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Microsoft Zune: $249, November 14
Microsoft has dropped the price of their Zune media player to $249.99, and says they'll be available for purchase starting November 14. The Zune features a color display and 30GB of storage capacity, and the music subscription service partnered with the device offers songs for 99 cents, or a subscription for $14.99. Reuters touches on how Microsoft is integrating the service with their "Microsoft Points" currency system, which you're probably familiar with if you've used their Xbox Live broadband gaming network. More detail in the press release.
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Anonymous88
Premium Member
join:2004-06-01
IA

Anonymous88

Premium Member

$249.99 U.S

The correct price is $249.99 U.S.

Way overpriced just like any other MP3 player...

Pashune
Caps stifle innovation
Premium Member
join:2006-04-14
Gautier, MS

Pashune

Premium Member

Re: $249.99 U.S

Agreed. I paid $50 for my Sandisk 512 MB mp3 player. Though expensive and limited in space, I don't go places often; and when I do, it makes for a good time killer
Pictor Guy
join:2004-06-21
Sammamish, WA

Pictor Guy

Member

Re: $249.99 U.S

said by Pashune:

Agreed. I paid $50 for my Sandisk 512 MB mp3 player. Though expensive and limited in space, I don't go places often; and when I do, it makes for a good time killer
Wow... yup... compare the price of a 30GB player to a 512MB player. Lets see... that Sandisk cost you $100 per GB. Or to get 30GB from your Sandisk you would need to buy $3,000 worth of them. Even the iPod shuffle is a better deal at $79 for a GB.

Speedy8
Premium Member
join:2002-08-22
Alliance, OH

Speedy8

Premium Member

Re: $249.99 U.S

Don't forget the color screen.
iotastorm
join:2006-01-24
Florissant, MO

iotastorm

Member

Re: $249.99 U.S

But...But..but..Its says Micro$oft on it!

kangabil
Do It Now, Do It Right
Premium Member
join:2005-05-15
Australia

kangabil

Premium Member

Re: $249.99 U.S

That is has M$ label is my real worry.

How many patches before it really works.
How many bugs that will ensure it WON'T work
And if I did buyt it (no way Jose') then I'm tied even tighter to the M$ octapus. Buy M$ machine, get M$ permission to play only M$ labelled software and on M$ approved ownloads.

I don't think so thanks.

odreian615
join:2006-01-18
Chicago, IL

1 edit

odreian615

Member

Re: $249.99 U.S

M$ actully didnt make it Toshiba did

Fatal Vector
join:2005-11-26

Fatal Vector

Member

Re: $249.99 U.S



Who cares who manufactured it? Point is that it was made to Micro$oft specs.

blahh0
@comcast.net

blahh0

Anon

Re: $249.99 U.S

what a HATER.

Fatal Vector
join:2005-11-26

Fatal Vector

Member

Re: $249.99 U.S

"what a HATER."

What a dufus thing to say. The truth of the fact that it was made under contract to M$ specs is simply the truth. How is that being a "hater"?

Duhhhhhh.

phattieg
join:2001-04-29
Winter Park, FL

phattieg to kangabil

Member

to kangabil
said by kangabil:

That is has M$ label is my real worry.

How many patches before it really works.
How many bugs that will ensure it WON'T work
And if I did buyt it (no way Jose') then I'm tied even tighter to the M$ octapus. Buy M$ machine, get M$ permission to play only M$ labelled software and on M$ approved ownloads.

I don't think so thanks.
Well, my experience with Microsoft NON-PC devices is pretty good. Not to mention there is a large community already that is familiar with it. The good thing about this being Microsoft made is the hacks and mods that will become available to make the device better. It's like everything else, only since the device will have a larger group of developers (unlike the Mac, smaller group of idea makers) I think it just might take off...

peter_m
Premium Member
join:2005-07-13
Canada, QC

1 edit

peter_m to iotastorm

Premium Member

to iotastorm

Linux Linux Linux Linux Linux Linux Linux Linux

I'm sure some hacker or group of hackers would love to have it boot LINUX... I would buy one just for that!

dvd536
as Mr. Pink as they come
Premium Member
join:2001-04-27
Phoenix, AZ

dvd536

Premium Member

Re: Linux Linux Linux Linux Linux Linux Linux Linux

said by peter_m:

I'm sure some hacker or group of hackers would love to have it boot LINUX... I would buy one just for that!
What good would that do if you cant use it due to the DRM?
Pictor Guy
join:2004-06-21
Sammamish, WA

Pictor Guy to peter_m

Member

to peter_m
You can already install Linux on the iPod

peter_m
Premium Member
join:2005-07-13
Canada, QC

1 edit

peter_m

Premium Member

Re: Linux Linux Linux Linux Linux Linux Linux Linux

But this should have better video.. larger screen then the current iPod. I bet it has more RAM and a faster processor as well. Also will be less expensive then Apple's iPod but most importantly it will be funny to have it run Linux while the case says Micro$oft.


But seriously, installing Linux will remove any silly restrictions, will give access to more codecs, will allow you to customise it with third party software and will satisfy urges to mess with Micro$oft.

It's a win-win situation unless you want to use the DRM stuff, then it's a no-no.

rachelsfx
join:2004-09-27
Pensacola, FL

rachelsfx to Speedy8

Member

to Speedy8
Automatically imports your existing music, pictures and videos from iTunes and Windows Media Player in a variety of formats

If it plays iTunes music and videos, it looks like M$ is going full steam after Apple. Smart to play iTunes stuff too which may slowly break iPod's strangehold on MP3 players at their ridiculously high prices for supposed quality.
Pictor Guy
join:2004-06-21
Sammamish, WA

Pictor Guy

Member

Re: $249.99 U.S

said by rachelsfx:

Smart to play iTunes stuff too which may slowly break iPod's strangehold on MP3 players at their ridiculously high prices for supposed quality.
How will they do that is Apple is still holding fairplay?

And how are MSFTs prices any better?
markopoleo
join:2003-04-02
Bonne Terre, MO

1 edit

markopoleo to Pictor Guy

Member

to Pictor Guy
Some tech site did a survey awhile back and noted most people use less than %10 of there storage space on mp3 players. I agree, i have a hard time filling up 512megs with songs I want to listen to. For cutting grass, or doing stuff its plenty of space for me at least.

I also have that 512meg sandisk player, its great no complaints at all with it, does its job, and easy controls. I even dropped it off the roof 3-4 times still ticking. hehe

I wish they could make a wireless mp3 player so you could eliminate the cords, hard to carry stuff at work with cords in way though.

The Zune has potential, have not read much on the service it offers, but again 99 cents a song is WAY to much, and DRM needs to go.
xrobertcmx
Premium Member
join:2001-06-18
White Plains, MD

xrobertcmx

Premium Member

Re: $249.99 U.S

That is what movies are for.
For the longest time I wouldn't buy an Ipod. I just didn't get it, bought a creative Zen and I was never really happy with it.
Then I finally broke down and grabed a 5th gen Video Ipod and love it...once I bought a skin to protect the screen.
I load my DVD's onto it and watch them in the gym.

NPGMBR
join:2001-03-28
Arlington, VA

NPGMBR to markopoleo

Member

to markopoleo
I have a Dell DJ20 (20gigs). I currently have 1,707 tracks, with 8548MB of space left. I have every song I like on it and will fill it up in the coming years as I include newer songs that will become my favorites.

To be honest I don't see the point of a study that says x amount of people only have x amount of spaced used on their hard disk because over time people will add to it making that whole argument moot.
zlm44mut4b
join:2003-07-28
Plano, TX

zlm44mut4b to Pictor Guy

Member

to Pictor Guy
I think the point you missed is the fact that he doesn't need it (even though an iPod (or any other larger MP3 play) may be the better deal. If you go to the store for a clock; let's say its $5. The store offers you 60 for $1 each. Sure you may be getting a better deal on the grand scale, but you also just spent $60 on 60 clocks when 1 would have cost you $5.

That example is a bit off because you can always sell the other clocks off, but what if you couldn't (like the OP couldn't resell 59.5GB from an iPod)?
Ahrenl
join:2004-10-26
North Andover, MA

Ahrenl

Member

Re: $249.99 U.S

If you don't need a 30GB player, then how can you determine if the pricing is correct? Personally I think $250 is a great price if it has a screen that is outstanding. I don't know if it does, but I know my Vision:M which I paid $250 for does.. Since I ride a train for 45mins twice a day, not only do I use it watch a lot of movies, that I'd otherwise never get to see, I also keep 10-15GB's of music on it, which even now, has ALL been listened to thoroughly.. Now $300 for a 30GB video Ipod which has a terrible looking screen, and a GUI made by Apple; I don't deem a good value.
Pictor Guy
join:2004-06-21
Sammamish, WA

Pictor Guy

Member

Re: $249.99 U.S

said by Ahrenl:

Now $300 for a 30GB video Ipod which has a terrible looking screen, and a GUI made by Apple; I don't deem a good value.
FYI The 30GB iPod has a new(er) screen and is $249 (not $300).

Pashune
Caps stifle innovation
Premium Member
join:2006-04-14
Gautier, MS

Pashune to Pictor Guy

Premium Member

to Pictor Guy
Anything past $50 at the moment is out of my profit, if I buy it and it works, and it settles my needs, why complain? Sheesh, I only have 5 gb of music on my computer. That's around..4,000 mp3s.

kamm
join:2001-02-14
Brooklyn, NY

kamm to Pashune

Member

to Pashune
said by Pashune:

Agreed. I paid $50 for my Sandisk 512 MB mp3 player. Though expensive and limited in space, I don't go places often; and when I do, it makes for a good time killer
I'm sorry but it's hardly a comparison - in fact your player is quite overpriced if we calculate the usual $/MB price, not to mention it has way more feaqture - let alone the fact that 512MB is technically useless for anybody with lot of high-quality (256-320kb MP3 or FLAC) music files like me.

My BIG-BIG-BIG beef with most of the playes is the missing FLAC support - it's ridiculous, I refuse to use ANY DRm'ed shitface codec for my own CDs. I have a PSP w/ 4 gig mini-HDD, it's quite a brick for weekdays when I only need a music-only device, I was eyeballing with Sandisk's 8 gig flash player - even expandable with miniSD - but NO FLAC...! Are you listening, Sandisk?
OTOH Cowon's excellent iAudio 6 supports FLAC and everything else I want and even more but it's 4 gig only (and sports a mini-HDD though I don't care about it)...

I want a FLAC-enabled player with AT LEAST 8GB space!!!

Pashune
Caps stifle innovation
Premium Member
join:2006-04-14
Gautier, MS

Pashune

Premium Member

Re: $249.99 U.S

I don't know a soul who has more than 10 gb of music Ordering hardware online is a joke; the last few times I've ordered computer hardware from 2 DIFFERENT sites, I've waited almost a month for the packages to arrive. My mail/postal service in my area is pathetic. So, the SanDisk mp3 players were all that was available in my area. Almost every mp3 I have is encoded at 128 kbit, with a select few at 256 kbit and up. Sure, the quality can be somewhat mediocre, but with the stuff I listen to, the music isn't even purchasable. I'm not someone with big $$$ to blow. ^_^ I'd rather spend $250 on a new life. Yeah, call me poor, but that's how my family works. I rarely leave my home, so why would I need an mp3 player with such massive storage? My school doesn't allow an mp3 player in possession on the premises. SanDisk has done what I wanted it to do. =o And for the soul who said iPods were better; I'm not laying a finger on those. My girlfriend has had THREE of them; all which died in one year. And if she has trouble with them; chances are I'm going to as well. This rant need not continue..

You are all welcome to flame me and/or call me biased, stereotypical, or other related terms.

SRFireside
join:2001-01-19
Houston, TX

SRFireside

Member

Re: $249.99 U.S

I own close to 30 GB of music on my computer. That's not thousands of mp3 downloads either. That's transfers from CDs and records I own. Granted I have a lot of music and I encode the music at 192kbps, but that still means I have more than 10Gb. My 30 GB Zen Touch works fine for me. I haven't maxed out the storage (because I don't need ALL of my music library to go), but it's nice to see the room for expansion.

BTW rock on with your SanDisk player. If you ask me a good mp3 player is the one that meets your needs. You don't need a lot of storage, but want a small and sturdy player? Bingo.
DarkSithPro (banned)
join:2005-02-12
Tempe, AZ

DarkSithPro (banned) to Anonymous88

Member

to Anonymous88
Hey guys, what Anti-Virus program does it come with?

rachelsfx
join:2004-09-27
Pensacola, FL

rachelsfx to Anonymous88

Member

to Anonymous88
Microsoft announces users need to download 15 patches including one that lets hackers exploit a flaw in its firmware that could allow a takeover of you computer or a network.

Requirements: Vista (works with XP with software with more DRM than anyone thought possible).

Camelot One
MVM
join:2001-11-21
Bloomington, IN

Camelot One

MVM

Whats the bit rate on the "service"?

My only complaint against ITunes, aside from DRM, is the low quality. If MS offers a higher bit rate/better sounding download for the same price, I'll bite.

Speedy8
Premium Member
join:2002-08-22
Alliance, OH

Speedy8

Premium Member

Re: Whats the bit rate on the "service"?

The only way I'd buy music online is if I could buy it in lossless format with no DRM, but that isn't going to happen.
amungus
Premium Member
join:2004-11-26
America

amungus

Premium Member

Re: Whats the bit rate on the "service"?

some bands do. I've actually purchased shows I've seen in FLAC a few days after the event (Primuslive.com, bootlegs.PearlJam.com).
Very nice of them to do.

...but you're right, now if only a service would do this, I'd buy a song for a buck, or a discounted album (with artwork!).
Currently, I am (mostly) happy w/Rhapsody's $10/mo. deal.

IMO, $14/mo. is a little steep just to "take it with you." ..Let alone the costs of all these fancy players... you can still get a 20GB rio "karma" player on ebay for a little over $100. THAT is a deal. So what if it doesn't "Play for Sure" it WORKS... (and plays FLAC's!) ..What do you get for $150 more dollars??? A color screen, and DRM... hmm...

Don't care to take video with me and watch it on a puny little screen. If I were that crazed about doing it, I'd rather be entertained by at least a PSP sized screen and have the option of playing games too.

MS is WAY too late in this game.
This won't put a dent on iTunes or Rhapsody or Yahoo. "Look, I just got a coool ..Microsoft?... zoon-pod, I'm sooo cool, you aren't because you only have an xyz-pod.."

...I don't think so...

With all the extra DRM this madness will have, I really don't get the point. People don't care for it, PERIOD! eMusic, for instance, knows this... BANDS know this, normal people know this... It's just worthless to everyone except old timer lawyers who think it'll somehow "protect" their greedy selves and their clients.
Pictor Guy
join:2004-06-21
Sammamish, WA

Pictor Guy

Member

undercuts?

If we're splitting hairs here Cupertino did the undercutting by 99 cents. Not Redmond. MSFT is overcharging by 99 cents.

rachelsfx
join:2004-09-27
Pensacola, FL

rachelsfx

Member

Re: undercuts?

WalMart only charges $.88 for songs at 128kbps.
Pictor Guy
join:2004-06-21
Sammamish, WA

Pictor Guy

Member

Re: undercuts?

said by rachelsfx:

WalMart only charges $.88 for songs at 128kbps.
I was talking about the $249.99 (Zune) vs. the $249.00 (iPod).

TOPDAWG
Premium Member
join:2005-04-27
Calgary, AB

TOPDAWG

Premium Member

Prices wars need to happen

Well lets hope it sells pretty good so Apple is forced to go into price wars with M$.

I mean damn a nice MP3 player is almost as much as a damn PC.

••••

hayabusa3303
Over 200 mph
Premium Member
join:2005-06-29
Florence, SC

hayabusa3303

Premium Member

Strange

Very strange on this. NOTICE the release date. Right before the PS3 launch. Guess they couldnt have Gaylo 3 done in time so they will launch this.

Doesnt toshiba also build for a apple too" hardrives right"
correct me if im wrong.

Dagda1175
join:2001-06-17
Goleta, CA

Dagda1175

Member

die, iTunes

anything that doesnt use itunes i might have to try...

••••

dispatcher21
911 Where is your emergency?
join:2004-01-22
united state

1 edit

dispatcher21

Member

Use MuvAudio and have no DRM issues.

Just get MuvAudio and your DRM problems are gone. www.muvaudio.com

redxii
Mod
join:2001-02-26
Michigan

redxii

Mod

Ok, but...

can the battery be removed?

hayabusa3303
Over 200 mph
Premium Member
join:2005-06-29
Florence, SC

hayabusa3303

Premium Member

Re: Ok, but...

I would say no unless you unscrew 6 screws i would say.

Hope i doesnt use SONY batteries
More have been recalled..

