As expected, ZuneScene notes that Microsoft took a card from Apple’s playbook and made a big product announcement on a Tuesday. Brace yourselves, people. It’s Zune 2 time! OH, YEAH! Outrageous! Now with the same capacity as the iPod classic, only with a “squircle” interface that sucks way more than a clickwheel! And it costs the same price! BOOYA! And wait for it, homes, there’s now a Zune with flash memory, at the same price and size as an old iPod nano! POW!
In all seriousness, this is seriously underwhelming stuff. Once again, the only feature Microsoft is using to try to stand out from the iPod is WiFi, specifically wireless music, video and photo syncing. Which might be fairly exciting, were it not for the fact that, you know, Apple just rolled out the iPod Touch, which also offers WiFi web browsing. That’s a slightly more appealing WiFi feature for the vast majority of the population.
I am pleasantly surprised to see that Microsoft had the insight to translate Xbox Gamer Cards, which are major points of pride for Xbox Live maniacs, into Zune Cards, which will be embeddable on message boards and websites to show off recent music choices and even let other people listen to top songs. It’s way more compelling than the initial WiFi sharing they dubbed “the Social.” And now, songs transferred that way last forever, not just three days. They can still only get played three times, however.
ZuneScene thinks that the Squircle interface might one day be used as a directional pad for games on the Zune. That would be more interesting if there were complementary buttons on the other side for action and full gaming. I think most people will stick with playing the iPhone NES emulator.
All in all, this is far from a real threat to the iPod’s dominance. It’s profoundly unimaginative and just barely improves on the first Zune and does little more than match the low end of Apple’s line-up. It’s almost sad.
24 responses to “Zune 2 Announced; Steve Jobs Sleeping Peacefully”
its freakin ooglay
And look at those amazing colors. Piggy-pink and gonorrhea green! Yummy!
I own an iPhone, iPods and all the other goodies. I must say though, regardless of the awful marketing they have done, this actually doesn’t look half bad (colors notwithstanding). There’s a new market video over on Gizmodo, again regardless of lame music and a disheveled Gates, the interface looks smooth and the radio feature is enticing. The overall design isn’t half bad either.
HOWEVER, the bottom line is: You need to have a version of VISTA to use it.
DEAL BREAKER
Conclusion: My heart and dollars continue to belong to Apple
I know this is “Cult of Mac” but that’s a particularly scathing anti-microsoft post! Now, I’m all for bashing Microsoft when it’s due, but come on, these aren’t THAT bad. I wouldn’t buy one, as presently I’m happy with my iPod Video, and besides, I like the iTunes ecosystem.
I’ve been following the Zune 2, because I was interested to see how Microsoft would organise the ‘upgrade’, and I was pleasantly surprised by their willingness to provide software upgrade do “Zune 1” owners to bring their software up to par with the Zune 2. That’s very un-apple! I would never buy one (partially because they don’t sell them here in Australia, but mostly because I prefer Apple products.
Oh my God, I have an announcement to make:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…
(Apparently embedding youtube videos is not allowed…)
Be afraid. Be very afraid. The squircle will get you in your sleep.
Joking aside, I think the 80gb Zune compares very well against the ipod classic. For the same price you get wifi and the screen is twice the size.
Hey – at least they’re getting rid of that god awful brown…right?
Ah well. At least they’re trying!
Major Apple fanboy here – have iPhone, iPod, etc etc.
I have to say the Zune did one up the ipod with wifi syncing – its a cool little feature that surprised me when it was left off the iPhone and iPod touch. The sharing aspect, although it could use some work, it interesting. Not sure I would ever use it if I were a (unlucky) Zune owner. At least give them a little bit of credit for adding something to the Zune that some of us iPod folk have been waiting for. With better and better battery life, the iPod just doesn’t need to be plugged in all the time.
But the iPhone NES emulator? Its a fun thing to show off, but does anyone actually play this for more than a few minutes? I find it impossible with tactile feedback.
Zune got a +1 in my opinion, but its still way, way in the negative.
Cheers,
Robert
The iPod’s 3rd party market is a HUGE plus that the Zune won’t match for years, if ever. I was in NY last year, and the bed-side clock-radio in my hotel room had an iPod dock. The Apple Store on 5th Avenue was crammed, and you could see the huge array of 3rd party products. The Zune area at the otherwise-busy Virgin store in Times Square was inhabited only by tumbleweed.
As Tom said, the iTunes ecosystem is a winner. Apple got that right.
I think the Zune may hurt some of the other players in this market, but they won’t touch the iPod range. Especially not in the UK where there’s no date for the Zune’s arrival. Meanwhile millions more iPods will be sold in the UK (Christmas isn’t far away, can you think of a better gift for your special one?) and Apple will pull further ahead.
Hey Microsoft! Zune THIS!
“Apple did it!!!”