http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/ Engadget Comments for Microsoft building a Zune factory http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/ http://www.funnyordie.com/v1/view_video.php?viewkey=eee1462c82c6964087ff]]>May 14th 2007 7:34PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/May 14th 2007 8:35PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/May 14th 2007 7:38PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/May 15th 2007 7:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/
I honestly do not know why people rated it the worst gadget of the year.

Oh wait I do...they are all Macintosh fanboys. Its funny how brand loyalty can diversely effect somebody's opinion on a product. Honestly, and truely its not a bad MP3 player.]]>May 14th 2007 7:41PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/
And when are they going to release a software update to allow basic podcast support?]]>May 14th 2007 7:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/May 14th 2007 9:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/
zune failed because of buggy & limited software + lousy toshiba style hardware.

when i bought zune, my old win2kpro system cannot be used for it & my xp notebook pc recognized, but zune software did not; i tried on 3 other xp pcs, but none worked. now, it is used as a very expensive radio & soon to be sold at the evilbay

if ms wants to change the market, ms needs to improve a lot on zune software & open the device to let users use at least as an usb storage]]>May 14th 2007 7:54PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/May 14th 2007 7:49PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/
Maybe if they actually build their own player this time instead of taking the Gigabeat S and ruining it; they might do better.]]>May 14th 2007 7:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/
Hmm, the last time I remembered, not all of us were picked Zune as the worst gadget of the year. I'm quite sure that Zune wasn't rated worst to a full 100%. But it's not a wonder why Zune was so negatively ranked on Engadget. The media out there (including Engadget) love to post Zune and Microsoft as the bad guys, while iPod and the Apple as the good guys. If people were open-minded, and actually tried the Zune without any bias and judge the device as itself, you'll find the Zune really isn't that bad. It's pretty nice actually. It's far from perfect, and with a little tweaks, maybe it could actually be better than the ipod. But I would definitely not say it's the worst gadget of the year. It's quite a good device. This is just the start. It will take time for Microsoft to get used to the PMP type of devices for the Zune to be sucessful. Rome wasn't built in a day.]]>May 14th 2007 7:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/May 14th 2007 9:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/
Oh, and the only reason the Zune is larger is because of the WiFi and Radio.

And, Microsoft never said "We are releasing an iPod-Killer" it was simply stated by people with high hopes for the device.]]>May 14th 2007 8:51PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/May 14th 2007 7:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/
I have a 5th gen iPod and it gets the job done, but i HATE the scroll wheel! I thought it was cool at first but now it just pisses me off when i select a song then accidentally push it up or down one when i move my thumb to the middle button.]]>May 14th 2007 7:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/
No its not prefect, but frankly is it that bad of a product?

Yes, the Wi-fi sucks! We got it! But it does incorporate an FM Tuner, nice interface, and large display into a fairly sexy PMP.

Yeah, the Zune Software did have issues at launch. Thanks for reminding me again. How about reminding us about how some of the iTunes upgrades have messed up libraries and made songs disappear?

It would be one thing if MS had said this was going to be a Ipod-killer. But they never did. The Zune was exactly what everyone expected, a fair decent PMP that captured a minor nugget of market share. ]]>May 14th 2007 7:59PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/May 15th 2007 8:46AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/"After seeing the zune in action, I would def have to say that it owns iPod xcore. I agree totally geoff, mac loyalty is getting in the way on this one."
Heh. Dude... do you realize that MORE PC users own iPods than Mac users? Given that iPods own over 70% of the market, the figures don't add up with what you're saying. I've tried the Zune, and the interface sucks for me. The scrolling top menu is irritating because I don't know what all the options are without scrolling through them. On the iPod, all the options are right there on the the screen. Instead of "clicking" a button to see more, I just swivel my thumb. I only "click" (exert effort) when I choose one. The Zune's design is simply "different". I think its cool to buy something for being "different", competition is good. Just don't fool yourself about what you're doing.
]]>May 16th 2007 7:20AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/May 14th 2007 8:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/
*spelled incorrectly ]]>May 14th 2007 8:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/May 15th 2007 2:41AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/May 14th 2007 8:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/"To meet the demand for current and future Zune manufacturing, Microsoft is looking to rent a small chicken coup to meet production needs."]]>May 14th 2007 9:15PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/May 14th 2007 8:28PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/
The same number of people who hate Vista and have actually used it. So in other words, zero. Unfortunate but true.]]>May 16th 2007 9:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/May 14th 2007 8:35PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/IMO,
ipod = great software and store, crappy device.
zune = bad software and limited marketplace, great device.

