Zune on CNN, Upstaged at the End

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.cnn.com/video/player/player.html?url=/video/business/2006/11/14/sorkin.minding.your.business.cnn&wm=native_mac' target='_blank'>http://www.cnn.com/video/player/player.html?url=/video/business/2006/11/14/sorkin.minding.your.business.cnn&wm=native_mac</a><br /><br /></div><img alt="" src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/zt/2006/wey-20061115-zunecnn.jpg" /><br /><br />CNN has published a <a target="_blank" href="http://www.cnn.com/video/player/player.html?url=/video/business/2006/11/14/sorkin.minding.your.business.cnn&amp;wm=native_mac">video interview</a> with NYT's Andrew Ross Sorkin who introduces the Zune to the news team. Unfortunately, the Zune got served at the end by the new iPod shuffle. I'm not denying that the iPod shuffle is an impressive bit of booty, but a lot of mainstream media seem so blinded by Apple's offerings that they tend not to show much interest in other competitors' products. Perhaps we'll see a turnaround in a couple of years time.

[Dennis Hayes]

Ouch.

I wonder if this represents a fair cross section of opinion regarding the Zune. Because if I am Microsoft, this review/video is a complete and utter disaster. How could it have gone worse?

I was expecting more 'coolness' from Microsoft. They may be biding their time. Clearly this will take years to achieve the coolness factor that Apple has. And I sure there is more up their sleeves, because there had better be. It may be better to take Sony's shutgun approach: release everything and then see what sticks.

[ronb]

This seemingly blind ipod following in at least this country (USA) had mystified me until I read someone report that most mainstream/popular press newsrooms and reporters use only Apple computers. So, when the iPod came along, with it's admittedly simple/intuitive UI, these non-techy reporters finally had something they could figure out. Therefore, they started reporting on it in the mainstream press as something new and great, hence giving Apple the title of inventor of the digital audio player (which is taken as synonymous with "iPod").

This incident seems to follow that same vein.

(I acknowledge that this point has probably been made in dozens of other threads, but it seemed to fit here as well.)

[jdmountford]

How can you even compare the iPod Shuffle and Zune?

They are at completely different ends of the spectrum? Would anyone compare the iPod Video and the iPod Shuffle?

Idiocy!

[Dyvim]

They are completely different, but I still think the incident is insightful into how non-techno-geeks may view the whole Zune thing. i.e. ask why should I switch? Yes, the iPod shuffle is a completely different device (a 1 GB flash-based DAP with no screen vs. a 30 GB hard drive-based DMP with 3" screen and photo and video capabilities as well as wireless sharing), but this may be a common comparison that many consumers will be making during the Xmas shopping season: Should I buy this cute small simple DAP for $79 that carries the iPod name or should I get the larger Zune that does much more for $249 or should I get something else?

BTW, I recently handled the new Shuffle at an Apple store and I must say that I was really impressed. I've never had any interest in the shuffle or similar super low storage capacity DAPs before as I've considered them to be way too small (4 GB is about my bottom limit) and I like having a screen, but there's something very nice about this DAP. Love the aluminum case, super-small size, and built-in clip.

[Paul Martin]

I've got to agree. From the non-tech standpoint, in that clip, the shuffle seems "cooler". Then you look at the size when she clips it on to the jacket and now the Zune looks clunky and not cool. It might have been different if they had had a full-sized iPod there. Does Apple underwrite CNN? :D

[Aaron Roma]

Ick, that was pretty weak. I don't mind the one guy's description and criticisms of the Zune... he was pretty much dead on. But the comparisons to the Shuffle were just terrible.