Microsoft planning new Zunes and webcams on September 9th?

So we know that Microsoft is gearing up to launch those new "Blue Track" mice on September 9th, but Ars Technica says that there's a good chance we'll be getting new webcams and -- surprise! -- Zunes as well. Sadly, the new mice might still be the most exciting things on the ticket -- the LifeCam VX-5500 and LifeCam Show NX-8000 are pretty much just webcams, and we're not expecting anything Zune hardware-related beyond bumps to 120GB and 16GB and perhaps that blue flash number. Still, there's a chance we could be surprised by those rumored new software and service announcements, but Microsoft's going to have to reach deep into the wow box to steal attention from a certain black-turtlenecked raconteur who'll be taking the stage in Cupertino to announce some minor new PMPs that day as well. Let the games begin!

[DH @ Sep 4th 2008 3:31PM]

It is nice to know that we will not be expecting new news except old news from this article.

[Blackstar @ Sep 4th 2008 4:01PM]

Say Goodbye to Laser.... say Hello to Blue Lemonade. ®

[DeoWulf @ Sep 4th 2008 4:35PM]

@Matt... There's a second part to that equation.

Ammount of Sales = / = Better.

Don't worry, it's a common misconception. I think you agree with me, too... after all, consider Mac sales vs Windows. I don't suppose you see Windows as better :P

[who? @ Sep 4th 2008 4:37PM]

@ Smartphone OSX = iPerfection

This isn't the first time either. What do they do- wait until they know Apple's event date to have their own at the same time?

[JDL @ Sep 4th 2008 4:47PM]

@Smartphone OSX = iPerfection

They aren't trying to overshadow Apple. I think they had the date first. Engadget has a story about this event from 8 days ago. They've had the date set for a while. And Apple just announced the date of their event this week. If anything, Apple picked their day to overshadow Microsoft. Although I doubt that's the case either.

[Kelmon @ Sep 5th 2008 2:37AM]

@Smartphone

I rather suspect that Microsoft was disappointed to discover that Apple is making their announcement on the same day. Certainly this means that Microsoft won't get much coverage from their launch, although I have no idea how big a deal this is for them. Apple clearly invests quite a bit in their announcements but it is unclear whether Microsoft is giving a demonstration or simply updating their product catalog online. Regardless, I can't see anyone being sufficiently interested in the prospect of "saying goodbye to laser" that Apple will be overshadowed.

[giantenemycrab @ Sep 4th 2008 3:32PM]

I'm in the market for a new MP3 player. If MS can pull off a player that's, in my eyes, better than these new iPods, I think I would jump ship.

[Anthony @ Sep 4th 2008 3:42PM]

I long ago left iPod-dom but to Nokia instead. I think the years of iPod dominance are at an end & more convergence devices have taken hold (iPhone notwithstanding).

[ybd @ Sep 4th 2008 3:44PM]

You guys are silly. iPods, iPhones, Zunes and Nokia 3Gs are only a small margin of the huge amount of players out there. Do some research, it's likely you'll find something you like more than the above mentioned.

[Serial 8-Ball Mouse @ Sep 4th 2008 3:46PM]

The Zune 8 is already better than the iPod. Ship jumping time.

...

ASSEMBLE THE iFANBOY ARMADA! WE GO TO WAR!

[Matt @ Sep 4th 2008 4:05PM]

170 million ipods vs 2.5 million Zunes out there.

170>2.5

[maveric101 @ Sep 4th 2008 4:35PM]

@ matt

people don't think for themselves these days. they're too stupid/lazy to do a little research, so just say "hey, lots of people have ipods. i should get one of those!"

[Serial 8-Ball Mouse @ Sep 4th 2008 4:39PM]

@Matt

More = Superior?

So by your logic, Macs are completely pathetic compared to Windows PCs, right? Thought so. And here I was thinking you were an OSX kid.

[Quix @ Sep 4th 2008 4:46PM]

"people don't think for themselves these days. they're too stupid/lazy to do a little research, so just say "hey, lots of people have ipods. i should get one of those!"

Perhaps you could apply the same logic to Windows? Why yes. Yes you could.

[diuqil @ Sep 4th 2008 4:47PM]

Basically what Matt is trying to say, is that quantity > quality when it comes to choosing a DAP.

By investing in an Apple product you get the added joy of also purchasing all the version specific peripherals. Come the following year, you get the privilege of buying the next version of the Apple DAP because 1) your batteries are near dead and irreplaceable or 2) there is one or two added feature. Of course, Apple needs to add value, so you get perk 3) a new form factor. Nice, now you can repurchase a new set of version specific peripherals.

Don't forget you just doubled your contribution to Apple's sales count (quantity).

Yes, 170 million iPods can't be wrong, can it?

[ill trooper @ Sep 4th 2008 4:52PM]

"ASSEMBLE THE iFANBOY ARMADA! WE GO TO WAR!"

...are you wearing a Napoleonic-era uniform in the basement man-cave when you shout that to yourself? Because it sure reads that way.

[Serial 8-Ball Mouse @ Sep 4th 2008 4:58PM]

@ill trooper

Yes. And no pants.

[Zak @ Sep 4th 2008 5:08PM]

diuqil: Do you think the iPod got as popular as it did by not being a quality product in the first place? Or how do you think that whole thing happened?

[Serial 8-Ball Mouse @ Sep 4th 2008 5:27PM]

@Zak

It was early in a budding market and was the sleekest and easiest to use of all the competition for a long while.

Not anymore, man. Not anymore.

[grull27 @ Sep 4th 2008 3:33PM]

Trying to compete with the new iPods? Eh.

