I agree on price - a little. There is a price point where a product is perceived to be "too cheap" - where a consumer will not even consider the product.
I expect to spend good money on a good product. Yeah I want a deal but I start questioning it's quality when it's price point is near the floor. You start wondering, "what's wrong with it that it's so cheap?!"
There needs to be a good balance of price / value. Maybe a free month of Zune Pass with every Zune purchase (much like Xbox Live - free month with console purchase).
Apple had no real viable competition and was able to make iPod a household name in no time flat. Once you have that you've pretty much cornered the market and any competitor will have a tough time overcoming that notoriety.
I love my Zune 30 and wouldn't trade it for anything - okay, maybe a Zune 80. ;)
Vipralion
· 1 year ago
Myspace.com/zune. They've even struck a deal to have Zune skinned music players that anyone with a myspace profile can select and have displayed on their page.
The type of sponsored content that was mentioned recently will also do well to do the "Gwen Stefani - Printers" thing. Right now you can add the profile of Ryu Hayabusa, protagonist of the Xbox 360 exclusive, Ninja Gaiden 2, to your friends list and then drag and drop their Zune card onto your Zune device (with Zune pass) and instant promotion of the songs there, as well as free content from the game's soundtrack by subscribing to the podcast. Look to see this sort of content expanded upon.
GameStop announcement = Meh.
And finally, every blogger, news article, etc. is so keen on making Zune seem like it has to compete against iPod and NOW or else it will fail. But the truth of the matter is that Zune is an amazing alternative to iPod and so long as there is a steady stream of new users joining the social there isn't going to be any problems. It's like comparing OS X to Windows. They haven't made any gains for years until recently, yet they still are a completely viable alternative to Windows and aren't going anywhere anytime soon.
Dave Zatz
· 1 year ago
I agree MS/Zune are facing an uphill battle (partially of their own making), but the GameStop announcement isn't entirely relevant - what's a video game store doing selling music devices and cell phones (Helio) anyway. Their expansion *hopes* are more about them, than about the products they're selling.
I have an iPhone, and I don't care for it as a music device. It's OK, but my red Nano (pre-fatty model) was more efficient with the spinny wheel and more compact for running/walking. The new flash-based Zunes appeal to me - especially with an FM tuner, needed in for gym TVs. Oh yeah, I'm a big fan of all-you-can eat plans. BUT before I make a move, I'm waiting to see if XM or Sirius introduce a streaming client for the iPhone next month.
Jawad Shuaib
· 1 year ago
This is brilliant.
"Zune needs to be Pepsi to Apple’s Coke."
1. Lower the price (drop it below the iPod shuffle) 2. Co-brand it with niche audiences and bands 3. Zunes should always come pre-loaded with music
- Jawad Shuaib
enz
· 1 year ago
Seems pretty ignorant to me that you can write a piece about a Zune and not own one. You obviously don't, i get that from reading these few pages of uninformed garbage. Not to mention you are out of touch with the target audience seeing that you create advertisements featuring Clifford the Big Red Dog and Snoopy. You know zero about the market and seem to think that its only filled with ipods and zunes. stick with drawing cartoons for you kidcentric ad company.
Michael
· 1 year ago
How to save the Zune: keep trucking along the same way you are.
There is a reason that the Zune is the number 2 MP3 player because they are doing it right. By version 3 it will be just as good as the iPod and I wouldn't be surprised if sales start to explode.
Not even in the top 10! Apple and Sandisk BOTH sold more of their product in December that Microsoft has EVER sold since the inception of the Zune.
Chustar
· 1 year ago
@Michael: It IS as good as the iPod (i think) but that's the problem. No one knows that. iPods have become the face of the digital music industry that the very idea of something else being as good or even better is immediately discounted. Advertisements, anyone? Thats what they need to do. Non stop ads. People shouldn't be allowed to forget one before they see another. Any wonder why Apple is so popular?
rich
· 1 year ago
Zune is fine but it's not better than the iPod and iTunes. The navigation is not as easy and the software and the way it works with the hardware is still kludgy, desite a few features up on iTunes like separate file sync locations. Integration with WiMP was expected, but the new app is more unwieldy.
bill
· 1 year ago
It's strange. The Zune is pretty snazzy on the one hand (Zune Arts, the software, the device itself, Originals), but the look of the in-store Zune islands—in a sea of brightly colored iJunk—is that nasty brown. They need to get some of the Zune Arts or Originals staff working on the packaging.
