Zune fire sale sees reductions of up to sixty bucks
By Conrad Quilty-Harper 
posted Jun 10th 2007 3:02PM
posted Jun 10th 2007 3:02PM
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)
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
John Titor! You're back!!
^is under $200 to;
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5272615
"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?
Apparently(sp?) ppl who buy ipods care about shit like that.
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.
Because in grade school, that only thing that matters.
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
"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.
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.
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.
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.
@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.
It will Zune be over
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)
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.
"...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...
"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.
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"?
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.
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...
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.
I did try one. Nice player, but way too thick.
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
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.
@ Tony
I can also click the forward and back button when my iPod is in my pocket (tactical feedback)
True Apple fanboys shun ALL that is Microsoft, not just the OS.
A fanboy you are not.
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.
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.
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.
I got mine for $200 new on eBay months ago. Not sure how, maybe the guy stole them or something.
The Wal*Mart price includes the $79.74 car kit
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?
I want a next gen zune.
Meijer Stores have Zunes for 199, with a 25 dollar gift card, so you get them for 175 brand new after they mail the card to you. I picked one up today!
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.
Apple is the most important Music company in the world?
Ha.
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.
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.
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.
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
I guess this is the only way MS will sell a million by the end of the fiscal year.
God, I still shudder everytime I hear NewSpeak used these days.
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.
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.
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?
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.
microsoft zune - YALL (Yet Another Loss Leader)
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 $ony) and iPods have the greatest form factor there is. The clickwheel is by far the most intuitive device there is on a PMP. I can also drop my ipod from 5' and not worry about it shattering into peices.
This is probably due to Microsoft's drive to sell 1 million Zunes by the end of June. That's it. No need for further speculation. It would be good for investors to know that MS is on track with this unit. With 1 Million sold by June, MS would look to further developing the platform. It's not going away. So all the iPood lovers can shut the f@#$ up.
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.
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
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.
GODDAMN I HATE BEST BUY.
$220?
They overcharge on every damn thing. Xbox360 accessories that should be $19.99 cost $21.99 there.
BestBuy overcharges on DVD's, CD's, everything else.
GO SHOP AT CIRCUIT CITY.
Anyone else think that M$ is going to throw out some sort of internet-ready Zune to cater to those who want everything the IPhone offers, without the phone? Personally, I've been holding off for that exact product- regardless of who it's from. I know Archos 704 is close, but all the reviews say the internet is broken. Nokia 800 is a thought too. Still if there ever was a perfect place to put out a spoiler product, it's after WWDC and before the Iphone launch. If the Zune even just did what the Sansa Connect did, I'd be happy.
I'd probably say wait for the 5th Gen Archos with they will anounce soon
Microsoft might put more internet integration on the next Zune but it won't be very open
Microsoft likes to keep a leash on their products, requiring the use of their Zune Marketplace and using only their own file formats and integrating only with their own products and services
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?
--
You want a TV spot showing some guy sitting at his computer, narrating what he's doing? Dude, never go into advertising. Wanna see OS X? Go to any Apple Store or Licensed Reseller...They're everywhere. That's where Apple shows off its shit, not on TV. TV spots are meant to do one thing and one thing only: maintain marketshare.
A new zune would be great. Im getting tired of my iPod and its slow processor, and would have a zune if it was compatible with macs. But its not, so do the "Apple fanboys" have a reason to hate Zune? Sure, they cant use with their Macs.
A mac compatible, higher resolution, slimmed down zune would be great.
you don't have to be an Apple fanboy to see the reasons why a Zune is bad
proprietary software, no harddisk mode, bad screen (half an inch bigger, but the same QVGA resolution and only 26,000 colors of the iPod LCD), bad formats (WMV for Video is worse than iPod's MP4 and other PMP's XviD support)
compared to the iPod it doesn't have nearly the number of accesories and Zune Marketplace isn't as extensive as iTunes
come on
i dont like the zune !! i have 5 ipods , i dont want to know any news about the zune and i dont care ...
the microsoft fanboys are so annoing why are you guys trying to convince everybody that you zune is the best .. my ipod does everyting i want and never let me down ...
zune = no thanks !!!
One million more Zunes will be sold in a month for $200 apiece. Three million iPhones will be sold in a week for $500 or $600 apiece. Wow! Now that's some mighty trendy selling power. Paris Hilton wanted to leave jail to pick up an iPhone and that's why she was upset. The jail only had Zunes for inmate use. Now that's doing hard time.
Popularity matters in the long run, because it affects how easily you'll be able to download new music to your device, etc. Go ask the consumers who bought into PlaysForSure devices if they think their music stores will still be around in 3 years. Sure, you can buy a CD and rip it, but that's missing the point, and forgoing some functionality.
