Can Europe start dreaming about a brown (Zune) Christmas?

Although it didn't seem like our European readership was too broken up over reports that the Zune wouldn't hit their shores until as late as 2008 ("I didn't want to buy one of those crappy things anyway, the Americans can keep them," declared one disinterested commenter), we're sure there are at least a couple less vocal readers out there who will be stoked to learn that Microsoft may be inviting them to "the social" as early as the end of this year. According to Marketing Director Jason Reindorp, "The industry moves in this sort of Christmas to Christmas cycle [gee, really? - ed.]...[therefore] our next round of introductions will probably be in time for the holiday of this year." Speaking to attendees at the annual Midem Net music industry conference in France, Reindorp went on to say that Microsoft execs "feel really good about the first steps that we've taken," and that rather than target the iPod immediately, Zune is on a three-year plan to "firmly and solidly get on the radar." Foolish aspiration, you say? Maybe, but just remember how several years ago some people thought that it was silly for Microsoft to try and break into console gaming -- now we can barely pull enough Engadget editors away from multiplayer Gears of War to run the damn site.

[Cowboy Bob @ Jan 21st 2007 11:55AM]

So?

[noize @ Jan 21st 2007 5:44PM]

I live in the UK and have recently imported a Zune. They work perfectly fine once the fireware update it installed. This PC works good with the software and the Zune itself, but the owners PC does not work so fuidly. I would reccomend it to anyone that wants a multi media player, unlike the ipod G5, you get better everything. It is a serious peice of kit but the promise or future of it coming over here for any market shifting reason is not really going to happen. Oh well, I liek it, and i hope and wish many others alike will.

[rems @ Jan 21st 2007 7:37PM]

it is strange that they show a UK country image when they're talking about Europe, I didn't know all Europe's coutries were inside UK.

[poxtomod @ Jan 21st 2007 12:01PM]

What about Canada? I bought one launch week and have had no problems with mine, I would recommend it more if it was available here. The only gripe I have is that I can not utilize their Zune Marketplace, which i would not use even if it was available.

[David @ Jan 21st 2007 12:02PM]

Europe = United Kingdom?

[Paddy @ Jan 21st 2007 2:07PM]

Not only does it seem that Europe is just the UK, they seem to have flooded the Republic of Ireland. I hate when that happens!!

Anyway, zune = meh, IMO.

[tekdroid @ Jan 21st 2007 12:04PM]

I can say, without hesitation, that Microsoft's 3-year plan to "firmly and solidly get on the radar" will be subject to the 3-days-or-3-plays Digital Rights Restrictions.

[icepop4who @ Jan 21st 2007 12:04PM]

this sounds about right. without a global zune launch, the zune can hardly scratch iPod's shiny armor.

[Lee @ Jan 21st 2007 12:07PM]

yer stop including the UK eg England in europe know one i know wants to be in europe

[DaveA @ Jan 21st 2007 12:20PM]

[Quote]yer stop including the UK eg England in europe know one i know wants to be in europe[/Quote]

You should get out more. Whether you, or your acquaintances, like it or not the UK is part of Europe both geographically and politically. The latter after a referendum.

[Mr. B @ Jan 21st 2007 1:37PM]

That's what you get for voting away your sovereignty.

[lakofka @ Jan 21st 2007 12:12PM]

Here in the UK, 'the social' was/is a term sometimes used to refer to unemployment benefit or other state financial support. As a result, 'welcome to the social' has a somewhat different connotation to that which Microsoft presumably intends.

[Evan @ Jan 21st 2007 2:12PM]

Hahaha I remember hearing a story that I believe it was Chevy tried to bring a car called the Nova into south america, but in Spanish Nova means doesnt go. It took Chevy a few months to realize why the car wasnt selling

[Jypson @ Jan 21st 2007 1:05PM]

"Here in the UK, 'the social' was/is a term sometimes used to refer to unemployment benefit or other state financial support. As a result, 'welcome to the social' has a somewhat different connotation to that which Microsoft presumably intends." - lakofka

Thats awesome, I love how the meaning in phrases and the like get lost and contorted in the translation.

