Zune to get Super Bowl XLI commercial?

Either Microsoft has never had a Super Bowl commercial, or they've wasted some serious cash on mega-expensive advertising that no one -- at least not at Engadget HQ, anyway -- can seem to recall being aired in recent memory. Looks like that could soon change though; amidst all this hype about the Zune / Argo / Xboy / Microsoft portable media player / whatever the hell it's called, we've received word that Microsoft may be taking this effort all the way to the end zone. According to Digital Music News, the Zune could be starring in a Super Bowl XLI commercial in 2007, which would, of course display the company's commitment to the project initiative -- as well as giving it the kiss of death. Remember what happened to the last prominently placed portable media player to get some Super Bowl commercial action? Yeah, barely, right?

[RP @ Jul 12th 2006 8:19PM]

Will this help them sell 50 million of these Zunes? :|

[aleandro @ Jul 12th 2006 8:27PM]

what would be funy is if microsoft buys the airtime for a vista, 360, zune, office and other stuff they have for the superbowl

[Charlie @ Jul 12th 2006 8:29PM]

what would be funny... oh wait no what would be awesome is if it wasn't called a Zune... and if it is "Xbox-branded" why does it have a different logo and no "X" in the name?

[Smokey The Bear @ Jul 12th 2006 8:34PM]

I hope all this Hype Pay off..
and not Like
those Fun & New Products From Apple..
Boy those things were a Laugh..

[Alex @ Jul 12th 2006 8:52PM]

I hope this thing takes off. I really do. I would love nothing more than for (the stupid normal) people to be made aware of the fact that the iPod is NOT THE ONLY MP3 PLAYER!

[diulei @ Jul 12th 2006 8:53PM]

If this is true, the millions they spent are a drop in the bucket to MS. I bet they'll spend hundreds of times that to try and de-throne Apple.

In fact, I bet Microsoft wouldn't even mind taking a huge loss if it meant beating Apple, just for bragging rights.

[james @ Jul 12th 2006 8:53PM]

seems like microsoft is paying a quite alot of money to engadget too, the way these posts are going. after all it is one of billy g's fav sites...suprise suprise

[diulei @ Jul 12th 2006 8:58PM]

@james.

Please. The company that owns 95% of computers is attempting to do the nearly impossible, beat Apple at the DAP game, and somehow news about it isn't worthy for a GADGET site?! C'mon.

[Sean DL @ Jul 12th 2006 9:04PM]

Yeah and then maybe people will aware that Windows is NOT THE ONLY OS!, then be aware that IE is NOT THE ONLY BROWSER!, then be aware that Sony is NOT THE ONLY TV! and then be aware that the Playstation 2 is NOT THE ONLY GAMING SYSTEM!


Oh wait, they are aware...they just choose what they like(Or what everyone likes).

It's life in Pop culture

[voodoo @ Jul 12th 2006 9:10PM]

Sean DL = 1
Alex = 0

[Daniel @ Jul 12th 2006 9:22PM]

First of all -

if it really is an product with an Xbox tie in, they are going to spell it "Xune" not "Zune", they are going to get the X in there somewhere.

Second, they are stoned. Apple has sold 1 Billion (B,B,B,B illion!!) songs via the Itunes store, and has an installed base of millions of Ipods.

MSFT has an installed base of exactly 0 MP3 players, and has sold exactly 0 songs so far and knowing MSFT, it will cost too much, do to little, and you will have to let connect to Windows Update to work right.

Um, pass.

MSFT won the format war two times, with Windows and Office. Now "Only" two times, when these happened to be billion dollar buisinesses is not exactly a bad thing.

But, since then they have an extremely BAD record of getting any first to market standards or platforms established. They have always come to the party later (internet, SQL, consoles, access services, web servers, browsers) and are certainly not the innovators.

If they are willing to burn through a billion or two (which they probably are) then they will make a dent, but they will not catch the Ipod. They are just not capable of making a cool enough product, at the right qaulity level.

[james @ Jul 12th 2006 9:28PM]

@ diulei

hey i'm all for competition, and microsoft's entry into the DAP market will be intereting for sure. however, i'm not interested in hearing about SPECULATION on a company's advertising plans. i don't consider this gadget news and there's got to be more pertinent things going on in the electronics world than this.

