A Challenge to the Zune Advocates

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OK, I’m taking quite a bit of heat from the Zune advocates in my comments — lots of them think I’m an idiot for bagging on Microsoft. So, here’s a challenge.

I’ll give you one hour of airtime on ScobleShow.com to make the case for the Zune. You gotta come to my house in Half Moon Bay, CA to do the filming. I’ll treat it just the same as I do any other demos out there. You just bring your devices and explain to the world why these are so cool and why I need to buy one. I’ll even have Patrick bring all his iPods and iPhones so you can have those to compare with, if you’d like.

Call me if you’re interested and have access to one of the new Zunes. If you’re a Microsoft employee or a PR representative even better. I always leave my cell phone on my blog, by the way. It’s over there on the right side of my blog, but my number is 425-205-1921 (local call from Microsoft headquarters! Heh!)

Published by Robert Scoble

I help entrepreneurs build their technology business' story, help with getting ready for investors, with other launch plans, and many other strategic things that can help your new startup. Call to talk: +1-425-205-1921 (text first).

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71 thoughts on “A Challenge to the Zune Advocates”

  5. So there are actually people who like the zune?

    Can we talk about the new iPod nano instead? My son bought one the other day (to replace his previous old-gen nano) – and loves it 100%. He even spent his own savings to buy one.

    Of course he much rather wanted an iPhone, but after the last 1.1.1 update I didn’t approve that expense… 🙂

    Plus I’m probably going to buy the next-gen iPhone in the spring of 2008 (or whenever it comes out) and he can have the hand-me-down then.

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  6. So there are actually people who like the zune?

    Can we talk about the new iPod nano instead? My son bought one the other day (to replace his previous old-gen nano) – and loves it 100%. He even spent his own savings to buy one.

    Of course he much rather wanted an iPhone, but after the last 1.1.1 update I didn’t approve that expense… 🙂

    Plus I’m probably going to buy the next-gen iPhone in the spring of 2008 (or whenever it comes out) and he can have the hand-me-down then.

    Like

  7. 1 hour to make a point?? I’d say you’re guaranteed 15 min. If you’re onto something, 30min. I’m not sure I could stomach a 1hr defense/demo of any gadget. If there’s a case to be made, 15min should be more than enough.

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  8. 1 hour to make a point?? I’d say you’re guaranteed 15 min. If you’re onto something, 30min. I’m not sure I could stomach a 1hr defense/demo of any gadget. If there’s a case to be made, 15min should be more than enough.

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  11. Microsoft seems to be competing on price rather than for the crown of the best demoing or flashiest device.

    8g/16g iPod Touch $299/$399
    8g/16g Zune2 $149/$199

    Is the featureset of the Touch compelling enough to be worth a 2x price premium? For many, sure – but that doesn’t seem to be the demographic MSFT is after. It looks to me that Microsoft is looking to position the Zune as the Toyota of digital media players while Apple is looking to position the Touch as the Mercedes of dmps.

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  12. Microsoft seems to be competing on price rather than for the crown of the best demoing or flashiest device.

    8g/16g iPod Touch $299/$399
    8g/16g Zune2 $149/$199

    Is the featureset of the Touch compelling enough to be worth a 2x price premium? For many, sure – but that doesn’t seem to be the demographic MSFT is after. It looks to me that Microsoft is looking to position the Zune as the Toyota of digital media players while Apple is looking to position the Touch as the Mercedes of dmps.

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  13. Bill: at the Demo Conference they limit people to six minutes for a reason. I am offering an hour cause I want them to make sure they cover every advantage that they think Zune has over other media players on the market (iPod is hardly the only competition for this, as Chris Coulter pointed out in another thread).

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  15. Bill: at the Demo Conference they limit people to six minutes for a reason. I am offering an hour cause I want them to make sure they cover every advantage that they think Zune has over other media players on the market (iPod is hardly the only competition for this, as Chris Coulter pointed out in another thread).

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  19. I would love to see one hour of Zune. In fact, I am intrigued by the fact that it got podcast-support. Wanna know more about it.
    – Does it show what episodes have already been played?
    – How does the podcast-directory look like. I mean: the do need one, if they are serious about it.
    – What will they offer to podcasters that iTunes doesn’t (like decent statistics or a transparent charts)?

    Any player that brings podcasting to more people is a good player in my mind. And besides this: What could be better than more competition?`

    Greetings from Austria

    Like

  20. I would love to see one hour of Zune. In fact, I am intrigued by the fact that it got podcast-support. Wanna know more about it.
    – Does it show what episodes have already been played?
    – How does the podcast-directory look like. I mean: the do need one, if they are serious about it.
    – What will they offer to podcasters that iTunes doesn’t (like decent statistics or a transparent charts)?

