Zune price and date: $249, November 14th

It's only fair and wise for Microsoft wait until the dust settles before coming to some hard and fast decisions on the release and pricing of a device being posed to take out the iPod. Now that everyone's reacted to the many posts on prospective and vaugely officious prices and theories, it would appear they've settled on $249.99 (not to be undercut by Apple after all), and will be launching the device in the US market on November 14th. Other pricing includes individual tracks for 79 Microsoft points apiece, and your standard $14.99 monthly fee for the Zune Pass service; Microsoft's also released some details on the Zune accessory line, which will run between $19.99 and a hundred bucks for:

• Zune Home A/V Pack ($100 - dock, remote, AV cables, extra battery, sync cable, adapter)
• Zune Travel Pack ($100 - Dual Connect remote, premium headphones, bag, cable, and adapter)
• Zune Car Pack ($80 - FM tuner, car charger)
• AV cable ($20)
• AC adapter ($30)
• sync cable ($20)
• car charger ($24)
• dock (with AV output, but no AV cable for $40)
• wireless remote (for control of zune dock, $30)
• Dual Connect remote (for inline control and splitting the audio out for two people, $30)
• Zune FM Transmitter (with autoseek, which finds the optimal station and, at $70, the optimal way to sap your cash),
• gear bag (which, um, contains all these friggin' expensive accessories, itself $30)
• ... and premium earphones (sound isolating canalphones for $40)

It'll also, as you may have heard, come with a ton of preloaded content from such bands as CSS (Cansei de Ser Sexy, not cascading style sheets), Band of Horses, The Rakes, The Thermals, etc., and videos from Serena-Maneesh, The Fruit Bats, and even some film shorts and images of classic rock posters (huh?). We'd kind of hoped the whole pandering to the disenfranchised iPod user might have resulted in more included (or at very least cheaper) accessories, but $20 for a USB cable is indeed low hanging fruit that apparently not even the artful Zuners could pass up.

[Mithun Paul @ Sep 28th 2006 9:09AM]

wowie, been waiting for this, cant wait ot gert my hands on one

[Carl Trimble @ Sep 28th 2006 9:23AM]

I feel sorry for whom ever buys one of these. Maybe microsoft could make it a little more difficult to understand how much money your actually spending.

You get 10 microsoft points for every $100. These zune players are cheap, only 25 microsoft points to get one. Then you need headphones, charger, car adapter because no cars already have one built in and no after market radios support the zune. All in all... the end = 750 microsoft point which equals out to about $7500.

Not bad?

[que @ Sep 28th 2006 10:02AM]

what are you smoking? 10 microsoft points for $100? that would mean that each song is $790? i dont think so. check your facts.

[Kyle @ Sep 28th 2006 3:49PM]

10 microsoft points for $100? Your retarded, just flat out. You throw random numbers together and say the Zune costs 7000$. It's $100 for TEN THOUSAND points.

[ryan panella @ Oct 2nd 2006 12:22PM]

that is not the convertion 79 points=$1 you were way off

[Andy @ Sep 28th 2006 9:23AM]

Wait... FM tuner for $70? I thought that was built in...

On second thought, when it says "to find the optimal station" it sounds more like an FM TRANSMITTER, not a tuner.

[Jarod @ Sep 28th 2006 9:23AM]

I don't see what the excitement is. There are TONs of iPod competitors (or so called ipod killers) that destroy this piece of shit from Microsoft and yet they have barely sold anything. People are giving this zune more credit than it's worth. It's no iPod, will never be an iPod, and will always be a cheap, defective, piece of crap synonymous to Microsoft's reputed level of quality.

[robetc @ Sep 28th 2006 3:02PM]

and apple is the one that has all the hardware problems not microsoft. microsoft hardware is the best and never has problems

[Ashley Allen @ Sep 28th 2006 9:32AM]

Whats with all the hate? Ok, you guys own an iPod, no need to go all tribal about it.

$14.99 for all you can eat subscription! bargin. Though being in the UK I wonder how long we're going to have to wait, I hope it isn't too long, Maybe they'll do a UK launch soon since we're so cool when it comes to music.

[BobbyW @ Sep 28th 2006 9:33AM]

What Jarod said. Microsoft is sooo out of touch. When it comes to style, key for a product in this category, they have zero.
With as long as they took for Vista I don't understand why they didn't start over with a brand new OS. Or pile on to Unix like Apple does. Obviously what they have now is a nightmare for every user. Why continue down that road?

[Geoff @ Sep 28th 2006 9:39AM]

Microsoft is releasing a device that plays music and video! I am so mad and angry!!

