Zune fire sale sees reductions of up to sixty bucks

Hey wait Microsoft, weren't you supposed to be working on reducing the prices for that other consumer electronics device? The Zune appears to be in the middle of a sale at the moment, as several US retailers have put the price of the portable media player down with reductions being above 20% in the case of Staples's $60-off promotion. We all know how fickle retailers are when it comes to pricing -- if one does it, they all do it -- but surely it's not a great sign for the Zune to get such significant discounts under a year after its launch. This could be an indication of an impending announcement of a successor for the Zune (in which case this price cut is doubleplusgood), but it's not like you know who ever had to lower prices to raise interest in their outgoing PMP models.

[Thanks, Bryan P]

Read - BestBuy ($220)
Read - Amazon ($209)
Read - CircuitCity ($200)
Read - Staples ($190)
Read - Wal-Mart ($199)

[JohnTitor @ Jun 10th 2007 3:09PM]

I don't see what the Zune has going for it,
it doesn't have the great features of competing PMPs and it doesn't have the integration and popularity following the iPod
the cut still doesn't justify buying it, just gives it a marketing strategy
the Archos 404 is

[Eric V @ Jun 10th 2007 4:46PM]

John Titor! You're back!!

[JohnTitor @ Jun 10th 2007 3:11PM]

^is under $200 to;
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5272615

[espiox @ Jun 10th 2007 3:26PM]

"it doesn't have the...popularity following the iPod"

Why is that relevant to choosing a PMP? Who cares how many people have the same player as me?

[Alex @ Jun 10th 2007 4:48PM]

Apparently(sp?) ppl who buy ipods care about shit like that.

[Karl @ Jun 10th 2007 3:39PM]

Because popularity is very important in the accessory field. Women spend lots of money on purses, just for a name. Men spend alot on things like high end bass boats, not because they do much more. But because the Evenrude motor is cool. A no name is just not as brag worthy. Society as a whole likes to have nice things, But half of nice things are how its perceived by the general population.

[Sa_n) @ Jun 10th 2007 3:40PM]

Because in grade school, that only thing that matters.

[JohnTitor @ Jun 10th 2007 3:44PM]

espiox, I agree, there shouldn't be any reason to buy a PMP based on popularity
I never bought an iPod, but you tell me why the iPods carry the largest marketshare in the industry by a long shot

[Jumbie @ Jun 10th 2007 4:13PM]

"I never bought an iPod, but you tell me why the iPods carry the largest marketshare in the industry by a long shot"

Part of it is ignorant consumers who associate the word iPod with MP3 player due to their popularity. They barely even know anything else exists and literally everywhere they go they see other people with iPods. Therefore, they think the iPod is the way to go. It's somewhat of a "vicious cycle".

Please note that I don't mean to insult anyone by referring to them as ignorant. I just mean that they're not aware. My own father is one of these people. He asked for an iPod for Christmas a couple years ago and, trying to let him make an informed decision, I asked him if he wanted an iPod specifically or another MP3 player. To answer the question about the "other MP3 player" his response was "An iPod. Isn't that what they're called?"

Now of course this doesn't happen with everyone but I do believe it is the case fairly often.

Nothing against iPods. They're decent players but I think there are much better ones out there. FWIW, I didn't try to convince him to get something else if he was going to be happy having what everyone else does.

[Cleverboy @ Jun 10th 2007 9:34PM]

iPod is well supported and a standard when it comes to connectivity and accessory options. Saying that people that buy iPods aren't making an "informed decision" is silly. That said, its worth noting that when you go with the industry leader, its likely that you don't have a "gotcha" in some failing that other makers have been hammering out for years. If you buy a DVD that's iPod-Ready, or a radio that's "iPod compatible", somehow I don't think you're going to be wondering if the way the screen changes is better on the Zune. Also, other than Apple, other manufacturers have almost institutionalized the habit of changing their connector, thereby forcing you to always purchase new ones if you upgrade. Manufacturers have been beggin them for a standard, but its too lucrative for them. Meh. Not for me.

[CarbonFree @ Jun 10th 2007 6:01PM]

I bought an iPod. Not for the style. Not for the social acceptance. Not for most reasons.

I bought one because I got locked in. There were some songs I bought on iTunes that I couldn't get anywhere else at the time, and it kept me in.

[obiwan @ Jun 10th 2007 6:43PM]

In the case of the Zune, the reason to buy it would be that all your friends have one, and you can share music, for a little while, maybe. So if you want to join the social, popularity matters.
Whatever. I dig my iPod.

[Cleverboy @ Jun 11th 2007 1:04AM]

@CarbonFree
"I bought one because I got locked in. There were some songs I bought on iTunes that I couldn't get anywhere else at the time, and it kept me in."

Oh, my God. You made a music player purchase valued at over $200 based on the fact that you couldn't burn a 30 cent CD and reimport your music without the DRM?

Dude. Wow. This is 12-year old level stuff. I can't tell if you're stupid, or just trying to be political, in a stupid way.

