Slashdot Mirror
Zune — $249.99 On Nov. 14
Cubricon writes, "As expected, Microsoft has dropped their price on the Zune in response to Apple's recent iPod updates. Ars Technica has an article that discusses the Zune's use of Microsoft's prepaid 'points' system for songs. Will the masses notice the difference between an iPod and a Zune? Will they want the FM and wireless capabilities?" The Zune lists for $0.99 more than the comparable iPod and songs from the Zune Marketplace will cost just under $0.99.
there are other options you know... i personally love the zen vision: m (which has FM)
If you are concerned about not having an FM radio with your iPod, there is the iPod FM radio remote. While it is not exactly cheap at, $50, there are battery radios that are less expensive than the Zune or the iPod. Of course as long as you are speaking about emergency radios, then everyone should have a shortwave radio in case of nuclear war or meteor impact. Not there is much to do in the case of global devestation, aside from dying of radiation sickness or dying of starvation.
Impersonating Tycho from Penny Arcade since before there was a PA.
From TFA (playmag.com):
But there are a few key differences [from the iPod]: Microsoft plans to use the same transaction system as Xbox Live, its video game console's online service, which will allow consumers to pay for music using prepaid cards they can buy in retail stores -- saving some the hassle of needing to use a credit card.
I can walk into Walmart and buy a prepaid iTunes card with cash. The only I ever "bought" from iTunes was with a code from Pepsi. So please playmag.com, tell me how iTunes requires a credit card again? iTunes already has an allowance system too.
-- Political fascism requires a Fuhrer.
Seriously, what's the deal with people hating FM radio? I spend my whole day at work listening to BBC Radio 1. Sure, their daytime playlist is quite limited, but they do play some new music in the evenings, but I mainly tune in for the DJs. If anyone in the US has Sirius(?), tune into Radio 1 and give Chris Moyles a listen.
Summation 2
Actually, the FM radio band is abslutely the worst choice for an emergency broadcast. The range of FM is short and the radio waves don't bounce off the ionosphere. If there's some kind of a catastrophic event, there's a very good chance that local FM transmitter will be affected by it as well. SW and AM are much better since their waves bounce off the ionosphere and are long range.
Also, relying on Zune for emergency signal is silly (and I'm being nice) since it has a short battery life and no AM/SW bands. Also, what will you listen to after 5hrs have passed?!
If you want an emergency radio, get one with three bands and get one that has a hand crank.
Because songs aren't bought using money. You use money to buy Microsoft Points, or something with a similarly retarded name, and then use those points to buy songs. The current price is a buck for 80 points, and songs cost 79 points. So each point costs 1.25 cents, and 79 points works out to 98.75 cents. Due to rounding, if you buy 1 or 2 songs you pay the same as in ITMS, and past that you pay a very small amount less (if you buy 100 songs you save a whole quarter).
A bit of Slashdot antiquity.
http://apple.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=01/10/23/ 1816257
The Braying and Neighing of Barnyard Animals Follows.
ipod fm radio, http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/A ppleStore?productLearnMore=MA070G/A
Yes, but FM? I think AM will be more useful.
Ramsey Electronics sells 50 watt LPFM stations in a box starting at $4000. Low power demands. Instant set-up. Freedom from interference.
That powerful AM radio station may be trying to provide regional or multi-state coverage when you need something much more focused. That is the FM advantage.
they sold over a million units before adding windows, so yes it was a success under those conditions.
The Kruger Dunning explains most post on
Being in the UK doesn't change physics! FM Radio waves only transmit over a relatively limited distance from a transmitter. If your nearest two or three transmitters power out, you'll still be able to pick up a MW(AM) (citywide) or LW (national) signal from the nearest transmitter.
Speaking of language errors...MOOT point, not mute point.
Most licences (including iTunes) allow you to use a song on up to 5 computers. I don't think the Zune will change this.