Zune HD? (Updated)

Latest iPhone News » Microsoft Longs For the Golden Age of FUD

Latest iPhone News » Microsoft Longs For the Golden Age of FUD — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 03:17:07 GMT

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Microsoft Longs For the Golden Age of FUD | Apple News

Microsoft Longs For the Golden Age of FUD | Apple News — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 23:03:10 GMT

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Microsoft Longs For the Golden Age of FUD

Microsoft Longs For the Golden Age of FUD — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 21:20:50 GMT

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Microsoft Longs For the Golden Age of FUD — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 20:03:51 GMT

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re: Zune HD?

DRWAM — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 11:31:44 GMT

I hope it's all true, so that Jobs can improve the iPhone to compete and I can upgrade to an even better iPhone. I wonder if I can give the old one to the wife and use her SIM card without buying another internet service agreement since she is on my contract. That would be nice. Can I rewrap it for our anniversary? Go Zune baby!!!

re: Zune HD?

cesjr — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 11:11:31 GMT

"To get 720p resolution at a more modest 3.8" size, you'd be using something more akin to ~380dpi. That'd be tough work for an LCD maker."

In other words, it won't really be HD and this is marketing BS.

"Zunes are essentially the same price as iPods, so the cheaper hardware argument that Microsoft is now using fails here."

MS is fighting the last war, and wishes for the good old days when computers cost $5,000+ in today's dollars and had to be replaced in 3 years at most given the rapid increases in processing power. Those days are over. Macs may be more money, but it's an amount most people can afford. This is only going to become more and more true, as computing hardware prices drop, drop, drop.

Look at the iPod - yes apple's PMP were always a little bit more money. Paul always harped on that, and was convinced $50-75 cheaper players would take the market from apple, like $2000 cheaper PCs took the market from macs in the mid-90s. He was wrong (as usual on all things apple vs. MS).

Given falling component prices and apple's commanding sales volumes on the new wave - handheld devices - it will be very difficult for anyone to significantly undercut apple.

The post-PC world isn't looking very friendly - or at least a LOT less friendly -- to MS's model. MS's model favored multiple OEMs and hardware competition. Now, that model yields an insignificant if not zero price advantage (for handheld devices) and lots of downsides (the same ones that exist for the PC - tremendous hardware/software incompatibilities and glitches and more difficult support/problem resolution)

"No question that this will be an interesting year for Microsoft's billion+ customers."

MS doesn't sell to billions of customers. It sells to OEMs and IT shops and the relatively few individuals that buy an off the shelf copy of windows for homebuilts or upgrades.

re: Zune HD?

john87 — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 08:12:08 GMT

Two things:

MS needs to start that Live Anywhere Service for the ZuneHD at release. They talked about Xbox and Zune integration on a job listing not too long ago.

MS needs to get their in house developers to start making games for this thing- imagine if Rare were to make a few games at launch... did a lot for the 360.

... oh and maybe get some independents to create software for it like Tag, that game that had a good presence at the IGF recently. Microsoft COULD make a game changer here by creating something that is the first real attempt at a true portable media player capable of great quality gaming... gaming is big and it's how you lure consumers to your product, look at how Apple changed stance with Apps on the ipod when it came to games!

re: Zune HD?

shark47 — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 03:13:41 GMT

"Anyway, the 2nd gen is already small enough."

I agree. I like the 2nd gen shuffle. It's perfect for the gym. I have a 1 Gig model that I got for opening a bank account. For something without a screen, it's more than enough for me.

re: Zune HD?

Waethorn — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 03:13:23 GMT

"Zunes are essentially the same price as iPods, so the cheaper hardware argument that Microsoft is now using fails here."

I don't see iPod Nano's or Classic's with FM radio and wireless capabilities. I also don't see any iPod's with a program made by the manufacturer that is actually a joy to use, nor so on Windows.

re: Zune HD?

chuckb84 — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 02:54:42 GMT

I'm with John on this. I hope the new Zune brings some competition for the iPod. I doubt it, but who knows.

Zunes are essentially the same price as iPods, so the cheaper hardware argument that Microsoft is now using fails here. I don't know what value/feature differentiation they hope to use, but if it pushes Apple to keep innovating then fine.

And, on the subject of iPods, I agree with Paul that the 3rd gen shuffle is a misfire. Can't use it with my Etymotics? Thanks, but no thanks. Anyway, the 2nd gen is already small enough.

re: Zune HD?

johnpapola — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 02:04:38 GMT

@Robertsjoe,

touchscreen mediaplayers predate the ipod touch. Since they are entirely software driven, it's impossible to say if it's a copy of the mobile OSX UI. More likely, it's the Zune UI + windows mobile.

Zune HD? - SuperSite Blog | GamingOpt.Com

Zune HD? - SuperSite Blog | GamingOpt.Com — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 00:38:41 GMT

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re: Zune HD?

robertsjoe — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 00:26:33 GMT

Maybe the 10 people that purchased a Zune will upgrade.

The Zune is dead.