So while the
Zune 2 launch seems to be humming right along, we've noticed that the big daddy Zune 80 doesn't seem to be available anywhere -- and that it's oddly listed as "not available in stores" on a couple retailer websites. That's pretty strange, especially since we've spotted a number of
floor displays for the Zune line that include the Zune 80, but damned if anyone has actually seen the thing -- and we're hearing that Best Buy employees can't even order them for in-store customers. As of right now, Target and Best Buy are both displaying no-store-sales messages on their sites, Circuit City just has the 80 as out of stock and Wal-Mart doesn't even have it listed. We've been told by sources that while the Zune 80 is in short supply, it will eventually be on store shelves, but when that'll happen is still the big question -- and if anyone has actually seen one for sale, let us know in comments.
posted Nov 14th 2007 2:22PM
My local Wal-Mart had all of the new Zunes in. I saw them yesterday.
I found them online at www.whocares.com and www.getanipodyouloser.com
They also had them at www.lol@yourblackturtleneck.com
You do care Mike, you just don't realize it now.
You took time to read and respond.
Don't be shy Mike, we know you want Zune 80 too.
We swear we want call you a loser.
pwnt
@Mike
www.whocares.com is a floral website. Those would be some pretty interesting iPods
Lol
GR
Amazon.com had them in stock, and sent them to those that pre-ordered, but I'm not sure if all that pre-ordered got them. I personally canceled my pre-order the night of the 12th as I'm going to wait until the Zune 80 Originals come out.
If you look on Amazon.com there are customer images of people who I'm assuming got them on amazon.com
Where the damn custom eq? They went from eq presets to NO eq at all. Whats up with that?
@Mike, U r right! Losers get an iPod. Zune is not for losers. Period.
SOLD OUT!!!. Now and forever, amen.
Yeah i saw a zune 80 locally at sams club but i didnt see the the other ones but i did see the 80 there
Circuit City showed them in stock at my local store yesterday. I went to order one this morning and store pickup was still available, then midway through checkout my cart suddenly "timed out" and I had to restart the process, but now it shows out of stock.
I've noticed this too. I'm in the UK, and I'm trying to order one in, and it seems there's only one seller that'll ship to the UK, and he's selling it for quite a bit.
Hopefully I'll be able to get one before Christmas.
At least you can get the zune. Canada can't.
Canada comes second to the US (with the exception of those Smart cars, we've had it since launch, US gets it '08)
SmartCars are not the best idea for the US.
Get in an a crash with just about any other american car...see ya
Off topic, but you should check out the show Top Gear - they did a crash test of the Smart Car, and it holds up to a near head on collision @ 60mph into a concrete barrier incredibly well :)
Maybe a big ol' American Harley Davidson would be better?
I've been to a few Circuit City stores in the Minneapolis area and they all have the 80's in stock.
Ditto. That's why I love living in a small town in Minnesota! ^_^
Got the last 80GB from my Circuit City.
I'm guessing a couple stores either didn't get them, or they sold out too quickly of them. I called my Target, and they didn't have any 80GB, but they had a spot for them...
I ordered it online at CircuitCity.com for in-store pickup yesterday. No problems in NYC.
No,but then again,I live in Europe.
Bring them across Microsoft!
I saw the 80 and the 8 for sale last night at Circuit City in Atlanta. They were not "activated" so every button you pushed gave you a "please activate" screen. I was able to use the squircle controller and it was not bad. The device was MUCH better than the old Zune, but it is still not even close to an iPod. I held both the iPod Classic and the Zune 80 at the same time, and the fit and finish on the iPod was much better. The Zunes were on display, but I do not know if they had any available for purchase.
"The device was MUCH better than the old Zune, but it is still not even close to an iPod."
Uh oh, look out Mike - the Zune Brigade is going to descend on you in a fury. Prepare for a barrage of "Apple fanboy," "Apple shill," or "iSheep" comments.
Seriously? I can understand that you're an Ipod fan but you're blind if you think the small plastic screen on the classic Ipod looks better than the glass screen of the Zune. Also if you compare feature to feature of the Zune 80 vs. the Ipod Classic 80gb it's no contest. The FM radio with the station identifier info alone makes the Zune a better buy. Throw in a bigger screen, wifi syncing, and sharing music and pics and it's not even fair.