[dSboy @ Sep 28th 2006 9:46AM]

bye bye Apple!

its been swell while it lasted...

NOT!

[Ssco @ Sep 28th 2006 9:48AM]

$20 for a sync cable?!

You've got to be joking. Do you not get one in the box?

[Shawn Lomas @ Sep 28th 2006 2:12PM]

Apple charges $40 for theirs... http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=6243905&st=apple+usb&type=product&id=1069301596363

[Brian @ Sep 28th 2006 9:50AM]

*yawn*

Well, it was a valiant effort. Maybe the Zune 2 will be more tempting.

[Purrrrrrr @ Sep 28th 2006 9:50AM]

Everyone one of us has a consumer vote. I happen to want one. Haters need not buy one. Btw, what's the point in hating? These silly comments does nothing to persuade me otherwise.

[Alex Wilks @ Sep 28th 2006 9:51AM]

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2006/sep06/09-28ZunePricingAvailabilityPR.mspx
Press release for all those confused about what you actually get for your money. FM tuner is just the itrip-esque modulator, and radio comes built in as expected :).

[Chris @ Sep 28th 2006 9:53AM]

It'll be successful on some level because it's the "anti-iPod." And the brown will probably be successful for that same reason.

What I tire of hearing is how innovative this is. Adding features to an already successful model (iPod+iTunes) isn't innovation. It's adding features. If they were innovative, they would have come up with a device and distribution system that was unlike the current offerings, or so different that it made everyone in the space take a step back.

You know, kind of like a certain little device did 5 years ago.

[Robert Frost @ Oct 5th 2006 1:27AM]

I don't think I have heard ever how innovative this is because it isn't in no way. The Wii is innovative this on the other hand is not. But that won't stop me from buying one I think I lost my Podular device and this looks sweet. Plus everyone has iPods. I'll be the first to walk into the dark.

[General Public @ Sep 28th 2006 9:54AM]

To the five people that will have actually bought a Zune: What were you thinking?

[Dustin Albertson @ Sep 28th 2006 10:24AM]

What are you talking about.....im so sick of hearing about ipods...I personally will check this out as i like the look and features...i had an ipod and sold it to get rid of it...the ipod is like pink polos....whenever you see a 60 year old man wearing one its time to get rid of it....

[greatsunjester @ Sep 28th 2006 9:56AM]

When you send a music file to the Zune, it gets infected with DRM ---- does it also infect the original file on your computer?

Also, any guesses as to when someone gets Linux to install on the machine? :)

[Ryan @ Sep 28th 2006 11:18AM]

"When you send a music file to the Zune, it gets infected with DRM ---- does it also infect the original file on your computer?"

It actually does not "infect" anything with a DRM. The guy who actually made that comment, apologized and admitted he made a mistake with his wording. The Zune to Zune wireless sharing is built into the hardware, so any song sent will be subject to the 3 play/3 day rules. It does not actually add any form of DRM to the song.

I also don't get why so many people hate on this thing, just to hate on it. It has a nice feature set as well as a nice screen. The biggest question I have is how does it sound. I have heard fairly regularly that iPod does not rule the market in sound quality, but can not verify this. My point is why not give something a chance, if it is in fact a quality piece of equipment then what's the harm in buying one?

[EdZ @ Sep 28th 2006 10:00AM]

"but �11 ($20) for a USB cable is indeed low hanging fruit that apparently not even the artful Zuners could pass up"
Hey, it worked for Apple!

[Regula Oblique @ Sep 28th 2006 10:01AM]

Wheres the Rap and preloaded country music, im telling you this thing is going to tank if they dont put any ludacris or shania twain up on that mug.

[Carl Trimble @ Sep 28th 2006 10:07AM]

Oh... Sorry should have said I was exaggerating a little. You couldn't tell?

[dSboy @ Sep 28th 2006 10:02AM]

all you iPod freaks need to shut the hell up! somebody needs to put Apple in its place and the only company who can and will is Microsoft with Zune! iPods are low-quality pieces of crap! this is what i mean: crappy impossible-to-replace batteries that conk out on you real fast...crappy headphones with horrible audio quality and build...i could go on but you get the idea...Apple will learn a lesson, which is not to treat your customers like sheep.

[Chad @ Sep 28th 2006 10:05AM]

Man, people love to hate MS. It looks like a pretty good setup to me. It basically does what an ipod can do and added extra functionality on top of it. The accessories are friggen ridiculously priced but there's always 3rd party ones. I'll see how they pan out over a couple months but I can see myself buying one.

