You get a sticker with your Zune

I don't usually jump on the 'Microsoft copies Apple' bandwagon since that copying goes both ways, but the with the Zune it is pretty clear what is going on. First, Microsoft abandons the 'Plays For Sure' strategy for a closed system (what happened to Microsoft's constant refrain of, 'People want choice, and you can't get that with a closed system'). Then they introduce the Zune, a player that has a music store that sells tracks which will only play on the Zune.

As if that wasn't enough, Microsoft has taken yet another page from Apple's iPod playbook. Check out Engadget's Zune unboxing video and right near the end you'll see that Microsoft is including a Zune sticker with each player (seen to the right). Hmm, where have I seen this before? Oh, that's right, Apple has been doing this for years with almost all of their hardware (including iPods, even the iPod shuffle).

I doubt we'll be seeing these Zune stickers on cars all over the place.

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Source: http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/13/zune-unboxing-with-video/

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I don't usually jump on the 'Microsoft copies Apple' bandwagon since that copying goes both ways, but the with the Zune it is pretty clear...

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prateeko

The 360 (at launch, and still) comes with a sticker, you guys gonna bitch about that too?

November 14 2006 at 4:34 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Mike

Microsoft is pathetic.

November 14 2006 at 1:30 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Darryl Payne

I don't know much about the Zune...but I guess I don't have to know. I am thrilled with my new 80GB iPod with Video. If just works and works well with the iTunes Store.

November 14 2006 at 1:12 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Michael

So now Apple invented stickers? Wow....

November 14 2006 at 12:57 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Alex

I'm sorry, but you say you don't normally moan, but a sticker is enough to tip you over the edge. Most hardware comes with stickers... I don't see any other Microsoft hardware out there, so I think they are allowed to "suddenly" start adding stickers.

November 14 2006 at 12:32 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Jon

I'm getting a little put off by TUAW, NOT because of the posts but because of the trolls who frequent each post. Seriously, if the blog bothers you that much, why even visit?

November 14 2006 at 11:31 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

aron t

/me would like to point out that the purpose of this article was *probably* to state that the included sticker was the straw that broke the scott's back.

/me would also like to point out that there seems to be an increasing number of babies posting comments because there is less whine at the local spec's

/end rant

November 14 2006 at 9:55 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Trojan

I've never gotten a sticker with an iPod either, though I get stickers all the time with nVidia Video cards, AMD/INTEL CPU's and Motherboards, and have been for YEARS. This article really is pathetic.

November 14 2006 at 9:27 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Scott

I can't figure out why bitter, nasty people read TUAW and then complain when it doesn't live up to their expectations.

BTW, as a Mac user and iPod owner who lives in the REAL F*KING WORLD where Microsoft dominates every field it sets its eyes on, eventually, I DO consider some minimal reporting about Zune to be highly relevant. It's the thing that has the best chance, so far, of putting a dent in the iPod market. Until it's shown up as the complete failure I expect it to be, I DO want to read about it, at least in ways that are remotely related to Apple and the iPod.

So now, why don't all of you who leave bitchy comments about THE MAIN CONTRIBUTOR to this blog just either ignore his posts or go find another blog to read?

November 14 2006 at 9:16 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

rjfalcon

I didn't get a sticker with my iPod :(
It was an iPod mini 1st Generation so they probably didn't do it back then.

November 14 2006 at 8:19 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply