CompUSA Offering Free iTunes Cards With Zune Purchase?

[Aaron Roma]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://macdailynews.com/index.php/weblog/comments/12563/' target='_blank'>http://macdailynews.com/index.php/weblog/comments/12563/</a><br /><br /></div><p>Let's get the weekend started with this little gem.&nbsp; The Spokane CompUSA had a little advertising mishap which resulted in signage printed offering a free $15 iTunes Give Card with the purchase of a Zune!&nbsp; Just what you need!&nbsp; Maybe in light of this little blunder, Zune Marketplace should offer a free month of subscription for turning in an iTunes gift card!</p><p><img alt="" src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/zt/2007/compusa-zune-ad-mistake-020607.jpg" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p>

[NPrtmn4evr]

According to Cesar at Zune Insider (http://zuneinsider.com/archive/2007/02/08/zune-retail-humor.aspx) this is a hoax. He has a link to the real ad over there. Unfortunately, I can't view it at work:(

[Phillip Dyson]

Even if it were a real ad, I wouldn't credit the Zune marketting machine with that much savy or imagination.

Just look at their current campaign. There are just too many missed oppurtunities to put the Zune in people's faces.

[apathymusic]

This ad is clearly a mistake. But isn't it true that Zune will play AAC encoded music files? That's one of the reason why I bought it.


Audio

Windows Media® Audio Standard (.wma): Up to 320 Kbps, CBR and VBR, up to 48-kHz sample rate
MP3 (.mp3): Up to 320 Kbps, CBR and VBR, up to 48-kHz sample rate
AAC (.mp4, .m4a, .m4b, .mov): Up to 320 Kbps, Low Complexity (LC), up to 48-kHz sample ratefrom: http://www.zune.net/en-us/meetzune/techspecs/player.htm

[NPrtmn4evr]

But isn't it true that Zune will play AAC encoded music files? That's one of the reason why I bought it.


Ya, the Zune can play AAC files. If you downloaded songs from iTunes, you'd have to burn them to CD and then rip the songs from CD to your Zune. So I guess Zune users could still benefit from a $15 iTunes card:p

[apathymusic]

This ad is clearly a mistake. But isn't it true that Zune will play AAC encoded music files? That's one of the reason why I bought it.

OK, let me refine what I just said. Yes, Zune can play AAC files but not iTunes's "protected" AAC files. I just tried dragging an AAC downloaded from iTunes to the Zune software...it doesn't work. That must have something to do with all that DRM (Digital Rights Management) stuff that Steve Jobs has been talking about lately.

http://www.apple.com/hotnews/thoughtsonmusic/

[Jason Dunn]

I just tried dragging an AAC downloaded from iTunes to the Zune software...it doesn't work. That must have something to do with all that DRM (Digital Rights Management) stuff that Steve Jobs has been talking about lately.

Yes, that's correct. Apple's DRM, ironically dubbed "FairPlay", will only allow iTunes songs to play on Apple iPod hardware - nothing else. And there's nothing Microsoft can do about it, that's Apple's sandbox. DRM'd content sucks, avoid buying it if you can...