It doesn't work with MS existing service which it will be sold alongside and coexist with. It's major feature is free playlist sharing, which doesn't sound at all like iMix.

I smell a home run in the making . . .

The folks who have not yet bought an iPod will be waiting for this Zune device, instead of picking up one of the "partner" devices, because the perception will be that Microsoft has the best shot at building an "iPod killer." But when that devices fails to materialize "this year," or it turns out to be the "iClod," it will have only served to hurt Microsoft's partners through lost or delayed sales. And the ongoing rumors will only push Apple to innovate faster. As an Apple customer, there is no downside.

"The Microsoft Invincibility Myth"

http://www.roughlydrafted.com/RD/Home/C91CCB7E-A668-4B0A-ABB6-98840AC8A317.html

BTW, in my opinion everything Microsoft makes is a piece of c***. The world would be a better place if corporations that made such low-quality products were punished instead of rewarded.

It will be interesting how the likes of Napster will spin this, though if the Zune will also be able to work with Plays4Sure devices (and why shouldn't it), then at least those kind of partners won't be too alienated - though MS' service will still cannibalize these partners' business models...

BTW, in my opinion everything Microsoft makes is a piece of c***. The world would be a better place if corporations that made such low-quality products were punished instead of rewarded.



Oh boy, another blog story. And who said MS was invincible? I don't know anyone who's said that for like 5 years (which, of course, MS themselves also argued when they were up on those monopoly charges).

And this is only going to alienate their partners if they don't make it all interoperable. Why should Creative care if MS comes out with a music player? No one cares that they sell keyboards and mice and such.

True, there is no logical reason for the Zune to not at least be able to play PlaysForSure music, but all of the stories about this so far indicate that MS is setting up this whole Zune thing (the hardware, the music store, etc.) as a completely new and separate experience to come as close as possible to creating the same highly integrated experience that iPod users get. Now, just because the iPod can't play stuff from other DRM music stores doesn't necessarily mean that MS needs to copy that particular thing, but it sounds like that's what they might be doing.

MS is setting up this whole Zune thing (the hardware, the music store, etc.) as a completely new and separate experience to come as close as possible to creating the same highly integrated experience that iPod users get.

Once again, MS copies Apple... poorly, and late.

How's Vista coming, by the way?

It may piss off partners but... this is also Microsofts way of saying to it's partners "Look we gave you all a chance, but all of you dropped the ball and you've left us no choice but to step in"