CNN Ridicules Microsoft Zune

[CaKeY]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buKaqRG2SFA

[DjmUK]

Haha - nicely done. I don't own an iPod, but I do love it's design and interface (especially in comparison to MS's "iPod Killer Wannabe").

[redfish]

Well its really really silly they were comparing Zune to the iPod shuffle rather than the video iPod

"look how light and thin the ipod shuffle is.. who would want to buy a clunky zune"

ah. the worst part is ipod fanboys take this as cnn legitimately criticizing Zune

and, seriously: people have to admit CNN is worse than FoxNews these days---especially since they've tried to imitate FoxNews and got everything wrong.

[Zygar]

I find this to be very shallow and pedantic.

[MonkeyClaw Veteran]

^But you have to realize, this is how most of the public thinks. They are going to say, well I can get this small thing that clips on my shirt and plays less songs, or can carry this brick in my pocket that plays video and holds more songs.

Also consider that most people keep their music on their computers so when they are looking at those 2 they are going to say well i will not need to listen to all my music at once so ill get the small thing. This isn't how the average tech savvy person would think but this is how the average person does.

[phantasmorph]

"it does a couple of things that are a little bit cooler than the ipod, but a lot of things that probably aren't"

Love how when the female reporter held up her personal Shuffle, the reviewer commented "Now that's the thing that's a lot sexier than this" in reference to the Zune.

Or when the reporter in the middle asks the question "why don't they get some decent design people...it's clunky, it's clunky..."

I think that clip summed up everything perfectly...the only people that'll be interested in buying a Zune will be to shake their little fists at Apple. Most -normal- people (read: people without Vista/Microsoft avatars on the nerd tech forums they post on all day) will think this thing is a clunky, poorly-implemented turd.

[Simon Veteran]

After seeing the Zune, I don't see a murderous part in it towards the iPod. It's a good idea, but Microsoft rushed it out, which resulted in a bulkier, less innocvative system. But that's just my $0.02. I know a lot of people think differently, but like they said, unless you don't have any DRM, you have to start over again.

And they could have at least shipped to Canada!

[redfish]

Ya so you guys don't think 'normal people' buy regular sized iPods or video iPods? That they all buy iPod Shuffles? And so it makes sense to compare a Zune to an iPod shuffle? Please even if you agree that iPods are better, don't pretend their comments on the video are either fair or intelligent.

This watches more like a parody of iPod fans than a ridicule on Zune

[Toxicfume Veteran]

"Wannabe iPod killer" Har har! :D Loved it.

Edited November 14, 2006 by Toxicfume

[Lee G. Veteran]

I can't blame them to be honest. I had some optimism for the Zune, although I knew it could never defeat the iPod, not even close. My optimism has dropped and like many others here, I am disappointed.

[Hurmoth]

I just don't see the Zune even existing in a year. I doubt it will "kill" the iPod and as ugly as it is, who would want to buy it in the first place. Even if Apple is a monopoly, I have to had it to them, their design team is just bloody brilliant!

[phantasmorph]

Ya so you guys don't think 'normal people' buy regular sized iPods or video iPods? That they all buy iPod Shuffles? And so it makes sense to compare a Zune to an iPod shuffle? Please even if you agree that iPods are better, don't pretend their comments on the video are either fair or intelligent.

This watches more like a parody of iPod fans than a ridicule on Zune

You know what, just because they couldn't -invent- nice things to say about the Zune, doesn't mean it's not fair or intelligent. They are normal people, asking things and commenting the same way that normal people would about this product. Don't spazz out and get your Microsoft undies in a bunch because they were talking about this thing the way NON-TECH FORUM NERDS would.

[redfish]

You know what, just because they couldn't -invent- nice things to say about the Zune, doesn't mean it's not fair or intelligent. They are normal people, asking things and commenting the same way that normal people would about this product. Don't spazz out and get your Microsoft undies in a bunch because they were talking about this thing the way NON-TECH FORUM NERDS would.

What Microsoft undies? You have to be some died in the wool non-tech Microsoft nerd, to realize that comparing a Zune to a Shuffle instead of a normal iPod is ridiculous?

Do you patronize "normal" people so much that you think they wouldn't make this distinction? Most iPod owners don't own Shuffles

I said, go ahead, agree that the iPod is better all you want. Just don't pretend that the CNN report is just 'not inventing nice things to say'. There are plently of fair and intelligent reports which say the iPod is better. By "normal" people, as well as techies.

[Hurmoth]

I can't blame them to be honest. I had some optimism for the Zune, although I knew it could never defeat the iPod, not even close. My optimism has dropped and like many others here, I am disappointed.

