Microsoft confirmed rumors it planned to launch an "iPod killer," saying its challenge to Apple Computer's dominant MP3 player would hit the market this year.
Zune, Microsoft's new "music and entertainment project", is aimed at taking market share away from the massively successful and overwhelmingly dominant iPod MP3 digital music player, according to the software giant's marketing manager Chris Stephenson.
"We see a great opportunity to bring together technology and community to allow customers to explore and discover music together."
Microsoft planned to go head-to-head with Apple's iPod player and iTunes online music store, most likely in time for the Christmas shopping season, said Jupiter Research vice president Michael Gartenberg, who was briefed on Zune.
"This is a much bigger war than a specific digital music player," Gartenberg told AFP. "It is about the flow of information into the digital home."
The iPod has helped Apple introduce its own digital technology into homes and automobiles, and the exclusivity of the iPod-iTunes linkup has created a "logjam" in Microsoft's path into the market, Gartenberg said.
Microsoft's previous MP3 strategy was to rely on partners such as Creative Technology, SanDisk Corp., and iRiver America to break Apple's grip on the MP3 player market.
"Microsoft has consistently delivered a message that competition in the marketplace would beat the iPod," Gartenberg said. But instead, he said, the iPod maker's power only grew.
Apple has parlayed the iPod popularity into sales for its Macintosh computer line, whose operating system has long been portrayed by devotees as a David standing against a global Goliath -- Microsoft's dominant Windows.
Unofficial word that Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft was gearing up to market a hand-held digital music and movie player in time for the Christmas shopping season set the Internet abuzz earlier this month.
The Microsoft device, dubbed "iPod killer" by the media, would do what the iPod can't: allow users to wirelessly download music, according to executives quoted.
However, customers don't all value wireless connectivity because it gobbles battery power, costs more, and isn't an easy way to search for music, according to industry research.
"Just adding wireless into the device isn't going to be enough given Apple's reputation for style and attention to detail," Gartenberg said.
Apple executives have anticipated the Microsoft would step into the ring with iPod, according to public statements from executives including company co-founder Steve Jobs.
Company executives this week said Apple isn't "sitting on our hands" and that there are iPod innovations in the pipeline.
"There is no doubt Apple has expected this move for quite some time," Gartenberg said. "They have been prepared for this."
"This will be an interesting fall, that is for sure."
Old Spice: If your grandfather hadn't worn it...you wouldn't exist.
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Lots of companies make alternatives to the iPod, many are better, last longer and are cheaper, they just don't have the 800lb gorrilla M$ to push them to the front.
The early bird gets the worm...
but the second mouse gets the cheese.
Lots of companies make alternatives to the iPod, many are better, last longer and are cheaper
We bought our son an iRiver mp3 player last X'mas & it didn't last long at all. About the third week of January he pushed one of the buttons on the front of the unit & it went down into the case & broke. He was really upset about it. His Mom took him to Wal-Mart to get a refund & I gave him another $100 & let him get an Apple iPod. He has enjoyed it so much & we have had NO problems w/ it. I bought myself one about 3 months later. Now I can't wait to see the Microsoft version.
Old Spice: If your grandfather hadn't worn it...you wouldn't exist.
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Lots of companies make alternatives to the iPod, many are better, last longer and are cheaper, they just don't have the 800lb gorrilla M$ to push them to the front.
The 800lb gorrilla comment could not be more correct! The problem is music! Music purchaced from itunes will not be able to be transfered to the microsoft player and vice versa. So someone that has say a ipod shuffle or nano looking to upgrade to the higher end video player will have to stay with the Apple product or just basically "throw away" there music. I am sure someone will come up with softward to do this.
Also, I just think Microsoft has come in a little late in the game. If you look out there, there are many other music services, but they do not have near the customers as Itunes. Some offer subscriptions, where you pay a certain amt per month for unlimited downloads, Itunes, you buy by the song/album/video. Some months, I download tons of music, but for instance the month of July, I didn't even spend a $15 Itunes card. A subscription wouldn't have been wasted.
From what I read, Microsoft is throwing alot of advertising money into this, I personally don't think it will cut into Apples sales at all. This is going to be microsofts big failure in my humble opinion!
When life gives you scurvy, make lemonade
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Music purchaced from itunes will not be able to be transfered to the microsoft player and vice versa. So someone that has say a ipod shuffle or nano looking to upgrade to the higher end video player will have to stay with the Apple product or just basically "throw away" there music. I am sure someone will come up with software to do this.
From what I read, Microsoft is throwing alot of advertising money into this, I personally don't think it will cut into Apples sales at all. This is going to be microsofts big failure in my humble opinion!
I agree the purchased music in your iTunes library won't be able to transfer to the Microsoft player, but I for one don't plan to switch. I'm happy w/ my Apple iPod Nano & don't mind paying $.99 for the songs I want.
Too, I don't think the MS player will hurt the iPod sales, but everything Bill Gates has touched since the mid 1970's has turned to gold & we can expect the same thing from this new venture. Most people will buy it just because it is New & a Microsoft product.
Old Spice: If your grandfather hadn't worn it...you wouldn't exist.
You don't HAVE to use iTunes.. there are other programs out there that other people have written that give you much more control over your 30 gigs of space.. and how you move and modify things on your iPod... i have a G5 30 GB / Video btw...
Life is something that you can't control.
When you try to hold on to it, it makes you let go!
