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Zune Beats iPod: How Apple Can Learn from Microsoft’s Success
Digital Trends ^ | 11/17/2006 | Rob Enderle

Posted on 11/19/2006 12:25:48 AM PST by Swordmaker

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To: Scutter

And they'll sit on the large screen version as long as it takes them to get the new hybrid touchscreen right. Unlike MS and the entire satellite industry around Windows, Apple isn't willing to ship something that's half-baked out the door because "market experts" demand that they do it.

They're taking their time and they're doing it right.


We have at least one FReeper that works on the iPod for Apple doing software (might be a company contracting with Apple). He's explained it a number of times.


21 posted on 11/19/2006 8:13:28 AM PST by Spktyr (Overwhelmingly superior firepower and the willingness to use it is the only proven peace solution.)
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To: LongElegantLegs

You obviously never had to support that POS.


22 posted on 11/19/2006 8:14:17 AM PST by Spktyr (Overwhelmingly superior firepower and the willingness to use it is the only proven peace solution.)
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To: Spktyr

No, I think I was about 9 when it was released. Maybe that's why I loved it... ;-P


23 posted on 11/19/2006 8:22:28 AM PST by LongElegantLegs (...a urethral syringe used to treat syphilis with mercury.)
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To: Spktyr; Scutter; Swordmaker
1. Large screen - well, that hasn't helped the GigaBeat S, since it has failed to make a dent in the iPod's sales. And a large screen means a bigger device, which people have emphatically demonstrated that they do not want.

It should also be noted that while the screen is physically slightly bigger than the iPod's, it contains the exact same number of pixels. So you're not getting any extra screen real estate, and you also get the added benefit of having most of your videos stretched out of proportion. Go Microsoft!

24 posted on 11/19/2006 8:39:32 AM PST by Dont Mention the War (Giuliani '08: Why not p. o. BOTH sides?)
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To: Spktyr
2. Some people have been very vocal about wanting the FM tuner, but Apple keeps surveying their customers and a tuner isn't high on the list of what their actual customers want.

Actually, what I'd like to see is an AM tuner. I think it's pretty self-evident that the reason most people carry around MP3 players is to avoid generic FM radio in the first place; besides, if you want to listen to the radio, you can do that with a Walkman that costs $15 and has the tuner built into the headphones. But at least an AM tuner would let me quickly switch over and get a talk radio fix if I felt the need.

25 posted on 11/19/2006 8:44:43 AM PST by Dont Mention the War (Giuliani '08: Why not p. o. BOTH sides?)
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To: Allegra; ambrose; Bella_Bru; Born Conservative; Cagey; Caipirabob; CarrotAndStick; CFC__VRWC; ...
iPod
Send FReepmail if you want on/off iPing list
WARNING: This is a high-volume Ping list. Turn your headphones down
The List of Ping Lists

26 posted on 11/19/2006 8:54:16 AM PST by martin_fierro (< |:)~)
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To: Spktyr

Egad.

I read that whole thing and the Zune -- that really really really is a problem.


27 posted on 11/19/2006 9:31:39 AM PST by Sundog (11/2/06 has come and gone, now the Age of Sarcasm is upon us.)
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To: Dont Mention the War
It should also be noted that while the screen is physically slightly bigger than the iPod's, it contains the exact same number of pixels. So you're not getting any extra screen real estate, and you also get the added benefit of having most of your videos stretched out of proportion.
It's the size not the resolution that is important because the video content isn't able to take advantage of any higher resolution. If what you said is true, people would watch standard (not HD) TV on iPod-sized devices. Go Apple Fanboys!
28 posted on 11/19/2006 10:03:08 AM PST by Scutter
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To: Salo

They seem to be. It might not be sarcasm, though, but irony.


29 posted on 11/19/2006 10:08:48 AM PST by RightWhale (RTRA DLQS GSCW)
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To: Salo

I love the Shuffle, it's just what I need, no more, no less.


30 posted on 11/19/2006 10:11:29 AM PST by dfwgator
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To: Swordmaker

Well, it makes zero difference to me which device wins out. With that said, the iPod has dominated for years. Just because the Zune realizes extremely short-term market success in the niche crowd of people who must have something before everyone else does not make it a market winner. Only time will tell. People should monitor for useful market data over three, six, and twelve month windows rather than attempting to draw meaningful conclusions from a single, likely-anomalous data point.