I am constantly baffled by people who care what a device that is going to be in your pocket 90% of the time looks like. Function over form for me any day of the week.
Damn you Mike...you apple fanboy...apple shill...iSheep...how dare you have an opposing opinion to that of my own!
The post was really about the fact that the Zune is available in stores, but if people want to compare the two, there is no doubt that the Zune is just a iPod replica. The part that I think is interesting is that Microsoft is selling a cheap replica of an iPod at the same price points as the iPod. They would be much better off selling the Zune 80 for $199 and trying to "buy" some of iPod fans. Who would buy an inferior product at the the same price and at the same store as the market leading product? I truly think that the only people they are appealing to are the anti-Apple crowd. I own stock in Microsoft (and have for years) and I am surprised that they are putting forth such a weak effort.
Mike, you have to be kidding. The Zune is about as much of an iPod replica as a Corvette is to a Viper. They are both relatively similar products, but in no way is Microsoft making a "replica." Look to the Chinese (no offence) for that one.
As far as an inferior product? The iPod Classic takes the cake on that- what with the sound quality (or lack thereof) and the same old shoddy Apply iPod construction. Yes, the face plate might not scratch up like the iPods of the last generations, but your a fool to not thing that the screen will. That being said, the Zune wins that department with it's larger *glass* screen (which I would assume is tempered) that *won't* scratch or "fog" up.
For the same price, the Zune 80 is the better buy, by a longshot. If you want, I can go over it for you. Equal storage, better UI, better controls, better sound quality (if its similar to the old, which I would assume it would be), better construction, larger glass scratch-resistant screen, wifi song/picture sharing, and wireless syncing- lets not forget the better software, and the FM radio AND station identification, which would be a 50 dollar add on for any iPod, and probably doesn't have SI.
The only thing the Zune is "inferior" to the iPod on is in style. It' sounds better, it's more rugged, and it has better features than the iPod.
The only thing the Zune is "inferior" to the iPod on is in style. It' sounds better, it's more rugged, and it has better features than the iPod.
lOL MIKE. my corvette is a replica of the ford mustang, because it has 4 wheels. but hey I guess youre right,the zune is a replica, but nonetheless a replica with more and better features for the same money. if you buy an ipod classic is because you dont know better, you want to look like every one else, or youre a fanboy. and how come every fanboy uses the 'i own stock in microsoft'?
This has got to be a joke. Does anyone really believe that the Zune will have any significant sales compared to the iPod? It is truly a blunder and the subject of ridicule. It is the iPod's cousin that wears a helmet and rides the short bus.
@Zues the God
Ok. I'll bite. comparisons are generally useless... but i have to disagree with what you said.
Let's see:
"Equal storage" - fair enough, all though it would have been smart if Microsoft made a 160GB model as well.
"better UI" - VERY dependent on the end user. You can't claim that.
"better controls" - again, very dependent on whoever is using it. There is nothing wrong with the iPod controls. Also, whats the point of the redundant d-pad under the touch interface?
"better sound quality (if its similar to the old, which I would assume it would be)" - Maybe if you were listening to lossless music and using expensive headphones this would matter... 128 kbps? not so much.
"better construction" - can't really comment on this seeing as the Zune is only on sale in select countries and I have yet to see one never mind touch it. As far as my iPod goes, I find no fault in its quality. at all.
"larger glass scratch-resistant screen" - I agree, fact that it is glass, VERY nice. pity that they did not take advantage of the larger real estate to add some more resolution.
"wifi song/picture sharing" - hmmm. Even if my iPod had this functionality, to share songs, I would have maybe tried it once to see how it works. Honestly, I know a fair bit of people with iPods, but rarely have I met a friend and we both had our iPods on us and wished we could share some music. There are far easier, albeit illegal, methods to do this.
"wireless syncing" - I would use this feature a lot, very nice.
"lets not forget the better software" - From what I hear, I would rather forget it, thanks. Besides, said software only works on Windows, which is not the only OS in the world.
