Has anyone owned a Microsoft Zune? How does it compare to the iPod? It's too bad Microsoft is giving up on it... Why didn't it sell well?
The original Xbox had slow hardware sales compared to the PS2, yet look how popular the Xbox brand is now. They could have given the Zune a second chance.
I had two, kept one, the Halo edition, but I've had a Zune since its launch.
How does it compare to the iPod?
Mines is good as opposed to all the issues I hear about iPods that stop working, I've never heard the same about Zune...cept fot that one time when they changed DST. I'm not an audiophile, but my friend who is claimed...and still does that the Zune sounds better than Apple devices. He also has more Apple stuff than anyone I know, so I doubt it's fanboyism.
It's too bad Microsoft is giving up on it... Why didn't it sell well?
Microsoft has a reputation of releasing shoddy products. Also, at the time it was first released the Zune was larger and bulkier than the iPod. Also, iPods and Apple products have a...(unrightful, in my opinion) status associated with them and anyone seen carrying a Zune was pretty much viewed as a mp3 peon.
The original Xbox had slow hardware sales compared to the PS2, yet look how popular the Xbox brand is now. They could have given the Zune a second chance.
They did, they came out with newer, more stylish Zunes, ones with touch and they tried to differentiate themselves on the music front with things like Zune Pass or what have you, as well as not forgetting about the early adopters, Classic Zune got updates for a long time. It just hasn't hit the mainstream and for Microsoft, that is a failure. It's probably losing them quite a bit of money. Potential growth is important to businesses as well and Zune can't get out of the shadow of iPod. Surely, Microsoft has worse failures and those will go the way of the dodo as well eventually, but if you enjoy the Zune, that's all that counts in the end, right? I know I did. It was a fantastic machine for its time.
What is the meaning of life? That's so easy, the answer is TETRIS.
Do you think Microsoft should have given up on the original Xbox at the time when the PS2 was selling like crazy? If they did, then we'd never have any of the things today's gamers and developers take for granted (Achievements / Trophies, DLC, microtransactions, etc.).
For every failed product (Zune, Web TV, Windows Mobile, Windows Vista), there is one that succeeds (Xbox, Kinect, Windows Phone 7, Windows 7).
Do you think Microsoft should have given up on the original Xbox at the time when the PS2 was selling like crazy? If they did, then we'd never have any of the things today's gamers and developers take for granted (Achievements / Trophies, DLC, microtransactions, etc.).
For every failed product (Zune, Web TV, Windows Mobile, Windows Vista), there is one that succeeds (Xbox, Kinect, Windows Phone 7, Windows 7).
I wouldn't really call windows phone 7 a success. It may not be Webos dead or Blackberry levels of crap but its a very small third.
Windows mobile wasn't a failure mircosoft made tons of money off of that crap train.
Also Zune is only dead in the hardware space. On the software side its still very popular and Xbox and Windows 8 intergrate it nicely. Also windows phone 7 uses it.
WAT!
Hey check out my awesome new youtube channel shingi70 where I update weekly on the latest gaming and comic news form a level headed perspective.
Do you think Microsoft should have given up on the original Xbox at the time when the PS2 was selling like crazy? If they did, then we'd never have any of the things today's gamers and developers take for granted (Achievements / Trophies, DLC, microtransactions, etc.).
For every failed product (Zune, Web TV, Windows Mobile, Windows Vista), there is one that succeeds (Xbox, Kinect, Windows Phone 7, Windows 7).
I wouldn't really call windows phone 7 a success. It may not be Webos dead or Blackberry levels of crap but its a very small third.
Windows mobile wasn't a failure mircosoft made tons of money off of that crap train.
Also Zune is only dead in the hardware space. On the software side its still very popular and Xbox and Windows 8 intergrate it nicely. Also windows phone 7 uses it.
Uh, Blackberry is very successful. It was the most-used smartphone before Apple came around and changed everything.
Do you think Microsoft should have given up on the original Xbox at the time when the PS2 was selling like crazy? If they did, then we'd never have any of the things today's gamers and developers take for granted (Achievements / Trophies, DLC, microtransactions, etc.).
For every failed product (Zune, Web TV, Windows Mobile, Windows Vista), there is one that succeeds (Xbox, Kinect, Windows Phone 7, Windows 7).
I wouldn't really call windows phone 7 a success. It may not be Webos dead or Blackberry levels of crap but its a very small third.
Windows mobile wasn't a failure mircosoft made tons of money off of that crap train.
Also Zune is only dead in the hardware space. On the software side its still very popular and Xbox and Windows 8 intergrate it nicely. Also windows phone 7 uses it.
