iLounge

1

Shut down pirate site AllOfMP3.com just to gain admission into the WTO. Wow, like Russia is cleaning up their messes, so to speak? Without the use of radioactive tablets?

The world is truly coming to an end.

Posted by flatline response on November 30, 2006 at 2:50 PM (PDT)

2

That item on Zune picking the wrong target really is a no brainer (in retrospect anyway) - from sheer volume point of view it makes perfect sense to come out with an iPod Nano killer rather than just a straight out iPod killer.

Posted by syddave on November 30, 2006 at 3:23 PM (PDT)

3

Zune isnt really a killer. Its the first test. It should be comapred closeley to the launch of the 1G iPod. Only works on windows, one capacity, buggy, etc. They are hoping to take the lessons of the other companies and this first Zune to model a better attack. Yeah, it pales in comparison now, but give them time to work on this, they have a ton of R&D and they have been around along time.
IMO Microsoft has an uphill battle within their closed source idealogy. They also have way too many people to appease and too many hurdles to be manueverable. Apple just needs to watch how they are changing and things should continue to move in their advantage.

Posted by mike on November 30, 2006 at 5:00 PM (PDT)

4

Mike, you said:

“Zune isnt really a killer. Its the first test. It should be comapred closeley to the launch of the 1G iPod. Only works on windows, one capacity, buggy, etc”

That’s not a fair comparison, is it? When the iPod was launched, Apple introduced iTunes 2.0 alongside it… I never used neither (my first iPod was a 3G and worked with iTunes 4), but there’s no way in the world a 2.0 software product from Apple is worse than the apparently craptastic Zune software… And was the 1G iPod “buggy”?... Again, I never used one, but it sure seems to have a much better interface than EVEN the 1G Zune, IMHO.

Maybe if you were talking about the first Windows-compatible 2G iPod, which used Musicmatch Jukebox to sync with the PC… And while the exclusive use of FireWire was regarded as a “bad thing”, as so few PCs had it then, I’m still missing the FW 400 connection on my 5G.

And do you expect Microsoft to develop a Mac version of its software?

‘Nuff said…

Posted by Mainyehc in Lisbon, Portugal on November 30, 2006 at 6:46 PM (PDT)

5

No Allofmp3 now i will be high and dry as We HAVE NO Freakin iTunes In New Zealand,i’m pullin my hair out at least i still have emusic.

Posted by Steven on November 30, 2006 at 7:25 PM (PDT)

6

@mike

The Zune is definitely another attempt at an “iPod killer”. MS had 5 years to learn from the lessons of other companies and from their first two attempts at killing the iPod. If they still can’t get it right…there’s no hope for them.

Posted by Nobody on November 30, 2006 at 9:03 PM (PDT)

7

My first gen ipod is still working (on its original battery!)...it certainly was not “buggy”.

But if anyone COULD have released a buggy first product, it would have been Apple when the ipod was first released….a new open market niche, released to a small mac-only audience would have the perfect environment to release a small buggy something and then improve it.

INSTEAD, Apple released a really good product, and then improved that, to where we are today.

Given that history, it does not really help Microsoft to release a branded product that does not do well.  The poor history of “Plays for Sure”, and the seeming poor reception to the Zune will keep people from exploring Zune 2.0 because the market is already defined, and Microsoft’s poor performance in it will lead to consumer avoidance.  Microsoft needed a homerun with the Zune…instead Apple will slowly and competently add worthwhile features (like some sort of wi-fi), and position itself as “faithful, reliable, competent, and cool” against MS “geek experiment-ware wannabees”

MS is entering a market as an also-ran, and that doesn’t hold much potential as a position.

Posted by taffinito on November 30, 2006 at 10:16 PM (PDT)

8

The best thing about the nano is it’s size, and judging by the brick that is Microsoft’s Zune, it’s not something they’d be able to pull off!

Posted by sighte on December 1, 2006 at 4:25 AM (PDT)

9

If allofmp3.com is shutdown, does that mean all the other russian cheap music sites will be too, or just the one?

Posted by mike on December 1, 2006 at 9:34 AM (PDT)

10

Okay, small thing about the Zune.

We are 5 generations away from the first iPod. The features that are standard with an iPod should have been standard with the Zune. Period. I am sick of people defending it saying ‘well, apple’s first iPod wasn’t that great’. Apple’s first iPod was limited by the technology available at the time, a limit the Zune doesn’t have! Microsoft dropped the ball on this and created a substandard MP3 player that just isn’t as good as an iPod, and there is no excuse.

Posted by Zankabo on December 1, 2006 at 9:53 PM (PDT)

11

Amen Zankabo.

The problem is for the last 6 months microsoft and others have touted the Zune as an Ipod killer. Now that is out and is not selling they back track and say “oh we are just getting into the market” What a joke.

Posted by Espy on December 2, 2006 at 9:30 AM (PDT)