09-19-2008, 06:47 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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Did the Zune 16 Make Apple Scramble to Keep Up?
"Apple is notifying some of its customers this week that it will be unable to meet quoted delivery times for its new 16GB iPod nanos, fueling rumors that the company was forced to make a last minute change to the product line, possibly at the hands of rival Microsoft...there's been an increasing amount of evidence to suggest that 16GB models remain unavailable simply because Apple's original plans for the fourth-generation iPod nano leading up to last Tuesday's event called for only 4GB and 8GB configurations." 
In the MP3 player market, Apple is the most dominant force around - but it seems that if these reports are true, the Zune player may have forced their hand in terms of capacity. Apple prides itself on having products in stores for sale shortly after they're announced, so for there to be a delay of more than two weeks for the 16 GB version of the Nano, something had to have happened to create the delay. Apple has huge manufacturing capacity for their iPods, so it's highly unlikely that they just "forgot" to put these 16 GB into production. And if the reports of marketing materials listing only 4 GB and 8 GB models are to be believed, it seems certain that Apple had no plans to launch a 16 GB Nano until Microsoft forced their hand.
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09-19-2008, 07:41 PM
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Oracle
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 853
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Apple has been short on innovation since they introduced the first nano. I think the competition from the Zune (limited though it's been) has helped them see that tall-and-skinny beats short-and-squat and that you need to keep pushing the storage size. Of course, Apple wants to minimize the overlap, so that everyone has a nano, Classic, and iPhone.
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09-19-2008, 08:41 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 212
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This could be true since there is an image floating around of a new 4GB pink nano which is puzzling since Apple only introduced 8GB and 16GB. Good on the Zune! Competition is what we need to keep everyone on their toes!
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09-19-2008, 09:45 PM
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Sage
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 676
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Not just images- seems that Apple really is quietly dumping 4GB nanos on the international market (hoping that no one would notice). I am pretty convinced that this is in fact what happened. All I can say is "Thank you Zune!". Now Zune team, how about a 32 GB flash-based player?
I'm glad Apple took a page from the Zune playbook and went with the portrait mode screen and improved the Now Playing screen over the previous generation.
I'd certainly like one of these little guys, but don't know if I can justify it (have no real need for it, but they do look sweet).
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64 GB iPad 2 WiFi, Apple TV 2, 32 GB iPhone 4
Early 2011 MacBook Pro 13" (dual boot with Windows 7), Early 2009 Mac Mini
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09-20-2008, 01:32 AM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 212
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I still like my 3G fatty nano. Fits perfectly in my hand and in the pocket. Thin and light. Does it job, though small screen, but good for short videos. I have a Sansa Clip 4GB model for its ability to clip on quickly for most activities when I want to just listen to music. Great sound quality too.
I'm not into tall players and that's why I stay away from the zune flash. The screen is too small in these players as well, so I'm looking forward to picking up a zune120 to store my entire collection and watch video podcasts. One player doesn't do it all for me, so I'm happy with a few for different tasks.
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09-22-2008, 01:36 PM
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Banned
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 372
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Microsoft should have come out with 3.0 zune flash with a bigger screen. All of that border around the current screen is just stupid, and a bit misleading perception wise when a person turns it on just to see that huge bezel.
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09-22-2008, 05:21 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 323
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Quote:
Originally Posted by serpico
I still like my 3G fatty nano. Fits perfectly in my hand and in the pocket. Thin and light. Does it job, though small screen, but good for short videos.
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I also like the 3G design, but prefer the lack of stainless steel on the 4G. The 3G and 4G share the exact screen size, just different orientation.
From my experience with Apple, what possibly happened is that they planned to release the 4G in 4 GB and 8 GB sizes, with 16 GB starting manufacturing the same time as the release event. Then, when the Zune was released in 16 GB, they quickly changed plans. It speaks to Apple's respect for the Zune as competition.
Is the 16GB Zune freely available now? I checked the Best Buy site, and it says it's in stock. I'm surprised to see that the Zune has not undercut the price of the Nano by more than $20. By all rights, it ought to be $165... 25% under the Nano, at least until the market share improves. What sold iPods after the 3G iPod was released, when they really took off, was more people having them, seeing them, asking to hold them.... the Zune needs that more than the extra dollars per unit. I have yet to see a single Zune in the wild. That's not a good sign.
And yes, I love my iPods, and am an Apple fanboy. I also believe that competition brings about excellence and innovation, so I cheer for the Zune, a little. ;-)
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09-22-2008, 04:46 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 190
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Quote:
Originally Posted by serpico
Competition is what we need to keep everyone on their toes!
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Absolutely agree - we have plenty of really good players, and there are more (legal) MP3 options out there ... it is just wonderful! In a world of competition, *we* win!
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Hybrid Mode