now I had two options, buy an ipod an be stuck with a bad device but stable software w/ podcast support and great selection of movies/tv shows or...
buy a zune and wait for the software to be less buggy and the marketplace to get more content.

clearly I made the right choice.]]>May 14th 2007 8:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/Again, why are you defending the Zune?]]>May 14th 2007 10:54PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/
The only thing I can figure is there are iDiots out there who really do become affectionate about outsourcing corporations and become threatened at the slightest bit of competition (even though they loudly decry the offending hardware has any merits whatsoever). I'm sorry, but ... getting a hard on for a freaking corporation? Grow up.

In terms of the zune- it needs to improve and expand it's wi-fi capabilities, it needs to get essential elements like podcasts right, it needs to improve it's form factor some and it needs to be sold at a significantly lower price. It's UI is actually much better than the iPod's- clearer, more colorful and quicker navigating. (Let the anguished howls begin).

Now why does the zune need to do all of this? Because it's trying to break into a market rightly dominated at the moment (and for the past several years) by a mature, polished product. ]]>May 14th 2007 8:32PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/May 14th 2007 8:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/]]>May 15th 2007 9:09AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/
False. Wifi and radio chips are miniscule in size these days. The iPod is smaller because Apple does its own design and has gone through multiple generations trying to make the device smaller.]]>May 15th 2007 11:44AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/May 14th 2007 8:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/
now if microsoft was really serious about this, they would make it open to third party apps. but thats too intelligent even for microsoft.]]>May 14th 2007 8:58PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/May 14th 2007 9:08PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/
Clearly, the david Zune is going strength against the goliath ipod.]]>May 14th 2007 9:04PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/
JR]]>May 14th 2007 9:32PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zune#Criticism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPod#Criticisms

There are other manufacturers out there. Other manufacturers that don't seem to think the RIAA/MPAA rules the world - or your entertainment choices. But I suppose it's par for the course to compare two mediocre RIAA-approved restrictive devices spewing out lossy tunes from the megacorps, which is why we always get the constant "Zune versus iPod" comments.

But there's a whole world out there.]]>May 14th 2007 9:41PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/
Is this a new craze sweeping fanboys everywhere?

Guys, pound for pound, the iPod kills every other MP3 player on the planet. That's why it's number one. Apple knows what the fuck their doing.

Micro$oft's plan; continue to throw shareholders money right out the window. This is definitely going to sting the M$ Entertainment Division again.

When will these dopes learn? ]]>May 15th 2007 5:59PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/
You obviously know nothing about the DAP market (or its history) at all. All you know is your man-love for Steve knows no boundaries.

Apple has brand dominance, true enough. They managed to beat out all the small guys when the mp3 player biz was taking off. But anyone that knows the history (or even some of the history) of the DAP industry knows that the iPod HAS never been and IS not the best "pound for pound mp3 player on the planet."

Neither is the Zune for that matter. But based on features alone... Zune is one step ahead. So given that the Zune is slightly heavier... i'd say they are about equal.

Anyways, carry on with your ignorance, Apple zealot!

]]>May 15th 2007 6:30PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/
Windows has 90% market share, and how did they get that? They were one of the first to make an OS easy enough that common morons could use a computer. With you defending the iPod so with so much bias, that must mean...hmmmm....]]>May 15th 2007 8:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/
Really, I don't know why you guys have this incessant need to rip on the Zune in every post made about it. I haven't met anyone who hasn't liked my Zune, and if the hardware itself wasn't enough to sell them on, the colors were. You make think the brown color is ugly, but that's you. I personally don't like the white iPod and how scratched and smudged it gets, but I don't sit there complaining about it.

