Zune to flop in 2007?
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Michael Robertson, known for Linspire, the open source OS, but also for SIPphone/Gizmo Project, forecasts about Microsoft Zune ― an upcoming flop. His voice adds to multimedia analysts and observers, that all say Zune, aka the iPod-killer, won’t kill the Apple iPod.
If we’re correct about its post, the main reason of the failure would be the digital rights management (DRM) system. But Apple doesn’t allow any kind of format, either. Illustration? The French episode of iPod, where the lower house of the legislature, the Assemblée Nationale, forced Apple to open up their technical standards and become 100% interoperable.
We’re not a defender of Microsoft Zune. We agree a hundred percent with Michael Robertson on the “wow feature”, the WiFi connectivity. Very expected, but too bad, not yet in Zune. And without WiFi, no picture/movie sharing, no blogging, no IP telephony, no instant messaging. All those are regularly used by populations targeted by Zune and Windows Live services. And without those features, why would someone buy a new device as expensive as the Nintendo DS just to listen to DRM songs and movies?
If Microsoft turns its Zune into the “social media player”, there’s a chance that the Web 2.0/social network trend would boost Zune sales in 2007. But if they delay and delay this feature, Apple might still be waiting for a real challenger.
Agree, disagree with us? (You can also say we’re too bold, we don’t bite :)
Oct 9, 2006 | By Nuno
2 comments
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I’m just not sure about this whole subscription service - if I buy music I expect to own it and build a collection for use by me at any date in the future. I dont want to be tied to a subscription fee for the rest of my life just to listen to music I’ve already paid for!
I’m 100% with you on this. DRM and the lack of cool technologies would bury Zune instead of raising above the competition.