Quikboy
· 1 year ago
The Zune just needs to do something more amazing. I have a Zune 30, and it works well for me.
I would agree about making special limited-edition versions of "well-known" artists. And it seems as if the Zune will do the special artist/theme packages via Zune Social, in some sort of advertising promotion like way.
A separate Zune retail store (or a Microsoft store for that matter) would help getting a central place for all things Zune.
SteamChip
· 1 year ago
Forget about the Zune, we should be talking about how to improve the 512MB Sensa m230 Sandisk 6 4.4 2 instead (as per Davids link post ). They at least are making progress against Apple and I never heard of that mp3 player until now.
If Microsoft makes changes as suggested, they might sell 10 more of the devices.
Argo117
· 1 year ago
wow... zune has come preloaded with music, videos, and music videos since the beginning. This guy has probably not even held a zune
All Comments
I expect to spend good money on a good product. Yeah I want a deal but I start questioning it's quality when it's price point is near the floor. You start wondering, "what's wrong with it that it's so cheap?!"
There needs to be a good balance of price / value. Maybe a free month of Zune Pass with every Zune purchase (much like Xbox Live - free month with console purchase).
Apple had no real viable competition and was able to make iPod a household name in no time flat. Once you have that you've pretty much cornered the market and any competitor will have a tough time overcoming that notoriety.
I love my Zune 30 and wouldn't trade it for anything - okay, maybe a Zune 80. ;)
The type of sponsored content that was mentioned recently will also do well to do the "Gwen Stefani - Printers" thing. Right now you can add the profile of Ryu Hayabusa, protagonist of the Xbox 360 exclusive, Ninja Gaiden 2, to your friends list and then drag and drop their Zune card onto your Zune device (with Zune pass) and instant promotion of the songs there, as well as free content from the game's soundtrack by subscribing to the podcast. Look to see this sort of content expanded upon.
GameStop announcement = Meh.
And finally, every blogger, news article, etc. is so keen on making Zune seem like it has to compete against iPod and NOW or else it will fail. But the truth of the matter is that Zune is an amazing alternative to iPod and so long as there is a steady stream of new users joining the social there isn't going to be any problems. It's like comparing OS X to Windows. They haven't made any gains for years until recently, yet they still are a completely viable alternative to Windows and aren't going anywhere anytime soon.
I have an iPhone, and I don't care for it as a music device. It's OK, but my red Nano (pre-fatty model) was more efficient with the spinny wheel and more compact for running/walking. The new flash-based Zunes appeal to me - especially with an FM tuner, needed in for gym TVs. Oh yeah, I'm a big fan of all-you-can eat plans. BUT before I make a move, I'm waiting to see if XM or Sirius introduce a streaming client for the iPhone next month.
"Zune needs to be Pepsi to Apple’s Coke."
1. Lower the price (drop it below the iPod shuffle)
2. Co-brand it with niche audiences and bands
3. Zunes should always come pre-loaded with music
- Jawad Shuaib
There is a reason that the Zune is the number 2 MP3 player because they are doing it right. By version 3 it will be just as good as the iPod and I wouldn't be surprised if sales start to explode.
Maybe you should look at this
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/tech_sta...
Not even in the top 10!
Apple and Sandisk BOTH sold more of their product in December that Microsoft has EVER sold since the inception of the Zune.
It IS as good as the iPod (i think) but that's the problem. No one knows that. iPods have become the face of the digital music industry that the very idea of something else being as good or even better is immediately discounted. Advertisements, anyone? Thats what they need to do. Non stop ads. People shouldn't be allowed to forget one before they see another. Any wonder why Apple is so popular?
I would agree about making special limited-edition versions of "well-known" artists. And it seems as if the Zune will do the special artist/theme packages via Zune Social, in some sort of advertising promotion like way.
A separate Zune retail store (or a Microsoft store for that matter) would help getting a central place for all things Zune.
If Microsoft makes changes as suggested, they might sell 10 more of the devices.