Normally we try not to report on music players, but since this concerns Microsoft's direct attack on Apple's music player, it's actually somewhat interesting. "Microsoft's forthcoming Zune player is shooting to be the life of the party, allowing users to create mobile social networks and stream music to nearby friends or strangers, according to a government regulatory filing. A Microsoft representative confirmed that the filing is legitimate and that Toshiba will manufacture the Zune device, but declined to offer additional details or comment on the information in the FCC filing."
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Member since:
2005-06-29
Larger photos here http://appleinsider.com/article.php?id=1993 and some more here http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/08/25/toshiba_ms_zune_details/
I'm a bit concerned about the software part of this equation though. iTunes is a huge part of what makes an iPod, so will Microsoft be able to compete with that? One thing they might do is port their software to MacOSX, although it's not likely that Apple customers are going to go for that... Or maybe they could make an utility that migrates all your iTunes library to Zune library, if it's even legal...
Edited 2006-08-25 21:22
Member since:2006-04-28
The software part I'd be worried about is the software on the zune device itself. Microsoft has a tendencie to bend over backwards to the media companies, so how is one going to share their music on these so called mobile social networks? I guarantee that you won't be able to share mp3s you ripped from your own CDs. Even if they allow you to share songs purchased from their zune store, the sharing will be so limited, that no one will want to even bother. This is, of course, all speculation on my part, but I think it's pretty likely.
Member since:2006-01-06
iTunes software isn't very good, in my opinion, so this isn't a big hurdle to climb. The bigger issue is whether MS's online music store will have the same reach as iTunes. Apple has an advantage, currently, in being able to command exclusive deals with record companies and artists. Whether MS can pull off this same distribution channel remains to be seen. Granted, MS has a ton of money to spend on infrastructure and deal-making, so time will tell.
Member since:
2005-07-09
IMO... its pretty ugly from the photos. It lacks the simplicity of the current iPods of having all the navigation on the click wheel.
It's also made primarily by Toshiba supposedly... meaning it's not going to be a good product. I have nothing against Microsoft, but I have a grudge against Toshiba. Almost every single product I've own from them, has failed.
Member since:2006-01-06
Member since:2005-07-09
Member since:2006-01-06
No, I didn't - it look like there are other navigation buttons OFF the scroll wheel. Like how Apple did it... 2, probably almost 3 generations ago.
There's nothing which indicates that those buttons have anything to do with navigation. For example, MS allows you to assign the functions for buttons on small-scale devices running its OSes: PDAs, smartphones, etc.
Member since:2005-07-16
Member since:2006-01-06
Member since:
2005-11-13
What the appeal is. I mean, I don't get excited when I think about turning on the wireless capability and have my battery drained just so some jerk across the room can leech off my audio stream. Hell, why not do like the old Virgin players did and just have 2 headphone jacks?
Plus, I'm guessing that this is going to be another WMP10/11 crapfest. I'll stick with my UMS mp3 player, thank you very much.
Member since:
2005-07-15
While a headphone splitter doesn't scare them, anything digital sure does, as does anything using the word "sharing".
Will they permit this functionality? They do have a bargaining chip - if MS wants to run a store to go with the player, they have to make the RIAA and their member companies happy.
Member since:2006-01-06
Member since:2005-07-06
"Will they permit this functionality?"
I don't see how they can and still support a Microsoft Music Store.
At present the Haiku Podcasts are simple mpeg files, no DRM or rights control, just copyright. There is no reason why I can't share thousands of copies (if I could find people interested in listening) as long as I leave the file intact and unmodified.
However, how is a player going to tell the diffirence between this and a piece of music that I hooked the output of my player to the audio input of my computer and recordered? Even so-called watermarked music can be played and recorded this way - if I can hear it so can my computer. Any limits on music sharing will be so strict as to make it near worthless to the people who do want it.
Member since:2006-01-06
Member since:
2005-07-09
As I see it, this unit doesn't have any sellingpoint. Sure, sharing music with friends sound fun and all, but frankly, how many of your friends would buy this player? It's not like you go tell your friends "let's all buy this new cool player so we can share music with each other".
So that pointless feature aside, what would this player give me that the others won't? I don't see anything.
I'm fine with my SE W810i, and if I'd want a seperate player I'd buy an iRiver or something.
Member since:2006-01-06
Member since:
2005-07-06
Member since:
2005-08-18
Member since:
2005-07-06
If I was in the market for a portable audio player, I'd make sure it'd at least play .ogg files for a superior listening experience. Since neither the Zune nor the iPoop can do that, I'll go with something else.
http://www.cowonamerica.com/
Member since:2005-07-03
I'd make sure it'd at least play .ogg files for a superior listening experience.
And what makes you think that .ogg files offer a "superior listening experience" than the rest?
And in case there were some "superiority", how "superior" would that be...?
C'mon... don't use "acid-trollic" comments like that. We know how nice .ogg files are, yet mp3 is fine, so is mp4... it's a matter of pulling up the quality slider a bit.
In the end, it's all math alghoritms.
Member since:2005-07-06
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2005-07-06
Member since:2006-01-06