[Ihar `Philips` Filipau @ Jan 21st 2007 4:48PM]

Holy smoke! That's hilarious!!!

In fact, the same goes for Germany - even more I think than in UK, since lots of Germans like to live more off social system rather than to search for work.

[Filip Serban @ Jan 21st 2007 6:03PM]

That wasn't Chevy. That Was Dacia Automobile from Romania. And "Doesn't go" is 70% true. The model is no longer produced.

[IOTA @ Jan 21st 2007 3:06PM]

Wasn't the U.K. part of the, "Coalition of the Willing"? Last I checked, the EU (as a whole) stayed out of the whole mess.

[2Perfect @ Jan 21st 2007 4:50PM]

[sarcasm]haven't you heard? There's a new continent out ;)[/sarcasm]

Anyway, as much as I don't really like microsoft basically making all kinds of electronics, its money for them. And, just as you compared it to the xbox, they'll probably become a major competitor of the iPod in a few years time.

A company needs to step up and compete with microsoft... by joining in to all sorts of electronics xD (google? lol)

[Anto @ Jan 21st 2007 7:44PM]

Not if I've got anything to say about it!

[Fred @ Jan 21st 2007 12:25PM]

Shouldn't Microsoft expand their lineup into a smaller nano-esque player before it thinks about launching the bigger, less consumer-friendly device. That is unless they've accepted what everyone already knows, no consumer in their right mind would take the fiddly, large and clunky Zune over any flavour of ipod and the nano in particular.

[ph @ Jan 21st 2007 12:29PM]

"Here in the UK, 'the social' was/is a term sometimes used to refer to unemployment benefit or other state financial support. As a result, 'welcome to the social' has a somewhat different connotation to that which Microsoft presumably intends."

I hate socialism/socialist countries.

Long live Lesse Fair!

Long live the Zune! ;)

[TeddyN @ Jan 21st 2007 12:47PM]

"Long live Lesse Fair!"
It doesn't exactly help your cause that you miss-spelt 'Laissez Faire'...

And isn't 'hate' a strong word to describe your feelings towards socialism? That's a fairly narrow-minded viewpoint considering that this, like many other ideologies, has made many positive (as well as negative) contributions to civilisation... How about free universal education? Or the police? Or free healthcare (or the less inspiring medicare for americans...)? These things could be provided by the free market but there would be many negative side-effects:
the rich employing security guards to protect rich neighbourhoods, while poor neighbourhoods suffer from crime of Moghadishu-like proportions; the wealthy getting premium healthcare whilst the poor waste away... the rich maintaining a monopoly on the good jobs because the poor can't afford decent education...

So before you declare yourself in favour of 'lesse faire'... Consider the broader implications of socialism beyond the superficial Marxist slogans.

To get back on topic though, I think the Zune looks pretty nice. I was very tempted to buy one (in brown, no less). I consider this a worthy iPod adversary, especially once we reach the second generation (a la xbox 360). You may believe that it has crippled functionality, but that is dwarfed by the iPod's crippleware.

[Karl @ Jan 21st 2007 12:34PM]

There's no need to delay it until christmas. It's not like the Zune is selling out across the USA.

Microsoft need to release the Zune long before the iPhone. It's still a distant dream in the EU. Microsoft needs to get them first.

[Dave @ Jan 21st 2007 12:43PM]

"I hate socialism/socialist countries.

Long live Lesse Fair!"

You mean Laissez-Faire? Or is "Lesse Fair" the anti-French equivalent to Freedom Fries?

And you know, I'm surprised the Zune is being received so negatively. It just seemed to me like there was a lot more hype before the launch than the was during and after it. ::shrug::

[John Doe @ Jan 21st 2007 12:54PM]

You mean like the Origami, Vista, or pretty much any product ever released by Microsoft in their history....OK to be fair Windows 2000 DID live up to the hype when it launched.

