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Zune - Microsoft shoot themselves in the foot.
winstainforth
06-11-2006
After reading this news article I'm wondering is this a fatal strategy, I won't buy one, would you?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6120272.stm
Nasalhair
06-11-2006
Add to this the news that it won't be out in Europe until 2007/8...
mikeydb
06-11-2006
Microsoft are desperate to compete with apple, but news like this shows how much they don't give a damn about existing customers, it's even more ironic that they're abandoning their own 'plays for sure' arrangement, making sure their tunes do not play for sure on your current equipment, and all your existing tunes do not play for sure on the Zune either.
Eternal Life
07-11-2006
I wouldnt be bothered with it myself.
TheBigM
07-11-2006
Originally Posted by mikeydb:
“Microsoft are desperate to compete with apple, but news like this shows how much they don't give a damn about existing customers, it's even more ironic that they're abandoning their own 'plays for sure' arrangement, making sure their tunes do not play for sure on your current equipment, and all your existing tunes do not play for sure on the Zune either.”

They are not abandoning playsforsure. This is actually benevolent to other playsforsure hardware manufacturers as it gives them some space to breathe and the Zune is less direct competition than if it were playsforsure. Playsforsure is intended for more computer literate people who want to choose their music store and hardware whereas Zune is made easier for people and beginners by providing a seamless end-to-end service. It doesn't even make sure of Windows Media Player. Also expect future revisions of Zune to be better interlocked in the MS ecosystem with Xbox and things.
joshua321
07-11-2006
But if the Zune isn't playsforsure, you are locked into microsoft's store just like itunes. I guess that's the point of it, but it could prove to be unpopular as people who don't by ipods tend to dislike being locked into software/formats. I hope the stuff on Urge won't be Zune-only - urggg.
mikeydb
08-11-2006
Again, Microsoft are desperate to compete with apple, they think they've got the applications and the products to do it, and by introducing networking and sharing (wireless!) with other MS products they're hoping they have the edge over apple.
TheBigM
08-11-2006
Zune is completely separate from Playsforsure. People are confused, lets write down all the facts for them now:
1. Zune does not use Windows Media Player, its marketplace and sync software are completely separate but I guess it might be possible to playback songs in WMP11. Yes Zune is an end-to-end service locking you in jsut like Ipod.
2.Playsforsure uses third-party hardware manufacturers making devices like Archos 402, Iriver Clix, Creative devices, Tishoba Gigabeat S, some Samsung thing.
3.Playsforsure still have music stores like napster available. Playsforsure uses WMP and WMP11 has MTV's music store Urge integrated which is a playsforsure music store and it is not going anywhere.
4.Zune and playsforsure are able to live side-by-side whether the businesses decide to continue to support it is a different matter but I think they will because many people don't want to be locked in and will stick with playsforsure.

Benefit of Zune - same as those of Apple except Zune has a subscription service.

Benefits of Playsforsure - allows music to work with many different kinds of music player and lets you upgrade to a different music player in the future without losing your music. as long as both players are pfs compatible.
mikeydb
08-11-2006
Originally Posted by TheBigM:
“Benefits of Playsforsure - allows music to work with many different kinds of music player and lets you upgrade to a different music player in the future without losing your music. as long as both players are pfs compatible.”

That's a bit of a generalisation, I have seen conditions on some plays for sure music stores that restrict the number of times you can transfer a song to a player, often this is a very low number like 3 which seems a bit of a poor show.. If you had upgraded your player a few times you'd be locked out of your music collection.
TheBigM
08-11-2006
I think not having a system to register and de-register players for syncing on PfS is a problem they could iron out. However is the case you describe above for purchased music?
I would have thought that with subscription music you could connect a new player and re-sync the music. Normally the DRM on subscription music simply requires you to sync wiht your computer and subscriber account every so often to prove you are still paying a subscription fee.
mikeydb
09-11-2006
Originally Posted by TheBigM:
“I think not having a system to register and de-register players for syncing on PfS is a problem they could iron out. However is the case you describe above for purchased music?”

Absoluteley sure of it, I was allowed three transfers to a player and no cd burning, I have not been using a subscription service. Luckily I have only bought 12 tracks, which are cheapy replaced on Itunes, to use with an Ipod, the DRM is still there but it's less obvious.
Inkblot
10-11-2006
Review of the Zune here (you may have to wait a second for the advert to disappear ).
TheBigM
10-11-2006
Indeed Zune is looking less and less appealing, I'm going to stick with my existing player for the foreseeable future.
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