Since Apple has just released a whole new iPod line, news of a possible redesigned Zune just seems to fall very very flat. Nevertheless rumors of a possible new Zune are out there - thinner with a two-tone translucent rubberized finish and what looks like a touch pad rather than a click wheel for navigation.
There has also been speculation of a new Zune phone possibly coming out for the holiday season. Many think that a Zune phone would be a good way for it to capture the technology that Microsoft already has a hold of such as Voip and good old Windows. (A phone with the windows browser - do you really want all those viruses on your phone????)(It would make for some great iPhone vs Zune phone ads!)
The Zune may not have met most blogging standards as the hippest most up to date utterly cool device on the MP3 market, yet it has taken the market share it had hoped for and with the release of new reformatted Zunes coming out this Christmas season it is liable to take more of that market share.
This means that someone is losing market share and while the iPod and the iPhone are still in complete control it is Creative, maker of Zen players, that is suffering the biggest loss since the onslaught of the Zune.
Creative’s stock fell to it’s lowest point in the last 11 years after Creative announced its fifth loss in the last six quarters. Over the last year the stock has lost 35 percent and is the worst performer on Singapore’s benchmark Straits Times Index landing today at $6.60. Sales have fallen 28 percent to $162.2 million in fourth quarter earnings.
Due to the enormous popularity of the Zune amongst troops Microsoft is announcing a Zune just for them in a Halo theme.
The Halo 3 Military Edition Zune has the same features as the regular Zune but comes in a collectible Halo 3 box and is pre-loaded with music, artwork, and trailers from all the Halo games.
“Microsoft has been a great partner to the USO of Metropolitan Washington for several years, supporting both our U.S. soldiers and the USO’s mission. From Zune devices and Xbox 360 gaming consoles to new computers with the latest Windows Vista and Office software, Microsoft’s technology has helped service members stay connected and entertained.” said Elaine Rogers, president of the USO of Metropolitan Washington about the new edition.
The very first of Halo 3 Zunes were given out to soldiers leaving for active duty from Baltimore Washington International airport on August 6th.
“We have seen the rumors floating around, but we haven’t announced specific dates or details for the next generation of the Zune devices or service. That said, Zune follows the cycle of the consumer electronics cycle so you can expect an update later this year prior to the holiday season,†a Microsoft Corp. spokesman said in an interview with Whiz Byte web-site.
So thus we can expect to see new Zune’s floating around as Microsoft obviously hasn’t given up on the venture, perhaps hoping to at some point to actually compete with Apple.
Microsoft indicated they would be adding new sizes, (perhaps a nano and shuffle like Zune), styles, and price points.
They said they would be building support for video, podcasting and adding key differentiators to separate them from the rest of the market indicating the wireless features and an FM tuner.
The hideapod website has just opened providing the best way to protect your iPod - hide it in a Zune!
The new iPod theif protective case proclaims to gut out the Zune to create the hide-a-pod, to protect your iPod or your iPhone.
It’s a funny spoof on the Zune - we’ll see if Microsoft shuts them down - but for now orders are being taken.
Under their frequently asked questions:
Can I choose my Zune color?
Sorry, no. We only use brown Zunes for the maximum anti-theft protection.
How can you do this so cheap?
There were a lot of disappointed kids last Christmas who wanted an iPod but were given a Zune by some well-meaning friend or relative. Consequently, there is a glut of Zunes available on eBay every day. We buy ‘em cheap and throw away the guts to make our product at a great price.
Zune will be kicking off their three “Live at the BBQ” summer concert series tonight July 13 in full hip-hop style in LA.
Shows in Chicago on July 24th and New York City on August 4th will follow.
The concerts are free and exclusive, set to “reward those who have come to support the digital platform”. To get tickets go to Zunenet and register for your chance to win. There is no purchase necessary and it is open to residents of the U.S.. You must be 15 years or older to register.
“These summer concerts are a great way for Zune to bring fans together with the artists they love,” said Chris Stephenson, general manager of Global Marketing for Zune at Microsoft. “It’s a way to show our appreciation to the hip-hop community for its support of the Zune(TM) brand and to bring the music to life for fans.”
I sometimes forget it’s still out there, but apparently it is not only out there but a new Zune is coming!
Word of the new Zune, expected to be in stores by December, is that it will support Flash, WiFi and video playback.
The new Zune will come in 4GB and 8GB, same storage as the iPhone (and we’re not reading into that!) but for competing with the Nano. The new Zune is code named Draco - (not the actual name just the code name but we’ll see if it sticks).
This news comes from Zune Scene who has an inside source hiding out in the Microsoft labyrinth. (no names will be revealed even if threatened with jail time!)
The Zune is turning Spiderman “red”, after going Easter “pink” in April. It would appear that Microsoft has not yet given up on the Zune finding some way to dent the MP3 market.
The Red Zune will be available exclusively at the Target store on Amazon beginning June 10th.
The Zune is currently fourth in the MP3 market with a 3 percent market share. It trails Sandisk which holds a 9 percent market share and Creative which holds a 4 percent market share, and of course Apple’siPod which commands a 73 percent market share.
Since Apple has just released a whole new iPod line, news of a possible redesigned Zune just seems to fall very very flat. Nevertheless rumors of a possible new Zune are out there - thinner with a two-tone translucent rubberized finish and what looks like a touch pad rather than a click wheel for navigation.
The Zune may not have met most blogging standards as the hippest most up to date utterly cool device on the MP3 market, yet it has taken the market share it had hoped for and with the release of new reformatted Zunes coming out this Christmas season it is liable to take more of that market share.
You do know you are one of a kind when blogs everywhere lament on your decision to get not
one but two Zune tattoos!
The Zune is turning Spiderman “red”, after going Easter “pink” in April. It would appear that Microsoft has not yet given up on the Zune finding some way to dent the MP3 market.
