Microsoft confirms plan to take on Apple's iPod
Posted by Steven Parker on 22 July 2006 - 11:46 · 61 comments & 17793 views
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#1 Posted by TimRogers on 22 Jul 2006 - 12:05
- I will buy this if it's a decent price
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#2 Posted by wutang01 on 22 Jul 2006 - 12:47
- A bit late, but at least they're making an entrance.
Hope it has a nice aesthetic appeal. If so, it'll be on my wish list
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(1 reply)
#3 Posted by KzR on 22 Jul 2006 - 13:14
- If it has a big screen and has Wi-Fi, I'll definitely get it. A built-in camera would be bonus.
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(1 reply)
#4 Posted by Neomac v6 on 22 Jul 2006 - 14:07
- So first they denied it, now they confirm it? Well, good luck.
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#5 Posted by mrmckeb on 22 Jul 2006 - 14:10
- Maybe the WIFI will let it be used as a Windows Live Messenger WIFI phone? Come on Microsoft, decimate the Apple again!
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(6 replies)
#6 Posted by Croquant on 22 Jul 2006 - 14:36
- Good luck de-throning the iPod. People out there that don't know what "MP3" is buy iPods and then happily think they've got something cool. Meanwhile, those of us with brains in our heads use ordinary MP3 players and download our songs off the torrents.
'casue smart people don't buy CRAP.
http://www.neowin.net/index.php?act=view&id=32588 -
#6.1 Posted by markjensen on 22 Jul 2006 - 15:41
- Yes, because everyone knows that infringing copyright makes you cool.
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#6.3 Posted by LTD on 22 Jul 2006 - 17:11
- 'cause the ipod is crap. Riiiiiiiiiight.
The nano: flash-based, beautiful design. It does have its pros and cons, but all in all, it occupies the "high end" portion of the mp3 player market, and it sells like crazy. Coustomer reviews and company profits tell the tale.
And it's about to get even better, acording to the latest news.
And all ipods play any mp3, whether from the iTunes store, or *elsewhere.*
And *ordinary* mp3 players are just that . . . ordinary. That's why they post lousy sales in comparison to Apple's product. Apple usually attempts to surpass the ordinary because their customers (like me) expect better and are willing to pay for it.
Don't YOU deserve better? -
#6.4 Posted by Smigit on 22 Jul 2006 - 18:37
- "Don't YOU deserve better?"
could you sound any more like an Apple employee/advertisement?
Apples success is mainly just smart advertising. Yes it has some advantages over the competition but in most areas the competition are equal and many competitors have the edge in other important areas (ie audio quality). Is the ipod good? yeah sure. is it that much better on build quality alone to justify its 75% of the market share? I seriously doubt that. It's not that better designed than many competing products and it has had some major issues in the past. Hell theyve already had to settle 2 class action lawsuits in the past few years over the battery and then the screen issues so theres definetly problems there. -
#6.6 Posted by CrisCr0ss on 22 Jul 2006 - 20:47
- Quote - Croquant said @ #6Good luck de-throning the iPod. People out there that don't know what "MP3" is buy iPods and then happily think they've got something cool. Meanwhile, those of us with brains in our heads use ordinary MP3 players and download our songs off the torrents.
'casue smart people don't buy CRAP.
http://www.neowin.net/index.php?act=view&id=32588
I dunno, i love my nano. It does what its supposed to and that is play all my songs and is nice and small, IMO worth the money. It can last me a full trip to Detroit and back without charge which no cd player or other mp3 can hold up to. I will not buy a new mp3 player until this one dies out. One con is the ****ty headphones which broke really fast
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#7 Posted by techdude6371 on 22 Jul 2006 - 14:36
- Quote -Music industry sources told Reuters earlier this month that Microsoft disclosed plans to be in the market before Christmas with a media player that will allow users to download videos and music wirelessly.
Now thats impressive, I don't think the iPod can download music and videos wirelessly, you have to hook it up to your computer to load the music on to the iPod. This might jump up to the same level of popularity the iPod is at quickly! I heard that a specific razr can download music, but a mp3 player? Thats awesome, they should name the service that connects to the music service "Zune Live" just like "Xbox Live" !