"FM radio" - I don't get why people want this at all? Huh? You are probably carrying around thousands of songs of your own choosing and yet you want to listen to the radio? If you really need to... you can pick up a stand alone fm radio for dirt cheap at any gadget/gift shop, plus it would be lighter to wear than a HDD player. So odd.
Blegh, anyway I don't really care much for the Zune, just wanted to highlight the fact that your opinion isn't fact. If I had the money to buy a new 80GB player now, I would only have one real choice anyway, until Microsoft released some software for Macintosh. It just doesn't offer any deal breakers, besides what you claim.
Now get over it. If you think the Zune is better, that's just peachy. Enjoy it. But don't claim your fanboy facts.
It may not make more sales, mainly because the ipod is seen as 'cool' and has a lot of good advertising going for it, you can't deny that. However, on paper, the zune comes out on top, and for those not concerned much about doing the 'in' thing it also comes out as the better choice.
I like your comments. But that is because I believe the iPod Touch to be "the one player to rule them all". It is really no contest. Shit I have NES and GBA on my iPoT. LOVE IT! LOVE THE KEYBOARD "FAST". LOVE THE BROWSER! LOVE MY MAIL PROGRAM! LOVE THE LOOKS! SHIT< EVEN THE CLOCK ROCKS!......SORRY TO BE RIGHT, BUT IT IS NO CONTEST! Yes this can be compared, because it is officially a DAP.
@willyboy: Lay off the iPot bro.
How can you say the Classic is better than the Zune 80? The Classic has nothing on the Zune 80.
Screen size is smaller, sound quality is worse than the Zune, and the interface on Zune is much better.
Microsoft is going the Wii route
Seriously, seems like either the demand is very high, or there is just some mess with suppliers.
I would really like to see the number of units getting sold...
P.S. I am thinking of getting Zune, but this shifts in priorities for a month or two... :(
I am a circuit city employee and we have the second generation zune 80 in the warehouse. I will take pictures at work tomorrow :)
I am a circuit city employee and we have the second generation zune 80 in the warehouse. I will take pictures at work tomorrow :)
awsome...instead of taking pictures load them on a truck and send them out!!! lol...
Can you mail one to me?
Steve Jobs
c/o
Apple Inc.
1 Infinite Loop
Cupertino, CA
95014,
USA
Tanx in adv.
Why would you all at engadget care, you don't like the new Zune?!!
Yeah, I'm suprised they didn't add at the end of the article:.. 'but the new iPods are available so go head on out and buy one'.
@Patrick
The original comment was retarted, but your reply was hilarious.
I picked one up in Circuit City yesterday morning in NJ.
Target's online ordering system is also tied in with Amazon's ordering system. So for an item like this I'd bet that the online availability is due to the fact it is in Amazon's warehouse and they are shipping it. I'd bet Target stores do not have the product in as of this moment, and that when they do it will show as available in stores on their website.
ZuneOriginals.net lists the Zune 80 as being available "Early December". I think MS pushed the Zune launch for the upcoming sales and in doing so short-supplied the Zune 80. That is pure speculation though...
the zune originals availability is only for customizable 80 gb in early december, the launch included all models
For the Zune to supposedly be a turd in the water, it sure is getting a lot of press. *cough*
Much love to Engadget bringing Apple alternative products into the limelight.
In America, we love to gossip about huge train wrecks. Britney Spears' nervous breakdown and the ensuing YouTube hilarity, the US government mishandling of anything, and rightfully, the Zune.
How can Americans NOT give a crap-ton of press to a multi-million dollar product launch that flops around like a dying fish on dry land?
@David Clark
You know, I generally agree that Engadget is unfair in Apple's favor. (i.e. In their Vista vs. Leopard they included the iLife as part of the OS)
But IMHO they have been pretty fair with the Zune 2's.
P.S. I went to KMart, WalMart, Office Depot and GameStop (brand new store) looking for the 80's. None of those stores had them in stock. Granted I am in a smallish town outside Nashville.
Could it be that some store feel like the Zune is not worth there shelf space? I know the first Zune wasn't a failure and did sell, but isn't it possible the store managers now think they'd be better off using their shelf space for something that is likely to sell better.