Competition is good, so why don't you leave the fighting, the bickering, and the competition to the companies that produce these products.]]>May 14th 2007 10:49PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/
Uh, neither does the iPod. I have a 3rd gen and 5.5 gen and neither has had any problems. A few scratches but no hardware malfunctions. I used the 3rd gen pretty heavily and same goes with the newer one.]]>May 15th 2007 11:41AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/the zune has a nice screen, looks good, has a nice feel, and has cool features, and it has the potential w/ the wifi in it.
]]>May 15th 2007 12:03AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/>> The Zune is larger, but will not break as
>> easily as the iPod,

Really? So, you've conducted extensive testing, or are you making a blind assumption? I'm going to go with u making an ass and such.

Dragod wrote:
>> and scratch resistant.

I never complained about iPod scratches. Sorry.

Dragod wrote:
>> Second, the battery is much better than the
>> iPod, about an hour and a half more in music
>> playback, and about 20 mins longer with videos.

Let's see. Are you lying? Let's find out!!!

iPod 30GB
* Music playback time:
Up to 14 hours when fully charged
* Video playback time: Up to 3.5 hours
when fully charged
---
iPod 80GB
* Music playback time:
Up to 20 hours when fully charged
* Video playback time: Up to 6.5 hours
when fully charged
---
http://www.apple.com/ipod/specs.html

Zune 30 GB
* Music, up to 14 hours (wireless off),
up to 13 hours (wireless on);
* Video up to 4 hours
---
http://www.zune.net/en-us/meetzune/techspecs/player.htm

Wow. Maybe you can't read. Your music measurements are complete fabrications, although for the comparable model iPod, your video playback is about right (20-30 min more on the Zune), as long as the Zune user doesn't use the wireless or radio (which take more power). Hey, I have the bigger iPod model, so I guess for people like me, your comments don't even resemble reality at all.

Dragod wrote:
>> And about DRM, I'd like to see your iPod with
>> subscription music;

I wouldn't. Of course, I don't have cable either. I just watch free tv, listen to free podcasts, and download some cable-based TV shows occassionally and rent DVDs with Netflix. Believe it or not, there are a number of people who couldn't care less about a music subscription service. Hm... pay $10 every single month, even though I pay nothing now... with the exception of an album here or there? When I stop paying, I lose all my music and have nothing for all that billing? Meh. NO THANKS. Of course, most folks are using FairUse4WM anyway.

Dragod wrote:
>> Oh and when I buy something on Xbox Live
>> and I don't use all the points, I can buy
>> Songs with the remainder, it's not all
>> stuck in one store.

LOL!!! Oh my GOD! You actually did it! You made the fact that Microsoft keeps your money in float... a FEATURE!!! You DO realize that iTunes only charges you for what you BOUGHT right? A $9.99 album only charges you $9.99? A 99 cent song only costs 99 cents? You're money isn't "locked up" in anything! Wow. Some fast footwork there, but its pretty lame still.

Dragod wrote:
>> And Guess what? There are podcasting things
>> for the Zune.

Podcasting "things". That's... um... so cool. I'm drooling here.

Dragod wrote:
>> Larger Screen.

I'll give you that one. As far as larger screens, I want an iPhone though, not a pitstop. Both the iPhone and my iPod have lots of 7" screen accessories for them though. You can even get one with a DVD player built in, where your iPod fits snug in the back. Mm. Much better.

Dragod wrote:
>> And between limited WiFi and no WiFi,
>> I choose limited WiFi.

Don't be ridiculous. "Limited WiFi" isn't a feature, dude. You can "share" certain songs and pictures with other Zune users for 3 plays or 3 days? Yikes. Infrared on the Palm was a LOT more useful, and even it didn't change the world. Again, mutha-frickin iPhone next month. iPod owners don't even lose any of their investment. Browsing the net. That's what WiFi is for.

Dragod wrote:
>> Oh, and what station is the radio on
>> your iPod? Oh wait... no radio...
>> Damn. looks like we've got a crappy
>> product here.
>> How could I ever be so stupid as to buy one?

