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Don_HH2K
Joined: 09 May 2004
Posts: 4792
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 14 Sep, 2006 8:04 pm Microsoft Zune specs, photos released |
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Read about this on TG Daily
| Quote: |  Redmond (WA) - Microsoft today introduced what the company hopes will challenge the market dominance of Apple's Ipod. Zune is the first media player in this segment to offer Wi-Fi connectivity and carries a name that will allow Microsoft to create a competing brand and product family.
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"The digital music entertainment revolution is just beginning. With Zune, we are not simply delivering a portable device, we are introducing a new platform that helps bring artists closer to their audiences and helps people find new music and develop new social connections."
J Allard, vice president for design and development at Microsoft and the executive who leads the firm's move into the portable audio arena, took the wraps off the long awaited Zune this Thursday morning. Perhaps intentionally, Zune's features have been known for quite a while and Microsoft revealed few surprises.
Zune, built by Toshiba, will be offered in three colors - white, black and perhaps not the prettiest brown. It has a 1.8" 30 GB hard drive, a 3" LCD, an integrated and RDBS-capable FM tuner, an USB 2.0 port and Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g) support. As expected, Microsoft will be promoting wireless connectivity as the Zune's unique feature: "Designed around the principles of sharing, discovery and community, Zune will create new ways for consumers to connect and share entertainment experiences," the firm said. "The Zune experience centers around connection - connection to your library, connection to friends, connection to community and connection to other devices."
"Sharing" content will be enabled in two different ways. First, users can send photos or promotional copies of songs from one to other device. Second, users can stream their music from one Zune to another via Wi-Fi: This wireless "Zune-to-Zune sharing" or "Djing" lets consumers stream share full-length sample tracks of select songs, homemade recordings, playlists or pictures with friends between Zune devices. However, songs can only be streamed up to three times over three days. After that, users will need to purchase that song from the "Zune Marketplace," which, according to Microsoft, will offer more then one million different songs at launch.
Microsoft promises that songs from existing music, picture and video libraries can be "easily" imported into Zune. New music can be purchased track by track or via a flat fee that provides access to an unlimited number of downloads. Pricing information has not been released, but the company mentioned that the service will work with Microsoft's "Points" program so users can purchase music online without a credit card. |
Here's a picture of what the Zune will most likely look like:
I think I'll pass; the world of ripped CDs on a real PC still works for me.
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Antony
Joined: 18 Jun 2002
Posts: 12846
Location: Sydney, Australia
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| 15 Sep, 2006 2:11 pm |
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Microsoft did not announce because of iPod?
A rumour website suggested so.
| Quote: | Microsoft on Thursday official unveiled its Zune digital media player but refused to provide pricing details, likely because it was caught off-guard by Apple Computer's aggressive new pricing on its video iPod line, one Wall Street analyst says.
"Microsoft formally announced its Zune portable media player, with specs in-line with Toshiba FCC filings," American Technology Research analyst Shaw Wu told clients on Friday. "However, pricing and timing were not revealed likely because our sources indicate that Apple's aggressive pricing at $249 for its new 30 GB video iPod took Microsoft by surprise."
It has long been rumored that Zune, which also features a 30GB hard disk, would retail for $299. But Apple's unparalleled component supply pricing is allowing it to price new iPod models at levels in which no other corporation could both compete and turn a profit. |
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Mandrake
Joined: 13 Sep 2002
Posts: 3920
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| 16 Sep, 2006 8:48 am |
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I'm not sure how competitive Zune is going to be against Apple's newly upgraded iPod, seeing how they've priced the 30GB model at a very aggressive $250 USD. I don't see how Microsoft can compete at those price levels, unless they're willing to take massive losses on the Zune.
Apple can price iPod that low because they're buying the gear to make them in such large quantities that they would recieve huge discounts.
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Antony
Joined: 18 Jun 2002
Posts: 12846
Location: Sydney, Australia
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| 16 Sep, 2006 9:05 am |
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| Mandrake wrote: | | I'm not sure how competitive Zune is going to be against Apple's newly upgraded iPod, seeing how they've priced the 30GB model at a very aggressive $250 USD. I don't see how Microsoft can compete at those price levels, unless they're willing to take massive losses on the Zune. |
It was reported back in the days of Xbox, Microsoft cut the price aggressively to below the cost.
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Antony
Joined: 18 Jun 2002
Posts: 12846
Location: Sydney, Australia
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| 28 Sep, 2006 10:35 am |
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News from The iPod Observer, Microsoft will release Zune on 14th November. The price will be US$249.99.
It is widely believed the US$249.99 was lower than expected, due to Apple iPod's pricing.
For a 30GB video iPod, the RRP is US$ 249.00; Microsoft Zune is 99 cents more.
| Quote: | The lower than expected price puts the Zune player in line with Apple's 30GB video capable iPod. Both devices feature a 30GB hard drive, play music and videos, and display pictures. Microsoft is betting that the Zune's FM radio receiver and limited ability to share music with other Zune players will give it an advantage over Apple.
Also like the iPod, the Zune will rely on its own music download service that isn't compatible with competitor's portable music players. Users can purchase a monthly subscription for US$14.99, or individual songs for 79 "Microsoft Points" each. 80 points will cost you $1, so individual song track pricing is in line with the iTunes Store. |
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James
Joined: 12 Jul 2002
Posts: 1818
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| 28 Sep, 2006 1:39 pm |
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Not sure if I've told you this, but my wife's son is one of those heading up the Zune project. He was transferred from the X-box 360 to the Zune about a year ago. He just returned from China with a small group from MS where they were trouble-shooting a problem that had developed there. Anyway... the good news is... whenever a project is completed, we get a freebie. That's how we received our X-box and our X-box 360 and I know a Zune will be arriving shortly (at least I expect it by Christmas). The amusing thing is... my wife installs all of the software (i.e. Office, Publisher and so forth) but I continue to use Corel (being the stubborn Canuck that I am... transplanted here in the States). It's sort of funny to have her son raz me about Firefox and Corel.
When (and "if") the Zune arrives, I'll take pictures and let you know what I think of it. 
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James
My doctor said I was paranoid. Well, he didn't actually say it, but I could tell he was thinking it.
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Antony
Joined: 18 Jun 2002
Posts: 12846
Location: Sydney, Australia
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| 28 Sep, 2006 8:07 pm |
[sdp=77727] |
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Thanks James.
Waiting for the reports.
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