[Stevo @ Jul 12th 2006 9:58PM]

Zune, Zune, Zune... Catchy jingle but I think I've heard it somewhere else before!

[stupid_browner @ Jul 12th 2006 9:58PM]

Forgive me if I'm wrong, but didn't Microsoft launch their ads for the new MSN Search at last year's SuperBowl??

[diulei @ Jul 12th 2006 9:59PM]

@james

That's all fair, but Engadget posts countless rumors, from Apple to Sony, including speculation about advertising and marketing. Maybe this isn't the blog for you to read.

[Raz 4 life @ Jul 12th 2006 10:04PM]

Who wants to bet that this will only work with a Windows OS? That's a plus for iTunes/iPod

[Alex @ Jul 12th 2006 10:10PM]

Hahah, "Sean DL"

I'm sure people know there are more than 1 brand of TV and that the Playstation is not the only brand of gaming console. However you'd be surprised how many people don't know there are IE alternatives. And you'd be surprised to know how many of my friends don't know what an mp3 player is, but when I say "iPod" they know exactly what I mean. Example:

"What's that funny-looking thing?" *points to my Archos*
"My mp3 player"
"Your what?"
"mp3 player, it holds like 5000 songs"
"You mean it's an iPod?"
".....yeah fine if that helps"

[Bob @ Jul 12th 2006 10:11PM]

i hate steve jobs

[DC @ Jul 12th 2006 10:15PM]

"Who wants to bet that this will only work with a Windows OS?"

I wouldn't take that bet. MS has already committed to allowing current iPod users to download everything they purchased through iTunes onto their new "Zune" devices...at no cost. MS wants iPod users badly enough to pay that bill themselves, and they aren't going to shoot themselves in the foot by making this thing incompatible with Macs.

By the way, weren't iPods originally incompatible with Windows computers? How long did it take Apple to remedy that?

[diulei @ Jul 12th 2006 10:19PM]

Are people really using iPod as a generic term for MP3 players now (ala Walkman)? Where are you people from? I've never run into a situation like that. Just curious, or perhaps I only run into more tech-savvy people.

[idude135 @ Jul 12th 2006 10:19PM]

Wow Engadget I don't know what to say to this specially since the Super Bowl is... 8 MONTHS AWAY!

They should've advertised during the World Cup for that matter!

[Zadillo @ Jul 12th 2006 10:31PM]

I've got to say, it's really funny reading the comments about the Olympus m:robe ad for the 2005 Super Bowl, especially the ones predicting that Olympus was going to unseat the iPod and the m:robe would become the new hip music player.

[voodoo @ Jul 12th 2006 10:53PM]

@ Alex,

What's your point? Sean DL did call it "Pop Culture", do you understand what that means? Again, what your point? Trolling more like.

Sean DL = 1
Alex = -1

[Alex Padilla @ Jul 12th 2006 11:09PM]

Good luck to Microsoft. I do want the Zune to prosper, because I like healthy competition. Microsoft will get their fair share of consumers, eventually. Who knows, I might be prompted to sell my iPod nano for a Zune, but only if it proves to be worth it.

[Alex @ Jul 12th 2006 11:26PM]

"Voodoo", I get the point about pop culture, but I think it's more than people just choosing iPods because they're the cool thing to own. I think a lot of people aren't even AWARE that there are alternatives. And I think that with a company as big as MS backing a new device like this and putting all kinds of money and resources and advertising and stuff towards it, then people will have a chance at seeing the light that they do have a choice. If they want to continue using iPods that is fine, but at least know that there are more options.

And how is that trolling?

[K @ Jul 12th 2006 11:27PM]

Sean DL = voodoo. Same guy.

Way to vote for yourself and support your own comments by posting under another name, Sean.

And no, I'm not Alex.

Be nice.

*************

I hope MS sticks it to Apple. We need more choices.

[Raz 4 life @ Jul 12th 2006 11:31PM]

"MS has already committed to allowing current iPod users to download everything they purchased through iTunes onto their new "Zune" devices...at no cost."

Really? I guess I haven't been following this as closely as I thought I was...

[plepak @ Jul 12th 2006 11:46PM]

I think that Microsoft needs to kick off the product launch with a "Switch" advertising campaign. Copy the old Apple ads, but have people telling you to "think different" and switch to Zune. Or, make a parody of Apple's "1984" Super Bowl ad, but have the downtrodden masses all wearing white earbuds and have Steve Jobs yelling up on the screen. Think about it. Even if they never sold a single gadget, Microsoft would be legendary.

[jim @ Jul 12th 2006 11:46PM]

Does anyone else find it bizzare that MS could even think about making a portable MP3 player? I doubt anyone who has used WMP10 for WM5 would ever consider getting one.

What my 5 year old MP3 player does that WM5 can't do - 1. press play and have music start- have to go to a playlist or library every time.
2. Know where all my media files are - even if they are on the storage card. WMP10 for WM5 makes you click on where the files are before you can consider playing!
3.Just play the damn songs one after another - OH NO - WMP10 makes you select which ones you want to play each f$@!! time - playlists dissappear for whatever reason.
4.Not kill my battery in a couple of hours - can play songs for 9 hours on my MP3 player.

I'm sure other people using WM5 have many other suggestions of things that need to be fixed before MS considers trying their hand at any other portable media players.

[Dolomite @ Jul 12th 2006 11:53PM]

I just got a behind the scenes look at the commercial... its a 30 second shot of the Blue Screen of Death. Not very exciting as far as Super Bowl ads go, but it does describe the product perfectly.

[Wyatt_Z @ Jul 12th 2006 11:55PM]

I dislike iPod on principle, but what would totally sell me on this whole Zune thing is if it supported high-q internet radio via the WiFi. I don't know whether a feature like that would kill iPod, but it'd totally work for me.

What's more, the iTunes music store is only barely making a profit for mac. It'd be a cinch for MS to kick it while it's down (from an economic standpoint at least: iTunes has popularity going for it).

[plepak @ Jul 13th 2006 12:06AM]

Enough with the blue screen garbage, already. We all know how much you love your Mac, but please leave the comment space for people who actually want to discuss the product in a constructive way. Go and find some Leopard rumors to giggle at. Thank you.

[sracer @ Jul 13th 2006 12:13AM]

Zune = Origami.... overhyped, underwhelming. (yawn)

[voodoo @ Jul 13th 2006 12:14AM]

@ Alex, stating the obvious (as many people here love doing) without going beneath the skin and have anything constructive to say, other than useless generalization is trolling in my books.

@ K, you don't need my attention now do you? wether I'm Sean or whomever is again not important to anyone, so stop trolling.

The whole MS vs Apple is getting extremely old, sticking to any side is pointless, I vote whomever when I have compared the + & - of each product, right now you lot are wasting time arguing (or trolling) over something that have not been released, with no features known or any hand-on review (apart from a few rumoured pix and a logo that may or may not be true), expressing your hate (or should I say "dislike") is extremely immature.

I say wait until more info are known (other than a potential superbowl ad - 8months away!)before you express your generalization is nothing BUT trolling.

[n2 @ Jul 13th 2006 12:15AM]

Yep, Microsoft has advertised during the Super Bowl in the past. They promoted MSN Search

And didn't Apple use the Super Bowl to promote the first Macintosh?

[green tea fan @ Jul 13th 2006 12:17AM]

i think the logo of ZUNE is not cool as the microsoft's other brands,such as MSN,winXP,XBOX ,etc.

[plepak @ Jul 13th 2006 12:22AM]

Yes, Apple's "1984" Super Bowl ad was for the original Macintosh.

[nick @ Jul 13th 2006 12:31AM]

"MS has already committed to allowing current iPod users to download everything they purchased through iTunes onto their new "Zune" devices...at no cost."

No you are wrong, this is still a major rumor.

[Padriac @ Jul 13th 2006 12:33AM]

Let's play SAT:

iPod:MP3 player::Windows: ?

The answer is a) operating system.

How bad all the iPod bashers hate the iPod is exactly how bad the Windows haters hate Windows. So for all you iPod haters: you know know exactly what it's like to be a mac user. Frustrated by everybody else's obliviousness.

[liquid @ Jul 13th 2006 12:44AM]

i really hope ms can pull off a great product. But it seems they are missing the mark already with the look and name of the device. Two of the most important features for mass appeal if you ask me.
The name is odd, i keep thinking of the movie Dune! The device dosent look nice either, kind of generic looking. You would think right off the bat they would of wanted it to be black, so its not so ipod looking.
A tie in with xbox 360 would be really cool, esp as far as design goes. Not that the 360 has super great design, but by far the best MS has ever done. With the flood of dap devices avail, i think you gotta bring more to the table to make your product stand out.
I just hope there is a lot more meat on those bones as more info pours in.