And what will the next Zunes do, that the current ones can't? You sure you want a v1?
"forgoing some functionality"
I'm curious. How does ripping a CD limit some functionality?
I have a brown Zune and I love it,it does everything I need it to do and works fine,I dont care for sales numbers or apple fanboys mocking sales.
I've had a number of mp3 players (going back to the Intel Pocket Concert, and including the much-lauded Karma). I eventually settled on an Ipod, even trying and ultimately rejecting Rockbox (the battery consumption rate was appalling).
The fact is, I'm a big "facts and figures" dork, so I get a kick out of the ratings and smart playlist system. Drag and drop doesn't really work for me (though I didn't mind working with Foobar's mass "rename or copy" option while using Rockbox). While Microsoft (and WMP11 players) now use that system, they weren't ready for me when I was ready for them... and, aside from the interesting feature of "songs that I play at specific times," the itunes method is much more refined.
My next mp3 player may not be an iPod (the Meizu and Sansa lines are starting to look very interesting), but Apple definitely has a headstart in my mind that has nothing to do with its "cool" factor.
I have several iPods because I can just walk out to my VW, open the glovebox, plug in my 60GB 5G iPod and control it from my factory stereo. Sure, the interface has limited functionality and, I know, "factory stereos suck", but it’s reliable, easy to use and “just works”, like everything else Apple. I take my 2G shuffle on my runs everyday (Apple leaving the screen off was the best move ever for a small DAP like that). I will wait in line for the iPhone as well, because it’ll also just plug right into my car and be compatible with most of the iPod accessories I own.
I also have thousands of accessories to choose from for the iPod ranging from the Nike+ kit to alarm clocks. I don’t want some “obscure” DAP that you might wonder if it’s compatible with anything. It’s amazing how the MS fanboys love to side with Windows based on “more software and hardware choices” yet when it comes to the OS and accessory limited Zune, they support its obscurity.
Plus, the iPod integrates with the industry leading online music store with the largest catalog: the iTunes Store.
too bad this price reduction will not:
* allow it to save my computer files to it
* allow it to truly share without 3-days-or-3-plays restrictions
* allow it to work with other operating systems
* allow it to play open source, royalty-free formats unencumbered by patents and royalties which are sucking the life out of independent music free from corporate objectives
* prevent it from being a restrictive RIAA-approved device
http://flac.sourceforge.net
http://www.vorbis.com
tekdroid:
when you can't use an online download service to quickly get a native format for your device, and instead have to buy and rip a CD, that's forgoing the functionality of quick purchases and downloads, obviously.
I recently bought a Zune when it was on sale at Best Buy for nearly 200 bucks. Price was a major deciding factor in my purchase. Its not that I needed to save money but comparing the iPod to the Zune, I saw the Zune to be a better deal. WIFI (OK its limited but its there) and that 3in screen drew me in. Yes its a little chunky but I love the soft case that doesnt attract fingerprints. Had the Zune been the same price as the iPod I would have been tempted to get one but that low price pushed me over the edge. Im happy with my player and I bought a 2 year warranty so if it "breaks" when the new version of the Zune comes out I wont be too disappointed ;) In the end, when it comes to first time buyers I think price is a big deciding factor.
Has no one considered it's father's day this weekend?
I've had my Zune since December, and I'm very happy with it. When I was getting ready to buy, I was looking for a combined audio/video device for a reasonable price. My emphasis was on the video features, since I didn't plan to buy music, just rip from my CD's. I didn't care which company made it, so I looked at iPod, Zune, Creative Zen, Archos, and a few others that I can't remember. I thought that the Zune was the best deal for the money. There were some players that had better features, but were a lot more expensive. In the Zune price range, I thought it was the best player, mainly due to the bigger and better screen. I love watching videos while waiting at appointments, or when traveling, and Zune is great for that. It works just fine to listen to music while working in the yard, too.
I'm not sure why people are making a big deal in the price cut. In case you haven't noticed, prices for ALL electronic devices have been going down for as long as I can remember, all the while getting better and better. How much did you pay for your first Walkman? Or first DVD player? Or first PC? Or first camcorder? In a year or two, I bet the 80 GB Zunes/iPods will be selling for the same price as the 30 GB models are today. Or maybe even the 120 GB models.
I can think of several improvements they could make in the Zune software, and it would be real nice if it could handle more video formats. That's why I would give it a 4 out of 5 instead of 5 out of 5. But I sure don't regret buying it.
Rick
i got mine off amazon for 135