Zune may or may not ship with video?

So word going around late this week was that the Zune, better known as Microsoft's supposed iPod killer, is slated to ship without support for video. Yeah, you heard that right. According to a report on from the New York Post, "Microsoft called up some content providers and said the video portion of its Zune device... was being delayed." (The other juicy tidbit was that they'd have ad-supported downloads, but that's still unsubstantiated as far as we know.) Microsoft's Zune PR, of course, provided us with the following statement with regards to the story: "We do not have product details to share at this time and as such cannot comment on rumors or speculation." Then, on top of that TechWeb reported that Microsoft actually referred to the rumor as "speculative." It's all the standard fare non-denial denial, we know, but we still don't have any strong reason to believe the Post's report has any weight. Besides the fact that sources told us nothing of the like, Microsoft would effectively be committing Zune to launch failure this buying season if they trot it out into the market place not even as well equipped as your standard iPod. That is, after all, the point of Zune, right? To best the iPod in all the ways Apple's been dragging its feet, and provide a viable alternative? It's 2006, look at that device right up there. If you think that's not going to have video, well, may god rest Zune's soul.

[Via Macsimum News, thanks CoreyTheGent, Jon, and Conor]

Read - NY Post
Read - TechWeb

[SteveieK @ Aug 5th 2006 1:29PM]

Wow, it like Microsoft is willing and even TRYING to be that guy who yells, "HEY! Watch this!!" just before he does something stupid.

[_man1c_ @ Aug 5th 2006 1:36PM]

i was looking forward to this. oh well. then again is it gonna be cheaper without it? and the Ipod was just a mp3 player when it first came out..

[Lou @ Aug 5th 2006 1:39PM]

Wow, so other than XBox 360, has Microsoft done anything well in the last 5 years.

[mtbxr @ Aug 5th 2006 1:39PM]

Why would Microsoft even consider launching w/out video. May as well as not even bring it to market. I like my iPod (Gen 3)but would love not to be tied upto Apple for all my content & haven't moved onto the video waiting for Microsoft to offer something worthy.

[Jeff @ Aug 5th 2006 1:44PM]

Did anyone here watch the original UK version of The Office? This reminds me David Brent's famous "dance" scene. Those of you who've seen it will understand the reference.

[uNext @ Aug 5th 2006 1:48PM]

As a company microsoft is capable of setting the bar to a level far and beyond grasp. Is like that person you know is smart and can accomplish many great things but is not dedicated enough to actually get it done. Microsoft can destroy apples ipod if it really wanted to but i think m$ needs a whole rveamped staff. A new lineup how can a company make 48+ billion and not have the ability to release a operating system thats been in the making since 2001? or release an mp3 player with enough extras to make people dump apples ipod?

i think their playing it safe at first, looks like to me microsoft is scared of aggresive offense.

long live microsoft not its staff

[Cody S. @ Aug 5th 2006 1:50PM]

Who's to say that they can't just disable the video feature, but leave all of the proper hardware in there until they get all of they're ducks in a row? Enable via frimware update :p

[z @ Aug 5th 2006 1:50PM]

Well, lets wait monday's announcements, shall we? ;-)

[Cody S. @ Aug 5th 2006 1:50PM]

Their*

[bob @ Aug 5th 2006 2:00PM]

if apple releases an ipod every 6 months or so, its updating to quickly, if apple waits nearly a year to update its dragging its feet, seems fair right? there is absolutly no reason to not update regularily, their not trying to get people to buy them every 6 months, just have the latest tech available for anyones purchase time! and the wait for the 6G ipod i think is going to be WELL worth it, some real advancements and strategy changes me thinks.

[Zeke @ Aug 5th 2006 2:12PM]

Hmm.... Planning certain features, then later *removing* them....

Yep, this sounds NOTHING like Windows Vista.

If they delay the thing, I'm gonna shoot myself.

[Mchacur @ Aug 5th 2006 2:16PM]

iPod killer....

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

You're SO cute!

[Josh @ Aug 5th 2006 2:33PM]

Looks like things are going just as well for Zune as they are for Vista...

[Shreedhan @ Aug 5th 2006 2:34PM]

I think people are getting confused with video store capabilities and video playback. I guarantee that Zune will be able to play videos.

[DJ @ Aug 5th 2006 2:48PM]

I heard if you dig around Microsoft's Support website for a few minutes, you can find the first set of patches and Service Packs for ZUNE...........

[Storm9 @ Aug 5th 2006 2:49PM]

WoW, this thing is becoming less and less appealing as time goes on.

[KawF @ Aug 5th 2006 2:53PM]

"I'd buy that for a dollar!" - Robocop

Seriously, I would not pay perhaps even that considering all the negative sides that seem to riddle the Zune from the information that is known and speculated upon.

