Backwards Compatibility As A Business Decision

[Adam Krebs]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10043442-56.html' target='_blank'>http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10043442-56.html</a><br /><br /></div><p>"<em>Even with a big update, there are still many areas where the Zune comes up short when compared to Apple's iPod. It's easy to argue that Apple still has the lead in styling, breadth of video content, add-on accessories, and software and compatibility. (Zune works only on Windows PCs.) Not to mention the fact that Microsoft has nothing to match Apple's iPod Touch with its ability to surf the Web and run a wide range of add-on programs. But there are a couple of areas where Microsoft deserves significant credit. The most important, from my perspective, is that every feature that Microsoft has added to the Zune is available for free to owners of previous generation Zunes.</em>"</p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/zt/auto/1222118913.usr495.jpg" /></p><p>I was tempted to write off this article by CNet's Ina Fried as yet another article praising Microsoft for making the 3.0 and 2.0 firmware backwards-compatible with every Zune device--something Apple and other PMP makers should have done since the start. After reading the article, however, it becomes clear that Microsoft made a strong commitment to its customers, not just in avoiding <a href="http://www.slate.com/id/2197263/">planned obsolescence</a>, but in building up the ecosystem to provide <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metcalfe's_law">value</a> for every Zune owner. If I have the latest <a href="http://www.zunethoughts.com/news/show/90619/zune-16-and-zune-120-expands-device-lineup-new-colours-at-zune-originals.html">blue Zune 16</a>), but my buddy is still rocking the brown Zune 30 that he bought back in 2006, I'm still able to beam him my favorite podcast, play him (eventually) in Texas Hold 'Em, and get that photo he took of us last week to set as a background. In centering this latest update around music discovery, Microsoft has built a strong motivation to sign up for the Zune Pass and Zune Social, both of which end up being beneficial to Zune owners and Microsoft alike.</p>

[Heatwave316]

Are there any features from 3.0 that don't work on the Zune 30?

I was thinking of picking-up a used 30 for the low price and high storage.

[Adam Krebs]

Are there any features from 3.0 that don't work on the Zune 30?

Nope. The only limitations are that you don't get to use the touch-sensitive Zune Pad and the device won't natively play H.264 video, you have to have the Zune software convert it for you. Otherwise, they're feature-identical.

[Heatwave316]

Thanks!!! :o

[Phillip Dyson]

Hasn't Apple provided backwards compatibility with the 1st Generation iPhone's and iPod Touches?

It seems that they've both support two generations of hardware.

Perhaps its a race to see who can bring the most generations of hardware with them in to the future.

[Adam Krebs]

Hasn't Apple provided backwards compatibility with the 1st Generation iPhone's and iPod Touches?

It seems that they've both support two generations of hardware.

Well... the touches' firmware costs $10 for each update (if you bought them all separately), and the iPhone they're trying to push as an upgradable smartphone. Plus, they only did the free update after Microsoft had the 2.0 update out for a while. I'm not saying it influenced it, but it seems that the tide is definitely shifting away from planned obsolescence, if ever so slightly.

[FuryBlack]

Yeah, all we need now is International Zune Pass so that we in Europe can also enjoy the new features in full :(

[inteller]

thing about the Zune is that microsoft spec'd out such a powerful piece of hardware it would be foolish to let all of those features go to waste. Right now it seems they are utilizing about 90% of the hardware from what I can see. Zune 30s are worth keeping around for the true audiophile who wants an equalizer.

[Macguy59]

I'm curious about something . . . (not picking on you but in general) why do there seem to be so many articles linked here that basically say the same things about the Zune ? Why does MS need to keep getting pats on the back for functionality that should be there? It smacks a little of inferiority complex which is a shame as I think the Zune platform is a fine one. Maybe it's just me :confused: