Well, the rumors of the Zune Phone can finally be laid to rest. Bill Gates said in an interview that Microsoft is not interested in going into phone manufacturing and would rather like to focus on the software aspect of the phone industry. He further elaborated that the current tie ups with existing handset manufacturers were more beneficial than creating their own phone would be.
I feel that that is a shame. I think a Zune Phone would be something that Microsoft would be able to make really well. After all they have far more experience in making software for phones than Apple does. And the new Zune's software interface is probably one of the best software implementations to come out of Redmond.
For everyone in Canada who has been eagerly awaiting the local launch of the Zune, the day has finally arrived that you can go to your local electronics store and buy Zune.
Microsoft announced at CES 2008 that they will be shipping both flavors of the Zune to Canada.
Personally, I think the Zune will probably be more of a hit up north than it is here in America. It seems to me that there is a correlation between iPod and being a conservative and Zune and being a liberal (just an observation). I took a trip to Los Angles a couple months back and was blown away with how many people were running around with Zunes. At the same time I've probably only spotted a handful of Zunes in Houston, Texas (a far more conservative city than LA). And, to get to the point, Canadians tend to be a bit more liberal (I know I'm horribly stereotyping) so they will probably be interested in creating their own designs and whatnot... just a hunch.
Microsoft has release firmware version 2.3 for the Zune. This update, is nothing really major, but it shows that Microsoft has started to really pay attention to the forums and feedback from the users.
This firmware addresses some of the problems that a few Zune 30 GB and Zune 80 GB users have been seeing with their batteries. And they have improved device recognition and wireless sync stability and reliability. It just keeps getting better.
Of course, this was expected, but iSupply is reporting that Zunes are outselling iPods on Amazon. As I have stated before if you get an iPod you join a cult, if you buy Zune you are expressing yourself.
There is now a shortage at most major stores for Zune 80GB. Not surprising, since Zune 80 is the best of the Zunes, and with people finally recognizing the advantages of the Zune it is selling like hotcakes. Buy Zune before they all run out.
Microsoft has set up a nice site, Zune-Arts.Net, which has some really creative artistic videos. Of course, the whole thing is advertising, but as I said in an earlier post, buy iPod to be part of a culture (which is now looking somewhat stale) and buy Zune to express yourself.
There is some pretty zany stuff on Zune-Arts and its targeted at promoting sharing (of the legal kind presumably), check it out, even if you don't want to buy Zune... yet.
The Zune is the best selling player of this holiday season, there must be some reason, here are 10 more reasons to buy Zune this holiday season.
1. Brown is the new black. Brown outstrips all the other color choices by a mile among Zune buyers.
2. DRM free. No DRM equals a happy customer.
3. iPod is out, Zune is in. Zune is the underdog, everyone loves the underdog.
4. Buying an iPod is buying into a culture, buying a Zune is expressing yourself.
5. Microsoft starts slow, but steadily they get better. Remember the first Xbox?
6. FM Radio. I know you're thinking, who listens to radio anymore, but hey, its a change from your playlist isn't it?
7. Better future potential for Zune Marketplace. Microsoft has far more potential in negotiating than Apple can ever muster.
8. Charity. You are indirectly giving to charity through the Billy G's foundation every time you buy a Zune.
9. WiFi song swapping. Its a great way to find new songs from your friends, and even strangers.
10. Conversation starter. Ever since I bought my Zune, people have been asking me about it. For awhile at least, it will be a great conversation starter. Its different after all.
Guess what Amazon's best selling MP3 player is? iPod? Nope, its Zune. It has been discounted by Microsoft for the holiday season and its flying off shelves, get yours before its too late!
One of the biggest disadvantages that I felt when I used to own an iPod was the arbitrary restrictions on transferring music, buying music from iTunes, etc.
However, with a Zune none of this is a problem, because Zune comes completely DRM free. Of course, when sharing music via the WiFi, you can only play the song three time or keep it for three days, whatever comes first. But, on the whole, music management with the Zune is much easier
I get asked quite often from people that are looking to buy Zune about Zune Marketplace and Zune Pass.
Zune Marketplace is the online store for Zune. There you can find songs, movies, games, etc.
Zune pass is unlimited downloads from Zune Marketplace. It costs $14.95 per month.
The Zune 80s availability is rising and falling pretty quickly, get yours before they dissappear completely!
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