Zunespotting

Somehow I don't think the Apple fanboys are going to be impressed by the magnetic earphones.

Oh whatever... No need fo rthat comment.

Anyway, WTF is this doing on a Xbox 360 blog?

the zune is being created by the xbox division basically...

What do Magnetic earphones have to do with Apple? And how on earth is that a "Feature"? When would you EVER need to magnetically stick the earphones together? When we evolve into odd "Ears-on-the-same-side-of-the-head-AND-facing-each-other" creatures?

man, i hope that handles video well, and please god have it be that i don't have to put all my videos through windows media player for conversion! i'm still on my old 3G ipod with all touch sensitive controls, and to this day i have refused to upgrade, i truly hope that the zune gives me a reason to upgrade...

(and i second that notion about this being an xbox360 blog, nice to see nonetheless)

It wirelessly streams to 360's with the wifi adapter?

And the magnetic thing is just to help them not get all tangled up in your pocket. Happens to me all the time with the buds of my sansa.

Elric my friend, Microsoft is not stupid. They must have SOMETHING planned for that. It could possibly help in reducing how much your headphones get tangled. I know that's the only thing I hate about headphones.

to play devils advocate, you could use the magnets to attach the headphones around your neck for a few seconds or minutes while you are not using them.

I don't care much for a larger 30 Gig player as I use URGE subscription with my Sansa e250 and rotate the music frequently. I'm interested to hear if they will have a smaller flash based version available anytime soon. Just as well...I love my Sansa.

I have now owned a Creative Zen and my new Sansa...and I must say that I feel sorry for folks that haven't experienced anything outside of Ipod / Itunes. There's allot of good hardware and Music store choices out there to be explored.

sputnik, you feel sorry because I can stream lossless music over my airports to my kilpsch sound system, my xbox360 and my computer systems? Or what about having my music with my in my car and at work?

I am glad you found a system that works for you, but why do you have to dis us Apple users?

That wasn't a dis, jc. Get a clue. I think hawaiian pizza is great but I pity the guy who hasn't tried other varieties. That's all he's saying. But with DAPs.

Sputnik...dude... let's not lose a grip on reality. The Sansa e250 is an "OK" player, but it is not a GREAT one. (I have one)

The Sansa has no sleep timer (only a dopey auto-shutoff) and the backlighting on the scroll wheel is so bright it can completely light up a dark 10 x 12 room. There's no adjustment to turn it off. The Sansa cannot rotate images when displaying photos... you gotta pre-rotate them on a PC. And video playback uses the MPEG-B codec at an ungodly 10MB/minute!

I almost forgot that one needs munchkin-sized hands to operate the buttons surrounding the scroll wheel.

If Sandisk releases significant firmware upgrade, then the e200 players will go from "ok" to "great".

Tim, sorry to be rude... but I wasn't talking to you. Nice of you to talk on behalf of sputnik tho.

Personally, I wasted time and money when I "experienced anything outside of Ipod / Itunes". When anyone asks me for advice, I tell them what my setup is and let them decide for themselves what they should buy. Why should they have to make the same mistakes I did.

Diversity is good, but telling somthing to not buy somthing just because it is from Apple, is a dis.

my 2 cents

I sell mp3 everyday at work (future shop) and most people by ipods, but the other players are indeed better.

The sansa is much like the nano in terms of size and capcity, claiming the ipod nano is better because it can rotate picutres and has a sleep timer makes me laugh.

The only reason I sell more ipods then sansa at work is because people like accessories, and theres almost nothing out there other then a full wall of apple cases, chragers, cables, speakers, docks, etc etc.

Also, many people come in who purchase an ipod because thier friend has one and they know it works for them. Also, people are complete idots. They know nothing of DRM, music purchases and song quality. They also cant even figure out how to drag and drop songs onto a player via windows explorer. For this reason, Itunes super simplifies things for these chimps so they too can join the world of mp3 ownership.

Also, I ask every customer I see about where they get their music from. right now the ratio for illegal downloads:legal downloads is about 100:1. This means only 1 out of every 100 customers actually buys music from the apple store (or other store). Of course, this could aslo be the fact that Im selling here in Ontario and downloading music via p2p is still legal atm (uploading is not).

But anyway, Ipods simply sell more because of the accesories mainly. You would be surprised, but more people care about a variety of overpriced accessories rather then more features on the play itself. In the end, almost everybody usually cares mostly about 1 thing, and thats mp3 music playback, which every player does.

jc,
the comments section is a forum for discussion on the current article at hand. People are allowed to voice their opinion on any aspect that comes up in that forum. That is how any type of open forum works. So just because something isn't directed at a person, for example, myself in this case, doesn't mean they dont have the right to say something about it.