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#8 Posted by Colin-uk on 22 Jul 2006 - 14:53
- Lets hope they've got one hell of a marketing team
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#9 Posted by hotdog963al on 22 Jul 2006 - 15:11
- To be honest. People buy iPods because they are iPods, not because of the features.
People are totally retarded and follow the crowd. This won't even affect the iPod.
I'm not a freaking Fanboy either, I love Apple, but I have never owned or wanted an iPod.
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#10 Posted by yoaliens3000 on 22 Jul 2006 - 15:14
- Microsoft is known for always entering late into the game, and doing pretty well. I don't doubt that they will make a kickass media player.
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#11 Posted by Xero on 22 Jul 2006 - 15:19
- Eh, they are making their plans on the current iPod I'm sure once Apple comes out with their new version this "Zune" won't standa chance, both will offer wireless downloading and a Wi Fi connection, the so called Apple Berry is soon to come and raise the bar with addition to telephone support, I dun think MS has a chance unless they can come up with a better battery solution.
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#12 Posted by redwingsmonk on 22 Jul 2006 - 15:19
- wow microsoft fanboys bashing ipods! geez grow up!
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#13 Posted by redwingsmonk on 22 Jul 2006 - 15:21
- let the virus race being! Zune will be hit by a virus within weeks if not in a matter of days cuz it will be run by Windows Media Player. *giggles*
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#14 Posted by redwingsmonk on 22 Jul 2006 - 15:21
- oops begin* *giggles*
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#15 Posted by Interrobang on 22 Jul 2006 - 16:01
- Giggles, that sounds so poofy
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#16 Posted by Toastyone on 22 Jul 2006 - 16:02
- There is a pic on the web, not sure if it is real I sure hope not, it looks bad, but hey more competition is never bad
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(3 replies)
#17 Posted by Galley on 22 Jul 2006 - 16:05
- $500 says it won't support AAC , which makes it a very expensive brick for me.
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#17.1 Posted by Enrickey on 22 Jul 2006 - 16:36
- Why support AAC when you can support MP3, a far more used codec which is almost identacle soundquality wise (I admit that AAC sounds better between 64 and 128 kbps, but who would listen to music at such low bitrates anyway? They sound the same at 192 and higher.) The only program that pushes AAC is iTunes, and there is no chance it will work with Microsoft's player, so why would they bother supporting it? The only thing I can see them doing for the upgraded lower bitrate soundquality is supporting Vorbis, which would make a lot more sense.
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#17.2 Posted by Xero on 22 Jul 2006 - 18:25
- I'm with him, sure the quality is similar but the file size isn't I have over 10,000 songs in aac format to reduce space, they only take up aprox 35GB whereas mp3 would be closer to 45GB, size matters on these devices, not to mention converting 10,000 songs is dumb, let alone 1000, rather time consuming.
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#17.3 Posted by Enrickey on 22 Jul 2006 - 22:08
- Do you realise that you can choose the filesize for MP3 too? iTunes has the option to reencode the mediaas a 128kbps AAC file, something which any decent software should be able to do for any codec, not just AAC. Using Foobar, or WinAMP with plugins, you can reencode the files as 128kbps MP3 files, or even 96kbps MP3 files if you really wanted the space.
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#18 Posted by kaffra on 22 Jul 2006 - 16:25
- sounds good, but im still waiting for their webcam line to appear
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#19 Posted by neoxphuse on 22 Jul 2006 - 16:56
- Depends on the features...
Good screen size, very aesthetically pleasing, and if the controls are very user friendly they might have a shot. Lightweight, cause a lot of ppl would use it outdoor activities. Wireless connections somehow to download, and if they integrate MSN with it (this may push ppl to buy this product even more). They should take advantage of this statistic.
Maybe a freaking decent earphones/headphones with it.
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(2 replies)
#20 Posted by LTD on 22 Jul 2006 - 17:17
- It'll be delayed at least three years. Before actual release, key features will have been removed.