    Any player that brings podcasting to more people is a good player in my mind. And besides this: What could be better than more competition?`

    Greetings from Austria

    Like

  21. And I forgot the wifi: Imagine people that pass around Scobleshow to others that don’t yet know it. Wouldn’t that be a great promotion-tool for podcasters?

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  22. And I forgot the wifi: Imagine people that pass around Scobleshow to others that don’t yet know it. Wouldn’t that be a great promotion-tool for podcasters?

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  23. Paolo: that’s a good deal, but I promised Maryam I wouldn’t travel any more this year. Oh, bonus for coming here, you get to see Milan! He’s a lot more fun than anything we’re talking about here anyway.

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  24. Paolo: that’s a good deal, but I promised Maryam I wouldn’t travel any more this year. Oh, bonus for coming here, you get to see Milan! He’s a lot more fun than anything we’re talking about here anyway.

    Like

  25. Robert: Very interested to see what your taker will have to say with an hour to play with. I’ll be sure to run the stopwatch on my iPhone so I can let you know when I ceased being interested. 😉

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  26. Robert: Very interested to see what your taker will have to say with an hour to play with. I’ll be sure to run the stopwatch on my iPhone so I can let you know when I ceased being interested. 😉

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  27. I will bring my ‘old’ 30g Zune. I owned both iPod and Zune and took the iPod back. iPod to flimsy and fingerprint trap. I can download iTunes podcasts and most importantly my home videos I made on movie maker with very few steps. Also, MS has decided to provide new functions to my old Zune. How cool is that? What is the ETA date on the interview? Does iPhone support my Outlook calendar? ooops

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  28. I will bring my ‘old’ 30g Zune. I owned both iPod and Zune and took the iPod back. iPod to flimsy and fingerprint trap. I can download iTunes podcasts and most importantly my home videos I made on movie maker with very few steps. Also, MS has decided to provide new functions to my old Zune. How cool is that? What is the ETA date on the interview? Does iPhone support my Outlook calendar? ooops

    Like

  31. Microsoft has never stated that the first or even the second generation Zunes are expected to beat the iPods to the top of most sold portable media players. Why then compare and complain about a product? If there is room for business even in what seems to be a monopoly market, what’s wrong with that?

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  32. Microsoft has never stated that the first or even the second generation Zunes are expected to beat the iPods to the top of most sold portable media players. Why then compare and complain about a product? If there is room for business even in what seems to be a monopoly market, what’s wrong with that?

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  35. “Microsoft has never stated that the first or even the second generation Zunes are expected to beat the iPods to the top of most sold portable media players.”

    If they don’t beat the iPod, then how do they justify charging the same price for them?

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  36. “Microsoft has never stated that the first or even the second generation Zunes are expected to beat the iPods to the top of most sold portable media players.”

    If they don’t beat the iPod, then how do they justify charging the same price for them?

    Like

  37. I am eagerly awaiting my purchase of a Zune 80. I wanted a Zune 30, but I refuse to buy first gen hardware. As I stated in a recent blog post on my site, http://ziggysbranch.spaces.live.com:

    Why I stick with Microsoft
    I’ve been holding out for the second generation Zune media player. Now that reports are coming in, I’m glad I waited, but also a little upset with missed opportunities on my part.

    Microsoft is a leader in the PC world. But many people claim, and rightfully so, that their leadership is also a weakness. When Microsoft releases a new version of Windows or Media Player, it can’t just drop support for everything the previous player supported. Microsoft makes a strong attempt to allow you to run your old programs on the newest version of Windows. If they had a small market share, they could get away with losing backwards compatibility. Like Apple. Apple had to create a Classic mode for OS X to support OS 9 applications. When Firefox releases an update, many of the extensions break and have to be rewritten. When Apple updates their iPods, some of the accessories for previous versions lose functionality. Not so with Microsoft.

    The new Zunes are having information published now, and it looks like the original Zune will receive the same updates as the new ones. And the accessories that worked with the old Zunes will work with the new ones. Microsoft understands that people (like me) can’t afford to buy a new media player and associated accessories every year. My only media player is a $15 512-MB SanDisk MP3 player that I bought from http://www.Woot.com. Knowing what I know now, I wish I would have gotten the $130 Zune from Woot.com. But that time has passed and I didn’t know then what I know now. Regardless, I have just added a black Zune 80 to my Christmas list. It might be the only thing I get for Christmas, but that’s okay.

