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Microsoft Launches the Zune
Doug-W writes to mention an Engadget post about Microsoft's launch of the Zune. From the article: "Not a lot of surprises in the specs department, but they've confirmed the basics we've known for a while, like WiFi, 30GB of HDD, built-in FM, a 3-inch screen and the basic music, pictures and video playback. They also finally let slip the screen res -- an unsurprising QVGA -- and some better news on the codec front: the Zune supports h.264, MP3, AAC and WMA. As for ballyhoo, wireless Zune-to-Zune sharing is where the real action is at, and it works pretty much like we've been hearing: you can share a full-length track with a friend, and they've got three times to listen to it over a three day period, after which they can flag the song for purchase on the Zune Marketplace -- unless they're an unlimited 'Zune Pass' subscriber, of course."
One thing that we're all still wondering is how will people control the thing? I haven't seen one explanation for how the center "wheel" (if that's what it is) works.
I think it was confirmed a while back (via an FCC filing or something) that it's not actually a wheel, just four buttons arranged to look like a wheel. The clickwheel without the wheel part.
Makes sense, as Apple does have a patent on the clickwheel design, and I was wondering how MS was going to get around it when I saw this. Simple enough; the wheel is not a wheel.
From this CBS article:
... create a brown technology product? Artists will. Musicians would. And Zune will," Stephenson said.
/actually, I could see getting a brown & wood grain iPod, maybe done to look like some classy vintage audio equipment... but not a Zune, sorry.
Brown? Microsoft's design director for the project, Chris Stephenson, explained the shape and scheme is "to make it less cool and sleek, but actually warm and silky."
"Who in their right mind would
Emphasis mine, but I think he hit it on the head.
Repetition does not transform a lie into the truth. - FDR
That, and the iPod is grossly overpriced. MS doesn't have a history of overpricing their consumer products, although Apple does. As long as it's reasonably priced, I'm getting one.
The rumored price is $300 for the 30 GB version. The 30 GB iPod is $250. So, pretty much, same pricing strategy.
Because there are only four people who care?
Why yes, I AM a rocket scientist!
MS doesn't have a history of overpricing their consumer products, although Apple does
*stiffles giggling* you mean like the $300 upgrade price for Vista Ultimate? You mean $200 for a backlit keyboard and mouse? Yeah no overpricing whatsoever.
This video also came to my mind and I was very suprised when I have seen how Zune's box will look like. I thought "man, Microsoft finally learned something". The box looks very stylish to me.
Who told you that? There are plenty:
FLAC players
Vorbis players
FLAC - Free Lossless Audio Codec