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Microsoft Considering Subsidizing Zune Sales
grouchomarxist writes "Microsoft is considering selling the Zune subsidized like a cellphone, according to an excerpt on MarketWatch from a PC World magazine interview with Microsoft's Zune marketing director, Jason Reindorp. According to the article: 'The spokesman said that Microsoft first considered the cellphone-like distribution plan after seeing interest in its Zune Pass subscription service, which offers monthly paid access to songs on the Zune Marketplace, a competitor to Apple's iTunes store. Though he declined to say how many subscribers currently use Zune Pass, the spokesman said subscriptions rose 65% during January.'"
Even if it is 165,000 people it's not that big of a deal. Apple is selling millions of ipods.
The fact is the subscription music plan just sucks. It's like paying for radio. XM and sirus have a good idea, but very few people are willing to shell out money for music that stops playing when they stop paying.
It is a nice market, and always will be.
The best part of itunes is that it has more than just songs. I don't own an ipod. I just don't like any of the models and I am not impressed with any other music player either. But I still shop at iTunes. I grab the Battlestar galactica or Hero's episodes I missed and forgot to tivo.
I then unplug my monitor's dvi connector, and plug in my tv's dvi cable.
Even the simple 640x480 resolution they sell looks good on a 23" HDTV. not spectacular but better than the regular tv reception I get.
i thought once I was found, but it was only a dream.
Home and Entertainment division lost $1.2billion dollars in 2006. If that is "worked", then I have a bridge to sell you.
Engineering is the art of compromise.
Microsoft to engage in predatory pricing? Wouldn't that be a violation of their anti-trust agreement?