Microsoft had a chance with this device to really do something cool and like you I had high hopes for them. I love my iPod but I'm really getting tired of the iTunes and the iTunes Music Store, so I was looking at Zune to be my next mobile music player. But from what I've read and seen thus far, there's no way I'm purchasing one of those hideous things. :x

[5Horizons]

Ouch, when a tech product gets pwned by CNN that's a bad thing. I didn't really understand why she whipped out a shuffle though, I mean come on. I guess when they do a review of a Hummer she'll pull out her bike and be like "look! It only cost $70 and gets better gas mileage than this ****ty Hummer!"

and, seriously: people have to admit CNN is worse than FoxNews these days---especially since they've tried to imitate FoxNews and got everything wrong.

Blasphemy! CNN is more liberally biased so clearly they do everything better than Fox!!!! ;)

[redfish]

Ouch, when a tech product gets pwned by CNN that's a bad thing. I didn't really understand why she whipped out a shuffle though, I mean come on. I guess when they do a review of a Hummer she'll pull out her bike and be like "look! It only cost $70 and gets better gas mileage than this ****ty Hummer!"

Blasphemy! CNN is more liberally biased so clearly they do everything better than Fox!!!! ;)

Its my point. I'm not being fanboyish about Microsoft. Normal people who watch this will see the comparison of a Zune to a shuffle is silly. None of the real ridicule of the Zune in this report was any better. The other thing is the joke about why can't Microsoft hire better designers, is just silly. There are obvious problems with the WiFi scheme, which are fair to address and are addressed a lot of other places. So my take is that anyone who sees this report and goes haha Microsoft is basically just happy that Microsoft is hurt or the Zune was hurt, and laughing just because the comments were anti-Microsoft and anti-Zune; rather than actually finding them worth anything. In other words, I'm not the one who is a fanboy.

Its the same for politics, which is why I compared FoxNews and CNN. I don't support someone who agrees with me but makes a terrible argument or childish joke. When FoxNews came around, CNN was dumbfounded and started to try to imitate them; and they thought what made FoxNews succesful was not anything to do with being fair and balanced, but the flashy graphics and obnoxious hosts. So CNN got flashier and more obnoxious. Since its debut, I think FoxNews has become less 'fair and balanced'. But its not a wannabe joke like CNN is today. (I'm not conservative btw)

[phantasmorph]

What Microsoft undies? You have to be some died in the wool non-tech Microsoft nerd, to realize that comparing a Zune to a Shuffle instead of a normal iPod is ridiculous?

Do you patronize "normal" people so much that you think they wouldn't make this distinction? Most iPod owners don't own Shuffles

Your right, comparing two music players is completely idiotic. I'll make sure to relate to my 60 year old mother-in-law that she should toss out her Shuffle because it's obviously inferior to the Microsoft Sh*tbrick. I'm sure the Zune will play her Barry Manilow tracks much more adequately. :rolleyes:

I can think of 5 people real quick off the top of my head that I personally know that own a Shuffle. In addition to a full-fledged iPod in some cases. That's In Real Life, not some anonymous person posting on a website. Most of them think that Word is their operating system. Now, I could go into great detail with them about crippled wifi features and playing videos while they...oh, wait, they are adults, so no, I can't think of a place where they'd want to watch a video in the palm of their hand to begin with. But I suppose I could invent some other compelling features above and beyond playing music which might attempt to convince them to purchase a Zune, but in the end, I'd probably just get a "shut-up-with-that-computer-dork-crap" blank stare and we'd change the subject of the conversation.

*You* are the one that doesn't get it. Most people buy these things to listen to a few songs when they get the chance. -That's it-. And the Zune offers nothing to those people except headaches and non-features. Again, Microsoft failed to copy something correctly, and the public is starting to wise up to that fact. And they certainly don't want "cool" force-fed to them.

[Brandon Live Veteran]

They lied about the weight. The Zune is definitely lighter than the iPod. Slightly larger (but with a larger screen and better battery life), but lighter.

[mad_onion]

I just don't see the Zune even existing in a year. I doubt it will "kill" the iPod and as ugly as it is, who would want to buy it in the first place. Even if Apple is a monopoly, I have to had it to them, their design team is just bloody brilliant!

dont be so sure. microsoft is the kind of company that just doesnt give up. if they had given up after a year with windows mobile they would have never have achieved so much market share on pdas. they can just keep working on it and improving it, eventually they might get it right.

[Blackice]

you see, compare this to a nano (which surely most consumers will), and it's no competition.

