"Microsoft guru Paul Thurrott of SuperSite for Windows fame has read the writing on the wall. According to the reps he spoke with, production has ceased on all Zune models before the upcoming Zune HD. In other words, when supplies run out, Zune 4, 8, 16, 80, and 120 are as good as dead, with only this year's model left standing."
Alas, fair Zunes 4, 8, 16, 80, 120, we hardly knew thee. Jason mentioned a couple weeks ago that the flash models were on the outs, but I had no idea they'd be axing the larger capacity Zune 120 as well. This seems like an incredibly short-sighted move, as it leaves only the high-end luxury model as a compatible device with the Zune software. Apple has known for quite some time, and proven for even longer, that when users buy into a device / software ecosystem, it helps to have a variety of different players to choose from. I hope the Zune team delivers a pleasant surprise in the near future, but for now I'm not holding my breath.
I will never purchase anything less than a 120gb Zune. If this information is correct...and when my Zune dies...I will be looking elsewhere for a replacement (anything but ipod).
This news combined with the lack of compatability with WMP/WMC is unacceptable.
At least MS got Windows 7 right.
The Zune team (??!?) leaves a lot to be desired. (I'm being kind).
It seems obvious that the current Zune form factors are only selling to a small number of users. This seems smart to me - Microsoft sells only a single type of a device called a Zune for now and, if they establish a successful market for it, they can always extend it to other device types and form factors later. In other words, let the HD build brand equity first, and then extend the brand.
How does someone manage such a small space? My audio files alone are about 30G. Add the numerous Podcasts I enjoy and a handfull of video and you have bits all over the floor instead of in your pocket. I like the variety I have with a big storage area.
Seriously, would someone give me some guidance and demonstrate how they manage a smaller space for their music files? Do you just pick a few and hope it gets you through the week? Is it a constantly changing selection? How do you manage that? Playlists?
Too much work. I don't know what I want to listen to when I have my player. I'll be constantly trying to decide what I want to have on there. There's only one option that works for me...all of it and always.
Too much work. I don't know what I want to listen to when I have my player. I'll be constantly trying to decide what I want to have on there. There's only one option that works for me...all of it and always.
I agree. I use a (blasphemy :P) 32GB iPhone, and it's constantly driving me nuts to have to trim out 10% of my music. (Somewhat weirdly, smaller capacities are easier; I just chose certain music and lived with it. It's much harder to subtract than to add.)
That said, I suspect we're in the minority. Even the iPod classic is the least-developed iPod, and they trimmed out the 160GB version. It'll be interesting to see what Apple announces September 9, but it is named the classic.
That said, a lot of Zune users are power users and early adopters that wanted features above and beyond what the iPod offers, so maybe Microsoft is making a mistake. I'd love to see sales numbers of all of the existing Zunes.
This blows. You don't build a brand overnight, and you don't build some momentum with two form factors, introduce a third, then kill the first two. The Zune HD in 16 GB and 32 GB capacities isn't enough on it's own to combat the iPod line with it's four form factors (Shuffle, Nano, Classic, Touch) and huge spread of storage capacities (4 GB up to 120 GB).
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Zune to Retire Every Player But Zune HD?
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