Apple and Microsoft both issued a slew of updates to the
iPod and
Zune lineups in the past two days, and it looks like some of the new features will be kicked down to older devices as well. Although it was expected that second-gen Zunes would get all the new Zune 3.0 features, Microsoft says that the older Zune 30 will also receive an update to enable Buy From FM, Channels, and WiFi music store
features,
and Apple reps at the Let's Rock event told CNET that the iPod classic will eventually get an update to enable the new Genius playlists. That's particularly interesting since Genius is most definitely a new feature, but it doesn't sound like Apple's going to charge for it -- which flies in the face of the company's "we have to charge for new features because of
Sarbanes-Oxley accounting requirements" $9.95
iPod touch update price reasoning. We won't complain too loudly about free updates, but that's definitely a little odd -- care to explain, Steve?
Update: We just spoke with Apple, and it appears people are getting all kinds of facts wrong. The iPod classic will
not be getting an update with Genius functions. Don't ask us why... it just ain't.
Read - iPod classic getting Genius update
Read - Zunes getting Zune 3.0 firmware update
posted September 10th 2008 5:03PM
Ahh ZG. Keeps trying. It's good you kept your response within a few sentences. We all know what happens if you extend yourself too much.
The numbers speaks for themselves. Even the old technology from Apples impressive iPod line has relegated your failed Zune to the bottom of the barrel. Touting FM radio to impress users of the digital age.
What is worse is the pathetic offerings at the Zune Marketplace. Maybe if Need For Speed is available for the Zune it may get some traction. I mean games are available on the Zune correct? I'm sure apps will come soon.
When that happens Zune will announce several dozen downloads of Apps for the quarter vs the 100 MILLION in a little over a month for iPod/Phone.
The numbers don't speak jack shit in this case considering the iPod has been out since 2000/2001 and the Zune was released in 2006 into an already flooded market. 2.6/7% market share is pretty good in this case- only a blind fool such as yourself would say otherwise, and the Zune's absolutely stomp every competing iPod into the ground. I'm sorry you don't realize this, but it's a simple fact, that you wouldn't think would be too hard to wrap your tiny brain around.
Need for Speed? You're joking, right? You mean that franchise that has been dried up since the first Underground for PS2/Xbox? I would be ashamed to have that available for my product if I were Apple- it will only cost them more money than it will make, but still, I love how you continue to compare a device that is on a completely different level to the Zune. It just makes you look like an ignorant buffoon. What, is the Zune so good that you have to compare it to the iPhone/iPod Touch all the time? I don't see the Classic or Nano (the Zune's competition) getting anything like that, and the games coming out for the Zune are going to stomp their games into the ground as well. You must think pretty highly of the Zune if you're going to compare it to the iPod Touch all the time.
You're so funny Jubei- in less than 2 minutes of my time, I have, as always, destroyed your argument- but feel free to reply with the simple minded drivel you always post... It generally goes along the lines of this "MS is a 'me too' company with a 'me too' product, and Apple continues to innovate...", blah blah blah... Seriously, that's all you do. You ignore the other's argument and repeat the same shit. You're like a broken record; a scratchy, loud, annoying record.
So i see you equate sales success to the success of a product.
Whats OSX marketshare again?
"Touting FM radio to impress users of the digital age."
You're a moron. Why would Apple release the FM radio attachment if it didnt matter then, huh?
Ahhh... There he is! Jubie! The biggest "me too" Apple tool, err, I mean..."stealth Apple marketer".
First of all, you mentioned the seamless ecosystem. In the Zune software, you put a song in your marked folders and it's automatically added to your Zune. Last I used iTunes, you needed to "Check for New Folders/Songs" everytime you added something (that wasn't purchased from the iTunes store). That's not seamless. Also, if you disconnect the iPod when it's not ready...you have the potential to corrupt the songs and/or hard drive. The Zune knows better...you can disconnect it without worry. The Zune software also allows me to encode in the highest quality lossless for my regular listening while automatically convertering to a space saving and more reasonable bit rate for the DAP. That's seamless. The Zune software ALSO allows me to get all of my cover art and song info without opening an iTunes account. The Zune also trusts me enough to purchase songs without DRM laden crap. That's seamless.
You mean that Apple has failed to market the 160gb player so they scaled down to a 120gb player.
The Touch is not the future of anything. It's created to fit a certain market. If anything, it's a PSP lite. Until it extends past a 60gb capacity, it can't be considered a serious portable music device. Its target market is school age kids (grade school through college). It fits this market well but, for people like me, it'll never fit the needs that a dedicated PMP is made for. (carrying my whole music collection with me)
If I wanted to play mobile games, I'd buy a PSP...better titles and better controls. Personally, I don't play games when I'm out. When I go out, I talk to people... Females=Good=Better than Video Games. Just saying... When I do get the itch to game, I play on my more than capable self-built PC. You might have heard of the tens of thousands of high quality games on the PC that have inspired countless movies and trends? You do know that Need for Speed was available around 10 years ago on the PC, right? I guess it must be good if you've waited 10 years to play it...
By the way, you do know that the Zune is just a pet project to Microsoft right? Most of the revenue that MSFT reports is via their solid enterprise offerings. Even their new Auto division has enjoyed contracts with everyone from BMW to Honda and Toyota.