Uh, Blackberry is very successful. It was the most-used smartphone before Apple came around and changed everything.
Currently Blackberry OS is the fourth in the marketshare. They're Stocked drop horribly during the summer and things aren't looking too good. There have been multiple calls for the CEO's to resign from both analyst and people inside the company.
Their Tablet has been a failure commercially, Critically, and in the eyes of developers.
WAT!
Hey check out my awesome new youtube channel shingi70 where I update weekly on the latest gaming and comic news form a level headed perspective.
Do you think Microsoft should have given up on the original Xbox at the time when the PS2 was selling like crazy?
No, because unlike the established music industry, gaming was/is an emerging pillar of entertainment (more people, of every age, race, gender, etc are gaming with each passing day) and Microsoft understood that losing money for a generation or two on hardware was acceptable in order to gain a foothold in the gaming industry and make the Xbox name synonymous with gaming.
The gaming industry had the potential to grow and grow it did...it's paid off for a lot for Microsoft. The music industry on the other hand...at the time Microsoft decided to hop on the gravy train, didn't get the same innovation. We already had digital content delivery in the form of iTunes, what was so different that Microsoft was bringing to music besides simply providing an alternative that split the userbase...nothing really.
Take that in comparison to Microsoft's gaming efforts...the Xbox was the first console to have a built in hard drive...no need to waste your time with memory cards. Also, it effectively laid the groundwork for a communication and content distribution model for gaming that exists and flourishes today. Microsoft also effectively built a competitive gaming userbase worldwide.
I like the Zune, but the Zune project doesn't hold a candle to the success of the Xbox, it doesn't even compare. The thing you should be asking yourself...if Microsoft chose to continue to dump money into the Zune, what would they have done different in order to gain a foothold in the music industry... same with Windows Phone (garbage btw)...what can they do different to differentiate and gain share that's held by iOS and Android, nothing (well, besides trying to integrate and leverage their success with Xbox Live...which they are already doing and it's not helping). As a business, it makes sense to cut your losses, even with pockets as deep as Microsoft has, you can't hope to lose money forever...especially with stockholders to please.
Edit: Also, this recent infographic can give you some insight into the current userbase and future userbase when it comes to smartphones and why it is a matter of time Microsoft will exit the smartphone business, at least software wise.
Fourth? So it goes like this: iOS is first, Android is second, Windows Phone 7 is third, Blackberry is fourth?
Yep with Webos in fifth.
The Tablet OS game goes Ios,Android,Webos,Windows,Blackberry.
The only reason iwant one is for a email machine. BBM used to be the thing but there are so many others like kik messanger than Blackberry has lost relevance. Its as shame because the 9900/9300 is a beautiful phone.
WAT!
Hey check out my awesome new youtube channel shingi70 where I update weekly on the latest gaming and comic news form a level headed perspective.
Do you think Microsoft should have given up on the original Xbox at the time when the PS2 was selling like crazy?
No, because unlike the established music industry, gaming was/is an emerging pillar of entertainment (more people, of every age, race, gender, etc are gaming with each passing day) and Microsoft understood that losing money for a generation or two on hardware was acceptable in order to gain a foothold in the gaming industry and make the Xbox name synonymous with gaming.
The gaming industry had the potential to grow and grow it did...it's paid off for a lot for Microsoft. The music industry on the other hand...at the time Microsoft decided to hop on the gravy train, didn't get the same innovation. We already had digital content delivery in the form of iTunes, what was so different that Microsoft was bringing to music besides simply providing an alternative that split the userbase...nothing really.
Take that in comparison to Microsoft's gaming efforts...the Xbox was the first console to have a built in hard drive...no need to waste your time with memory cards. Also, it effectively laid the groundwork for a communication and content distribution model for gaming that exists and flourishes today. Microsoft also effectively built a competitive gaming userbase worldwide.
I like the Zune, but the Zune project doesn't hold a candle to the success of the Xbox, it doesn't even compare. The thing you should be asking yourself...if Microsoft chose to continue to dump money into the Zune, what would they have done different in order to gain a foothold in the music industry... same with Windows Phone (garbage btw)...what can they do different to differentiate and gain share that's held by iOS and Android, nothing (well, besides trying to integrate and leverage their success with Xbox Live...which they are already doing and it's not helping). As a business, it makes sense to cut your losses, even with pockets as deep as Microsoft has, you can't hope to lose money forever...especially with stockholders to please.
So what did Microsoft do right with the Xbox that they failed to do with Windows Phone and Zune?
Do you think Microsoft should have given up on the original Xbox at the time when the PS2 was selling like crazy?