So, my 2 cents, in this case about the Apple dis,

In sputnik's wording and as Tim made clearer, this wasn't a dis made against Apple. In his opinion he feels a person should not lock themselves into a certain decision without trying alternatives. Also in this case it had to do with a portable media player experience. Now you can disagree with the fact that one couldn't just use one and only one option when it comes to something in life, whether it be this subject or another. And that's fine. But there's no need to make it personal against Apple.

Sorry if you feel I am speaking on behalf of sputnik or Tim.

Looks nice!! =)

The Zune will rule. It will put Microsoft over the top and they will take over everything you own through their DRM. You can find more at the Zune Forums http://www.zunemax.com/forum/index.php

@Mike:

I'm sorry you are such an angry person/techno-elitist. Do you think you are better than other people because you use a "better" MP3 player than all those "idiot" "chimps"?

There are two groups of iPod users, those who buy it because it is fashionable and those who buy it because they like the feature set. There are also two groups of non-iPod users, those who buy it because it makes them feel superior to chimps and those who like the feature set.

I bought my wife an iPod nano. At the time, Best Buy was offering me $50 to buy ANY other MP3 player. Why did I get the nano? Because we can plug it directly into a boom box and listen to music while it charges. We can plug it into the car and listen to music while it charges. She can easily find an armband for it that she likes. The list goes on and on.

I'm sorry you feel the need to think other people are somehow stupid just because they have better things to do than learn about other brands of MP3 players.

Honestly, you remind me of all the kids who shop at stores like Hot Topic because it makes them feel superior to those "fashionable" people who shop at American Eagle. They're just sheep following a different shepherd. Think it's trendy to like iPods? It's just as trendy to hate on iPod users.

To post on topic:

I think that the Zune has a good chance of doing well in the marketplace. As Mike has clearly illustrated, it is the current trend to bash on iPods due to their popularity. The problem is that there hasn't been an obvious alternative to the iPod juggernaut. The other 20-25% of MP3 players purchased are all split up between the various makers, with Sandisk at the top and Sony at the bottom. If MS markets this as "it's cool because it's not the iPod" they may pick up a lot of that 20%.

Once MS has a marketshare greater than 10-15%, and with most of the other players pushed out of the market, accessories will start to be available for Zune devices. That will help equalize the Zune and iPod, and eventually there will be the iPod fanboys and the Zune fanboys. The other makers will go the way of the Gizmodo/Tapwave Zodiac/N-Gage, but at least there will be a real choice.

After establishing their prowess at music/video playback, MS can roll out their ZuneBox with gaming functionality. This will truly be a PSP killer, as people will be confident in Zune's ability to play music and Xbox's ability to play games. It will connect to Live Anywhere and games will be released that can be transfered between the Xbox 360 and the ZuneBox without losing progress.

Things may not happen exactly that way, but that's what I see as happening. PSP will release its revision/upgrade to fight off the momentum that the ZuneBox brings in, but the original PSP won't stand a chance against this carefully laid out plan to break into two very lucrative fields.

Similarly to the home console war, with two expensive and graphically intense alternatives on the market, Nintendo will stick to their innovation, simplicity, and long battery life and ride things out with little trouble.

Cabbage, you're a stupid chimp.

Yes, it looks almost exactly like the images we've shown you before on Gizmodo.

you know Cabbage, You just confirmed my points. You bought an ipod becuase of the accessories. Charge and play in the car, at home, connections, everything. Thats all acces.

I sell Mp3 players. Its my job. I know first hand on the front lines why people by these products. You and every other internet blog reader out there, rely on what you find on the internet to come to your assupmtions. Unless you actually sell mp3 players and ipods as well, how do you know what types of people there are out there?

90% of the people who buy ipods and mp3 players, dont fit any of the "4 types" of people who buy ipods like you claim. 90% know nothing about them. They dont care about ipods because thier trendy, nor do the care if their not. Trying to explain the differance between an .mp3 and .wma and drm protected music vs non is very hard.

You think I care what player you own? I really dont. I sell different players to different people everyday, and I actually meet those people, unlike you, a random internet blogger.

I simply stated that Ipods are not the better player in terms of features. You think other companies can release players without accessories and think they can compete with ipod without having better features? Hell no. People would just only buy ipods then. The only advantage over the ipods these other guys have is the extra ammount of features. The worst selling player at my work is the Samsung Yp-z5. The reason this is, is because its priced the same as the nano, but has no main features the nano does not (it has no fm radio or videos or voice). Because of this, people never buy this player since they can just grab a nano, which has the same features, with the accessories. The sansa and the LG on the other hand, offer stuff like radio and videos, which is their only bargining chip vs the nano.

