Zune: Lessons Learned. . . for the iPod?

re: Zune: Lessons Learned. . . for the iPod?

Ron — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 00:10:22 GMT

iPod Video G5 got an nice upgrade because a G6 product was not released. Apple, intelligently, made a slightly refreshed version (a "G5.5" release)... so the G5 got a free ride with new features. The nano G1, regretably, wasn't so lucky.

And poor retired models, like the mini, still have the skipping VBR MP3 bug with no fix in sight... :-(

re: Zune: Lessons Learned. . . for the iPod?

Dan H — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 22:13:50 GMT

Tim - In addition to the two features you just mentioned, Apple also added a new search feature and they enhanced the scrolling feature with a display overlay to show where you are in the list when scrolling long lists. So all four of these new features came to me for free via firmward updates.

I think if Cesar is being a fair moderator, he should delete posts like MET's that are clearly incorrect, and appear to be so intentionally simply in an attempt to cast Zune in a better light than a competitor.

To Scott - if you are planning on buying music from either iTunes Store or Zune Marketplace, you should get someone's perspective on how extensive the classical, ambient and jazz selections are in the respective stores and use that to help make your decision. If you plan to simply rip from purchased CD's both Zune & iPod make the grade. And I don't think you need to be "tech saavy" to use either device.

re: Zune: Lessons Learned. . . for the iPod?

tim — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 20:58:13 GMT

"There will be no firmware (featurewise) upgrades to the current iPod. So what you will have will be the current set of features. "

That's complete nonsense. Games and gapless playback were already added to this generation of iPod.

Just because the Zune people claim that they will someday, somehow deliver some new feature via firmware does not equal Apple doesn't update iPod firmware with new features. Quite the contrary.

re: Zune: Lessons Learned. . . for the iPod?

met — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 18:01:15 GMT

Scott, as it stands the iPod has more features and Zune has less. If you just listen to music and are not interested in exploring music (through the subscription service that Zune offers) then iPod should be your choice.

But if you get excited about new tech and want to be different from the iPod crowd - get the Zune.

There will be no firmware (featurewise) upgrades to the current iPod. So what you will have will be the current set of features. The Zune team promised to support this gen for a while with more features (though they are yet to deliver).

re: Zune: Lessons Learned. . . for the iPod?

Scott — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 17:11:36 GMT

I'm not very tech savvy and my musical tastes run toward classical, ambient and jazz. Why should I purchase a Zune rather than an iPod?

re: Zune: Lessons Learned. . . for the iPod?

Diego — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 06:16:11 GMT

"I am sorry to be such a pest you guys.

Just kidding I really do like the Zune and have the brown one myself. Just givin ole Bill a hard time!"

This comment was certainly NOT from me.

re: Zune: Lessons Learned. . . for the iPod?

Daveworld — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 05:29:59 GMT

What the Zune team can learn from the iPod (or better yet Apple).

February 23, 2005 - Apple took the best selling iPod off the shelf (mini) and replaced it with a yet to be proven DAP at the time (Nano)

January 9th 2007 - Apple demonstrated the iPhone UI and what everyone now expects to be the future iPod UI. Everyone expected them to incorporate the famous scroll-wheel to any future iPods & iPhones but looks like they are making another bold move with the multi-touch UI.

Two example of a company being bold and innovative. Not following but leading.

In contrast: We are still waiting for MS to add podcast to WMP11+URGE (and Now Marketplace). I know many people that use iTunes to get their podcasts, though they don't have iPods. I mean how hard can it be to incorporate an RSS feed?

Constructive criticism - Competition is always good for us consumers

re: Zune: Lessons Learned. . . for the iPod?

Diego — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 02:30:03 GMT

I am sorry to be such a pest you guys.

Just kidding I really do like the Zune and have the brown one myself. Just givin ole Bill a hard time!

re: Zune: Lessons Learned. . . for the iPod?

met — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 23:23:24 GMT

All Microsoft had to do was to have stringent conditions set for a PlaysForSure badge.

Apple's end to end solution has multiple players (iPod, nano and a shuffle) with multiple content (videos, music, podcasts etc) tied thru iTunes.

My iRiver H10 experience would explain the problems. I called up iRiver because the song ratings wouldn't sync from the player to WMP. They claimed it was not their "area" and told me to call Microsoft as they were the ones supporting WMP. Ofcourse Microsoft claimed that it was iRiver's responsibility to get it right and it was a firmware issue.

re: Zune: Lessons Learned. . . for the iPod?

admin — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 23:19:37 GMT

Brendan - no worries. Zune doesn't have a podcast client built into the software (something that IMHO iTunes has done very well). But there are third party clients you can get to subscribe to podcasts. All the podcasts I get are manual, though - I just download the songs from the site the old fashioned way. I know, I'm like 3 years behind ;)

re: Zune: Lessons Learned. . . for the iPod?

Ron — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 23:14:00 GMT

Just add the Podcasts downloaded in MP3, AAC or WMA to a directory you set the Zune software to watch. There are plenty of Podcast apps. There is even one targeted for Zune: http://www.feedyourzune.com

Microsoft will add built-in support later...

re: Zune: Lessons Learned. . . for the iPod?

Brendan — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 23:08:11 GMT

yeah i no this has nothing to do with this article but it is a recent one so people might actualy read it so does anyone no how to get podcasts or something of that sort on a zune.

re: Zune: Lessons Learned. . . for the iPod?

Dan H — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 19:34:44 GMT

Thanks, Cesar. Unfortunately, I think for the average consumer this just confuses the situation and will work your disadvantage. Most consumers will assume that when they download music from a Microsoft piece of software - i.e. WMP11 - that it will work on a Microsoft device like the Zune, which it won't.

re: Zune: Lessons Learned. . . for the iPod?

admin — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 19:20:49 GMT

Dan, getting back to your question, I think "to: Dan H" pretty much got it right. WMP is component of the Vista "experiences" like videos photos. WMP11 is one of the players that you can use on the Windows Platform, and there are a number of services you can plug into wmp11.

Then there's also Zune, an end to end solution in addition to the core strategy. We think we can offer folks some new innovations to their portable entertainment/music. It's a new approach, and one the company is getting behind.

re: Zune: Lessons Learned. . . for the iPod?

tim — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 18:23:51 GMT

to: tim (by the way, are you really going to use a different Name for every post?).

Ballmer said this: "We could be consistent with what is out there, which hasn't succeeded. Or, we can try a new approach, which we think has … merit and can succeed."

So Microsoft is saying you can choose between a meritless unsuccessful system or one that may possibly have merit and may succeed?