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3 weeks later and the Zune is better than the iPod | |
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| Time: 12:15 EST/17:15 GMT | News Source: *Linked Within Post* | Posted By: Brian Kvalheim | ||
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As readers know I purchased a Zune about 3 weeks ago and posted some initial thoughts on my blog. Since that time there has been lots more written on the internet about the Zune, mostly some harsh feedback that sounds like the authors didn't spend too much time with the device itself. People were also blasting the Zune for not working with Vista out of the box when Vista wasn't even available to the general public. It ended up being a fairly simple tweak to get support on Vista as I link to below. Unlike many people slamming the Zune, I have been checking out the Zune and the iPod with video in direct comparison and have to say I prefer the Zune for my usage. Keep in mind a few things that help make the Zune more attractive for me that may not be applicable to others. I don't have a large music collection and want an unlimited music subscription, I also want to watch video on the device (I know many people can't understand why you someone would want to watch video on a small display, but I'm a geek and enjoy the experience during my 2+ hour bus/van/train commute), and I enjoy FM radio on a regular basis. I could have picked up something like a SanDisk Sansa device with a PlaysForSure subscription and that may be the best choice for many people. However, I wanted to try out something new and personally enjoy other devices from Microsoft, T-Mobile Dash for example, and wanted to give the Zune a try. | ||
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| #1 By 2960 (68.100.7.161) at 12/5/2006 1:07:20 PM |
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There's that key phrase again. "unlimited music subscription"
Apple needs to get on the ball with this. I pay $5 a month for Yahoo Music unlimited. There is no better deal for music out there. But, as soon as iTunes has an unlimited (and I mean UNLIMITED) music subscription service, I'll jump ship to iTunes even at twice the price because it brings my iPod's back into play. TL |
| #2 By 135 (75.73.90.215) at 12/5/2006 1:26:03 PM |
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The lack of an FM radio receiver in the iPod is a serious failing, i will admit.
I have a Sansa device, I use it occasionally to play music but mainly for the FM radio. |
| #3 By 23275 (68.17.42.38) at 12/5/2006 1:52:16 PM |
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Everyone seems to be saying the same things... lack of this or that on one device or another...
and this is why the Zune will succeed where all others will ultimately fail... Essentially, each is saying the same thing... connected digital lifestyle devices require a platform approach that combines developer tools and diverse, fair, relationships. Microsoft offers this and extends it to the Zune, its partners and users. As a platform, the Zune's hardware is capable enough to support all the expansion that can be imagined - w/o inelegant external add-ons.... I mean... just how "sexy" is an iPod 5.5 once one has added an external FM tuner and wi-fi module/antenna [not saying they can't add it internally at some point...]. How robust are the developer tools outside Microsoft, really? How solid are Apple's relationships with the likes of Universal? How solid can they be made, is the better question - and I don't think they can be improved enough - quickly enough. As object lessons... we can look at how Microsoft evolves things. Look at both Xbox and Unified Communications and how far each has come and how quickly. So many look at MS's "process" orientation and are critical - hmmmm... have to think on that, because it sure looks like they leverage it and use the good that spills out of their work over and over - all those similarities in the technical and business science I have been speaking to, recently. They are doing that again, and on a "Platform" once again, extending their own capabilities - paying attention to the "hacks" that emerged so rapidly and enabling partners to extend the Zune even further - even faster - if that isn't "social", I don't know what is! If nothing else, it's awfully smart. Finally, if social, democratic, open, inclusive, and smart aren't cool then what is? I don't think a closed, smug, sophomoric arrogance [Apple] and an equally pervasive copy protection [iPod's own DRM esque (un)Fair-Play] are cool at all - I think Universal and others see it the same way. ....and the "Tax" Microsoft is paying Universal per device? - of course... just as with media in the days of tape... it's an olive branch to sate the recording industry - it's a hint at what may yet get the industry off of the backs of people for good and one way to get them to be more open to more "social" and capable types of sharing and fair use. |
| #4 By 2960 (68.100.7.161) at 12/5/2006 2:12:26 PM |
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I agree #2. No FM, and no subscription.
It's gonna have to change. TL |
| #5 By 2960 (68.100.7.161) at 12/5/2006 2:14:23 PM |
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IK,
Same things are being said about the Zune. Not sure how that makes it any different than any other player. I don't see the Zune as becomming a huge success (once the newness wears off). Today's data isn't important. What happens 6-12 months from now is. The iPod has, without question, proven it's heartyness with users. The Zune has not. TL |
| #6 By 2960 (68.100.7.161) at 12/5/2006 2:18:52 PM |
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"it's a hint at what may yet get the industry off of the backs of people for good and one way to get them to be more open to more "social" and capable types of sharing and fair use. "
Not a chance in hell. NONE. The music industry will never, EVER stop pushing and pushing and pushing for higher fee's, more restrictions, etc... Apple has had the Balls to say NO to them so far. Microsoft is proving themselves as the Media Companies Lap-Dog. If Microsoft isn't careful here, they have the potential to completely screw this up for consumers. TL |
| #7 By 1401 (69.27.196.125) at 12/5/2006 2:46:10 PM |
| hogwash... |
| #8 By 15406 (216.191.227.68) at 12/5/2006 3:44:42 PM |
| I see MS Chief Evangelist LKetchum is at it again. |
| #9 By 37 (68.190.114.234) at 12/5/2006 7:58:37 PM |
| Latch, ironic....a shill calling somone else a shill. Wow, how do you rate? |
| #10 By 23275 (68.17.42.38) at 12/5/2006 9:12:28 PM |
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TechLarry, Yes, they are saying the same things about the Zune - that was part of my point - adding of course that MS and the Zune have some good answers to the challenges being presented.