For the tech savy user, I would never recommend the ipod. For the avergae 90% idiot (im sorry but its true, general public does not know anything)) I would recommend the Ipod because of its ease of use and ease of use with accessories.

All the other players act as usb mass storage devices. Simple stuff to you and me, but confusing as hell for the customer. Average customer does not use windows explorer at all. They only use whats in their start menus, and programs with icons on their desktops. Directing them to download some nice free open source software which does music conversion for them is too much of a task for them. They need a simple CD with a wizard that can walk them through everything

So for these reasons, The tech savy folks or anyone who doesent need help figuring out how to search and download free software, use internet explorer, and knows all about cable connections and the type of ports on these mp3 players, Its better to get the more feature filled players.

For the people who cant figure out any of that stuff, and knowing where their music is stored on their hard drive is a difficult task for them, then The ipod is great because of the ease of use, and the simplicity of the accessories.

For these reasons, Ipod will remain number 1 in the market. Because whether you like it or not, All sales come from the general public, of which 90% dont know anything. This may be hard for you to believe since your probably like me, who spends lots of time on the internet. Because the culture here on the net all seem to be knowlegeable, when in the real world, its completely the opposite.

Genius post Mike. Having worked in retail sales I understand exactly what you mean and you are 100% correct. The general public is clueless and if the Zune doesn't work with that it's doomed. Believe it or not I think Microsoft realizes that and the Zune will cater to them in many ways. This will be the reason the internet techs and gadget guys will think its crap in comparison to the iPod because its not made for them.

Mike- I still disagree with what you are saying. You say that if I am tech savvy the other MP3 players are somehow better than the iPod. "Better" always depends on the user's needs. I see available accessories and conveniently simple interface as the two most important "features" an MP3 player can have.

While I agree that the majority of consumers don't know much about MP3 player functionality, I don't agree that they are "idiots" or "chimps." Most people are lazy, yes. Most people want it to work out of the box with software they already own, yes. That doesn't make them idiots.

I realize this is a fanboy site for a Microsoft product, so Apple haters should be fairly common here, but I don't know why a tech savvy person can't appreciate well designed software and user interface.

In other words, I'm sure you see a lot more people debating MP3 player purchases, and have more insight into what they are thinking. I'm sure that for your specific interests there are better MP3 players out there than the Apple iPod. I just feel that the negative vibe in your last post was totally uncalled for because desiring an iPod does not make you somehow less intelligent than someone who owns one of the "rebel" MP3 players.

Mike, I'm glad you consider yourself to be in the top 10% of the Canadian population, but the fact that you work selling MP3 players at your local Future Shop tends to contradict that.

-Zebra Danio

lol @ Zebra Danio...

Mike is dumb. Just because someone doesn't know anything about mp3 players doesn't mean they're stupid. I'm sure they know a lot of other stuff that you don't know about but I know they wouldn't call you stupid because of it. I prefer my nano because it's small and simple. I plug it in and everything starts automatically and I don't have to go searching through thousands and thousands of folders to find exactly what I'm looking for, it's all right there.

The ipod is successful because of advertising and it's name. Hopefully Microsoft doesn't stick with "zune" cause I think it's a horrible name.

my DAP's penis is bigger than your DAP's penis.

i swear to god, this website makes adult human beings into 18 year old kids at lunch hour.

comment section ftl

"Somehow I don't think the Apple fanboys are going to be impressed by the magnetic earphones."


That comment was too far. And simply makes you look an idiot. Why is magnetic ear phones so revolutionary that it would spark anger in people who support Apple?
If it wasn't for Apple you wouldn't have healthy competition in the IT & Electronics industry. In the last 6 years it doesn't take much to see how much inovation has come from Apple.
What's MS been doing? 2 Xboxes & 1 Operating System to Apple's superior 4 Operating systems. MS have copied many powerful features of Apple's 4 different versions of OSX for Vista which has been taking them about 5 years now. All you chumps on XP gagging for Vistas "new" features when Apple OSX users have had them for 3 or more years now. Roll on OSX Leopard.
Oh and then there's all the hardware Apples put out in the last 6 years which includes some stunning powerful computers, award winning designs and the iconic iPod which has taken over the MP3 world. Oh wait and then there's iTunes and the Apple Music Store. Basically taking the music sharing via-the-internet by the horns and turning it around. So no Apple supporters aren't impressed with magnetic earphones. Because that feature is not impressive! Apple supporters are also not going to be impressed with the editorial competence of xbox360fanboy.com.

As for Zune. I don't need MP3 player to share music with people or my 360. I just want to play games on my 360 and watch the odd DVD. I will be looking to get the new iPhone when Apple release it. Apple always make better quality products than anyone. Simple.

i think you guys are taking his comment the wrong way. To me, it reads like the magnetic headphones are nothing spectacular.

or, Joe's a big idiot.

either way...


