New Zune, Same Old Microsoft
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Written By Kate Zimmermann | September 14, 2006 | Share This
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Only two days after Apple’s “showtime” release of the next generation iPods, Microsoft has come out with its own press-worthy music player. The Zune is Microsoft’s newest gadget, due in stores before the end of the year. Everything iPod lacks, the Zune picks up – including a 3” screen, an FM tuner and a wireless connection. (But wait, there’s more!) Users can download full-length tracks for a trial period of up to three days, “advance tune” FM stations to get viewable playlists, and personalize the player with uploaded images. Users can also buy & download music directly from the Zune Store, share music or play games with friends, and discover new stuff on MySpace, YouTube, Xbox Live, and “every cool record store on the planet.” As Zune blogger Cesar Menendez writes,
“Zune’s about being connected - about turning 1000 songs into 1000 recommendations or 1000 different experiences with 10,000 different friends.”
By incorporating social networking into music, video, photo and radio, the Zune is hoping to use the Web’s current popular trends to win over Apple’s iPod devotees.
But, like all Microsoft products, it only works with Microsoft. (Boo)
Zunes won’t connect to Macs and they won’t play iTunes music (ten bucks says the Zune Store is only viewable in Internet Explorer). Nor is Microsoft offering a solution to iTunes users to translate the different file formats. How does Microsoft expect to win market share if users have to essentially throw away their iTunes libraries, or use two different players? Cross-platform usage would have been a real way to prove that the Zune is more than just an iPod clone.
Furthermore, the Zune’s coolest feature –the connectedness – is null without an actual network of people using the service. Microsoft claims that their choice of a “closed system” is to “enhance user experience.” But I’m not sure how Microsoft plans to convert users without allowing Apple integration – otherwise, I think they’ve just “closed” the window on any competitive advantage.
Topics: Microsoft, Social Media, Wireless & Mobile |