Just an alternate perspective.
I'd like to note that my specific Best Buy still has plenty of Zune 30 (Zune 30s? Zunes 30?) in stock, many of them originally shipped to our store months ago. In fact, I'd estimate my department sells no more than 4 to 5 a week. (These customers being mainly pro-Zune/anti-iPod, or people who enlist our help in choosing an mp3 player than for whatever reason the iPod isn't the best option.)
So I'd probably have to say Best Buy is probably trying to get rid of these Zune 30s first before the Zune 80 can be sold in store. It probably doesn't help that places like Amazon and Woot are stealing most of our Zune customers, and there's no possibly way we're matching those prices. But hey! we've got Zunes 4 and 8. I'd get one if I didn't have a touch and massive amounts of college debt.
Yet most, if not all electronics stores waste their shelf space with PS3s...
Its short supply or just sold out, thats how it works. A store won't leave an item that has done so well in such a short amount of time, in a very tough market off their shelves because of opinion.
Wow I get marked down for suggesting that a business wants to put products that will sell better and make them more money, over the newcomer/underdog?
If you're in business, you dedicate store space to things that are gonna sell and make you the most money, its not a fanboy thing to say that they will sell more iPods than Zunes its just fact, and if a business wants to make money they will dedicate more space to the best selling thing, and not to the underdog.
I'm not bashing the new Zunes at all, they look pretty cool and I'm sure they'll see, but they definitely won't sell as well as some other Mp3 players this season!
Grand Master, thats the thing- they carried the first generation of Zunes. They sold exceptionally well for being in such a tough market. That being said, they are also gaining popularity.
It would be dumb of them to not stock them.
I bought one yesterday. Circuit City in Exton, Pennsylvania.
It wasn't totally smooth. The first on I picked up was defective. The "lock/unlock" slider didn't work and the thing was permanently locked. Exchanged it and it works just fine. I don't have much music on the thing yet thanks to iTunes taking a shotgun to my music because of my stupidly allowing it to organize my songs a few years ago.
Oh...yeah...Mr Block...I bought one over an iPod. Price for price, feature for feature the Zune 80 fit my needs better and a 16 gig iPod Touch that would have been full at first use wasn't the sort of punch in the apple bag I was looking for at 400 dollars.
Ouch, sounds like you just got burned Ryan Block!
I got the last one at an obscure Wal*Mart. The guy said they sold out as soon as he put them out and that I got the last one.
I also work for Microsoft and can attest to the fact that we don't even have the 80GB in the company store yet.
Went to the local Best Buy yesterday and they only had the flash Zune 2 on display. I asked an employee and he said they're not getting any in-store and I'd have to buy it online. He didn't know why.
do they EVER know ANYTHING?
i preordered from amazon about 3 weeks ago. it was supposed to ship yesterday, and now it has been delayed a week and a half.
amazon sucksq
I have tried Best Buy, Walmart and Radio Shack, no one had any clue that they were even supposed to be out yesterday. None of them had it in stock either.
Weird to set a launch date so far out and when it finally comes they are nowhere to be found. Trying a local Target tonight. You also cannot get a customized 80 off the zune originals web site, only the flash ones are available.
I pre-ordered mine off Best Buy's site in late October, and I got an email today saying that it's backordered, and that they "expect it to ship within two weeks."
Not sure why I ever bother to pre-order things. They either end up not coming on time, or if they do come on time, they're plentiful at retail as well.
They had them at Wal-mart this weekend, if anybody really cares.
What do you mean if anybody cares? How can you say something like that? We're talking about a state-of-the-art Zune 80, you know. Contender to the champion, last year's iPod line.
Who really gives a shite, would be far more suitable.
so, according to the comments, the answer to this post's question is "yes, it is available in stores."
i think it's more a "maybe."
Got one at Circuit City yesterday at noon in Colorado - it was the last 80 on the shelf.
Notice how the site says "Item arriving in 2 to 6 weeks"?
This pretty much confirms the fact that we have absolutely no idea as to what's going on with this situation.
And I think I can answer your question: No, the Zune 80 is not not available in stores.