    Find more information about the Zune from the fabulous Paul Thurott at http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/zune2_preview.asp

    Like

  38. I am eagerly awaiting my purchase of a Zune 80. I wanted a Zune 30, but I refuse to buy first gen hardware. As I stated in a recent blog post on my site, http://ziggysbranch.spaces.live.com:

    Why I stick with Microsoft
    I’ve been holding out for the second generation Zune media player. Now that reports are coming in, I’m glad I waited, but also a little upset with missed opportunities on my part.

    Microsoft is a leader in the PC world. But many people claim, and rightfully so, that their leadership is also a weakness. When Microsoft releases a new version of Windows or Media Player, it can’t just drop support for everything the previous player supported. Microsoft makes a strong attempt to allow you to run your old programs on the newest version of Windows. If they had a small market share, they could get away with losing backwards compatibility. Like Apple. Apple had to create a Classic mode for OS X to support OS 9 applications. When Firefox releases an update, many of the extensions break and have to be rewritten. When Apple updates their iPods, some of the accessories for previous versions lose functionality. Not so with Microsoft.

    The new Zunes are having information published now, and it looks like the original Zune will receive the same updates as the new ones. And the accessories that worked with the old Zunes will work with the new ones. Microsoft understands that people (like me) can’t afford to buy a new media player and associated accessories every year. My only media player is a $15 512-MB SanDisk MP3 player that I bought from http://www.Woot.com. Knowing what I know now, I wish I would have gotten the $130 Zune from Woot.com. But that time has passed and I didn’t know then what I know now. Regardless, I have just added a black Zune 80 to my Christmas list. It might be the only thing I get for Christmas, but that’s okay.

    Find more information about the Zune from the fabulous Paul Thurott at http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/zune2_preview.asp

    Like

  39. It won’t work with my Mac, so it’s a complete nonstarter for me.

    How hard could it be to make this thing cross-platform? Does Microsoft even have a CLUE how many college students are buying Macs these days?

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  40. It won’t work with my Mac, so it’s a complete nonstarter for me.

    How hard could it be to make this thing cross-platform? Does Microsoft even have a CLUE how many college students are buying Macs these days?

    Like

  41. Robert,
    I would take your Zune challenge and I actually work for Microsoft and remember you when you were just an MVP, and just the channel9 guy.

    However, there are significant challenges in attempting to respond to your challenge…and you already know many of them from a Microsoft policy standpoint, which is why I think that your challenge is just a non-starter.

    I would love to come visit your house in Half Moon Bay, CA.

    Keep the conversation about Zune up, if anything it keeps people talking.

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  42. Robert,
    I would take your Zune challenge and I actually work for Microsoft and remember you when you were just an MVP, and just the channel9 guy.

    However, there are significant challenges in attempting to respond to your challenge…and you already know many of them from a Microsoft policy standpoint, which is why I think that your challenge is just a non-starter.

    I would love to come visit your house in Half Moon Bay, CA.

    Keep the conversation about Zune up, if anything it keeps people talking.

    Like

  43. Time to leave this post and drop the feed. When people start to review a product which they have never see, its time to move on.

    See Ya

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  44. Time to leave this post and drop the feed. When people start to review a product which they have never see, its time to move on.

    See Ya

    Like

  45. After owning an iPod and using iTunes I switched to a Creative Zen 60GB and WMP about a year ago and never looked back. I’t just not that big of a deal. iPods+iTunes, whatever. Get over it. Apple loves lock in – that’s been the cornerstone of their stratgy for years. Get out while you can. I think the new Zunes look like great products. And with my current set up I can choose a Zune or just about any other media player out there and not worry about any compatiblity issues. It’s a great place to be.

    Like

  46. After owning an iPod and using iTunes I switched to a Creative Zen 60GB and WMP about a year ago and never looked back. I’t just not that big of a deal. iPods+iTunes, whatever. Get over it. Apple loves lock in – that’s been the cornerstone of their stratgy for years. Get out while you can. I think the new Zunes look like great products. And with my current set up I can choose a Zune or just about any other media player out there and not worry about any compatiblity issues. It’s a great place to be.

    Like

  47. Robert,
    I’d love to take you up on your offer but I don’t live in Half Moon Bay. Or California. Or even the USA come to that 🙂
    Oh and I don’t have a Zune 2. Arf! I hope MSFT take you up on your offer but I suspect that they won’t because they know that in a straight head-to-head (i.e. device-to-device) comparison they won’t win. As I’ve said elsewhere, the Zune’s strength lies in its ability to cross-pollinate with other products.

    I’ve already bored all and sundry too much with my views on this so I’ll stop now.

    Dan “October 4, 2007 @ 7:29 am” – uncalled for!

