Filed under: Analysis / Opinion
Yes, but which will fix the economy: Zune or iPod?
We generally try to stay away from politics here at TUAW, but this week, some controversy erupted when a Philadelphia news photographer saw Barack Obama at the gym with -- gasp! -- a Microsoft Zune music player. PC World even went so far as to call it "ZuneGate."
Well, rest assured that an Obama spokeswoman felt it necessary, for some reason, to say yesterday that the president-elect typically uses an iPod, and she didn't know where the Zune came from.
This is so many kinds of disturbing that I don't know where to start.
Let's start with the reaction. People came out on both sides of the issue: some were happy that the president-elect, who built a campaign for change from the ground up, used a Zune because it reflected his desire to set himself apart from the status quo. iPod users were sad, because, well, Obama didn't buy the same thing they did. Cry me a Rio.
Second, let's look at the coverage. Wired's Jose Fermoso satirized the hyperbole surrounding the story to make it sound as if there were riots in the streets, dozens of people dead, and mass depression setting in. In reality, he cited a few tweets and forum posts from people who were alternately vaguely interested or, at best, "Internet angry."
Third, let's look at ourselves. If you want to take any of the contrived, hackneyed political situations available ("the 3 a.m. phone call," "the ticking time bomb," or "the finger on the button"), at no time does anyone's selection of music player even remotely cross the transom of one's mind. The fact that we clamor for news on this issue suggests that we have our priorities entirely out of order. To the Engadget user who "wanted [their] vote back" over this issue? Take it. Just please don't ever vote again, if that's your sole criterion.
I don't care if Obama has a Zune or an iPod or a Zen, or whatever. If a red one helps get the economy back on track, or terrorism stopped, then great -- let's go with that one.
[Via MacDailyNews.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
YodaMac said 2:05PM on 12-05-2008
You'd already know that he used an iPod if you watched his Official Campaign podcast episode about his week in Denver for the DNC -
In which he jokes with his family during rehearsals, asking "Who's iPod should we use?"
:)
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Techslacker said 3:45PM on 12-05-2008
And if you know anything about political campaigns you would know that just like politicians will wear certain clothes that make them better accepted, the same thing can occur with various accessories like an mp3 player. Anything that gives a positive impression or better relates to most voters. Those who ask why did he use Macs then...it's not like Vista has the positive image behind it that Macs do right now.
All in all I realize it sounds like a conspiracy theory but it is those little things that politicians do use. Whether any of this s true is for someone else to decide but no matter no one will really know until we hear it from him. Does it matter? It shouldn't but to some for some crazy reason it will.
optimus said 2:08PM on 12-05-2008
Uh, wait, the scandal here is that he uses a Zune? Check out the other part of the accusation: That the President-Elect reads USA Today. USA Today, for Chrissakes!
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Billy Gates said 2:27PM on 12-05-2008
Imam-elect Obama, "The One", using tyranical, scary M$ Zune? No surprise there.
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rndmnme said 11:07AM on 12-07-2008
Yes, you think with his cult like following he would have gone with the Apple product.\
Maybe after he gets elected he can go to Ruehl or A&F while sipping Starbucks.
Or I don't know whatever the trendy kids are doing these days.
(I really really wanted to say arugula eating elitist, but I restrained myself)
Blaw said 2:25PM on 12-05-2008
A Zune, really? Oh Geezzzz that's awful !!! Please people, let the President-elect listen to his music of choice or podcast on the player of his choice. Who cares if he uses a Archos 7, or a cheap Coby mp3 player....
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TedP said 2:33PM on 12-05-2008
I'd rather know what's on his playlist.
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Galley said 2:35PM on 12-05-2008
I'm gonna have to call "shenanigans" on this story. The Zune has never been spotted in public.
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Think Adrian said 2:40PM on 12-05-2008
haha!
glad said 9:36PM on 12-06-2008
lol
Telia said 2:40PM on 12-05-2008
OMG! Stop the press! Obama used a zune! Just goes to show how shallow media is in the US and it's not even close to funny
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Num Yummy said 7:25PM on 12-05-2008
The only reason why he's using the Zune is because he's at the gym. If he accidentally drops it while running on the treadmill or drop a 10lb weight on it and it breaks, no biggee. His ipod is safe in his locker.
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Albert Lambruk said 2:48PM on 12-05-2008
The great thing about this story is that people take it seriously!
http://utvv.blogspot.com/2008/12/mr-president-and-zune.html
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Robert Palmer said 2:52PM on 12-05-2008
That, expressed in a sentence, is exactly the opposite if everything I wrote.
Zoroaster said 4:38PM on 12-05-2008
He gave you a chance to save face palmer. And you passed. All ya'll need to start reading the Onion regularly to brush up on your satyrical abilities.
Mike said 3:08PM on 12-05-2008
the thing is no body would care.if it was an average cheapo mp3 player. It's just because it's a zune that people go "oooooo microsoft not apple! Ummmm, I'm tellin' "
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Eros said 3:19PM on 12-05-2008
Just check: http://blogs.msdn.com/stevecla01/archive/2008/12/04/is-this-obama-s-zune.aspx & http://gizmodo.com/5042204/democrats-and-republicans-get-special-edition-zunes-for-their-conventions
It'lll be clear to everyone...
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CreepersCreek said 3:35PM on 12-05-2008
Stupid. Just Stupid. Can I have those 30 seconds back? Seriously, I'm going to stop reading this blog.
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Robert Palmer said 3:44PM on 12-05-2008
Promise?
DrWho said 4:43PM on 12-05-2008
Good reply. lol