[Janak Parekh]

Originally Posted by Jason Dunn

Why? Because the number one complaint of people looking at buying a Flash-based Zune, even back in the 4/8/16 days was "I need more storage". Flash cards are so cheap, and developing so fast, that by putting a slot on the device, it helps future-proof it to some degree.

Do you think Microsoft will ever do this? I think Microsoft is trying to make the Zune, like the iPod, as a "closed consumer device". I could be completely wrong in my perception, though.

--janak

[Janak Parekh]

Originally Posted by Jason Dunn

Why? Because the number one complaint of people looking at buying a Flash-based Zune, even back in the 4/8/16 days was "I need more storage". Flash cards are so cheap, and developing so fast, that by putting a slot on the device, it helps future-proof it to some degree.

Do you think Microsoft will ever do this? I think Microsoft is trying to make the Zune, like the iPod, as a "closed consumer device". I could be completely wrong in my perception, though.

--janak

[Jason Dunn]

Originally Posted by Janak Parekh

Do you think Microsoft will ever do this? I think Microsoft is trying to make the Zune, like the iPod, as a "closed consumer device". I could be completely wrong in my perception, though.

No, that's exactly my point - Microsoft is trying to copy the iPod, making exactly what you said: a closed consumer device. Part of that is a good thing: a tightly controlled end to end consumer experience free from the idiocy of third-party ideas about quality. But if Microsoft wants to make strides, they can't copy the iPod completely - they need to incorporate features that the iPod lacks.

[Janak Parekh]

Originally Posted by Jason Dunn

No, that's exactly my point - Microsoft is trying to copy the iPod, making exactly what you said: a closed consumer device. Part of that is a good thing: a tightly controlled end to end consumer experience free from the idiocy of third-party ideas about quality. But if Microsoft wants to make strides, they can't copy the iPod completely - they need to incorporate features that the iPod lacks.

Yes, I do agree completely with your opinion. There's no point to imitating, and things like the Zune Pass are evidence that if they don't imitate, they'll give consumers a reason to choose them. However, I suspect Microsoft is going to strenuously avoid this, for better or for worse. Boo on Apple for starting this trend, unlike the trend of stuffing lots of storage in the device, which Microsoft did do before with PMCs, but halfheartedly.

(Don't get me started with PMCs. Microsoft did everything on that platform. They just had to give a damn about it!)

--janak