[JJV @ Sep 4th 2008 3:43PM]

Seems kind of stupid on Microsoft's part if they were to announce new Zunes on the same day that Apple is announcing new ipods/whatever else, as we all know Apple will be in the limelight and Microsoft will just be off in a corner.

[fred @ Sep 4th 2008 3:43PM]

Yeah those "new" rounded corners will be tough to beat. /s

But seriously, If sites like this did their jobs, which after ignoring Google Chrome, Photosynth, and other noteworthy products I'm not holding my breath, then both sets of products will get ample coverage, and everyone will be happy.

However after reading this:

"but Microsoft's going to have to reach deep into the wow box to steal attention from a certain black-turtlenecked raconteur who'll be taking the stage in Cupertino to announce some minor new PMPs that day as well."

I'm expecting the same old, stale, rah-rah blogvertisement coverage for Apple I was hoping left with Ryan Block.

[mrbman92 @ Sep 4th 2008 3:59PM]

yeah i agree with JJV its just gonna be sidelined... it would be a pretty interesting faceoff... I can see the headlines now... Page 1A APPLE RELEASES NEW LINE OF PRODUCTS
and then page 32Z Windows Zune??

[Hellaphunt @ Sep 4th 2008 3:59PM]

If Google Chrome & Photosynth Gadgets Then
MsgBox("Engadget should not have to cover them.")
Else
MsgBox("Ok, you win.)

[Hellaphunt @ Sep 4th 2008 4:02PM]

Gah! "" did not show. If this doesn't show either... screw it. I failed.

[phanbouy @ Sep 4th 2008 4:14PM]

well at least they're covering the shit out of projectors and new Sony stuff for the Porsche set

[stunta @ Sep 4th 2008 4:53PM]

lol@hellaphunt for pretending to be a hacker/programmer. How pathetic.

engadget has never limited itself to just gadgets.For example, CPU/GPUs are not exactly gadgets, they are parts of it. A new version of iTunes - gadget?

[Hellaphunt @ Sep 5th 2008 1:26PM]

@grull27

Why is someone a wannabe hacker/programmer when they post a little code, Mr. Misanthropist?

[Zinger314 @ Sep 4th 2008 3:34PM]

So lemme get this straight...Microsoft is producing Blu-Ray mice?

INCOMING LAWSUIT!

[stunta @ Sep 4th 2008 4:54PM]

Can we sue you for your low IQ?

[Ryan @ Sep 4th 2008 3:38PM]

Maybe they'll wear Hawaiian shirts...

[Zeek @ Sep 4th 2008 3:38PM]

Lemons. How appropriate.

[Decoy @ Sep 4th 2008 3:45PM]

And blue too.

[Jamma @ Sep 4th 2008 3:39PM]

how about a zune release OUTSIDE OF THE USA!!! I would buy one if I wasn't paranoid about imports

UK realease or GTFO

[Jonathan @ Sep 4th 2008 3:52PM]

Canada got it a couple months ago. I just imported mine at the beginning of the year. Just buy online.

[Hugh @ Sep 5th 2008 11:09AM]

I'm with you there, if I import can I get the zune software do work?

[konshuss @ Sep 4th 2008 4:52PM]

it's sad, i never really got into my zune. i've had a 30gb for a year and something about it felt rushed and pointless... i haven't touched it since i tried putting the rambo "digital copy" in wmv on the zune and it failed completely.

zen > zune

[henry young @ Sep 4th 2008 3:40PM]

I had a 5.5 gen ipod, and got the 2nd gen zune. I challenge anyone with an ipod to listen to a zune and check out how good the sound is. It is pretty amazing, and all this without an equalizer.

[konshuss @ Sep 4th 2008 3:40PM]

i refuse to say goodbye to laser. make me.

[Decoy @ Sep 4th 2008 3:47PM]

Too chicken?

[konshuss @ Sep 4th 2008 4:48PM]

ask them, they're the ones not making me do anything.

i'm here chargin' ma lazars.

[ngamer007 @ Sep 4th 2008 3:40PM]

I'm anxious to see the new products, anything to drive competition higher. Mp3 players have been dull for a long time, let's get the ball rolling on some innovation. Not saying it has to come from Microsoft, but if anyone can raise the bar, they've got the funds to do so.

[Alex Padilla @ Sep 4th 2008 3:42PM]

Microsoft, can you PUH-LEASE make the Zunes compatible with Macs?

[Reader @ Sep 4th 2008 4:17PM]

Seriously how many possible Zune buyers use macs? It's gut to be well under 1%.

[Alex Padilla @ Sep 4th 2008 4:22PM]

How many Zune buyers use Macs? I don't know, because Zunes don't worth with them! But I AM pretty sure that more Mac users would buy Zunes if Zunes were compatible.

[Reader @ Sep 5th 2008 1:32AM]

Yeah meant to say prospective Zune buyers, but all the same.

[CJ @ Sep 5th 2008 1:50AM]

Yes, because the high percentile of Mac users that comment on this website would absolutely LOVE to own a Zune. I'm guessing they heap mountains of pointless scorn on it because they're simply jelaous.

Actually, that makes sense, like Sony fanboys raging at Xbox users because they can't play Halo.

[Jubei @ Sep 4th 2008 3:48PM]

Exciting times indeed. For MS to announce new products or services the same day that Apple is hosting a media event would only mean major headlining announcements. I expect to see major product announcements, perhaps groundbreaking and very innovative offerings.

[ly @ Sep 4th 2008 3:55PM]

the same day as Apple event?

[Ry @ Sep 4th 2008 3:56PM]

Microsoft needs a Zune that can compete, feature-wise, with the iPod Touch.