may not be a success, but just by its existance it makes the iPod suddenly look very "old" and that can't sit well with Jobs."

It exists? Really? I must have missed it my last trip to Best Buy. It exists, just like Vista exists. Which means in the minds of Microsoft executives, but not out here in the real world.
I love the people who are burying the iPod right now. I think its hysterical. And perfect. People love to be proven wrong spouting nonsense just so that maybe one day they can be right and say to everyone "I told you so". Of course these same people seem to fade into the woodwork when their "predictions" and market assesments are shown to be complete and utter crap.

And what is really great is all the people who claim the iPod is getting long in the tooth because has been awhile since the last model was introduced. Are these the same people who complained when the 5th Gen iPod followed closely on the heels of the Nanos release? I remember hearing back then how Apple was releasing too many models. It's all great, really is. I am sure the Zune will very quickly erase all those white earbuds and decimate the industry that each year generates billions of dollars. Yup, WiFi (which only geeks clamor for on every god damn device from toasters to roller skates) is certainly the tipping point.

Great stuff.

- AH

For 8 months the iPod has been stagnant, and competitors (Microsoft particularly) have been given an opening. My personal theory is that Apple was banking on the video iPod and having movie downloads, and when that was delayed (or fell through, or whatever) they had no fallback option.

In many ways this reminds me of Sony and the PS3. Sony decided the PS3 had to include a Blu-Ray drive, and as a result it is going to be late and cost a bundle. Likewise, Apple seems to have focused singularly on video and the appearance at least is that they had no fallback option.

I could be proven wrong if they produce an updated non-video iPod in the coming months (not just additional capacity, but new features), but I suspect not. Meanwhile, Microsoft is coming out with a unit that has features we've long been pining for: wifi, sharing playlists, etc.

Zune may or may not be a success, but just by its existance it makes the iPod suddenly look very "old" and that can't sit well with Jobs.

It should be good for both products. Force them to make better products with cheaper prices. Maybe they will even speed up the release of new features.

You're right, Zune is much too catch a name for Microsoft to let it become official. I'm sure when it's released, it will be rebranded to something like "Microsoft Live Mobile Media Center 2007". I can't wait!