Computers OverClocked

**Jacob062406** · Post subject: Microsoft Confirms 'iPod Killer' Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 11:26 pm

Microsoft confirms 'iPod Killer'
Tech giant confirms plan for new 'Zune' music and entertainment project after months of speculation.

July 21 2006: 7:08 PM EDT

SEATTLE (Reuters) -- Microsoft Corp. said Friday it plans to release a new music and entertainment player and accompanying software under the "Zune" brand this year, in a belated attempt to challenge the dominance of Apple Computer Inc.'s iPod player.

The announcement comes after weeks of rumors and speculation about such an offering. Microsoft (Charts) has already touted the products to record companies.

"Under the Zune brand, we will deliver a family of hardware and software products, the first of which will be available this year," said Chris Stephenson, general manager of market for entertainment and services at Microsoft, in an statement. "We see a great opportunity to bring together technology and community to allow consumers to explore and discover music together."

The world's largest software maker faces an uphill climb in closing the gap on Apple's (Charts) 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. In the United States, the iPod has more than 75 percent of the digital music player market, according to NPD.

"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, seen as the key to its success with iPod/iTunes, the sources said.

"What Apple has done really successfully is they've controlled all the elements of the solution," said Gartner analyst Mike McGuire. "But having all of those elements does not guarantee success - just look at Sony."

Sony (Charts) introduced a music service as well as its own software and player, which has to date failed to dent Apple's share of online music sales or sales of the iPod.

Microsoft did not disclose pricing for the new media player or whether it would be willing to take losses on the hardware to make money from the sale of music, video and possibly games. This is the strategy it adopted with Xbox game console.

"The iPod is going to be a tough nut to crack, but you probably could have said the same thing with Sony and the PlayStation and it has done a good job positioning the Xbox," said Toan Tran, analyst at Morningstar.

Microsoft sources said Robbie Bach, president of Microsoft's entertainment and devices division, is working with J Allard, vice president of its Xbox team, on the digital media player/software project.

Allard's involvement is seen as significant because he is one of the few executives at Microsoft with experience in launching a consumer electronic device from scratch with the X-Box gaming system. His involvement suggests that gaming might be part of the media player.

Analysts also said Microsoft will be very aggressive marketing the product as it did with the Xbox. "It definitely is a big bet," said Morningstar's Tran. "Microsoft definitely has its work cut out for it, but the company has massive financial resources and it's very persistent."

**PCracer51** · Post subject: Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 11:27 pm

grr, I would have rather seen Creative Labs and MS force together to kick apple.

**Jacob062406** · Post subject: Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2006 8:52 pm

I agree, but I still think Microsoft with all of its money and ideas will make a killer iPod Killer! I am excited to see what they create!

**Adam** · Post subject: Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 2:36 am

Unless if people are so mind set on ipod (some buy iPod because of the name, not because of the features), then this might have a chance.

Although, I don't see how this will be any different than the ipod alternatives. iPod has the market and it will be hard to tap into it.

**PCracer51** · Post subject: Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 7:09 am

ipod has the market, because apple can market the heck out of their products.

**Jacob062406** · Post subject: Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 9:50 am

Yeah but their new Apple commercials are stupid... "I dont get viruses cause I am a MAC" if I was that Microsoft guy I would be like "Thats because you are only 1.2% of the world computer market, what virus creator would target that low number?"

**PCracer51** · Post subject: Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 2:58 pm

search google video for "why macs suck", the origional idea was done by hunter long ago, mac just twisted it a little bit.

**PCracer51** · Post subject: Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2006 11:29 pm

Just figured I would add, was browsing a few frineds blog from the R2 beta and found this.

http://www.msblog.org/?p=908

Microsoft Zune is introduced
13th July 2006 - 04:51 AM by Patrick S in Uncategorized & MS News & MS Products | Comments enabled
If you have checked out digg.com latey you will see countless posts about the new “Microsoft iPod Killer”, unfortunatly MSBLOG is no exception, however we/I hope to give you more info to enlighten you about this new and amazing upcoming product from Microsoft.

When looking at the Zune (Concept Image)…Its not ‘that’ different to the iPod…Same general layout of the early generation ones. It has what looks to be a click wheel and 2 buttons (play/pause and return buttons). Aside from the slightly taller and bigger screen it pretty close.

This is the known facts about the up and coming Zune music player from Microsoft.

ZUNE is Microsoft’s Media Player. They hope to take some market share away from Apple’s iPod.
ZUNE should be available in several colors.
ZUNE will have Wi-Fi capability. Exact uses of the Wi-Fi are not known at this time. (rumored to be able to share music between other Zune users via WiFi)
ZUNE will play video and audio.
ZUNE will interact with an online music store.
Zune will feature an expansion port, much like the iPod’s dock connection.
Either way its more competition…and more competition in theory should equal lower prices for US-the consumer of the product…I say let the war begin

If you are hungry for more info please watch this NBC video about this new concept (very interesting)
Or check out this site where i got a lot of information from http://zuneinfo.com/

**Adam** · Post subject: Posted: Thu Aug 03, 2006 2:25 am

Wireless sounds like a nice feature.

**venge** · Member Joined: Nov 15 2005 Posts: 231 Location: Washington

i cant wait for the new player, i have never been into ipod, i rather use a unknown brand then an ipod. if not that i would stick with my 8Gb Creative Zen Microphoto

**PCracer51** · Post subject: Posted: Sun Sep 03, 2006 4:36 pm

Same basic thing here, I went to creative for mine
Nomad IIc 64MB
Zen Touch 40GB

**venge** · Member Joined: Nov 15 2005 Posts: 231 Location: Washington

i did have a phillips i think before this, returned it asap, it lasted a day before it kept turning off and the next day wouldnt keep a charge

**johnsmith12** · Member Joined: Jul 06 2012 Posts: 20

I do see a great opportunity if technology and community got themselves together to allow consumers to explore and discover music together. 000-184