Last edited by LTD on 22 Jul 2006 - 17:23 -
#20.1 Posted by myoujinyahiko on 22 Jul 2006 - 18:20
- And expect the regular "will be delayed yet again" announcement coming out now and then from the mouth of the company.
Honestly, I'd be interested to see what kind of a product they will churn out.
MY
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#21 Posted by Tomi on 22 Jul 2006 - 19:43
- http://www.zuneinsider.com
http://www.comingzune.com
There's two sites to keep an eye on.
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#22 Posted by Ashl on 22 Jul 2006 - 20:06
- Wonder if it will have ZGA(Zune Genuine Advantage) . You may be a victim of hardware counterfeiting. This Zune is not geniune and is not eligible to play any media or to recieve product support from microsoft.
Hopefully not... that would definately put me off getting one
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#23 Posted by CrisCr0ss on 22 Jul 2006 - 20:51
- i want flac/ogg support that would own, mmm lossless audio on an mp3.
What will make me switch
Flac/ogg support
Long battery life (like the sony 20hour one, what ever happened to it?)
easy navigation (ipod wheel anyone?)
decent size and look (nano?)
good price
Its tough but Im sure msft can pull it off
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#24 Posted by daveoc64 on 23 Jul 2006 - 00:27
- The fact that Microsoft has to ditch their existing Windows Media based products has already convinced me that Zune will flop just as bad as Playsforsure.
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(1 reply)
#25 Posted by eilegz on 23 Jul 2006 - 01:57
- well this its what microsoft should focus if they want to beat apple ipod
1- price, make a cheaper product and offer almost the same capability and people would notice
2- stylish yeah more stylish than ipod thats gonna be hard taking note that x360 and xbox looks bulky and ugly
3- bluetooth included (yeah bluetooth its good inmagine using a bluetooth headset and its compatible with zune that would be great)
4- No windows media player required. Yeah this its very important what most people that dont like about ipod its that apple force you to use itunes to transfer music. (now i doubt this would happen and coming from microsoft they will force you to get wmp and windows to make it work)
5- platform independant, yeah make it available to everyone even those using linux
6- easy to use, good navegation
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#26 Posted by perochan on 23 Jul 2006 - 02:37
- wow, microsoft likes to jump on every popular band wagon... hmm i doubt it it will success unless they put in something that iPod doesnt have...
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(7 replies)
#27 Posted by redwingsmonk on 23 Jul 2006 - 02:43
- Microsoft always copies Apple.. get over it! its the fricken truth!.. What apple has microsoft wants it. Microsoft cant be original. or ever cud.
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#27.1 Posted by Cole on 23 Jul 2006 - 06:42
- ^^ Totally agree.
Microsoft also has to be the best in everything, it's the biggest monopoly ever. And since Bill Gates is finally stepping down, I want Microsoft to just burn and die at his leave, as the company will have nothing when he's gone. O_o -
#27.2 Posted by japanesetea on 23 Jul 2006 - 17:17
- yes and theres a video on google videos that shows that microsoft copied vista off of mac osx. mac osx has hads these features for years and vista is just a rip of those features. microsoft has gotten to whaty it has becuase of mac osx and linux. If mac didnt exists MS wouldnt exisit.
heres the link!!!
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4...s+vista+mac+osx -
#27.3 Posted by excalpius on 23 Jul 2006 - 21:00
- it's amazing just how ignorant you are regarding the actual development of the "innovations" you seem to attribute to apple (or MS for that matter), when both MS and Apple have lifted from Xerox, Amiga, etc...AND vice versa.
Bottom line is that the features Mac-o-philes claim MS has lifted from OSX were just features that Apple lifted from Vista betas and design documents, allowing Apple to quite smartly beat MS to market. But to claim that Mac invented a feature that they stole from someone else's beta is just as ridiculous as claiming MS stole Windows from Apple.
They both stole the whole kit and kaboodle from Xerox. But since that all occurred before you were probably old enough to remember it, doesn't mean the rest of us don't know the truth.
