Zune Debuts at Number 2

Zune Drops to Number 5

Zune Insider — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 22:43:31 GMT

NPD published data again, and in the second week, Zune has dropped to the number five spot, with a 2.1%

re: Zune Debuts at Number 2

Diego — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 06:17:47 GMT

You forgot to mention that the NPD stats do no include stats from Apple Stores or Apple's online store, which is where the majority of iPods would be purchased. Apparently the NPD stats also do not include WalMart. So things aren't as rosie as you're reporting.

So no wonder you're sticking to NPD. The stats flatter the Zune.

re: Zune Debuts at Number 2

iWork4Steve — Sun, 03 Dec 2006 06:59:22 GMT

slightly off topic but did any of you guys caught the news that Sony will not develop a PlayStation 4?

Is it true that Microsoft is working on the next gen of xbox?

If true, then can we say Softy has taken over another market? I can't believe how fast the xbox's penetration into the game market has been. Their next gen console should blow the pants off PS3...and become the #1 console for gaming.

This is why I have great faith that the Zune will grab marketshare from iPod in their next 2 versions.

re: Zune Debuts at Number 2

iWork4Steve — Sun, 03 Dec 2006 06:51:47 GMT

I keep repeating myself, but I think my comment is spot-on...so I'll keep repeating it....

I believe this version of Zune is Microsoft's beta launch. They rush this to market for feedback and brand awareness. The real v1.0 launch will be next summer or fall when they will come out with a whole line, including flash players. It will be their "designed inhouse" line instead of the slap together Toshiba one.

Microsoft has gathered valuable information on what the consumer want/like/dislike from this beta launch and they will address these issue with their next launch.

This is the microsoft way and I believe this is very smart. The next gen of Zune will blow the pants off all expectations like xbox 360 did to game consoles.

I can't wait....

re: Zune Debuts at Number 2

admin — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 18:54:57 GMT

folks, I want to remind you of the policy:

"Intelligent, lively, genuine debates are very welcome. Personal attacks? Flame wars? Not so much."

But the conversation is very interesting :)

- Cesar

re: Zune Debuts at Number 2

Gamesix — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 16:35:36 GMT

I'm aware of the difference between a straight lie and a spin.

"...our approach seems to be driving addtional interest in the space."

He doesn't go off and challenge Amazon's ranking methods, he acknowledges them. He doesn't predict huge things, he simply says that this news is good. He even makes a cogent argument for why amazon by itself may not be the best indicator. And this is spin to you? Maybe you should ignore the fanboy wars and block out cries of subliminal advertising.

Take it at face value and it is what it is. If he were to totally ignore the amazon stuff, you'd certainly have an argument. As it stands, i've seen a whole lot of spin. This ain't it.

Try again.

re: Zune Debuts at Number 2

FleetStand — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 11:36:11 GMT

I like my zune - the device look and feel, software inside it, customizability etc., but i am very frustrated about the zune player software.

Why the hell does it mess with DLLs on my OS? Can you guys not build it as a separate application on the top of the OS (like itunes or any other non windows media player on earth).

Has it not been recognized in early years of software industry, that APPLICATIONS are to be built decoupled from core os dlls. Why does MS not get this. I had a very irritating experience having to restart my computer and then after restart, the zune software crashing and bringing down the whole system with it.

Please get over with it, get your applications onto the top so that they are clean and easily work with other platforms. That is the only way people will recieve zune player well.

As long as you are messing with those messy Windows DLLs, the software is going to be messy, no matter how much your dev team s gonna work.

re: Zune Debuts at Number 2

Rascal89 — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 21:13:32 GMT

Hurry up and release this thing in the UK! My iPod keeps freezing and i'm not going to buy another one, i need change. Change is good! You better do it soon, if Apple bring out a fancy new iPod thats potentially better than the zune before it is released in the UK, i will buy the iPod.

re: Zune Debuts at Number 2

Mike — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 20:29:14 GMT

The zune won't really be able to compete until it add lossless audio support. Then it will be ready for the audiophile

re: Zune Debuts at Number 2

BJ Nemeth — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 19:05:42 GMT

Gamesix -- "Spin" doesn't mean that Cesar is lying. Generally, spin means that someone (like a politician) is making a technically true statement that gives a misleading impression of reality.

There is a flurry of press reports out showing that the Zune is #2 based on a very small period of time. Microsoft is pushing the positive news as much as they can, and ignoring signs of a decline.

There's nothing particularly evil about spin; everybody does it, including Apple. But Pedro was right; this is spin.

re: Zune Debuts at Number 2

Gamesix — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 17:30:02 GMT

How is what he said "spin"? He didn't lie and he didn't misrepresent anything. He said that they're #2 right now according to one source. I don't think he claimed to be #2 in two weeks or two years from now. He even acknowledged the drop on Amazon.

You lose. Try again.

re: Zune Debuts at Number 2

Pedro — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 16:39:15 GMT

More spin from Cesar. During the first week when it was #2 it was also high on the amazin top sellers, since then it has dropped dramatically. That's the bottom line.

re: Zune Debuts at Number 2

Joe T — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 16:07:17 GMT

Another data point on the NPD results. They don't even include results from Apple's own retail stores :

"NPD says its weekly POS data is culled from a selective set of retailers that are part of its monthly panel, meaning it does not take into effect digital media player sales at Apple's own retail stores, among others."

http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=2272

re: Zune Debuts at Number 2

iChris — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 15:50:46 GMT

@Havoc

The iTunes Store was introduced in version 4. Where did you read that the iPod 1G was a failure? PC users where buying the Mac-only version to hack it and make it work on Windows.

The only negative thing of the iPod 1G was the price. It had high capacity, small size, fast syncing and recharging using only one cable.

re: Zune Debuts at Number 2

Dan H — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 15:14:54 GMT

I think this comment from one analyst sums it up: "You can sell 50,000 of anything to early adopters. The question is whether Microsoft can be competitive a year from now.""

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/2006-11-29-zune-debut_x.htm