Zune don’t sound so good (and not just to Hebrew lovers)
Published Date: November 15th, 2006Category: General Banter
Microsoft’s Zune has hit the streets, and has its work cut out trying to wrestle some of the digital music player market away from the mighty Ipod, which has a staggering 75% stronghold.
But one major mistake on Microsoft’s behalf is its decision not to work with third-party MP3 player manufacturers, such as Napster, AOL and Rhapsody. Basically, this means that Zune users must buy and download music from a dedicated Zune music store - or rip their own CDs and copy them on to the player. Songs bought from Microsoft’s own MSN music store - which is being closed down - will also not work on a Zune player.
Okay, so Microsoft’s Zune library stands at around 2 million and growing, but what about those obscure tunes or radio shows you managed to ‘acquire’ in mp3 format? Or podcasts? I’ll think I’ll be sticking with my iPod for a while, if only so I can listen to the rare b-side to the Hoffa’s ‘Looking for Freedom’, entitled ‘Looking for a Dry Pair of Trousers’ while on the train home.
Have to agree here - I think the decision not to work with others on thsi and try to replicate the iPod model lock stock and barrel is flawed. When your starting with such a mountain to climb (and microsoft undoubtably are) you really need as many players on board as possible. Maybe this isn’t a great analogy but would Microsft ever have been ever to take the PC market if they limited all software on windows to software were Microsoft takes a slice? I doubt it - they need Napster et al if they are to make a real go of this.