My desktop interface unabashedly STEALS the best from OSX, Amiga, XP, AND Vista and throws a few misc tweaks in to boot. I make no apologies for improving my own productivity any way I can, and I credit COMPETITION for giving me such options.
vive la difference! -
#27.4 Posted by evo_spook on 23 Jul 2006 - 23:57
- It might be a good idea to do some research and not appear stupid and show your ignorance before making posts
Xeros got share options from apple for the walk around there studios and employed many Xeros staff, those share options were worth many times the worth they were given at
So please STF up about stuff you know sod all about, cause no, you don't know the truth -
#27.5 Posted by LTD on 24 Jul 2006 - 00:51
- Quote - evo_spook said @ #27.4It might be a good idea to do some research and not appear stupid and show your ignorance before making posts
Xeros got share options from apple for the walk around there studios and employed many Xeros staff, those share options were worth many times the worth they were given at
So please STF up about stuff you know sod all about, cause no, you don't know the truth
It's called "Xerox", idiot.
Maybe you should do some of that STF yourself. If you're going to attack someone, get your **** together. -
#27.6 Posted by evo_spook on 24 Jul 2006 - 11:58
- It was typed at night in the dark back from the pub.
If all you can come back is a spelling mistake then you agree that Apple did not STEAL from Xerox but actually paid for it and as such the original post was a pack of ill thought lies
Thank You for confirming that I was correct. -
#27.7 Posted by dangel on 24 Jul 2006 - 15:22
- Quote - evo_spook said @ #27.6It was typed at night in the dark back from the pub.
If all you can come back is a spelling mistake then you agree that Apple did not STEAL from Xerox but actually paid for it and as such the original post was a pack of ill thought lies
Thank You for confirming that I was correct.
Try to avoid posting from pubs - drink beer and chat to people instead
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(2 replies)
#28 Posted by phantasmorph on 23 Jul 2006 - 07:33
- Call me crazy, but wouldn't it be really damned nice if Microsoft would, for once in the past five years, actually focus on their CORE BUSINESS and get their flagship product out on time and as expected, instead of branching out into other areas that are already well-enough saturated? Anyways...
This won't KILL the iPod. It may make a slight dent in sales, but all the Zune will really accomplish is killing off the sales of the Creative and iRiver PlaysForSure players. Worst case, this will be another Dell DJ, and retired after a few years of it bleeding Microsoft of cash in an attempt to use the same business model they've used with the Xbox; they'll take a loss on the hardware hoping media sales will make it up for them. One little problem with that scenario...people don't *have* to purchase music from a specific outlet. With that in mind, IMHO the Zune is dead in the water before it's even launched. -
#28.1 Posted by frazell on 23 Jul 2006 - 13:58
- Nice to see I'm not the only one who thinks MS runs their company like an overgrown group of teenagers...
They are doing more of what they do best... Forgetting about their core business to focus on the latest fad while injuring their partners.
I really wonder sometimes where the brain lies on these execs... -
#28.2 Posted by japanesetea on 24 Jul 2006 - 01:39
- exaclty one "new thing" after another, like msn, msn spaces, messenger, internet explorer's tabs, etc were all fads but the tabs is purely genuis on firefox and mozilla's end and not MS's......
but they are concentrating too much to branch out that thier core business failed miserably. And will fail the more stuff they get into.
I think the msn spaces was just to combat myspace and the zune is just so they can stay hip with the ipod generation
(which for my fiancee's work dance competition company (pretty big). they did a dance they called the ipod generation and the people danced with ipods to a song "I cant here you call" I though it was funny!! just had to say that it was a cool experince there but stressful the second day. he he...
the zune generation sounds like a religious cult like scientology or kaballah. LOLz!!!
I think all of MS should be broken up into SEPERATET COMPANIES that have no options to buy stock in eachother and reamin seperate forever. and not one of them would be allowed to purchase another.
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#29 Posted by evo_spook on 23 Jul 2006 - 11:02
- What I find strange is that the Windows/Ipod bashers insult people who buy ipods cause they are just trying to be cool or following the herd, but......
MS produces a MP3 player, nobody knows the spec, design or price and already the same people are saying they will buying it straight away.......
