ipod
09/15/2006, 1:10pm, EDT
Friday, September 15th
New iPod pricing surprises Microsoft
Apple's decision to aggressively price its 30GB video iPod at $249 likely took Microsoft by surprise, according to American Technology Research senior analyst Shaw Wu. "We believe Microsoft is re-thinking its pricing strategy amid potential wider losses to stay competitive in the marketplace," Wu said. Microsoft yesterday officially unveiled its Zune player alongside an online store, announcing further details of the portable player's specifications and capabilities. "We remain underwhelmed with the much-hyped Zune, which is essentially a repackaged Toshiba Gigabeat, with limited differentiation vs. existing Windows Media devices," the analyst said. Wu suspects Zune will still see modest success due to Microsoft's vast resources and strong brand name, but at the expense of its Windows Media partners such as Sony, iRiver, and Toshiba. Microsoft also hinted that it is working on a Zune cell phone, following widespread rumors that Apple is placing the finishing touches on its own mobile handset.
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Although there is some potential with Zune - integration with Media Center, Xbox 360, they have a partnership with Tivo.
I wish Apple was able to parnter with Tivo and the Sony PS3. Instead, they are coming out with iTV which in my opinion is very limited compared to the other services available.
Still, Apple makes great products. Should get very interesting.
This comment seems to miss the purpose of iTV. iTV is not intended to be a TV recorder. It is intended to bridge the gap between television and computers. People have always wanted to watch online, or computer, content on their televisions. iTV allows users to easily do that. I will be able to put a DVD in my computer and watch it on my television. I will be able play movies I recorded on my Mac on my television. I will be able to watch online content (think Google videos and YouTube) on my television. Moreover, I will likley be able to play my music on my television, and easily watch my photos on my television.
Apple is not trying to be TiVo or the PS3 with iTV. Moreover, Apple does have a partnership with TiVO. TIVO supports the Mac platform, and Apple sells TiVO units at the Apple stores.
There are plenty of good utilites out there that lets me record TV on my Mac. What I want is what iTV offers: an easy way to take these off my computer and put them on my TV.
Just think off all those people who will start creating video content now that Apple is providing an easy way to put this content from the internet on to televisions.
THis announcement is actually huge.
On a side note: TiVO is struggling just to stay in business. Apple smartly is staying out of this business. Big media companies like Warner and Univeral hate TiVo. THey would be less likely to license Apple their content.
I really like the concept and will gladly add a compatible TV recorder (with extra disk space?) to the mix.