The Zune? Not always a joke!
Posted by: Peter Murphy on Sep 05 2008Well it is and it falls in line with M$’s media, PR culpability. So you want to release a new media player in a line of successive devices, you think you’ve got the packaging right? You think you have the device form factor right? It ends up on the shelves of a retailer, before you can post the press release. That’s not “Priceless” although there’s a receipt!
There’s a bunch of unboxing pictures at Gizmodo, if anyone’s interested!
I know it takes a very special person to appreciate a Zune
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The Zune is an excellent little device. For me, much better than all those silly little iPods. We get our software updates for free!!!
Give the Zune some love. MS has some news ready to come out on Sept. 9th, same day as Apple news, and I think we’ll see some more Zune news. Touch Zune maybe???
I’m sorry but short of Microsoft somehow revolutionizing the music player category - the Zune will never get any love. Why? There is NO EXCUSE for your first gen model to be shipped in a turd brown color with green trimmings. First impressions are everything and just like Vistaturd - you can’t overcome horrible first impressions.
Oh - and the charging for upgrades thing is FUD. Apple doesn’t charge for software updates on the standard iPods which play music and video. They did charge for the iPod Touch updates …. but until your Zune has installable applications and allows for Sega or Bob from down the road to develop applications for it you’re comparing Apples to Oranges. (No pun intended).
Look reality is you’re either a Zune Fan, an iPod fan or a fan of anything that isn’t a Zune or an iPod because “You use Linux” which somehow makes you special (not short bus).
So let’s make a deal - You stop calling my iPods silly - and I promise to only refer to the Zune as a big brown turd whenever I see one. Which … hrm … is only when someone actually posts a picture of one on the Internet because I don’t think anyone actually owns one.
Such hostility!
I completely agree, the 1st gen had issues. I think they rushed it to the market too fast, and it was too bulky. I like the sound quality, and the interface for verison 2. I have no hate for the iPods, they are just not me. I accept that Zune love does not make me cool. Actually, owning an iPod doesn’t make you cool anymore, you have to upgrade to the iPhone. 
People are developing games for the Zune, so you get some software. In order for MS to stay in the game, I have to believe web browsing is next on their plate.
I will aceept your deal, and will only laugh at people who have every iPod model ever built and call them followers.
Sorry it was early and had not had coffee yet - so the topic of Zune sent me over the edge.
And I realize owning an iPod doesn’t make me cool anymore. That’s why I have a Nano, a Touch and an iPhone. I wish I had the money I’d own a 160GB Classic as well.
Well, not to bag the Zune, I just saw this as another marketing Faux Pas, like Jerry and Bill selling … shoes. Any anouncement on tuesday is well, a little overshadowed, unless we are going to see Bill and Jerry’s Ice Cream launched, that’d be something
I don’t think this was a marketing faux pas at all. This was the store screwing up and jumping the gun. I don’t see how that can be blamed on MS.
As for the Jerry and Bill, from what I understand, there is a lot more to come from them. This one was just to introduce the characters. So, we’ll see what future episodes hold.
Doug
I think we are on the same page, somehow I feel sorry for the sales assistant, that put the stock on the shelf
;D
@Doug - While I agree that this was store level problem I think the commerical topic was spoken like a true fanboy. Lead with excuse for horrible marketing and follow with how great it’ll be in the future.
They are commercials not episodes. They have 30 seconds to get their message across - and the only message they got across was the same thing they’ve been getting across for a long time … we are broken and misguided. Future commercials may be excellent, but given their advertising history of late I’m not holding my breath.
The problem is Microsoft is trying to do what Apple is doing without it seeming like they are. Instead of being innovative they are failing miserably at being funny or relevant. The commercials and now the “guru’s” at Best Buy etc …. Its like a slow motion train wreck and while its horrible to watch its fascinating.
No, I don’t think it is fanboy at all. Frankly, when I first saw it, I thought the commercial was terrible. But, once they said it was a serial, I decided to give them the benefit of the doubt. I did not say this is genius. All I said is that I am reserving judgment.
Though I will say that I know some folks at this ad agency and they have been very successful with this kind of serial ad. I mean, it is not like this is a new innovation. Companies have been doing serial ads very succesfully for decades.
Though I really do not understand how they are copying Apple. Because they have commercials? I don’t see it. You criticize them for having crappy marketing. So, they make commercials and then you criticize them for copying Apple. Now who is being a fanboy?
Doug
I have to agree with Doug. I’m going to wait and see what happens first. Bill Gates didn’t create the whole MS empire by being an idiot. Wait and see…