Latch, have you noted that even the sites that were initially really hard on the Zune - BEFORE their editors actually used a Zune - have now started to modify their reviews? While not 100% favorable - they are becoming balanced and gosh forbid, "fair." - which is all anyone expected in the first place. Even CNET, ahead of James Kim's Zune write up [I do hope he is found healthy!!!], offered a more balanced view following their initial attack campaign in the weeks before the Zune's launch. |
| #11 By 11888 (70.51.202.55) at 12/5/2006 10:06:03 PM |
| I can't remember the last time that I listened to FM radio. What are you people listening to on the radio? The commercials? |
| #12 By 23275 (68.17.42.38) at 12/5/2006 11:09:41 PM |
| 101.1 - Republican Radio in Alabama and NPR. |
| #13 By 3653 (68.52.143.149) at 12/6/2006 1:15:33 AM |
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techlarry - "Apple has had the Balls to say NO to them so far"
enough! this wholesale buy-in to that "steve jobs stood up to the riaa" fairy tale is sickening. the only standing up he did was related to him taking YOUR money and putting it in HIS pocket, rather than reliquishing it to the RIAA directly. And seriously, if either party (apple, RIAA) has a claim to your money... which one would it be? Apple or the group that 90% of the artists have chosen as their representation? "The music industry will never, EVER stop pushing and pushing and pushing for higher fee's, more restrictions, etc..." Agreed. And that's their absolute sole job. But read about them a little, rather than just imagining them with horns and a pitchfork. http://www.riaa.com/about/members/default.asp I'm not saying I like the RIAA (i personally steal all my music), but if backed into a corner and forced to give my $ to either the RIAA (artists) or Apple... well, I think you know what will happen. This post was edited by mooresa56 on Wednesday, December 06, 2006 at 01:19. |
| #14 By 44902 (213.182.214.94) at 12/6/2006 4:38:20 AM |
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>>I'm a geek and enjoy the experience during my 2+ hour bus/van/train commute
:D :D :D Why Zune sucks for me: 1. most people are not a geeks. 2. never watching movies in car/bus because of sea sickness (never using mobile phone and laptops too). Prefer to watch videos on my TV, laying on my sofa. 3. I prefer to listen music in car/bus So, Zune is "device for geeks" as predicted by many experts. |
| #15 By 12071 (203.217.94.252) at 12/6/2006 8:47:34 AM |
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#13 "forced to give my $ to either the RIAA (artists) or Apple"
The hatred is strong in this one... #11 I think it's one of those me too things. If you have 30GB of music on your portable player, realistically... when are you going to switch the radio on? never! The playing movies thing is almost as stupid. I really wonder about the sort of people who want to strain away watching a movie or even a tv show on such a small screen. Honestly, wait until you get to work or home or wherever it is that has a screen larger than a few inches! It's a "cool" feature but I really wonder about the number of people who use it on a regular basis (i.e. downloading a movie so you can show your friends what your portable player can do doesn't count). |
| #16 By 37047 (216.191.227.68) at 12/6/2006 10:31:22 AM |
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#13: Actually Apple merely skims a couple of cents off the top of each song sale ($0.10 - $0.15) and the rest goes to the RIAA. The only thing SJ has stood up to the RIAA about is resisting an increase of the price of the more popular songs. SJ wants all songs to be $0.99, and the RIAA wants to have the newer, more popular, songs to be priced higher. So far, SJ has won the negotiation battles with the RIAA and the labels. Some of the other music download providers have had lesser success with such negotiations.
The RIAA will always get their pound of flesh. You can bet on that. |
| #17 By 13030 (198.22.121.110) at 12/6/2006 10:42:59 AM |
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#13: i personally steal all my music
Don't you have kids? What an example to set for them. What has gone wrong with society that makes theft acceptable? |
| #18 By 3653 (68.52.143.149) at 12/6/2006 11:29:23 AM |
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"What has gone wrong with society that makes theft acceptable? "
Its a personal failing, i admit. I need to discuss it with my Pastor. |
| #19 By 32132 (142.32.208.231) at 12/6/2006 12:11:21 PM |
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#15 "when are you going to switch the radio on? "
News. Weather. Sports. Top hits countdown to see if there is something new you want to buy or steal (personal preference). |
| #20 By 37047 (216.191.227.68) at 12/6/2006 2:00:19 PM |
| #13: If you lived in Canada, you would be able to download all the music you want for your own personal use, and it is completely legal. Gotta love the Great White North. |
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