[kvocal @ Jun 10th 2007 10:00PM]

It will Zune be over

[Nathan @ Jun 10th 2007 10:38PM]

popularity has a lot to do with electronics. look at the accessories you can get for an ipod. the ipod has a simple design. it is well designed. it is sturdy and it offered features other pmp didn't when it came out (or didn't offer with such ease)... thus... popularity does matter.

look at windows... they only thing it really has going for it is popularity... (for better or for worse... popularity matters)

[Silver @ Jun 10th 2007 11:52PM]

I love how the Microsoft Winbots rage against the iPod's popularity as some sort of moronic fad for the ignorant masses, yet will take up arms to defend Windows' 90% marketshare, attributing it to its appeal to the broader market and more universal functionality.

Hilarious.

[Erik @ Jun 10th 2007 3:35PM]

"...but it's not like you know who ever had to lower prices to raise interest in their outgoing PMP models."

It's also not like you know who sold as quickly in its first six months...

[Sean P. Aune @ Jun 10th 2007 4:27PM]

"It's also not like you know who sold as quickly in its first six months..."

That was also over five years ago. How many people even knew what such a device did at that point? Yes, a goodly number of gear heads did, but the general public? Not so much. Zune, or any new player, comes into a much more educated market.

[Bart Lee @ Jun 10th 2007 3:37PM]

I'm an Apple fanboy, but I'd have had no problem picking up a Zune if it were appealing. I bought an Xbox 360 on launch day, no questions asked. But semi-wifi capability and a slightly larger screen do not make up for the added thickness. Didn't someone in a focus group raise their hand and say, "this is nice, but I really want to be able to comfortably slip it into my pocket"?

[Matt @ Jun 10th 2007 3:43PM]

If you can't fit the Zune into your pocket then you are wearing some seriously tight pants. I can't even notice it in my jeans pocket.

[Bart Lee @ Jun 10th 2007 6:39PM]

Of course I COULD fit a Zune in my pocket, but why bother when the 30GB ipod does it even more comfortably? I could stuff my cordless phone in my pocket if I wanted to, doesn't mean I want to walk around with it in there all day. Even if it did impress the ladies...

[lt.milo @ Jun 10th 2007 4:16PM]

ya, the Zune is really not as big as you think. If you actually try one, you will realize that it really is not big at all. It definitly won't be noticed when it is in your pocket.

[Bart Lee @ Jun 10th 2007 6:39PM]

I did try one. Nice player, but way too thick.

[Tony @ Jun 10th 2007 4:50PM]

really i put the zune in my pocket all the time when i am walking the dog and when i want to change to the next song because of the tactical feedback i can click it with out taking it out

[nikster @ Jun 10th 2007 7:14PM]

iPods get constant flak on Engadget readers comment because other players do more, but really no one mentions that the iPod is by far the thinnest/lightest player at any given capacity.

so a creative zen has 2 features more which some may like but you should also mention it costs the same and is twice as thick.

zune also thicker, heavier, bulkier and that's a major consideration for a PMP. i also think it's ugly, but each to his own... if you like the looks good for you.

[Dave95 @ Jun 10th 2007 11:20PM]

@ Tony

I can also click the forward and back button when my iPod is in my pocket (tactical feedback)

[Kuy Gawasaki @ Jun 11th 2007 7:28AM]

True Apple fanboys shun ALL that is Microsoft, not just the OS.

A fanboy you are not.

[Constable Odo @ Jun 10th 2007 3:38PM]

They're practically giving them away to saturate the PMP market. In theory, if they sell them at half the price, twice as many people will buy them, right. They'll sell two million more in a couple of months. Okay, I'm sold. I'll buy ten (when they cost $24 apiece, hehheh). Yup, I guess I'm a spineless butt-kissing Apple iPod/iPhone fanboi. I'm ready to pucker up now.

[Aaron @ Jun 10th 2007 4:00PM]

Meh...I bought the zune the day they came out and it was fun for a week or so. i have since "moved up" to the Sansa Connect. Wow! This thing is amazing.

[pencap23 @ Jun 10th 2007 4:12PM]

I got mine for $200 new on eBay months ago. Not sure how, maybe the guy stole them or something.

[Dan Buckley @ Jun 10th 2007 4:18PM]

The Wal*Mart price includes the $79.74 car kit

[Taylor @ Jun 10th 2007 4:24PM]

Sounds good. I want one, but I heard they aren't in Canada. Is this true?
also, is there a hack to allow it to sync with linux?

[Manny Fleurmond @ Jun 10th 2007 4:47PM]

220 at Radio Shack as well. Also to note that the iPod Nano is on sale for *gasp* 144.99! $5 off! Geez, Apple's price cap is annoying to say the least.

[mike @ Jun 10th 2007 4:56PM]

So this is where the MS Apologists are congregating? Let me guess.. you guys spent the first 15 years of your life laughing about how Macs can't play video games, and now you're bitter that Apple is pretty much the most important company in Computing and Consumer Electronics (oh yeah, and Music).

