While the argument that Mac users won't use Microsoft products is somewhat fair for a very small diehard minority of Mac users -- it doesn't really hold water in general.
This is where I'm not so sure...you'd almost need to do a survey at a big Mac-focused Web site and ask the users if they'd try a Zune if it was available on OS X. My gut says that most Mac users are Mac users because they liked the "Apple lifestyle" and recent switchers from Windows I've seen using Boot Camp, Parallels, etc. seem to fairly quickly find native Mac solutions and don't want to use anything Windows - and I can't see these people using a Zune. That's just what I've seen so I have no idea how well that scales up to the broad public...
No, definitely not a survey at a Mac site. These are the diehards. These are exactly who you want to avoid. The people who frequent Mac sites, even the majority who aren't rbid fanbois, still might skew the survey just as a show of allegiance. There is a huge class of Mac users who are very technological sophisticated. Graphic designers, web developers, bloggers, artists, musicians... who never have any reason to ever go to a Mac site, ever... except maybe an occasional rumor if they like to follow that market. But even then, most Mac users are sane and can only buy products once a year at best... so they aren't tuning in to Mac sites. Then there is a much bigger majority who has even less reason to ever visit a Mac site. Ever. There are even those who are rabid Mac fans but they don't see a reason to follow tech news, web sites, blogs... No, I think you wouldn't be helping your information gathering pursuing that route.
Go to an Apple store with a Zune and ask people as they come out, were you checking out the iPod? What do you think of this one, Apple doesn't make it? Sure, 50% might not be Mac users already, but I think the crowd entering an Apple store is a fairer sampling.
No, definitely not a survey at a Mac site. These are the diehards.
Good point. This is always the classic problem: I want to research everything on the Web, but if people are on the Web at community-based sites, they're already a certain type of person...
By the way, you are presenting a chicken and egg problem obviously. Do Mac users not want to use the Zune because its Windows, or is it because it's Windows only Mac users won't consider the Zune?
The point being: whether or not Zune is marketing to Mac users or Windows users, they need to be able to say: it might be better, depending on your needs, this might be a better option for you than the iPod. I know you as a fan say that to yourself and whoever will listen, but you can't really say that to at least 20 million potential customers. Because Microsoft says it's not worth it, or Zune users say they won't because their Mac fanbois...
Switchers I know don't abandon Microsoft because they've become assimilated to the Apple way and thus must change. (There really are great options that are better if you make the switch.) If something is superior, they keep using it. Everyone I know who uses Parallels or VMWare do so because of games, VStudio, Access, being more comfortable in Windows Office, AutoCad... Need or an actual better product. Not just because of gang colors.
If the Zune is actually attractive to a Mac user more than the iPod (someone who'd rather have a sub and likes the social network features, for example)... I bet you'll find they would try it at least... if there was an option, that is.
Okay, Mac user here without a Zune. (Three Macs in the house, two iPods, 2 Airport Extreme base stations, using Boot Camp for Vista on my MacBook when I feel the need). I've mentioned this in another thread that I would love to be able to give the Zune a whirl, but can't. And no, I am not willing to boot into Vista on my MacBook to use the Zune - I have no interest in maintaining two separate music libraries!
When I look at the Zune, two things about it attract me compared to the Nano and Classic iPods (as I've said before the iPod Touch is a special case). The first is the screen and the second is - believe it or not - the radio! Clearly the screen is superior to the Nano or the iPod Classic (not even thinking about flash based devices - neither Zune nor iPod. The limited storage is one of the things I least like about my iPod Touch). Being over 50, I could care less about "the social". Not my thing. But I like the idea of a 80 gig device with a nice large screen and a radio. The subscription model of the Zune Marketplace leaves me cold as well - my music tastes are pretty set and I don't experiment. I prefer music "ownership" (whatever that may be).
I don't use Macs because they're cool - I use Macs because I like OS X better than Windows and (for the most part, or at least legally, Pystar notwithstanding) you can only get OS X with a Mac. Admittedly, Apple makes an ecosystem that is hard not to buy into - everything works together pretty much flawlessly and seamlessly. And that really is the attraction that gets and holds you once you go Mac. But by no stretch of the imagination am I anti-Microsoft - my KB and mouse are MS products, I use Office 2008 on my Mac and am one of the few folks apparently who think Vista is actually a pretty decent OS (as mentioned above, I do dual-book Vista on my MacBook and it screams!)
Personally, I can't imagine what Microsoft would lose by making the Zune work with Macs - although I suspect it may be a hard sell with most Mac users, as pointed out by others. But as it is now, Mac users can't even consider the Zune and I think that's a loss for Microsoft and other Mac users who would like to be able to use something other than an iPod with their music. Heck, I'd be satisfied if the Zune would work with iTunes (yeah - right - fat chance of that happening).
Hey - here's an opportunity for a third party! If someone could do for the Zune what MarkSpace and PocketMac do for Windows Mobile devices, that'd be great. Wonder why no one has stepped up to this? (Market share, legalities, more trouble than it's worth?)
Don
__________________
XBox 360 S, 16GB iPhone 4S, iPod Classic 160 GB, Dell Inspiron Mini 1018; Macs: Mac Mini 2.4 GHz 6 GB RAM; Macbook 2.0 GHz 3 GB RAM; MacBook Air 11", 24" Cinema Display
Hey - here's an opportunity for a third party! If someone could do for the Zune what MarkSpace and PocketMac do for Windows Mobile devices, that'd be great. Wonder why no one has stepped up to this? (Market share, legalities, more trouble than it's worth?)
Probably because Marketplace access would be very difficult to provide. I don't think syncing would be a problem, though.
__________________ Want the latest news, views, rants and raves? Visit our portal. Wish to contact me? Send me a private message or e-mail.
Personally, I can't imagine what Microsoft would lose by making the Zune work with Macs
I think the main thing is that it'll add even more complexity to an already slow development cycle. They'd have to throw more resources into maintaining cross-platform compatibility, and, let's face it, the Zune software isn't exactly resource-friendly. Updates so far have been slow, and adding in another platform would likely worsen the problem. I can only hope that the reason that we haven't been getting any real features so far is that they're readying a huuuge update for fall '08 (a la 2.0 in fall '07).
This is where I'm not so sure...you'd almost need to do a survey at a big Mac-focused Web site and ask the users if they'd try a Zune if it was available on OS X.
Meh. Speaking only for myself I would consider a flash based Zune if it had a larger screen for playing video.
Admittedly, Apple makes an ecosystem that is hard not to buy into - everything works together pretty much flawlessly and seamlessly. And that really is the attraction that gets and holds you once you go Mac.
Bingo. No idea what % of iPod owners have the Windows version but that is really the target market for MS. Focus on turning that group before throwing resources at the remaining user base.
Linear Mode
LinkBacks (?)