[georgedakota @ Aug 5th 2006 2:54PM]

I like rumors as much as the next guy but this zune crap is getting annoying. I am holding off all judgement on this thing until it actually is released. And whats with apple? Where is the next ipod rumor or announcement. The longer they wait the more people are going to expect. By the time the next ipod comes out its going to be a full year without any new ipods.

[sam @ Aug 5th 2006 2:55PM]

I'll still buy one, the wireless features that may or may not be integrated into the player more than make up for the loss of video (it's a matter of time before people come out with hacked firmware that just let you steal music wirelessly). I don't watch videos on my ipod, the screen is shitty and terrible and it eats battery life too quickly, i doubt i'd watch videos on my zune either.

[Njoli @ Aug 5th 2006 4:15PM]

damn, if Apple release a new ipod every 3 months people get pissed. if they wait a year before releasing a new ipod people get pissed. they just can't win.

[anon @ Aug 5th 2006 4:32PM]

I went from enthusiastic about the Zune when I first heard about it, to absolutely not wanting to have anything to do with it over the last month or so.

[anon @ Aug 5th 2006 4:33PM]

Njoli, no one is even talking about the iPod.

[Finished.Law.School @ Aug 5th 2006 4:48PM]

No video then no Zune for me...nor for anyone else likely since the iPod and a ton of other devices have video capabilities.
What's the point if they are not going to be competitive about it and include features that others do not currently offer?
This sounds like Microsoft on Vista as well - Vista was supposed to have a ton of features that have since been removed - now Vista is nothing more than XP SP3.
I blame Ballmer.
I also do not see anything good happening to Microsoft stock based on this news...

[shinyhat @ Aug 5th 2006 4:56PM]

this story sounds like something MS would intentionally 'leak' to the press, regardless if it has any truth, they need to stay in the headlines as much as possible if they are to have any chance against iPod. i think it's pathetic this makes news at all. we are talking about features on a product that is vaporware at this point. this is the same old strategy that MS plays in every industry they enter and then stagnate after dominating. hopefully for consumers they will fail this time. anyone remember Internet Explorer and the MS comitment to pushing web technology forward? how'd that work out?

[z.4.zigma @ Aug 5th 2006 5:00PM]

Anyone else get this feeling whenever they see the Zune and say to themselves -- This just can't be the final design or name for the player microsoft is going to launch.

[dahkness @ Aug 5th 2006 5:00PM]

This is just some ipod fanboy starting a BS rumor to derail the popularity of zune. Of Course it will have video. Do you think the execs at microsoft would try to release a player to compete with ipod and take over its market share if it didnt offer the same features + (wireless G, etc.)? Think again.

Zune will have video, if anyone else thinks different then your not thinking well.

[dahkness @ Aug 5th 2006 5:05PM]

Less we forget, it's you, the internet community who coined the term "IPoD KiLlErrr" not microsoft. Your fueling your own fire and falling over each other to bash apple/microsoft.

Microsoft is just releasing another music player. when creative, sony, or the 203482039 other companies release hardware like this you dont say anything, but because MS does it, automatically you start trash talking, calling it an ipod killer, you create your own stories, not microsoft.

[sracer @ Aug 5th 2006 5:14PM]

I said that Zune would be dead-on-arrival. How did I know? Because whenever Microsoft has to be cryptic and mysterious about something, it is because there is no substance behind the hype. Remember the enigmatic Bob? MS avoided providing an explanation for what it really was. Origami was the same thing... now Zune.
I'm sure others can parade a long list of products that had more sizzle than substance.

[Bary @ Aug 5th 2006 6:20PM]

What does it mean "delayed"? How can video support be delayed?! They will add it in future firmwares? For money? I won't be surprised if I say truth

[electro^plankton @ Aug 5th 2006 6:26PM]

THAT THING IS FUGLY! It would seem to me the black border wrapped around the screen and the silver wheel instead of white were last additions to make it not so ipod'ish.

I like the whole Zune concept for content delivery BUT the big question for me is; will this thing be Apple compatible? I hope it is because we need something like that to light a fire under Apple's arse to get them to release all those wondeful ideas, products, and services I know they have buried deep within 1 Infinite Loop.

[MrPieGuy @ Aug 5th 2006 6:38PM]

This is a RUMOUR. There has been no confirmation from MS, wait until some official announcements come out before you judge. I would bet Microsoft knows it needs the video. But until some real announcements come out, don't start immediately saying you wont buy. Wait till its realeased.

[ric3rboy91 @ Aug 5th 2006 6:41PM]

Er.... wow.
Bringing this to market without video capabilities would be nothing short of suicide.
Now, if there was a firmware upgrade to enable it, I might consider.

[Mr. B @ Aug 5th 2006 6:43PM]

That's just stupid. Microsoft is the one company with the capital to give Apple some real competition. THey need to get their sh!t together.

[DC @ Aug 5th 2006 7:08PM]

As far as I know, Microsoft has only confirmed one thing about Zune: they expect three to five years to pass before their investment in this device pays off.