[Goodman @ Sep 28th 2006 10:07AM]

Strangely, Engadget didn't mention Reuters' report that "Microsoft said it will initially sell only music -- and no video -- at the Zune Marketplace." So the only real point of the Zune will be the crippled wireless "loaning" of songs with other Zunes, of which there will be none.

Yeah, I get that this is a Microsoft 1.0 product, a sacrificial lamb intended more for Microsoft to get their foot in the door than anything else. But until and unless a 2.0 or 3.0 product comes out that's actually competitive, it seems like a non-event.

[Dustin Albertson @ Sep 28th 2006 10:29AM]

Hey GOODMAN........

Yeah reuters is known for its reliable news.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3286966,00.html

[boolean22 @ Sep 28th 2006 10:38AM]

Oh, please, be honest, does anybody here had bought a video to put on his iPod to try the thing out!? I don't think so. The first scenario would be loading it with already owned videos and music, and personal files, rather than start using the freaking store right away.
I personally loathe the iTunes Store... always stuffed my MP3 player with already owned music. Having the CD/DVD-Case is not comparable to downloading the artwork from the net, pal. SO STOP COMPARING irrelevant points!
The thing is stylish, has a knack for good taste, costs the same and does the same with bigger screen, more formats support, and includes Wi-Fi: expect these things to be able to hook up to your router with a Firmware revision soon enough. I don't even care it's from Microsoft!! ZUNE is intended as a new brand/branch, just as iPod and Apple look like two companies more and more each day no matter what they do.

[Tim @ Sep 28th 2006 10:14AM]

Haha.. I have to laugh at all the people slamming the so-called "haters". Most of whom, if you've read the comments haven't even said the magic "iPod" word.

Look, it's great that MS is making their foray into this market, albeit, about 2-3 years late and it's not a bad looking device, decent screen anyway. But as people have mentioned over and over and over, it's not about killing the iPod, it's about competing with iPod+iTunes+iTunesMusicStore.

If the "Zune Marketplace" works for people, then it'll do fine. If not, it'll die, but slowly due to the MS life-support capabilities.

But in the end, with all the iPod haters here at the Engadget comment farm, you guys don't have any reason to bitch when the MS haters show up.

[Dustin Albertson @ Sep 28th 2006 10:19AM]

Im so sick of people dissing microsoft and apple and linux. They all have their advantages and disadvantages. MS must be doing something right to make as much money and to be as popular as they are.....if apple was them then people would be talking $hit about them.....if you dont like MS then ok....but to continually trash them over and over is stupid...especially when you are using their software. If you dont like them so much then use the alternatives which suck in comparison.

[Purrrrrrr @ Sep 28th 2006 10:20AM]

For the record, I mentioned "haters" but did not make any refence the the "i" brand.

[Dman @ Sep 28th 2006 10:22AM]

Now Playing:
root/Cansei_de_Ser_Sexy_-_Lets_Make_Lov.wma

[Moe @ Sep 28th 2006 10:26AM]

OK. Lets not be haters or lovers for that matter. First the iPod is not a piece of junk and their customers are not sheep any less than Xbox fans are. If you are a consumer, you CHOOSE what device you want. Your opinion is simply your opinion. With that said, The iPod has the style, the marketing, the content that we all love (and some hate). MS is years late on its device and they have a tree full of money. MS admitted that they are selling the Zune to be competitive and they will LOSE money while selling it. I don't think that its a wise idea specially if it tanks. Personally, the screenshots look beautiful (because of the screen). But so did the PSP widescreen, and I have to say, the PSP ended up being a piece of crap. Lovely screen, bad battery, not so exciting games, hard to put movies, music, pics. So, that in itself its not a "plus" for MS. I see the device a bit cluncky, and unattractive. However, I wouldn't call it a piece of crap. I would just say that the consumer has to be bought by "eye candy". And whether we love to admit it... the iPod is eye candy to the millions of consumers who have one. And it just works flawlessly. I hope MS challenges the iPod, because I know that Apple would redesign and bring out a really amazing device. As you heard it before. Competition is great for us, the consumer.

[Jen @ Sep 28th 2006 10:26AM]

"'but �11 ($20) for a USB cable is indeed low hanging fruit that apparently not even the artful Zuners could pass up'
Hey, it worked for Apple!"

Hah! No kidding. Every accessory cost that much and more for the iPod. Apple fanboys, please shut up. For once. No one cares.

P.S. I own an iPod, but I may check out the Zune, too.

