The closest thing I’ve seen to the white whale that is the “iPod killer” is the Toshiba Gigabeat. Plays all PlaysForSure media, big hard drive, easy to navigate, cheaper than the iPod… If I didn’t already have an iPod I might get one.
I’d guess that if Microsoft is willing to absorb some initial financial pounding, the Zune will eventually become moderately competitive in the market. Apple certainly staked themselves out a wide territory, but they haven’t done a lot towards increasing the functionality of their product in a long time. The iPod still has no FM transmitter, the reviews of the remote control on the Apple Store web page are pretty scathing, and the software is looking a bit dated (how come I can’t delete a song from my iPod without hooking it up to my computer?)
Now it’s quite possible (even likely) that Apple is about to release the widescreen iPod with the touch screen (iPhone - the phone). But there’s at least a window of opportunity for Microsoft. But they haven’t * yet * done anything that’s truly compelling feature-wise or cost-wise.
That said – on the Amazon “most popular list”, the first Zune appears at number 15, below 10 models and colors of iPods.
I have a friend who was on a quest to locate a Zune. Couldn’t find one anywhere.
Then I said “hey, maybe they haven’t released it in Canada”
and he was like “yeah”
So I was like “hey let’s look it up”
and he was all like “yeah”
So I looked it up. Turns out it wasn’t released here… and there are no plans to do so, so it’s no surprise you haven’t seen one.
So I told him “dude, it’s not out in Canada”
and he was like “oh, damn.”
True story.
Oh, I know. I just didn’t want everyone to think I bailed on the thread. But, I can’t talk about it. Trust me.
As long as I’m here, let me just say to MS that I apologize unreservedly. I offer a complete and utter retraction. The imputation was totally without basis in fact, and was in no way fair comment, and was motivated purely by malice, and I deeply regret any distress that my comments may have caused you, or your shareholders, and I hereby undertake not to repeat any such slander at any time in the future.
That would make a perfect Apple Switch ad.
Stranger
The Trekstor Vibez could be an iPod killer, if only they’d make one with a bigger hard drive and a better name.
Oh my God! Dooku’s posts are showing up under the name Morbo, now!
Microsoft’s erased him for saying too much!!! :eek:
Long uninteresting story, but you get the drift. My old name was tired anyway.
So does AppleGeeks.
Do you actually have anything useful to add to my thread, or not?
As to the released-in-Canada bit, I actually did know that; the thing is, I spend more than half my working time in the States. And I don’t see any Zunes there either.
Frankly, it’s probably not a very good sign that it ISN’T released in Canada yet. Almost everything techie is released in both countries at the same time.
Except the iPhone.
Rickjay, ccording to Amazon, they weren’t released until November 14th. They’re in stores all over this area (central NH), and I already know someone who loves theirs.
Here’s an article about why Zune hasn’t been released in Canada yet.
Just wait until the Zune phone is released.
I can hardly wait.
When it crashes, does it make The Blue Noise of Death?
Stranger
Getting the software to work with a range of players could be dicey. It might be more practical to integrate it with a CD player so it could rip audio and/or MP3 CDs.
Well, it’s not going to running Windows CE, so I’d say crashing won’t be a problem! 