[Padriac @ Jul 13th 2006 12:49AM]

If this thing is X-Box branded, does it mean that the Japanese are just going to laugh at it and then ignore it? I think X-Box translates to "POS" in Japenese.

[sketcha77 @ Jul 13th 2006 1:22AM]

I thought this was about a possible Zune commercial during the next superbowl. Where did everyone go astray???

Certainly might have something to do with fear that MS might actually come up with something that trumps the ipod.

[Wyatt_Z @ Jul 13th 2006 1:34AM]

The Zune name is too close to [iT]une.

[Keith L. Dick @ Jul 13th 2006 1:43AM]

As always....

Money Talks, Bullshit Walks...

You got the Bucks & Product then you can spend the money to promote it...

[anon @ Jul 13th 2006 1:50AM]

Yeah, SeanDL, you're way off on the gaming consoles and TV, somewhat right on the OS, and completely right on IE.

[Marian @ Jul 13th 2006 2:12AM]

Like anybody cares about what Microsoft is promising...

[Steve @ Jul 13th 2006 3:26AM]

"Like anybody cares about what Microsoft is promising..."

I care more than your opinion which is somewhat worthless... Now go do something more constructive and polish the scratches out of your nano...

[William McIntyre @ Jul 13th 2006 4:59AM]

No matter what this device eventually offers (lets hope its not like "leave the features behind" Vista) it's much too late to the party. I can honestly say, now I'm really bored of Mp3 players. Can't see many people, other than fanboys running out to replace what they already have.

[K @ Jul 13th 2006 5:22AM]

Voodoo wrote:

"@ K, you don't need my attention now do you? wether I'm Sean or whomever is again not important to anyone, so stop trolling."

1.) It is to those of us who don't like people who pretend to be two different people when they're one in the same. That's annoying. And THAT is trolling.

2.) Don't confuse trolling with keeping someone accountable in regard to their online behavior, which is what I was doing with you.

3.) You use the word "trolling" too much.

4.) The word "trolling" can't be used to describe everything that people do or say that you happen to disagree with, just like not every digital audio player is called "Ipod". So please, give it a rest. And please increase your vocabulary. A dictionary would be a good place to start.

5.) Be nice, Sean. I mean, Voodoo.

******************

Now back to our scheduled programming...

I hope the Zune (or whatever it's called) also has integrated BT. I'd love to be able to use wireless headphones/earbuds with it.

I also hope that it offers much better battery life, and a better screen than the Ipod.

I'd also like to see voice recording capability as well.

Can't wait to see what they come out with. Whatever it ends up being, the software to go with it better be absolutely amazing for their sake as well as ours.

[Zadillo @ Jul 13th 2006 8:07AM]

"What's more, the iTunes music store is only barely making a profit for mac. It'd be a cinch for MS to kick it while it's down (from an economic standpoint at least: iTunes has popularity going for it)." - Well, there you have it. I think the notion though that the iTMS is "down" because it is barely profitable is probably missing the point though. As Apple has acknowledged a number of times, the point of the iTMS is not to make money in and of itself. It's really there to help sell the iPod (and the iPod/iTMS combination). Apple doesn't specifically care about or need to make money from the iTMS (although any money they do make is a nice bonus); they care about providing a basis for content to make it easier to sell the iPod - remember, they didn't even want to do a video capable iPod until they were ready to at least start selling stuff like TV shows and music videos on the store, to give the average user something to buy to put on it (that is, they weren't specifically designing it for the more tech savvy user who has a lot of DivX videos that they might want to play).

So, as you said, the iTMS has popularity going for it, which is exactly what they want it to have. I don't see any reason to look at it and see it as being "down", since the profitability of the store itself is irrelevant (and this is one of the things that some of these other music services might not have realized yet - the money in this business seems to be in selling the player hardware - whether any business can be successful just selling music online is something that I'm not sure has been proven yet).

As it is, that is presumably exactly why MS has finally decided to go ahead and make their own player, since it seems like they have realized that the idea of just trying to depend on other companies to develop a successful music player hasn't worked; a few have had some limited success, but this is an area where MS would also benefit by having complete control over the overall experience from the hardware and software side.