The Zune Cometh 291
Well, except for those hiding under a mountain of used iPod batteries, it's fairly well known that the Zune iPod-wannabe killer is coming out Monday/Tuesday. There's a piece in the NYTimes about counting on the wireless part of the Zune to take down the iPod as well as some interviews with people involved in the creation. But OTOH, RoughlyDrafted (which has had a series of pieces about the Zune) points out some issues with the DRM systems, and forecasts a number of issues — and also calls out what they called a "Digg Fraud Campaign". But soon — the market decides.
Not a big intro (Score:5, Interesting)
Intentional or error? (Score:5, Interesting)
That would make it something that kills iPod wannabe's, like Creative or Rio or Sandisk players. I wonder whether that is what the submitter meant, or did he mean "wannabe iPod" or "wannabe iPod-killer"? And I wonder what Microsoft's goal is?
About the 'Digg fraud' campaign... (Score:2, Interesting)
See the paragraph below:
"For example, Murphey has been working to create rumors of an imminently available new "video iPod," apparently in an effort to try to get iPod buyers to hold off on their purchases and perhaps consider the Zune."
That doesn't make any sense at all. If Murphey is trying to get people more interested in Zune and wanting to buy a Zune, why would he suggest that a new iPod is coming out. This would actually make people considering a Zune potentially abort that purchase waiting for Apple to produce an iPod with WiFi or something similar.
Much of the accusation in that 'article' is logically weak like this one and actually supplies nothing but pure speculation.
That crap aside, nobody is going to kill the iPod, it's a behemoth now.
RoughlyDrafted and Digg (Score:4, Interesting)
Pot, meet kettle [googlepages.com].
I've noticed that this round of MS products... (Score:5, Interesting)
I think this will work with the OS as poeple don't really try to understand how their PC works, but I question this dethroning the simplicity and popularity of the iPod and iTMS combo.
I will also point out the obvious that MS has seeded quite a few landscapers here on Slashdot lately, but I'm sure one will come along soon and prove my point...
Kill the iPod? (Score:4, Interesting)
XOBX HUEG (Score:5, Interesting)
Comparisons and caveats (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:But what about the battery? (Score:3, Interesting)
There are several advantages of a soldered-in battery. The iPod can be made smaller (no need for a battery holder) and lighter. The case can be better sealed. And there is no chance that a bump to the iPod will interrupt playback by interrupting battery voltage - important to those that wear the iPod while exercising.
Basically, a better user experience for three years, with slightly higher battery replacement cost at the end.
Zune pictures already online (Score:2, Interesting)
It's been happening with the Sony PS3 as well (Score:1, Interesting)
Re:The War of the News & Products (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:About the 'Digg fraud' campaign... (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:You're new here? Ain't ya? (Score:3, Interesting)
Size (smaller is better)
Hi speed serial interface(USB2 or Firewire)
Simple user interface (5 buttons instead of Archos' 10)
Your Archos is actually a year younger than the oldest iPod, at my estimation.
The iPod did something that Archos has copied with it's Gmini line... there is no way of avoiding that comparison.
Zune logo agreement (Score:1, Interesting)
Apparently if you want to do some cross promotion with Microsoft, you have to agree to not make disparaging remarks about Microsoft or the Zune. It will be interesting to see which websites are willing to be muzzled in order to get some traffic.
Bravo to Andrew Baron of Rocketboom for not selling out.
-ec
Re:Not a big intro (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:The War of the News & Products (Score:3, Interesting)
This goes back to simple capitalistic theory, with competition being good for the consumer. Two major corporations in control of the vast majority of the market, fighting to make the better product. This is an unusual viewpoint here on slashdot, but honestly, so long as they stick to bettering each other through competition rather than belittling each other, I'm all for it.
That would be nice, but I wouldn't count on it. Microsoft does not believe in playing fair. They have already tied their player to the Windows OS monopoly via a proprietary format and the WMP software. So while two companies competing for the market is great, don't count on it to last. Once MS manages a "good enough" player it will take the market regardless of whether or not it is innovative or even as good as the iPod. Apple's dominance may hold them off for a while, but not forever. And with the fall of the iPod, digital music and DRM will be dominated by Microsoft for the foreseeable future.
When one company decides to launch whole hearted smear campaigns rather than improve their product, or, even worse, decides it's more cost effective to buy out the competition, that's where I get worried, and in honesty, most major corporations have done one, if not both.
Neither of these bother me so long as the advertising is not factually incorrect, but portrayed as such. The free market and our society can and does deal with misleading ads and buyouts. What it can't deal with is antitrust abuse when the justice department looks the other way.
Re:Not a big intro (Score:3, Interesting)