Assuming the rumor about the lack of video is true (and it's foolish to put much faith in these kinds of rumors), three to five years is plenty of time for MS to add video capability.

Anyone know how long was iPod around before Apple added models that included video?

[Bosco @ Aug 5th 2006 7:23PM]

Is it too late to change the name to the Microsoft D.O.A ?

[Guns @ Aug 5th 2006 7:51PM]

Their*

[Elango Ganesan @ Aug 5th 2006 8:27PM]

Hi, why don't we find the likes iTunes/ Urge selling the good and the great of talks/ lectures by academics and others.
http://o-turn.blogspot.com/2006/07/make-ipod-wish.html

To me it sounds less controversial and more interesting than google's ebooks project (with today's technology not having advanced enough for it).

[Nathan @ Aug 5th 2006 9:38PM]

I hate Ipod, I think apple is waste of time, they are slow and crappy and who gives shit if Microsoft dosen't have video it still better than anything that apple could ever bring out

[PATTY @ Aug 5th 2006 9:50PM]

i wonder if it really will ship without video, then they will add it in a firmware update like psp 2.00 to stop people running unasigned code on the zunes.

[Story @ NTN @ Aug 5th 2006 10:47PM]

http://www.nextechnews.com/PermaLink,guid,0cf471b8-a2ef-424a-8803-bdab47e91d9e.aspx

Hate to tell you guys this, and to debunk all the rumors but NTN has the links to the official quotes from Microsoft apparently NY Post and the rest of the sites need to get their storys straight! LOL

[Crayon @ Aug 5th 2006 11:38PM]

I saw a picture of the Zune on that crazy Ultrarealism blog ( http://ultrarealism.blogspot.com ) I know everything there is weird, but the Zune pic on that blog looks different to me. Maybe because the blog is crazy?

[dave95 @ Aug 5th 2006 11:43PM]

Dear Fans: Why do you continue to praise a company that comes up short on so many thingsm, and over-hype their products only to be huge letdowns once release:

Origami (Hyped then a huge letdown)
Tablet PC (Hyped to replace pen & paper, laptops)
MSN Music (Originally hyped to kill iTunes)
WMP11 (Hyped to kill iTunes, now ZUNE)
MSN TV (AKA WebTV, Hyped)
Butterfly (Hyped to kill AOL)
SPOT (Dick Tracy anyone?)
ZUNE (Same Hyping, iPod=iTunes killer)

Wait for them to release a good product for once (i.e. XBox) before we praise them. All the products above was hyped the same way, I guess we have to wait years for them to be good enough for the masses! Those that demand more from a company with billions in reserve, good for you. Others can continue to be an extension of their hype marketing department.

Would love for them to do an Apple and shut-up until you are ready to show the goods!

[Chris Hofman @ Aug 5th 2006 11:48PM]

That would be silly if they didn't. They're trying to take down the iPod.

[Krishan @ Aug 6th 2006 4:10AM]

Well im not entirely sure what Microsoft are up to...maybe it's a publicity stunt to attract even more attention to the already 'hyped up' Zune.
What if they were secretly lying to the public to hide up all the Zune leaks and so when they next have the equivalent to WWDC they can show off an excellent Zune that comes bundled with Vista for an extra $300!

[z @ Aug 6th 2006 4:32AM]

This zuneinsider.com blog is just plain annoying viral communication from the MS "zune team". Why don't they just announce officially things or stay mute instead of playing dumb? Maybe the problem at MS is their lack of real communication professionals. They should get the good ones, not the ones that look good in front of their HR board...

[Taylor @ Aug 6th 2006 6:25AM]

This seems a bit in the vain of that episode of the simpsons, where they roll fruit down the bus.

The iPod is the grapefruit, the PSP is the apple, and the Zune is the banana.

People who support the Zune are like Ralph... GO BANANA, GO!

[is @ Aug 6th 2006 9:28AM]

Wasnt the Zune project confirmed to involve a number of devices? A gaming centric one, and some others?

Well probably see a music only device, a PMP and a PMP with game playing ability to be pitched against the PSP.

Funny thing is, Ipod and DS lite will steal all their sales.

The Key? White Plastic. And getting the software right.

[Griff @ Aug 6th 2006 12:52PM]

http://www.zuneinsider.com/2006/08/video.html

Says it's all rumor and hear say and not necessarily true.

[tekdemon @ Aug 7th 2006 2:38AM]

Err...does anybody actually read the kind of stories the NY Post writes?

I'd probably count on the Daily Mail first (Yes, this reference is mostly for the UK folks...but hey at least you now know what kind of paper the NY Post is)

[Digital Pen @ Aug 7th 2006 2:51AM]

Whether or not this rumour is true, the bottom line is that a Zune without video playback capabilities will probably fail miserably. I don't see any reason for a rush to release the Zune. Like Vista, they could simply delay the launch until its ready, instead of sending out a half-rate player that will just crash and die anyway. If the final product is truly up to scratch, people won't even remember any initial delays.