I picked on up at Circuit City yesterday in Pittsburgh (McKnight road location.) Online claimed they were out of the 80gb models, but they had about 5 sitting the the case.
Really slick device, I'd say I'm pretty satisfied with it so far.
Maybe they read Ryan Block's review and just said "F it, if it doesn't pass an extremely unbiased, completely objective review, then it's just not worth it"
This is a total mess. MS hasn't even acknowledged there is a problem. I'm very unhappy with the situation.
I just went to Best Buy to check out the new Zunes. While they had the 4 and 8 models, the 80 was not there. I also might add that Best Buy put two plastic straps to "secure" the Zunes in place. I'm guessing they don't have a custom device to lock it it yet. Though one of the straps is on the Squircle itself and thus makes it impossible to really use the navigation and test it out. Horrible execution for a launch.
I purchased 2x 4gb Flash and 1x 8GB flash from Wal Mart at midnight. Neither one of our Wal Marts had the 80.
The next day, when they showed that the custom Zune was not going to be able until December, I hopped in the car and went to Circuit City. I bought two of the Zune 80 players. One of my other bloggers also got her 80 at Circuit City yesterday.
Shameless plug to my little demo is here: http://gotzune.com/2007/11/zune-2-80gb-video-1st-lookdemo
When I left the plant in China a little over a month ago they were just ramping up to produce the 80's I would expect a short supply until early december like some said.
I picked up one at Circuit City in Schaumburg, IL. I don't know if the web site showed stock but they had one when I asked. They only had the 4 and 8 gig in the display case though. They had to go to the back to get it.
I was at my target over the weekend and they had them all in stock breaking the street date. They had all colors and sizes! wish i would have taken a Picture
it would have lasted longer.
I can tell you that they are out there. I am holding a Zune 80GB in my hand that I purchased a few hours ago here in Memphis, TN at one of the local Circuit City stores. I had ordered one from Amazon, but cancelled the Order when I found out that some Circuit City stores had a few each.
Bt the way, the Zune 80GB rockes...
i work at best buy i can confirm we will not have the 80 ins tores for at least a while its stupid and its the same at most stores
i looked yesterday couldnt find it anywhere
luckily today i called circuit city at the right time right after truck and they had a single one sitting there not even recieved so i got it and uploading it right now :)
I went to the Best Buy near my place yesterday to pick up the 80. I asked the manager, as she was trolling the mp3 area, and she told me, "We are not going to get any of the new Zunes in stores until next month, it's a Bestbuy.com exclusive until then."
Got mine @ a local Circuit City. :0)
you know what that means right? if you dont like the unit your screw, thank god i went for the 8GB which i shortly return, my question is Why if its so big, why did they not throw a freaking bigger battery in there, and why did they whent with the Cheaper LCD screen, even the little Nano was a 2x better battery life brighter LED LCD screen and its 10X smaller too, Ok the Zune has a FM tuner which dont come to handy in my Case because I already have all the tracks i want to listen on my music library, so the only use i can find its listenig to comercials really
I have a 30 and LOVE it. Im really disappointed with all the hate. The Zune has AT LEAST the same functionality as the iPod and the same price, now how can it suck compared to the iPod?
Anyways, when I went to get a wall adapter (my Zune NEVER needs to see my computer again!) from wall mart, they didnt have the adapter, but they did have all three of the new Zunes. They were even almost sold out! I saw one person buy one to.
I headed over to Gamestop to get the wall adapter, and they didnt have the new ones, but they had the adapter.
"I have a 30 and LOVE it. Im really disappointed with all the hate. The Zune has AT LEAST the same functionality as the iPod and the same price, now how can it suck compared to the iPod?"
Because a) it's not all about functionality, and b) the iPod has functionality the Zune doesn't, you know. Last I heard, the Zune still could not be used as a portable hard drive without some sort of hack, which is one of the big reasons I bought an iPod in the first place.
But even if they did add that and I just missed it, the iPod can still work better without having things like an FM radio (big deal - lots of players have FM radios, and nobody buys them). The iPod has a better interface both software- and hardware-wise, it has a better screen (bigger != better), it's better built (all metal), it has a better music management app and a better store, if you use such things.