[vellyplanchiste @ Jan 21st 2007 12:55PM]

the zune wont come by christmass 2007 so i'll bye an iphone

[ph @ Jan 21st 2007 1:01PM]

"These things could be provided by the free market but there would be many negative side-effects:
the rich employing security guards to protect rich neighbourhoods, while poor neighbourhoods suffer from crime of Moghadishu-like proportions; the wealthy getting premium healthcare whilst the poor waste away... the rich maintaining a monopoly on the good jobs because the poor can't afford decent education... "

Of course, in pure lesse faire, there would not be many, if and, poor. America has a much better economy and is a richer nation than europe, and is far less socialist than the majority of european countries.

Oh,and I live in Europe. And I want the zune! ;)

[DaveA @ Jan 21st 2007 2:54PM]

@PH: what on earth makes you think that under a laissez-faire system, however "pure", there would not be any poor? Looking back to when governments placed few limits on business and had no social programmes poverty, disease and lack of education were rife. Few voters today would be prepared to accept the consquences of no social policies.

[ph @ Jan 21st 2007 1:02PM]

And yes, I have terrible spelling ;)

[Murc @ Jan 21st 2007 7:26PM]

I dont consider UK part of Europe...but whatever...

And I hate the Zunes saying "welcome to the Social"...its lame.

However haveing a catch phrase be lame doesn't make me want the product any less, I'll probably pick up a Zune next week.

[Adrian @ Jan 21st 2007 1:14PM]

I don't care about the Zune, if or when it hits the UK - I'm hoping Apple will come out with a touch screen iPod (like the iPhone's) - now that would be MP3 player of 2007!

[Kinetix @ Jan 21st 2007 1:16PM]

@ph Europe is a continent, consisting of multiple nations, and therefore the economy cannot be compared to that of America's (of course I am assuming that by America you are referring to the USA, otherwise your statement is illogical anyway)...

Now I'm no expert on the economy or politics, but your statements seem rather contrived, and completely without evidence.

[Ronald @ Jan 21st 2007 1:17PM]

It wil cost like 299 euro's here thats about 390 dollar. Who the f*** will even want to buy that peice of c***

[goldcd @ Jan 21st 2007 1:23PM]

I like the idea of the Zune, but just not the one MS actually dropped from their loins initially.
Could MS please create v2 before attempting to inflict it upon me, I might actually accept that (given I'm stuck with my iPod for now).

[per @ Jan 21st 2007 2:23PM]

it looks so funny without "soutern ireland" (as opposed to northern ireland).. almost as funny as finland and sweden on the euro-coins, without norway..

[BTG @ Jan 21st 2007 2:06PM]

I live in norway, and although there has been a big hype around the iPhone, i think the zune will, if not sell better, at least be more popular. Because in europe, the iPhone is so last-year, that it hurts... Just look at the specs. Anyways, we got the Nokia N95:D

[Will @ Jan 21st 2007 3:30PM]

Im from the UK and got mine for new ear and its fantastic, and i can't use some of the fuctions the device has to offer, get one off ebay if you can't wait, igot mine for las vegas but im sure ebay is a decent way of getting one if you can't wait.

[azz0r @ Jan 21st 2007 6:24PM]

They can stick it.

[ph @ Jan 21st 2007 3:27PM]

"@PH: what on earth makes you think that under a laissez-faire system, however "pure", there would not be any poor? Looking back to when governments placed few limits on business and had no social programmes poverty, disease and lack of education were rife. Few voters today would be prepared to accept the consquences of no social policies."

The US government used to be in the hands of socialist/keynsian politics. The economy was stagnant. Then Reagon came, and instituted supply side economics, which is very close to "lesse fair". The economy drastically improved. Europe is still very socialist, and I have seen the terrible economic affects of this (as I said, I live in europe.) Socialism does not help the poor, it merely hurts the rich.

As for europe being comprised of several nations, that may be true politically, but not so much economically. Why else would they have one currency?

[david ankers @ Jan 22nd 2007 2:43AM]

@PH: OK, the US economy is "stronger" after Reaganomics but that does not support your earlier assertion that "Of course, in pure lesse faire, there would not be many, if and, poor."

Do you have a more compelling example?

[QUOW @ Jan 21st 2007 3:33PM]

Am I the only one around here that likes my Zune? It seems a lot better than my friend's iPod, and I'm not tied to Apple in any way, which is a big plus.

I buy a device to perform a function (like, say, PLAY MUSIC), not for social style points (like, say, the whole idea behind anything "Apple"). Besides, I probably don't want to be mixed in with the people that base their life around something as insignificant as an MP3 player.

[Matt @ Jan 21st 2007 3:43PM]

I dont think there is much translation involved between english and english...

[Javaflash @ Jan 21st 2007 5:00PM]

QUOW, you're tied to Microsoft. I'm not sure that's a plus versus being tied to Apple.

Also, iPod fans are in the tens of millions, and I don't believe we all base our lives around iPods. We enjoy the superb user experience provided by Apple, just as you enjoy your Zune experience provided by Microsoft. Don't you think it's A bit rude to generalize all of us in one broad stroke?

[mike @ Jan 21st 2007 7:23PM]

"Then Reagon came, and instituted supply side economics..."

Um.. O'Reilly Factor viewer?

Ouch..

Dude. As a Canadian, I gotta say, the Government can be useful in taking care of things most sel-interested individuals don't want to think about... they're called EXTERNALITIES.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Externality

You're well on your way...

[Anto @ Jan 21st 2007 7:44PM]

I hope we never get this pile of brown plastic crap. I'd rather stick my headphone jack into a warm steaming piece of human S**t (not that you can see much difference between the two!)
YUK!!!! SICK!!

[elmer @ Jan 21st 2007 8:14PM]

I'm not sure an Xbox comparison bodes too well for them. That would imply a 4+ billion dollar loss, Zero Asian penetration, European apathy and a second iteration before people pay attention. And even then it'll only be 'HARDCORE SOCIALISERS' in on the scene. By which time Nintendo will enter the market.

[threefingeredlord @ Jan 22nd 2007 2:28AM]

I'll import a zune before then anyway....

[steve @ Jan 23rd 2007 11:35AM]

the features of the zune are pretty nice and the fact it plays video and costs less than even a nano and has a big screen is sweet.asthetics wise ipod and zune are pretty even. zunes gui looks better that is for sure.

[Andy @ Jan 24th 2007 8:55PM]

Don't get me started on politics. The only people that really celebrate 300 years of the Act of Union are the fat cats in Westminster by making a 2 pound commemorative coin! In Scotland the only thing that gets talked about is whether we should break from the UK or not. The UK government spends 3/4 of it's time sucking up the USA and the other 1/4 of the time sitting on the fence of EU politics. The EU just argues with Russia about gas. The USA argues with everyone while China just flexes it's muscles every so often just so that people don't forget about how they are getting stronger by the day.

The only time in the UK you ever here "Welcome to the social" is when you are pleading to a guy behind a protective screen not to stop your disabled, unemployment or incapacity benefit.

I am not really that exited about the Zune. I don't ask much in an "MP3 player". All I ask it it plays MP3s, it is easy to use, has as much storage as possible and a bit of style.

I think it's sad that people argue over whose DRM is "better" or "fairer". DRM is the biggest heap of crap in the tech world today. It makes me sick how much companies profit from blind comsumers who purchase this crap. When I buy a CD I can play it in my car, CD player, xbox, playstation, computer and anything else that can play audio CDs. When I rip it to my PC and transfer it to my MP3 player the law of the land frowns apon me and record companies go nuts. All it boils down to is greed. Yeh I agree the companies need to protect thier artists and profits but DRM is the wrong way to do it. Shutting down file sharing programs is and suing the people that make these programs instead of 12 year old kids is the way to discourage these programs and sites.

That is why I still buy the "dinosaur" CDs for more common artists and MP3s from independent artists and small lables. Yeh I know people are going to pick apart what I just said and argue against me but that is what a "democracy" and freedom of speech is all about.