[emanji @ Sep 28th 2006 10:34AM]

Zune is way too fat

[Chris @ Sep 28th 2006 10:37AM]

The issue is if the 6g ipod looked exactly the same and added drm based wifi sharing and community services... and a slightly bigger screen...b asically matching the ipod rather than cussing about it the ipod lovers would be going insane praising apple... and at the same time the device would probably be 299.99 rather than 249...

Its simple feature for feature they win... bigger screen for less money = zune END OF STORY

Dont even get me started on the fact that their is a subscription service rather than only a per song like itunes.

[Geoff @ Sep 28th 2006 10:40AM]

Not really fair to compare the Zune to the PSP. With the PSP games drive the system and if there aren't good games the system will fail. With the Zune it is a music player. It plays the same exact music that you would listen to on any other music device. So it just comes down to which music device has features that suit your needs.

For me, when it comes time to upgrade my ipod I'll buy whichever device has the features I need. Whether that is a device from Microsoft, Apple, Creative or whoever else. I'm not going to marry myself to one brand. That is asinine. As is hating a device just because of the name that appears on the front of it.

[rainking187 @ Sep 28th 2006 7:14PM]

"Not really fair to compare the Zune to the PSP. With the PSP games drive the system and if there aren't good games the system will fail."

Yep, that's pretty much what happened.

I'm waiting to see how easy it is to use. With iTunes I can add songs to my iPod in whatever format I want pretty quickly. If I have to get a program to convert the files and then add them through WMP then I'll stick with my iPod. Heck, unless they release a larger model then 30GB soon I'll probably just stick with the iPod anyways.

[chris @ Sep 28th 2006 10:40AM]

I want a Zune. It just has a great name, ZUUUUUNNNNNEEEE ^_^ so.. who's really gonna buy a Zune? I am.

[dSboy @ Sep 28th 2006 10:41AM]

http://www.appledefects.com/wiki/index.php?title=IPod_Nano

the above link is a small but important example of what happens when there is a bad monopoly such as the one Apple is enjoying right now...mind you, this is just one tiny example i dug up; quality control issues in the other 'Pods exist as well, not to mention iTunes sotware glitches...its better for consumers if the mp3 player market is more evenly balanced...

what isnt better for consumers is iPod and Apple obsession because some of you freaks are bashing the Zune without accurate knowledge of the product, or first-hand experience using it.

[Rivendale @ Sep 28th 2006 10:50AM]

I would love to get a Zune at launch, but I'll have to stick with my Zen Touch until I can get a little more money... People are getting tired of the iPod and want something different, and this will fill that gap (and it doesn't matter if it's better or not, people just want something new)...

And did you guys see the release date, do you realize how ridiculous those six days are going to be to gadget freaks...

November 14th - Zune releases
November 17th - PS3 releases
November 19th - Wii releases

[boolean22 @ Sep 28th 2006 10:52AM]

Doesn't anybody remember the "Malibu Stacy vs. Lisa Lionheart" Simpson Episode? Malibu Stacy is iPod, which had to add games to say: "hey, we made some changes", that's its Stacy "NEW HAT" edition. As in that episode, the Apple product may win, but only "because".
Stay open for choices, 'cause that's what made all you're seeing right now possible.

[JP @ Sep 28th 2006 11:18AM]

The one thing I find interesting is this bundle:

Zune Home A/V Pack ($100 - dock, remote, AV cables, extra battery, sync cable, adapter)

extra battery?? Yay! that means that people will be able to replace the battery when it gets warn out instead of either spending half of what a new iPod would cost or just buying a new iPod... not to mention if you are going on an extended trip without being able to charge your player, being able to switch out batteries is huge....

[Colin @ Sep 28th 2006 11:50PM]

The Home A/V Pack has no extra battery (It doesn't sound right for home use to me anyway), and I understand the battery is internal.
From Microsoft Fact Sheet: "When you buy the Zune Home AV Pack, you�ll get the AC Adapter, AV Output Cable, Dock, Sync Cable and Wireless Remote. "

[Alric Lopez @ Sep 28th 2006 11:20AM]

Bigger than an iPod with less battery time? Why would they compete with the iPod when the best-selling iPod is the nano? Don't get it...

[n8diggity @ Sep 28th 2006 11:24AM]

Extra battery or external battery? I thought Engadget had previously said that the battery wasn't user replaceable.

[davidwb @ Sep 28th 2006 11:26AM]

$249 for a cheap knockoff that really only brings something to the table (wifi sharing) if a significant number of people buy it? Does Microsoft really think this thing will sell?