POT
KETTLE
BLACK
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(1 reply)
#30 Posted by Glassed Silver on 23 Jul 2006 - 11:06
- ill stick to my n-gage
-fm
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#31 Posted by jpcahn on 23 Jul 2006 - 13:05
- I was in the group that thought Ipods were all hype as well. I was looking through freecycle and found a 20GB Ipod for 100.00. I figured what the heck and gave it a shot. I bought the Pioneer interface kit which is really cheap at 50.00 and I cannot believe the sound quality. The bass drums hit very clear and have a tighter punch now then even my mp3 cds I used to make. The wheel interface is excellent and reason enough to want an Ipod over anything else. I own an RCA Video Lyra as well and the interface is crap. I know people who keep upgrading their ipods and selling the old ones off so it spreads around like a virus. Getting people to switch is gonna be a nonstarter for MS.
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(1 reply)
#32 Posted by Shiranui on 24 Jul 2006 - 00:36
- Is it pronounced "Zyoon" or "Zoon".
MS being American, I suppose it is Zoon.
It's not a Toomah, it's a toona sandwich! -
#32.1 Posted by rob.derosa on 24 Jul 2006 - 12:09
- depends how you say dune
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#33 Posted by While You Were Art on 24 Jul 2006 - 11:22
- The iPod, a thing of aesthetic yumminess that you want pretty much as soon as you get out of the cradle and regret on your death bed that you never had one. Actually, I bought a Tapwave Zodiac, that Palm/multimedia stopgap before the Sony PSP (the Zodiac's Palm computer element when partnered with a full size foldable keyboard has been a boon; alas it lacked a built in high megapixel camera/phone/recording inputs). But I digress. Back to aesthetic yumminess. Even assuming Microsoft deliver the ultimate knock out all-in-one multimedia experience, can anyone name a Microsoft product where they got the aesthetics spot on? No, me either. Okay, how about a product that doesn't look half bad then? No, me either. Okay, okay, both xbox 360 and Vista look okay-ish but... So, what are we to expect? A brick with the sheen of cheap plastic and poor battery life? Something that makes the Japanese wince? Something that makes Steve Jobs job ever easier? Or a thing that when you clock eyes on it you go weak at the knees?
Last edited by While You Were Art on 24 Jul 2006 - 11:32
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#34 Posted by rob.derosa on 24 Jul 2006 - 12:11
mmmm pretty
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#35 Posted by C_Guy on 24 Jul 2006 - 15:39
- Isn't it funny how nearly every topic on Neowin lately has been a Microsoft vs. Apple debate with the same stale arguments over and over again?
iPod customers are defending iPod, Microsoft fanboys are defending it's upcoming player, and those indifferent sit back and watch the gunfire.
I for one think it's great to see Microsoft enter this market because
1. The iPod is 90% hype and it'll be nice to have more competition, and
2. Most of Microsoft's market entries have been successful. Look at their hardware line, XBOX 360, online services.
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#36 Posted by dolimite35 on 24 Jul 2006 - 16:21
- I keep reading that Creative has better sound quality then the ipod, would it be nice if microsoft used chips from creative for the sound. I know it wont happen because i dont see creative helping out a new competitor.
Microsoft confirmed the plans for an entertainment device and software in a statement after touting those products to record companies in recent months. The world's largest software maker faces an uphill climb in closing the gap on Apple's iPod media player and iTunes Music Store, the runaway leaders in their respective areas.
The iPod holds more than half of the digital media player market, according to research company NPD, while iTunes accounts for over 70 percent of U.S. digital music sales. "Creating a lifestyle device, Microsoft is clearly going to face a battle here," said Michael Gartenberg, research director at JupiterResearch. "It's going to be hard for them to create the same level of cachet that Apple has with the iPod."
Music industry sources told Reuters earlier this month that Microsoft disclosed plans to be in the market before Christmas with a media player that will allow users to download videos and music wirelessly. It will also try to replicate Apple's simple approach to providing an integrated, seamless ecosystem for digital media is seen as the key to its success with iPod/iTunes, the sources said.