No, because unlike the established music industry, gaming was/is an emerging pillar of entertainment (more people, of every age, race, gender, etc are gaming with each passing day) and Microsoft understood that losing money for a generation or two on hardware was acceptable in order to gain a foothold in the gaming industry and make the Xbox name synonymous with gaming.
The gaming industry had the potential to grow and grow it did...it's paid off for a lot for Microsoft. The music industry on the other hand...at the time Microsoft decided to hop on the gravy train, didn't get the same innovation. We already had digital content delivery in the form of iTunes, what was so different that Microsoft was bringing to music besides simply providing an alternative that split the userbase...nothing really.
Take that in comparison to Microsoft's gaming efforts...the Xbox was the first console to have a built in hard drive...no need to waste your time with memory cards. Also, it effectively laid the groundwork for a communication and content distribution model for gaming that exists and flourishes today. Microsoft also effectively built a competitive gaming userbase worldwide.
I like the Zune, but the Zune project doesn't hold a candle to the success of the Xbox, it doesn't even compare. The thing you should be asking yourself...if Microsoft chose to continue to dump money into the Zune, what would they have done different in order to gain a foothold in the music industry... same with Windows Phone (garbage btw)...what can they do different to differentiate and gain share that's held by iOS and Android, nothing (well, besides trying to integrate and leverage their success with Xbox Live...which they are already doing and it's not helping). As a business, it makes sense to cut your losses, even with pockets as deep as Microsoft has, you can't hope to lose money forever...especially with stockholders to please.
So what did Microsoft do right with the Xbox that they failed to do with Windows Phone and Zune?
Throw money and stick to their guns. Also they didn't fail with windows phone either. becoming third in a year under a crowded OS market place is great and they're gaining marketshare.
Also unlike Zune (though the HD is beautiful Hardware design) the xbox and WP7 were chock full of innovation. Also keep in mind more marketshare will come when people use Metro on their TV and computer and then want to pick up a metro based phone when they go to upgrade. .
WAT!
Hey check out my awesome new youtube channel shingi70 where I update weekly on the latest gaming and comic news form a level headed perspective.
@tendoboy1984: You know, you don't gain any insight by simply quoting what someone else says, sometimes you need to read it and take the time to understand it too. Someday, I hope you understand that. Good luck to you.
What is the meaning of life? That's so easy, the answer is TETRIS.
Throw money and stick to their guns. Also they didn't fail with windows phone either. becoming third in a year under a crowded OS market place is great and they're gaining marketshare.
Also unlike Zune (though the HD is beautiful Hardware design) the xbox and WP7 were chock full of innovation. Also keep in mind more marketshare will come when people use Metro on their TV and computer and then want to pick up a metro based phone when they go to upgrade. .
Windows Phone is a "failure" compared to Android and iOS. Yes I realize it's only been out for a (couple?) years, but Microsoft needs to advertise it more. That's how they got the Xbox brand to be so successful, through constant advertising of it's features.
And I don't see how anyone can like the Metro UI. It's too cluttered and unorganized (just a bunch of boxes cluttering the screen makes it hard to navigate through). I dread having to use it in Windows 8.
@tendoboy1984: You know, you don't gain any insight by simply quoting what someone else says, sometimes you need to read it and take the time to understand it too. Someday, I hope you understand that. Good luck to you.
@tendoboy1984: You know, you don't gain any insight by simply quoting what someone else says, sometimes you need to read it and take the time to understand it too. Someday, I hope you understand that. Good luck to you.
Throw money and stick to their guns. Also they didn't fail with windows phone either. becoming third in a year under a crowded OS market place is great and they're gaining marketshare.
Also unlike Zune (though the HD is beautiful Hardware design) the xbox and WP7 were chock full of innovation. Also keep in mind more marketshare will come when people use Metro on their TV and computer and then want to pick up a metro based phone when they go to upgrade. .
Windows Phone is a "failure" compared to Android and iOS. Yes I realize it's only been out for a (couple?) years, but Microsoft needs to advertise it more. That's how they got the Xbox brand to be so successful, through constant advertising of it's features.
And I don't see how anyone can like the Metro UI. It's too cluttered and unorganized (just a bunch of boxes cluttering the screen makes it hard to navigate through). I dread having to use it in Windows 8.
Its been 1 year. windows phone started around this time last year. You don't go in expecting to become market leader in one year. All reports are saying that having Nokia as the main WP7 device maker is leading to massive sells in the UK.
WAT!
Hey check out my awesome new youtube channel shingi70 where I update weekly on the latest gaming and comic news form a level headed perspective.
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