Alleged flash-based Zune photos surface
updated 06:50 pm EDT, Thu August 30, 2007
Flash-based Zune photos?
Photos of an alleged flash-based Microsoft Zune player surfaced today, rekindling rumors that the Redmond-based software giant will move to further its position in the digital media player market and gain ground on the market leader -- Apple. The photos depict colored players in pink, red, and black that look much like Apple's iPod nano player, featuring taller screens and a rounded rectangular area in place of the Cupertino-based company's click-wheel. Gizmodo reports that while the photo appears legitimate and was confirmed by two separate unrelated sources, Microsoft is not above seeding the market with mockup pictures to confuse the public about pending product releases.
Electronista reported yesterday that Toshiba added a new mid-sized flash player with Wi-Fi and internet support to its Gigabeat line of portable devices, suggesting that Microsoft could be following suit with its own flash revision of the Zune.
Microsoft recently beat its sales estimate by shipping well over 1 million Zunes by the end of June. The company served up 1.2 million units between the device's launch in mid-November of 2006 and the end of the most recent June quarter, but industry analysts say Microsoft isn't the only company benefiting from those sales figures. Apple stands to gain from any new competitors on the market because every newcomer has to ensure iPod compatibility to gain traction.
The Trouble with Tribbles
08/30, 07:38pm reply
It reminds me of the star trek episode, the trouble with tribbles, where tribble trader Cyrano Jones says to the bartender, "Twice nothing is still nothing".
I hope Apple is picking up on the fact the Wi-Fi is coming hard and heavy to MP3 players and so far Apple is the only one that has done it right with the iPhone. They need to move this to a hard drive based, OS X based full screen, touch screen video iPod. Let's hope they get it right on the 5th but I will not hold my breath.
rspress
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Dec 2002
200k?
08/30, 08:20pm reply
That 200k included the ones shipped off to our soldiers. I think they did that just to make sure they met or exceeded their goal.
I work at a tanning salon and see plenty of iPods come in but I have YET to EVER see anyone with a Zune both inside and outside of work.
Lets just see if they can meet their next goal, its bad to miss a goal but can be worse to make one and miss the next by a large margin.
unity@mac.com
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2005
oh no...
08/30, 10:25pm reply
How will they ever sell without t*** brown? MS is in trouble :)
(the pictures I've seen were of pink, black, and red)
FastAMX79
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2000
trying to steal thunder
08/30, 10:42pm reply
nice timing, monople$oft. amazing how this gets 'leaked' just days before the apple event. too little, too late.
Rezzz
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2006
iPod Touch vs Zune 2
08/31, 12:47am reply
...hmmm. An OSX-powered wide-screen iPod Touch w/WiFi vs the Zune 2. I'm definitely leaning toward the iPod Touch. Anyone know what OS the Zune 2 will run? Vista Lite maybe?
Constable Odo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2007
deleted
08/31, 01:27am reply
deleted
Feynman
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2006
WOW
08/31, 05:25am reply
I'm so amazed at the "originality" of the "new" design....'scuze me while I snicker.... (nice Pepto Pink to go along with that wipe brown)
I'll wait for my Yellow Submarine Beatles iPod, thankyouverymuch.
Beechlady
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Oct 2006
zune in the UK
08/31, 07:18am reply
While i have yet to see a Zune in the UK, i still think Apple need to keep ahead of the curve.
They definitely need to add wireless syncing to the new iPods (and preferably wireless internet, but thats probably a bit too much to hope for).
coldfusion1970
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 2004
iPhone does wifi right?
08/31, 09:51am reply
How does the iPhone do wifi right? You can't sync with it, you can't buy music with it, you can't share anything with it. I won't say it doesn't do anything useful, but as far as a media player goes it still does less than the Zune's useless implementation.
jasong
Mac Elite
Joined: Mar 2000
Hey Jasong
08/31, 10:32am reply
Go back to your virus collection unit and let people with a clue discuss these things.
Mr. Strat
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2002