FLAMING ZUNE ANYONE?
valuepac0
join:2001-05-30
Santa Monica, CA

valuepac0

Member

Car integration

Ill buy one when they have car integration like my ipod has with my Alpine car deck

•••••
tmc8080
join:2004-04-24
Brooklyn, NY

tmc8080

Member

shrug, sigh, sniffle,

What is so great about another "player" in the PMP world?
If you read the "specs" non-drm codecs are locked down similar to the crappy ipod codecs. So, what has changed? You get a slightly larger screen? Ooooh.

MS is going to have to fight tooth and nail on price/flexability. Another possibility is to "hack" the box to support wider codecs/apps, such as p2p non subscription software and wifi, or the ability to use it as a voip soft-phone, or work with msn messenger, etc. Why is the XBOX 360 gotten such rapid marketshare so soon?

Obliteration
Premium Member
join:2005-09-18
Somewhere

1 recommendation

Obliteration

Premium Member

Doesn't look very pretty....

Seriously if I'm going to dish out $250 for an MP3 it is going to be for one that is good looking.

$250 for a nice looking iPod or $250 for a nasty looking Zune?

Hmmm....

NPGMBR
join:2001-03-28
Arlington, VA

NPGMBR

Member

Re: Doesn't look very pretty....

Nasty looking is a matter of preference don't ya think? I personally think the iPod is ugly and although everyone applauds its design I find the design of my DJ to be better particularly since I have dedicated buttons for the controls which means I don't have to look at the darn thing to adjust the volune, pause or forward to a different track.

sporkme
drop the crantini and move it, sister
MVM
join:2000-07-01
Morristown, NJ

sporkme

MVM

Questions?

So a "big bright screen", wi-fi, and a hard drive = What kind of battery life?

$99 for a set of cables and a remote?

"Preloaded with content" = "Try AOL for FREE!"

What's the bitrate on the songs in the Zune store?

Only 30GB for a device with a screen that is large enough to watch video content?

The press release is really short on details. I wonder if they have the balls to make it Mac compatible?

Mr Anon
@k12.il.us

Mr Anon

Anon

Re: Questions?

Actually I don't thin MS has realeased and allowed that much informaton to be posted. I remember seeing a review (was still more like a preview) that told what file types it would play etc etc but even it was still missing Key info.

Rob A
Adjusting
Premium Member
join:2005-01-17
Pompton Plains, NJ

Rob A

Premium Member

Overpriced...

and overrated.

•••••••••

inteller
Sociopaths always win.
join:2003-12-08
Tulsa, OK

inteller

Member

way overpriced.

Microsoft says they will lose money on them....I doubt it. Just how hard is it to come up with a little device with a screen, wifi, and 30gb? Not very. Hell you can get an old PPC for less that that and pop in a CF HD.

Mr Anon
@k12.il.us

Mr Anon

Anon

I might be tempted to bite but...

It has some good features, but the other person would have to have a zune for you to use it. Not a super big issue as I would think about buying the girlfriend one too.

That isn't a scroll wheel, just looks like one.

So far as I've heard the limites on transfering music wirlessly applies to DRM AND Non DRM music, I don't care to share my music (it could even be free to share or personal sound files) with someone wirelessly if they only get three over three.

It will take musci from iTunes but only non encrypted, I don't care though because I don't use or have iTunes nore an Ipod and I can't stand it and don't like m4a, if I get one I'll be using MP3 and YamiPod

I don't know if this thing supports a mass storage mode, I have about 20 ~ 28 GB of music but I might not load anything that doesn't have a complete tag, I'd like to take the unused space and use it for something else, never know when you might need it.

Lastly I though it was going to be 229, 20 less than the new Ipod price point. now that you don't have to use iTunes and I can throw on my music and play lists how and as I please I'm cool with it. Not only that but they are highly hackable and the have tons of accessories, noticably protective cases.

Midak
Doctors suck
Premium Member
join:2002-02-26
Stormville, NY

Midak

Premium Member

The big picture

What too many people miss here is that it puts Apple in check and creates competition from a company than can actually go toe-to-toe with the iPod. The whole DRM issue is moot for most...or am I the only one who did not pay 99¢ for each mp3 I have...a little over 20GB worth. I will probably get the iPod after the Zune comes out as I am sure Apple will reduce the price on it again, which they would not be doing if not for the Zune.