Get over it. Instead of buying a Zune, buy stock.

After all, you're 16 now, it's time to think like a grown-up.

[McGinley @ Jun 10th 2007 5:03PM]

Apple is the most important Music company in the world?

Ha.

[Adam @ Jun 10th 2007 6:44PM]

Ya, thats the dumbest statement ever. How much of the computer market share does apple have... 10%? When they get up to around 30% I might reconsider, but until then dont bother posting anymore.

[crescentdavid @ Jun 10th 2007 5:26PM]

I'll be interested in seeing whether or not this presages a zune gen2 release ... but philosophically, I'm with JohnTitor ... I just don't see the point of trying to become a major player in the field without having a significantly better product at a significantly better price. And I'm not just talking about the iPod when I'm thinking of this particular field, though it dominates.

[dan @ Jun 10th 2007 5:34PM]

I like how the ipod bashers mention players like "Sansa Connect" or "ignorance" in not looking at another product. The question is why would you? You think the market share is from people seeing someone else with and saying "hey that's cool", no, it has a following because of it's award winning industrial design, ease of use, quality, and it just works. I don't recall seeing any other PMP winning any design awards, or matching those credentials. Sansa Connect, c'mon that thing looks like a GPS device. I know all the Zune lovers want to show their individuality by choosing a different PMP, but individuality is not shown through an MP3 player. Chew on it.

[JohnTitor @ Jun 10th 2007 5:43PM]

actually most people buying an iPod don't really care about how many awards it gets, though they probably can guess it has won them
They just know that everyone else is gonna think they are cool when they get it
it seems a little silly but the amount Apple pays for marketing is really working well
of course the popular design and ease of use (for some people) only help it stay up there

and speaking of Zune (which I feel is inferior, even with video playback) is really getting its popular from Microsoft's name
there are people that hate Apple, or just iPods, and a lot of them only know that Microsoft is Apple's competition

[Dave @ Jun 10th 2007 5:59PM]

I guess this is the only way MS will sell a million by the end of the fiscal year.

[Kyle @ Jun 10th 2007 6:19PM]

Honestly, who cares about the Zune? The thing has been out for about year, and the can't even sell a fraction of what Ipod sells in 1 fiscal quarter, and I'm sure they're doing some calculation gymnastics to just get to that number.


Can we just announce the Zune dead and move on with our lives focus on the arrival of the iphone next month.

thanks.

[wingman @ Jun 10th 2007 8:22PM]

Apple fanboys don't care about Zune.
First, if you listen to MS, they didn't expect to sell a whole shit load on thier initial Zune release. Look at Apple trying to gain computer market share from MS. It's been over 20 years and they're practically not moving. Second, Zune is not available anywhere else but the US, so don't expect big numbers.

[Martin Trautmann @ Jun 10th 2007 6:27PM]

Where's a price comparison web site which lists most of the offers above and does show a price trend graph and further helpful info?

[Adam @ Jun 10th 2007 6:53PM]

I have an iPod because its a solid product, apple practically has a no questions asked return policy for the first 6 months, its reasonably priced (compared to anything from $ony) and iPods have the greatest form factor there is. The clickwheel is by far the most intuitive device there is on a PMP. I can also drop my ipod from 5' and not worry about it shattering into peices.

[ace @ Jun 10th 2007 6:55PM]

This is probably due to Microsoft's drive to sell 1 million Zunes by the end of June. That's it. No need for further speculation. It would be good for investors to know that MS is on track with this unit. With 1 Million sold by June, MS would look to further developing the platform. It's not going away. So all the iPood lovers can shut the f@#$ up.

[Mike Berry @ Jun 10th 2007 6:55PM]

Why is it that Apple fans need to be so pronounced in defending their favorite products? I have a Zune, it works fine, end of story. I don't understand why an article mentioning reduced prices on a PMP results in the Apple army coming out and launching an attack. Oh wait, thats right, those commercials... ermmm, Apple does a good job at training its customers.

[Tony @ Jun 10th 2007 7:20PM]

Apple is good at telling you whats bad with there rival products. Even there mac vs pc add dont really show a Mac you never see a Mac add showing there actural product in use? why is that? and if those Iphone ads are are not fact there is no way you can zoom through google maps that fast on Edge and I have Edge on my Blackberry and it so slow

[Victor Franqui @ Jun 10th 2007 7:29PM]

It seems that not even the people that bought like it you can always find in Ebay, take a look at bid2winauctions.com , there is a good post about that.

[steve Davies @ Jun 10th 2007 8:04PM]

personally, i think zune was an ok MP3 player that arrived fashionably late to an overcrowded MP3 party. with so much choice around, it was always going to be difficult for them to stand out.

and when your top feature relies on many other people having one to squirt songs to.... they didn't exactly make it easy for themselves.

[enzo @ Jun 10th 2007 8:10PM]

I want a next gen zune.