Now, don't get me wrong... I'm not obsessed with Microsoft. I do respect their commitment to give back to the world though. (working with universities, countless philanthropy, making tech affordable for everyone, etc.) The goal of my response here is to cast away the delusion that you suffer from. I know, I know...you're a "stealth marketer" and that means you have to lie. Here's a little lesson in sales... Don't attack your potential customers. If you want to switch someone to another product (no matter what the cost), you have to acknowledge their needs and tastes. After all, it's THEIR choice. Once you listen a little, you then begin to build value in your product. If you know your product well enough (and the competition, like any good salesman does) then you'll be able to inform people enough to sell themselves on the product. ...that's a free lesson, the next update will be $9.95.
It's quite funny how some of these fans of the failing Zune makes assumptions about who they are debating with.
ZG the master of contradiction once again contradicts himself. Yet is unable to comprehend what he is doing that makes his rebuttals completely absurd.
The other poster is disillusioned that the iPod 160 GB was a failure, and has no understanding of the sophisticated sales tracking and forecasting systems that Apple uses. Another amateurish assumption.
The reality is this. Zune a direct "me too" product, whose sole purpose is to disrupt the industry by stabbing their "Played fer Sure" partners. Zune Marketplace another "me too" service with anemic media offerings that offers nothing unique about it all. Pushing a social sharing ecosystem to its user base, a base that is more scarce than the giant squids found in the wild.
The Zune itself, the ugliest piece of hardware in the market. MS own Flash device that emulates Mickey Mouse is still too thick for its own good. Unable to match the high quality and cutting edge designs of the new iPod. Thinner, high quality build, and stunning designs. Side by side, the Zune looks like something from Mother Russia produced during the cold war. Adding a useless WiFi feature that requires an open unsecured network for unsuspecting victims is Pathetic.
@Ruben
No need for name calling. FM radio is there so that die hard old school users like you can finally enjoy the iPod. Yet you still have your analog outdated FM radio to pacify your need for enjoying music with constant interruptions of commercials and occasional static for your listening pleasure. Now Zune users can upgrade from a mickey mouse player to a cool player.
Jubei, you are the most pathetic, idiotic, and outright stupid person I have EVER seen on Engadget. You sit here and make claims against me about how I'm a "study of contradictions" and all this other bullshit, but you never elaborate. Why? Because you have nothing. You make bloated statements that you can't back up. Ever.
But still, I understand what it's like to be jealous... Hey guys, what do you say we donate and help him get a Zune so he can get rid of his 1st generation iPod?
Everyone needs to stop 'Low Ranking' Jubei, please, It's hard to read his posts now.
And gods know I need a laugh.
We just learned about Sarbane - Oxley requirements in our Legal environment of Business class! One of the many joys of undergraduate business school.
Here's a quote from zuneinsider regarding FM song tagging on the Zune:
> Now when you hear a song on a radio station that transmits with RDS or RT+ data feeds , you’ll be able to tag that song and purchase it.
So basically it relies on RDS to do its magic. In my town I don't know any major stations that transmit RDS, and since owning my Zune 30 I've never found one even out of town. So much for that feature.
Where do you live? Every where I've been, all the major stations have RDS.
Although the title 'Genius list' makes me cringe, especially after some of my experiences with the 'Genius bar', those lists are actually very useful and have made my old music collection seem new again.
http://www.learnucd.com/kevlar/im-a-genius
Ahhh, how cute of you guys to try and bring some politically correct equality by featuring rivaling corporations' updates in the same post..twice. But comparing Zune with iPod? C'mon, that's like comparing Obama's Highway of Hope to Palin's moose trail (I'll leave readers to decide which is which.)
Dear post-Block editor, whatever your name is, I hope you're not taking the beloved Edge out of ENGADGET, because that would make it.. NGA T.
actually, the edge departed with Ryan already. her name was Veronica. we miss you miss V...
Yes, good idea, let's put some of the EDGE back into Engadget.
Because, you know, this isn't a blog reporting gadget and tech news, it's simply a congregation point and fight club for fanboys. The writers are just here to facilitate the massive comment wars.
Personally, I'd rather Engadget lose its EDGE, if it means I don't lose a bit more of my fait in Humanity everytime I read a Zune or Apple post.
I'm with CJ on this. The old "pro-Apple let's bash anything that Microsoft puts out and compare any new gadget to an Apple product" Engadget annoyed me to the point of taking multi-month breaks from visiting the site.
I love the real conversational sarcasm but, not when it's at the sake of promoting one company and bashing another. That reminds me of high school. Granted, there are some readers that are in high school. ...but, you can't cater to everyone and I'd bet the majority of traffic here is from working adults who enjoy this as a sanity-saver during their work day.
It's possible to provide sarcastic wit AND not promote Apple. It's just harder.
It's odd that M$ is the one that gives out free firmware updates for their products. I'm totally joining the social.
Welcome!
when is this going to happen.. i mean when would we be able to update our old ipod classics to the latest firmware?
Browse to Artist! Browse to Artist! BROWSE TO ARTIST!
ipod not getting genius
Update: Apple gave us a call last night, and apparently the resident iPod 'expert' at the event the other day wasn't as much of an expert as we'd hoped. Apparently there aren't plans to offer a free Genius-enabling update to the original iPod classic. This was, by the way, the same expert who told us high-definition iTunes downloads would be supported by the new iPod classic -- something that turned out to be only vaguely accurate.
Haha!
Engadget is like the kid in class asking if the teacher is going to collect the homework, and everybody gives him death stares for reminding the teacher to collect the homework they didn't do.
Why would Engadget ask Apple what's up with not charging people for a little update?
*death stare*
i don't care about genius, but I want the middle button hold menu.. add to on-the-go, browse album, browse artist. That would be better then the genius update.