Before a Zune fanboy accuses an iPod owner of being a sheep, they need to wake up and realize they're defending a Microsoft product. Who's the sheep? You didn't buy a Zune when it was called the Toshiba Gigabeat, but somehow putting the MS name on it made it more interesting to you. What's that telling the rest of us?
How can it not be all about functionality? What else is there?
"But even if they did add that and I just missed it, the iPod can still work better without having things like an FM radio (big deal - lots of players have FM radios, and nobody buys them). The iPod has a better interface both software- and hardware-wise, it has a better screen (bigger != better), it's better built (all metal), it has a better music management app and a better store, if you use such things."
I like how you chose certain faults that the iPod still has. Ok, you say it has a better screen? Well, the 30s and Classics have the same TYPE of screen. The 30s have a larger one though.
The 80s have a glass screen which is MUCH better. It looks SO sharp in comparison. iPod users always say that the Zune screen is the same res so things just look distorted, well, I have never seen a difference.
Also, Ive noticed how alot of the Zune brand accessories are cheaper. You can get Zune AV cables for for $20 at some places! You cant even get decent off brand iPod AV cables for $30!
Oh, you say I would never buy a Gigabyte? In fact, I almost did buy one.
Im not defending the Zune because Im a fan boy, Im defending it because its at LEAST equivalent. You are a complete dumbass if you think its not.
It doesnt have ONE major feature that the iPod has. Thats it. It has other features that the iPod doesnt have at all though. Wireless sync, wifi sharing, FM radio.
Oh, the Zune software is pretty good to. I would say iTunes is BARELY better. I dont use either to listen to music anyways, just to sync.
Form doesnt really matter to much to most people either. Yes, the old Zunes are kinda clunky, but the new ones arent at all awkward. Still, most people would chose features and price over form.
Why does it matter that Im defending a MS product anyways? Thats just saying that you ARE an Apple fanboy. Im open to both companies. I actually own an iPod (dont use it anymore, but I own it).
You really need to not be so critical of something you know so little about. If you are going to be, at least use logic and research it.
I picked up an 80 at a wal-mart in WV yesterday for $247.88. I've been loading stuff on it since yesterday. So far, this thing is nice... The screen is really bright and clear, too.
They are being sold at walmart.
Well, I got mine yesterday at Circuit City without any problem, I just asked for it because they didnt had them out on the shelves, but I did get mine. Before that I went to Target and Best Buy but they just had the 4/8Gb ones.
i work at circuit city and we have them ( hollywood store) i checked sunday night and it said we only had 4 ( :( ) so im guessing CC only received like 4 in store. lame because i wanted to get me another one and 2 other people i know are getting them from me.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=LtfPaGLV0QLFQrFZ8afsKA_3d_3d
Well, I just got mine today. I ordered it next-day-air at circuitcity.com. I must say this is one classy and nice looking device. My co-worker saw it when the fedex guy came and was amazed. He said "Wow, now THAT is sexy. It makes the iPod look dated!" He is now trying to get one.
I wish people would STFU about the review. You would think Block was talking about people's children, rather than just another PMP. It's just a device, please don't cry because somebody else doesn't like it. If your ego is tied up in what somebody thinks of your Zune, you have a problem. And am I the only one who remembers Block constantly dissing the iPod in the sadly defunct Engadget Podcast? He is not an iPod fanboy, and has always been more fond of anything by Sansa if memory serves.
The price. Lord, that thing is a winner. If linux "support" comes out I might get one of these as a HDD player. I already own an e280 sansa but I don't want an iPod for the rest of the music.
I got my Zune 80 at Circuit City yesterday morning along with a $25 gift certificate. If anyone wants one, go to Circuit City as I am going to return mine. I am sooooo disapointed at the many things my Zune cannot do. It is a slick device with a slick interface and navigation is top notch. But it doesn't do the basic things I was expecting it do like delete on the fly or speed up teh speed on a podcast. With so much thought put into making this Zune, I'm surprised at how little thought they put in (if that makes any sense). And I am not an Apple fanboy, I hate Apple and ipods (they suck just as much, but actually do more). So I'm sticking with my iRiver for now until a new non-Apple device comes out that is worth-while.