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Why Microsoft's Zune Scares Apple to the Core

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the core-apple-get-it-wakka-wakka dept.

BoredStiff writes "Computerworld has an article examining Microsoft's plans to launch a competitor to the Apple iPod, the wireless media player called Zune. The article lists five reasons why Apple may fear the Zune, and why it won't be as easily smacked down as the dozens of mp3 players before it have been. The Zune isn't just a music player, the article argues. Think of it as a portable, wireless, hardware version of MySpace. With the Zune, Microsoft is trying to launch a consumer media 'perfect storm.'" From the article: "Microsoft will make the movement of media between Windows, Soapbox and the Zune natural and seamless. The Zune interface is just like a miniature version of the Windows Media Center user interface and is very similar to some elements of Vista. Apple fans are overconfident in the iPod because Apple once commanded 92% of music player market share, a number that has since fallen to around 70%. About 30 million people own iPods. But Microsoft owns more than 90% of the worldwide operating systems market (compared with Apple's roughly 5%), representing some 300 million people. The company expects to have 200 million Vista users within two years."

7 of 574 comments (clear)

  1. Limited playback by nizo · · Score: 5, Funny

    Best of all, Zunes will be able to connect to one another wirelessly, letting people share songs (as well as playlists and .jpg photos) with up to four other simultaneous Zune users within Wi-Fi range. Recipients of these shared songs will be able to play them three times for up to three days free, after which they'll have to pay to listen. Songs received wirelessly can't be shared.


    While playing songs you got from other Zune users may be time limited, my guess is that if this is a typical Microsoft product, the goatse image you picked up from simply walking down the street will be nearly impossible to get rid of (both from your brain and your new Zune).

    --
    I Am My Own Worst Enemy
    1. Re:Limited playback by caffeinatedOnline · · Score: 5, Funny

      You don't need to sell your sole to Microsoft just to share good music

      That's good to hear, cause as far as I am concerned MS is not getting any of my fish!!

      --
      The sky above the port was the color of television, tuned to a dead channel...
    2. Re:Limited playback by smidget2k4 · · Score: 5, Funny

      I was really confused as to why they would want the bottom of my shoe. I guess fish makes more sense. Learning something new on /. every day!

  2. Zune Scares Apple to the Core??? by Jhon · · Score: 5, Funny
    Think of it as a portable, wireless, hardware version of MySpace.
    Forget Apple -- this is reason enough for Zune to scare ME to the core!
  3. Out Of Business by sycodon · · Score: 5, Funny

    So I guess Apple will again be out of business by the end of the year. I bet they get tired of packing and unpacking.

    --
    When Fascism comes to America, it will call itself Anti-Fascism, and tell you to give up your guns.
  4. Huh... by Quiet_Desperation · · Score: 5, Funny

    Think of it as a portable, wireless, hardware version of MySpace.

    Well, that doesn't fill me with the "I must go out and get one right now" feeling so much as a "Run screaming with vengance into the night to fomemt up counter-revolutionary terror" feeling.

    It could just be me, though.

  5. Re:*snicker* by bitt3n · · Score: 5, Funny

    you are neglecting that many users may use one installation of Vista. For example, on account of a rather freewheeling philosophy toward downloading warez, my roommate's WinXP box now has at least 26 different users, most of whom appear to live in Ukraine.

    --
    how many pairs of boxer shorts should you own?