Microsoft ratchets down pricing on flash-based Zunes

If you were this close to snapping up a new Zune after Microsoft pushed out its 3.1 software update, boy, are you glad you held off. At least, if you've been eying a Zune of the flash-based variety. Beginning today, the US Zunes are coming a little more in line with their Canadian brethren by falling from $129 to $99 (4GB), $149 to $139 (8GB) and $199 to $179 (16GB). The Car Pack / Dock Pack are also seeing a $10 decrease while the Home / AV pack is being reduced $20. You already purchased two in the time it took to read this, didn't you?

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 18th 2008 5:44PM]

I was on the fence about getting one for the girl. The decision is a lot easier now. Probably still a no.

[loocas Posted Nov 18th 2008 5:47PM]

You're such a tease!

[loocas Posted Nov 18th 2008 5:54PM]

Hey! I just high-ranked me and the universe didn't collapse!

High-Five!

[inteller Posted Nov 18th 2008 5:55PM]

make sure she doesn't listen to Chinese or Japanese music or she'll hate you for it.

[Branhower Posted Nov 18th 2008 6:10PM]

@loocas:

Now try low-ranking yourself ;).

[loocas Posted Nov 18th 2008 6:27PM]

@ Backlin

I DIDN'T DO IT!

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 18th 2008 7:24PM]

Your mom isn't that tech savvy anyway.

BADA-BING.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 23rd 2008 4:20PM]

I wish the red was actually red, not pinkish-raspberry!
And I still think the screen is inaugurably SMALL for the price you're paying, might as well get an iPod nano!

[bobsakamano Posted Nov 18th 2008 5:45PM]

yes... defer your females technology so she has to rely on you... its the perfect trap

[bobsakamano Posted Nov 18th 2008 5:45PM]

@ lowest rank above

[loocas Posted Nov 18th 2008 6:14PM]

@ Backlin above:

I don't want to disturb the forces now that I'm turning green...

[loocas Posted Nov 18th 2008 6:32PM]

@ low ranking me

Obviously, you didn't get the joke ;)

[nizzy1115 Posted Nov 18th 2008 6:37PM]

We did get it, it just wasn't funny.

[loocas Posted Nov 18th 2008 6:38PM]

@ nizzy1115

Now you're just being cruel...

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 18th 2008 10:27PM]

It's not easy, being green.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 18th 2008 5:46PM]

ehh i always thought zunes were kind of odd looking and sort of ugly. honestly, nothing goes with that shade of green microsoft... and the lower prices still make we want to buy something else.

[bobsakamano Posted Nov 18th 2008 5:48PM]

Speaking in the plural about yourself? Better get that checked out.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 18th 2008 5:49PM]

oh my bad i meant me not we.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 18th 2008 5:54PM]

Well I have to disagree, I think the Zune is a pretty cool looking device, especially the big one, but the green one or whatever color it is is just horrible...

[bobsakamano Posted Nov 18th 2008 5:55PM]

don't you mean "our bad we didn't mean i"?

[Saad Posted Nov 18th 2008 5:57PM]

Because there is only a green colored Zune!

[sinai Posted Nov 18th 2008 6:49PM]

you know what's green?

Apples.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 18th 2008 6:56PM]

@sinai

Yeah, but the green ones taste nasty!

[gemcosta Posted Nov 18th 2008 5:47PM]

So maybe now Microsoft will have 1% market share.

[cesium Posted Nov 18th 2008 5:51PM]

Hahah so funny that you fail. They were at 10% a few months ago. I know it's not much, but its definitely a good start

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 18th 2008 5:55PM]

Why do so many Mac fans make fun of the Zune's market share but act like Apple is going to take over the world with its similarly tiny marketshare?

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 18th 2008 6:03PM]

Awesome, the zune marketshare is as high as Apple's computer marketshare!!!

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 18th 2008 8:01PM]

And it didn't take them 24 years to do it!

[LexSky Posted Nov 18th 2008 9:16PM]

Wow Gabe just gow owned.

[kjb434 Posted Nov 18th 2008 5:50PM]

SWEEEET!

[kojo87 Posted Nov 18th 2008 6:56PM]

except for the part where i bought a car pack literally yesterday :(

[fourblades Posted Nov 18th 2008 5:53PM]

Yay now to find if anyone else is discounting their discounted price as I would like to get the dock.

[maty Posted Nov 18th 2008 5:53PM]

I'll sit in Europe and cry.

Still waiting for this illusive Zune to arrive on these shores.

[GingerFox Posted Nov 18th 2008 5:55PM]

me too damit:@

[engadget fanboy Posted Nov 18th 2008 8:27PM]

Ahh that is why there is ebay.

[Bandigolo Posted Nov 18th 2008 5:54PM]

people still buy standalone PMP's?

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 18th 2008 5:55PM]

Yes.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 18th 2008 6:23PM]

Yep. I love my Zune 30.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 18th 2008 7:33PM]

Yes, 100+ GB memory cards haven't been produced yet.

[funnyperson1 Posted Nov 18th 2008 9:27PM]

I have an iPhone3G and a Zune 30GB and I'm considering carrying both around. When in shuffle mode the iPhone freezes on random songs, sometimes it will play 3 songs, sometimes 30, but it freezes eventually. Then I restart shuffle mode and wait for it to freeze again. Also pressing one physical button in my pocket is more convenient than pulling out the iPhone, pushing the center button, swiping my finger, selecting the ipod application, and then finally touching the button I wanted to.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 18th 2008 6:02PM]

I absolutely LOVE my 120GB Zune... had it about a month now and don't leave home without it, especially since my car's audio deck has the AUX port.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 18th 2008 6:11PM]

I use mine this way too...it never leaves the car, just syncs podcasts and whatever from my garage.

[mcdizzle Posted Nov 18th 2008 6:00PM]

"You already purchased two in the time it took to read this, didn't you?"

No.

[sinai Posted Nov 18th 2008 6:55PM]

LOL SO CLEVER!

[Creativity Posted Nov 18th 2008 6:00PM]

Question: Do we have any idea what the new generation of zunes will have. AND will the new generation flash zunes have a bigger screen, because im on the fence, due to the fact i have the zune 80 but don't really need that much space right now so i am thinking about getting the smaller flash versions, but now since this cut has come im thinking of a new model coming soon.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 18th 2008 6:42PM]

ANSWER: NO

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 18th 2008 8:09PM]

A new model won't be out for another year. Generation 3 of the Zune is expected late 2009 along with a European release.

http://www.anythingbutipod.com/archives/2008/03/third-generation-zune-in-fall-2009-europeans-included.php

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 18th 2008 8:45PM]

I've done some contract design work with Microsoft in the past few months. The next-gen models are pretty much locked in now. The flash-based players will have a flesh-like exterior, and they're lined with fur. The hard disk version is similar, but with no fur. I prefer the hard disk version.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 19th 2008 12:42PM]

I'm hoping for a touch screen edition, but I'm not going to hold my breath.

[Giantenemycrab Posted Nov 18th 2008 6:02PM]

$99 for a solid PMP is a great deal.