31 posted on 11/19/2006 10:18:03 AM PST by CountryBumpkin
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To: Spktyr
And they'll sit on the large screen version as long as it takes them to get the new hybrid touchscreen right. Unlike MS and the entire satellite industry around Windows, Apple isn't willing to ship something that's half-baked out the door because "market experts" demand that they do it.
Wow, the ignorance of this comment is staggering. Here are a few of Apple computers duds: Don't misinterpret what I am saying; I think Apple makes some fabulous products and I am an iPod owner myself. I just get tired of people treating the two companies (Microsoft and Apple) as if one was operated out of hell and the other one staffed by all-knowing angels. The truth is, Apple is a corporation just like Microsoft. Microsoft has plenty of smart people, and does some pretty innovative things too.

The real danger to innovation is a dearth of competition. Apple is a publicly traded company, in business to make money for the shareholders. Give them a monopoly and they will raise prices and stop spending money on innovation.

32 posted on 11/19/2006 10:18:39 AM PST by Scutter
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To: Scutter
It's the size not the resolution that is important because the video content isn't able to take advantage of any higher resolution. If what you said is true, people would watch standard (not HD) TV on iPod-sized devices. Go Apple Fanboys!

Actually, the iTunes store sells their video at 640x480. They claim it's so that it will look better when you pipe your videos from your iPod to a TV, but most people believe they're just planning ahead for the 6G iPod. My original comment stands: The Zune's screen, while slightly bigger, is no better, and will just stretch many videos out of their aspect ratio.

Go Apple Fanboys? Well, if that's how you wish to define "the entire consumer base of planet Earth," be my guest.

33 posted on 11/19/2006 10:28:50 AM PST by Dont Mention the War (Giuliani '08: Why not p. o. BOTH sides?)
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To: Dont Mention the War
Go Apple Fanboys? Well, if that's how you wish to define "the entire consumer base of planet Earth," be my guest.
No, it's how I define people like you that seem to feel it is some sort of religion rather than just another company selling products.
34 posted on 11/19/2006 11:44:10 AM PST by Scutter
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To: Scutter

Hey, if Microsoft would bother to make a better product, I'd buy it.


35 posted on 11/19/2006 12:16:26 PM PST by Dont Mention the War (Giuliani '08: Why not p. o. BOTH sides?)
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To: Dont Mention the War
Hey, if Microsoft would bother to make a better product, I'd buy it.
I hear ya. Quite frankly, I'd be happy with my current device (a 3G iPod) if I could play the content I purchased from iTMS on other devices (like my Tivo). However, I don't think we'll get there until someone takes away a sizable percentage of Apple's market share. Microsoft is the only company I see with the marketing muscle to pull that off. I also think they are in a good position to leverage their other platforms (XBox, Media Center), assuming Apple doesn't get there first.
36 posted on 11/19/2006 12:23:27 PM PST by Scutter
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To: Scutter
It's the size not the resolution that is important because the video content isn't able to take advantage of any higher resolution.

Uh, at the distances you watch either the Zune's or the iPod's screens, the slightly smaller screen on the iPod would look the same size as the Zune's simply by holding it about 1 inch closer to your eyes. These are not large screen HD TVs, you know.

37 posted on 11/19/2006 12:29:06 PM PST by Swordmaker (Remember, the proper pronunciation of IE is "AAAAIIIIIEEEEEEE!)
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To: Scutter

<<
Apple Newton
>>

I use my Newton every day. I especially love the GPS module I use when kayaking.

Msoft does suck. Look at Explorer -- MS has 20 billion in cash and can't hire someone who can read and understand the CSS specification. I do Web design for a living and 50% of my work is making stuff work with that sh*tty Explorer browser.


38 posted on 11/19/2006 1:43:36 PM PST by noblejones (Ben Stein for President, 2008.)
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To: Swordmaker

Zune on Amazon.com Sales Rank: #44 in Electronics (See http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/new-for-you/top-sellers/-/electronics/all/ref=pd_dp_ts_e_1/103-9152512-0225443 )

Get this turkey while it’s still getable.

~~~~~~~~~~
Apple holds 4 of the 5 top positions.


39 posted on 11/19/2006 5:42:48 PM PST by Peelod (Decentia est fragilis. Curatoribus validis indiget.)
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To: Swordmaker

Heh heh... and I thought this was another "fear, uncertainty, doubt" article. :'D


40 posted on 11/19/2006 5:59:41 PM PST by SunkenCiv (I last updated my profile on Thursday, November 16, 2006 https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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