Why Microsoft's Zune is Still Failing

DECS writes "Last winter, RDM detailed why Microsoft's iPod Killer would fail miserably. This year, the site argues, Microsoft will fail again, but for a new set of reasons. It is not obvious that the company has figured this out itself. 'Microsoft doesn't seem to learn from its mistakes in consumer electronics very well. When it does however, it frequently gets the timing wrong. This year, Microsoft appears set to compete against the Apple of 2006. It now offers two flash models, last year's leftover 30 GB unit, and new 80 GB version. The problem is that Apple moved the goalpost dramatically. Apple's new 3G Nano is ultra thin and small, but delivers the same video resolution as Microsoft's boxy flash Zunes at the same price. It also plays games.'"

write to congress

[hjf]

We need to have a law or something, that declares everything made by apple as THE only way of doing things, and also forbid other companies from making similar products. I mean, why do they even try? Apple is by far the best and when someone else tries, they're actually wasting valuable resources (plastic, electricity, and even silicon!).

So, Microsoft, and everyone else: please, stop trying. Apple has the only music player worth anything. You have no chance.

(If you don't see the sarcasm tags, then you're probably on a Mac)

Re:Amazon bestsellers

[Riquez]

Bah, you obviously changed the rankings on that page by looking at it. ...oops, wrong thread

But only in the US

[Anonymous Coward]

The part of Zune's failer, might have something to do whit it is only sold in the US.

The rest of the world can't buy it. So it is hard to get in to the MP3 palyer marked, when you cut of the most of the world.

But okey. Asian and Europa thats not places where you can sell new eletronic thing. They only buy old stuff, if any. ;-)

Goalposts

[chemindefer]

Moved them and made them smaller. Try getting a chair between them now.

Re:Failure?

[GuldKalle]

Yeah, those cups suck, they're twice as large as they need to be.

So apple doesn't think ahead? Only Microsoft....?

[Joce640k]

Joel spotted the real difference between iPod and Zune:

http://www.joelonsoftware.com/items/2007/10/05.html [joelonsoftware.com]

I have to quote the great philosopher, Homer

[geekoid]

"It Suck-didly-ucks, Flanders"

Only One Way To Beat the iPod

[anode_blue]

There's only one way to beat the iPod, or any dominant figure in a specific market. You have to be twice as good and half as expensive. The Zune looks like it's making real strides. From what I'm reading, it might be a little bit better than the iPod. But it also costs about the same price. That is why the Zune will fail. It just doesn't have the major advantage on BOTH features and price that it takes to overcome the iPod's entrenchment.

Unfortunate logo

[Trogre]

I thought it was because the logo, when viewed in a mirror, looks like 'anus'

Marketing campaign based on the word "squirt"

[Joce640k]

Microsoft's marketing campaign:

You can "squirt" your music at your friends and they'll be able to listen to it a maximum of three times before deciding to pay for a legal copy.

Yeah, dude! Can't wait to get me one of those!

Re:queu xbox

[GaryPatterson]

Nobody ever talks about wanting XP because of how great it is.

Apparently a lot of former Vista users say that XP is great. They wax lyrical around on tech websites about it.

No conclusions. I'm just saying, that's all.