You do realize don't you? --Some people don't CARE about radios in their PMPs, that's why Apple sells it as a $50 accessory. Uh, oh! Perish the thought, $50...! Stop the presses, they've broken the bank! And, I get a remote control for easy station surfing? Sweet.
http://www.apple.com/ipod/accessories.html

Dragod wrote:
>> Oh, and the only reason the Zune is larger
>> is because of the WiFi and Radio.

Crippled WiFi and a radio that most people don't care about... that's the rationale for a bulkier device? Sorry, Charlie, its still not a slam dunk excuse. You know what would make Zune's built-in radio much more innovative? If it had a built-in FM transmitter too... and allowed people to "share" music by "transmitting" and having other Zune users "tune in" with their built-in radio. Wouldn't that be cool? Or, maybe if Zune could record radio programs, or even "radio-Tivo" them. It can't though. Other non-iPod PMPs can though.

Wait... iPod can at least be used to do Voice Memos. Zune can't do that? No??????? WTF!

What did you say? Microsoft doesn't let me use Zune as a hard drive?

Whoa... this isn't looking good.

Well, at least Zune should be able to connect to XBox wirelessly. NO??? Crap, not going to happen in the future without an extra purchase, is it?

Well... well, maybe I can buy videos in the Zune marketplace like TV shows and play it on my Zune, like with iTunes? No????

Well, at least I can play PlaysForSure movies from Amazon, 'cause its Microsoft, right? No?

Jesus.

Dragod wrote:
>> And, Microsoft never said "We are
>> releasing an iPod-Killer" it was simply
>> stated by people with high hopes for the device.

Suck it up. You're an early adopter of something you think may someday be something much greater than it is now. And, stop pretending that Microsoft wasn't expecting something much more warmly received. This is a polished turd. Case closed.

Dragod. It's ok. Other people bought one too.]]>May 14th 2007 11:10PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/
I didn't read your whole post cuz it got lame after a while... but it seems for the most part your arguments are "SOME people don't care about this" and "SOME people don't care about that"

But the bottom line is, you are actually in the MINORITY when it comes to people who, for example, "don't care" about having an FM tuner. For example, if there was a current iPod, and an iPod with an FM tuner for a few dollars more... the majority of people would probably buy the latter... arguing otherwise would be retarded.

And as far as the iPod breaking goes... I don't think anyone needs to do "extensive testing" on their own... it's a known fact that they have historically been unreliable. I personally have gone through 2 ipods to date (i know a few people who are on their 2nd or 3rd as well). I am currently on my third (a nano) which hasn't broken... yet. Does that qualify as extensive testing? lol

Look Steve, there is room for the ipod and the Zune. Don't get so worked up over it. SO there are better products that the iPod, there always has been! So the Zune is currently better, and sounds like it is going to get even better real soon. So what? Apple still has brand dominance in this market... Apple will sell another 100 million iPods before its all said and done... they will just have to do it with less than 70% market share.]]>May 15th 2007 1:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/> "But the bottom line is, you are actually in the MINORITY when it comes to people who, for example, "don't care" about having an FM tuner. For example, if there was a current iPod, and an iPod with an FM tuner for a few dollars more... the majority of people would probably buy the latter..."

LOL. IF, IF, IF. Careful, Argentina, you're going to IF me to death. You have inescapable "probably" logic. :-)

Anyway, reread my words. I have nothing against integrated radios. They're just not hugely popular amongst Apple's customers... so, just because the Zune has one, and its a separate accessory for iPod owners... well, I think it makes sense. Moreover, instead of buying a Zune, if I wanted a player with a radio, I'd get one that let me record from the radio as well. They're out there, and that would be a much more worthwhile feature to switch from the iPod over (as iPods can't do that without feeding the headphones into the microphone). Moreover, Zune can't even record memos, which is an even more popular feature for people.

Don't cry now, Argentina.
]]>May 16th 2007 7:15AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/May 21st 2007 6:35PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/May 14th 2007 11:31PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/14/microsoft-building-a-zune-factory/May 14th 2007 11:44PM