If Apple can bump the nano capacities to 10-15GB, it'll cream the Zune. That said, it'll probably compete too well with the full-size iPod for that to happen. Not many consumers have music libraries that require 30GB.

[phantasmorph]

dont be so sure. microsoft is the kind of company that just doesnt give up. if they had given up after a year with windows mobile they would have never have achieved so much market share on pdas. they can just keep working on it and improving it, eventually they might get it right.

Either that, or you'll see the prices dropping like mad. They'll probably try to compete the same way they entered the console market; take a loss on the hardware in order to establish a base.

[5Horizons]

Your right, comparing two music players is completely idiotic. I'll make sure to relate to my 60 year old mother-in-law that she should toss out her Shuffle because it's obviously inferior to the Microsoft Sh*tbrick. I'm sure the Zune will play her Barry Manilow tracks much more adequately. :rolleyes:

You could tell that even the guy demoing the Zune thought that she was making a dumb point. The two different products have two different target markets, and comparing them is pretty silly.

Its the same for politics, which is why I compared FoxNews and CNN. I don't support someone who agrees with me but makes a terrible argument or childish joke.

I was quoted, so I guess that was directed at me... First, I don't thing my argument is that terrible. An absurd comparison was made on the show so I pointed it out. Second, I'm sorry if my jokes are too childish for you. I was commenting on how everyone on this forum rips into FoxNews on a constant basis, (check out just about any topic about politics) when in reality the other news stations are just as bad. People definitely need to lighten up around here though. We're not fighting holy wars, we're just debating.

Either that, or you'll see the prices dropping like mad. They'll probably try to compete the same way they entered the console market; take a loss on the hardware in order to establish a base.

That's a standard practice in the console market and there is good logic behind it. In the mp3 player market, not so much.

[Hurmoth]

Either that, or you'll see the prices dropping like mad. They'll probably try to compete the same way they entered the console market; take a loss on the hardware in order to establish a base.

Now that would be nice to see, the Zune forcing Apple to reduce their prices on the iPods. That would be sweet :yes: Competition is good!

[redfish]

Your right, comparing two music players is completely idiotic. I'll make sure to relate to my 60 year old mother-in-law that she should toss out her Shuffle because it's obviously inferior to the Microsoft Sh*tbrick. I'm sure the Zune will play her Barry Manilow tracks much more adequately. :rolleyes:

I can think of 5 people real quick off the top of my head that I personally know that own a Shuffle. In addition to a full-fledged iPod in some cases. That's In Real Life, not some anonymous person posting on a website. Most of them think that Word is their operating system. Now, I could go into great detail with them about crippled wifi features and playing videos while they...oh, wait, they are adults, so no, I can't think of a place where they'd want to watch a video in the palm of their hand to begin with. But I suppose I could invent some other compelling features above and beyond playing music which might attempt to convince them to purchase a Zune, but in the end, I'd probably just get a "shut-up-with-that-computer-dork-crap" blank stare and we'd change the subject of the conversation.

*You* are the one that doesn't get it. Most people buy these things to listen to a few songs when they get the chance. -That's it-. And the Zune offers nothing to those people except headaches and non-features. Again, Microsoft failed to copy something correctly, and the public is starting to wise up to that fact. And they certainly don't want "cool" force-fed to them.

i'm not telling you which is better, Zune or iPod. or that you can convince people to buy Zunes or iPods

i'm telling you that this report was stupid. you can't even focus on this, much the less write a post without attacking the Zune.

the issue isn't buy a Zune or buy an iPod Shuffle, and thats the whole issue. if you want to make the point, that people will want to be able to transfer music from a regular iPod player to a shuffle, thats a point. but plenty of people get regular iPods

and most people who buy iPods, younger people, whether they are techie or not, do know that Word is not their operating system.

i can't say this report is silly and stupid without being attacked by you as some Microsoft nerd? thats all i'm saying. i'm not saying people should buy Zunes. do you think news reports should be better than this or not? do you think the news report was worth something, do you think it was smart? isn't that the issue? or are you just happy that Microsoft is looking bad?

[MiG-]

I love the way looks tbh, but i'm never going to buy one, mainly because i want something that plays music, not something that can play videos as well..

I wouldnt use the ability and i'd guess that at least 50% of iPod owners dont neither, its just there incase they have a few cheesy videos they wanna put on there..

Seriously, a colour screen is nice and and all, but i wouldnt mind manufacturers making the sound quality as good as my x-fi first, then giving me a ****ty colour screen to oooo at.

If anyone can kill the iPod though, its microsoft, and i wouldnt be too suprised if microsoft more PDA like functionality in this Device.. :yes: