[Ricardo Dawkins]

Originally Posted by Jason Dunn

we'll be following the Bach speech closely...

no time to watch another snore fest.

A touch HDD Zune player could be interesting

Archos

[Ricardo Dawkins]

Originally Posted by Jason Dunn

we'll be following the Bach speech closely...

no time to watch another snore fest.

A touch HDD Zune player could be interesting

Archos

[Jason Dunn]

Originally Posted by serpico

Is this really going to matter now if it comes out? Really?

Tough to say without knowing anything about it - but you think they should just give up and walk away? Really? Do you really think the iPod is so perfect that no one else on the planet should make an MP3 player?

I fail to understand the attitude that some people have where they think no one should compete against the market leaders. Everyone said the same thing about Windows Mobile competing with Palm. They said the same thing about Xbox competing with Sony and Nintendo. Are you a Microsoft shareholder and you're concerned they're squandering company resources? I just don't understand this attitude...I think there's room for innovation and improvements in every market - if there wasn't, Firefox would never have been created.

Originally Posted by serpico

I think maybe hardcore iPod haters or zune lovers will buy this. It's a game of cat and mouse now with Microsoft. They really need to think out of the box with the Zune.

Amazing that you're giving it a failing mark knowing nothing about it. Maybe you should, oh, give it a chance?

[Jason Dunn]

Originally Posted by lokimotive

Hopefully it would have a web browser, one of the most frustrating impediments in the current web access with the Zune is that can't work in any network that requires a web based logon (like campuses and coffee shops).

I understand the need for a Web browser for the WiFi, but given Microsoft's stumbles at getting a good browser onto Windows Mobile, I'm sure not holding my breath that they'll get one onto a Zune.

Originally Posted by lokimotive

I've always thought it would be rather cool to have a portable player with High Definition multi channel downloadable audio, that has an HDMI output jack but I highly doubt there's a huge market for such a thing.

I think an HDMI output jack would be cool, especially if the Zune could actually play back 720p content! That would rock. You're right though that there might not be a huge market for that...yet I think Microsoft has to go where Apple has not. I think a microSD card slot is one way they could innovate. Maybe a removeable battery on it as well...

[David Tucker]

Originally Posted by Jason Dunn

I understand the need for a Web browser for the WiFi, but given Microsoft's stumbles at getting a good browser onto Windows Mobile, I'm sure not holding my breath that they'll get one onto a Zune.

Could the same not be said about the media player on Windows Mobile though? And the Zune is just a big media player!

[serpico]

Originally Posted by Jason Dunn

Tough to say without knowing anything about it - but you think they should just give up and walk away? Really? Do you really think the iPod is so perfect that no one else on the planet should make an MP3 player?

Oh Jason, I'm not saying the iPod Touch is perfect nor that competition is not necessary. I owned a zune 30 and currently own the 120 and it is the best alternative to the iPod + iTunes listening process. Living in Canada, I don't get all the benefits US customers get and maybe it would make a difference. Microsoft seems not to care enough of promoting it and now it appears that the focus is moving the zune os software to other devices. We all were disappointed with no new hardware last revision, don't forget. Then we found out they lost $100 million dollars, which gave us an explanation why no new hardware came about. I just don't think a touch device will help Microsoft any further in this arena than where they are now. And no one knows what this device is except Microsoft. Just my 2 Canadian cents.

[Sven Johannsen]

Maybe MS will go the software route on this effort and somebody at XDA developers will work it so I can load it on my iPAQ 211. Big 640x480 touch screen, both CF and SD slots, a few buttons to make some nav possible without having to touch the screen and bring up on screen controls for everything, built in BT (w/A2DP) and WiFi already.

Actually if you got me a Zune-like media player, Zune compatible, and a decent browser, I'd be happy with the 211 the way it is., would make a nice little (relatively) entertainment device.

[bubuschoeny]

Zune hardware is to far behind the curve at this point. Let lose a Zune api for hardware manufactures and make it free. They need heavy market penetration by the end of the year. And with no app for win mo insight until at least mid 2010 Zune is a sinking ship. I don't think a Zune Touch would appeal to anyone at this point either as there are already plenty of niche touch players (or soon to be P3, Sony x1000 to name a few) that can fill that need. MS development life cycle is to long and way to fractured. It's sad, I liked what Zune was doing for a while.