...Joe's a big idiot.

I've read it several times, in my opinion it's an open ended dig at people who like Apple. If it isn't a dig and as you say a remark of "nothing spectacular", then why construct a sentence like that to highlight a pointless feature of the Zune.. Not sure why that makes me an idiot for my personal feelings towards Kens comments.. As I wouldn't call you an Idiot for your feelings towards my comments.

I am happy to see the Zune coming to life. It's actually nice to see MS making an effort for a change. It will push Apple to improve with their iPod range. Everyones a winner.

Oh... so much to say...

I love- LOVE, I SAY- my Xbox 360. I think it's got the clear advantage this generation.

I also love my iPod.

Now, Mike- I'm sure being that you're in the Wireless/MP3 department at FutureShop (That's Canadian Best Buy for those uniformed few), you're probably just as clueless as the people I worked with at Best Buy who were in that department. Oh, yes. I sent people to that department to get an iPod, and the monkeys in wireless kept trying to talk them out of iPod. Why? Because iPod has almost ZERO margin, and they think in the short term. Maybe the player has low margin, but the ACCESSORIES are a goldmine, dumbass!

Anyway, they spewed all sorts of "facts" about the iPod to steer people away, and then they'd come to me for the truth. The iPod is the market leader for several reasons.

1. Ease of use. You mentioned this. Kudos.

2. Accessories. Yes, they make a difference. You also mentioned this.

3. CUSTOMER SERVICE. Apple takes care of their customers. Ever try to get Creative Labs to help you out? If you get through their Indian call-center and a lot of scripted "troubleshooting" by non-techs, that is. How about Rio tech support? The fact is, Mike, I sold MP3 players too- And have done tech support on them- and have owned at least one model from every major manufacturer since before you could find them in retail stores, and I have never- NEVER- had a good customer service experience from any manufacturer except Apple.

4. Interface. It's not just the "inability" to drag-and-drop, but the fact that people shouldn't be expected to do so. Do you drag-and-drop to get music on the radio? Do you have to compile a playlist to watch movies on DVD? No. It's not surprising that the company that came up with a way for people to simply- TRULY- plug 'n' play were the ones who stole the market. On top of that, they built an interface that wasn't an arcane bunch of buttons and a poorly-designed menu that looked more like one on an old cellphone than a something you'd want for media. The iPod is not just easy to get music into it, it's easy to play, shuffle, organize, search, and manage your music on the fly.

5. Long-term value. Try selling your Creative MUVO or Rio device in the second-hand market. You would be lucky to get 10% of what you spent on it. The iPod remains valuable, even several generations later. Which would you rather do? Invest $240 now and get back $25 later, or invest $300 and get $175 later? Personally, I've managed to fund every iPod upgrade to a new generation by selling the previous generation for more than half what I paid for it originally. (Of course, I chose to sell my 5G to move back to the 4G because I just didn't need video or photos, but that's just me, I'm sure.)

6. Attitudes like yours. When the techno-weenies at Best Buy/Futureshop pull this "you're all stupid chimps" attitude, it makes people reading your comments think "Well, screw you, buddy." and kind of busts their confidence in your opinion. When there's a whole HORDE of Apple bashers telling people they're stupid, but these people all know they've been very pleased with their purchase, then what you have is a bunch of nerds who undermine their own campaign.


In closing, let me just say I'm glad I left Best Buy/Futureshop, because jerk attitude like this in the wireless department, computer department, and media department are what made going there very unpleasant. This "better than the customers" attitude is what makes it hard for ethical salespeople like myself to face a day in the Best Buy structure. Some of us try to make shopping in that particular big box store a pleasure for customers, getting the what they want instead of berating them for their decisions and leading them by the nose to whatever will boost profit margins this week, or undermine a company the salesperson just doesn't like. You're the worst example of why I had to defend my job to people; You make everybody think that every person who works in Best Buy/futureshop is a sanctimonious, dishonest, self-serving ass.

And the best part of all this is that the more you- and people like you- rail against the iPod, the more popular it becomes, because people see you and your attitude and decide pretty quickly that they don't want whatever that guy wants. They don't want to be like those assh*les at Best Buy.

Incidentally, I got into a row with the staff of Joystiq over their constant ragging on Best Buy, and while I stand by my comments- the bad apples don't represent everybody in the company- I think perhaps I can see their point of view when I find a person who sticks his nose in the air and calls all his customers "chimps" for picking a product he personally does not like because they don't want to spend an hour dragging-and-dropping files into a playlist.

It sucks. You try to do a good job and there's always one jerk at the big box store to make the place look misinformed, unfriendly, and like everybody's got their head up their ass.

Enjoy your Zen or whatever the hell you picked up on employee discount.