UK Zune-Lusting Peeps, Don't Get Too Depressed Yet

[Jason Dunn]

http://www.zuneinsider.com/2006/10/uk_launch_date.html

"So we’ve said all along that we are looking at expanding Zune to other countries, but we haven't made any official announcements about timing. Many of you have seen the recent statement re: U.K. availability. It was taken out of context, and it's not representative of the official Microsoft position. Right now, everyone here's excited to launch Zune in the U.S. on November 14th, and I'll share additional details on other countries as they become available."

The above quote is from Cesar Menendez, in response to this story that's been floating around the Web. It seems that the Zune team doesn't want people thinking that the Zune won't make it to the UK until 2008...but they also don't want to go on record as staying exactly when it will come out either. The whole thing is a bit frustrating - at this point, Microsoft has absolutely nothing to lose by playing their launch cards so close to their vest. Companies don't pre-announce new products to avoid hurting the sales of the current generation of products, but that doesn't apply here. What it will accomplish, however, is to freeze the buying decision of customers who are looking at an iPod or another player, but want to wait and see what the Zune offers first. That's a good thing for the Zune team, and they need every advantage they can get. Why not announce launch dates around the world so people know if they want to wait or not?

In other launch-related news, the folks over at ClicZune seem to think that the Canada launch isn't too far off because the Zune team is sponsoring a Canadian band. That would be cool, but given the myriad of Zune rumours that I've seen that have proven false, I'm not going to get too excited. Heck, MSN Music never even launched here...

[Jason Dunn]

http://www.zuneinsider.com/2006/10/uk_launch_date.html

"So we’ve said all along that we are looking at expanding Zune to other countries, but we haven't made any official announcements about timing. Many of you have seen the recent statement re: U.K. availability. It was taken out of context, and it's not representative of the official Microsoft position. Right now, everyone here's excited to launch Zune in the U.S. on November 14th, and I'll share additional details on other countries as they become available."

The above quote is from Cesar Menendez, in response to this story that's been floating around the Web. It seems that the Zune team doesn't want people thinking that the Zune won't make it to the UK until 2008...but they also don't want to go on record as staying exactly when it will come out either. The whole thing is a bit frustrating - at this point, Microsoft has absolutely nothing to lose by playing their launch cards so close to their vest. Companies don't pre-announce new products to avoid hurting the sales of the current generation of products, but that doesn't apply here. What it will accomplish, however, is to freeze the buying decision of customers who are looking at an iPod or another player, but want to wait and see what the Zune offers first. That's a good thing for the Zune team, and they need every advantage they can get. Why not announce launch dates around the world so people know if they want to wait or not?

In other launch-related news, the folks over at ClicZune seem to think that the Canada launch isn't too far off because the Zune team is sponsoring a Canadian band. That would be cool, but given the myriad of Zune rumours that I've seen that have proven false, I'm not going to get too excited. Heck, MSN Music never even launched here...