    -Jamie

    Like

  48. Robert,
    I’d love to take you up on your offer but I don’t live in Half Moon Bay. Or California. Or even the USA come to that 🙂
    Oh and I don’t have a Zune 2. Arf! I hope MSFT take you up on your offer but I suspect that they won’t because they know that in a straight head-to-head (i.e. device-to-device) comparison they won’t win. As I’ve said elsewhere, the Zune’s strength lies in its ability to cross-pollinate with other products.

    I’ve already bored all and sundry too much with my views on this so I’ll stop now.

    Dan “October 4, 2007 @ 7:29 am” – uncalled for!

    -Jamie

    Like

  49. Jamie… Sorry but I speaks the truth… Besides HMB isn’t that great, as evidenced by the Scobelizer having to name drop it. Also, MS “won’t win”? Why is that?

    Hey Robert, do something semi-useful and create a pretty chart. Zune on one side, ipod on the other and list the features, pros, cons, etc. Lets the people decide… as if any of this matters. Use the comparison charts at dpreview.com for inspiration.
    Don’t forget to add a check mark in the ipod section for blind zealotry and call it a con.

    Cheers!

    Like

  50. Jamie… Sorry but I speaks the truth… Besides HMB isn’t that great, as evidenced by the Scobelizer having to name drop it. Also, MS “won’t win”? Why is that?

    Hey Robert, do something semi-useful and create a pretty chart. Zune on one side, ipod on the other and list the features, pros, cons, etc. Lets the people decide… as if any of this matters. Use the comparison charts at dpreview.com for inspiration.
    Don’t forget to add a check mark in the ipod section for blind zealotry and call it a con.

    Cheers!

    Like

  51. It seems like this is a set-up.
    There’s no way to fill an hour talking about a digital music player (or even a player/phone for that matter), so once the “Zune advocate” runs out of things to say long before the hour is up, the haters will gloat, “LOL Zune must suck if one of its advocates ran out of good things to say about it so fast!”, and that sort of thing.

    Like

  52. It seems like this is a set-up.
    There’s no way to fill an hour talking about a digital music player (or even a player/phone for that matter), so once the “Zune advocate” runs out of things to say long before the hour is up, the haters will gloat, “LOL Zune must suck if one of its advocates ran out of good things to say about it so fast!”, and that sort of thing.

    Like

  53. “It won’t work with my Mac, so it’s a complete nonstarter for me.

    How hard could it be to make this thing cross-platform? Does Microsoft even have a CLUE how many college students are buying Macs these days?”

    I’m curious, how many music players do work on Macs besides iPod? And of those that do, how many make money on the Mac? Most Mac users are dedicated Apple-users/fanboys (take a look at the software installed on an average Mac, and you’ll see that typically all of the software installed on it is from Apple, or nearly so), and would buy an Apple product over any other brand regardless of the merits. So it would be a waste of time and money to target the Mac.

    Like

  54. “It won’t work with my Mac, so it’s a complete nonstarter for me.

    How hard could it be to make this thing cross-platform? Does Microsoft even have a CLUE how many college students are buying Macs these days?”

    I’m curious, how many music players do work on Macs besides iPod? And of those that do, how many make money on the Mac? Most Mac users are dedicated Apple-users/fanboys (take a look at the software installed on an average Mac, and you’ll see that typically all of the software installed on it is from Apple, or nearly so), and would buy an Apple product over any other brand regardless of the merits. So it would be a waste of time and money to target the Mac.

    Like

  55. Why has Dan’s first comment been deleted?

    October 4, 2007 @ 7:29 am was there, now it’s gone. what gives?

    Like

  56. Why has Dan’s first comment been deleted?

    October 4, 2007 @ 7:29 am was there, now it’s gone. what gives?

    Like

  61. I live about 2 hours from HM Bay. I’d love to come over. I’d bring my iPod with me as well, but I returned it when I missed my Zune 30. I run alot and the touch wheel on iPod makes it a pain to work while not looking at it. Screen was too small as well. Podcasts I can run, home movies I can run, FM radio I can run so I can get little station up in Grass Valley. When would be a good time to come over? Are you buying lunch as well?

    Like

  62. I live about 2 hours from HM Bay. I’d love to come over. I’d bring my iPod with me as well, but I returned it when I missed my Zune 30. I run alot and the touch wheel on iPod makes it a pain to work while not looking at it. Screen was too small as well. Podcasts I can run, home movies I can run, FM radio I can run so I can get little station up in Grass Valley. When would be a good time to come over? Are you buying lunch as well?

    Like

  65. George from comment #10,

    I have just joined the Zune team as Podcast Programming Lead. The Zune Marketplace will have a audio and video Podcast directory. The Zune will be a very good video podcast player with the DVD out to TV abilities in combo with a remote control that will be availabe via the AV accessory kit. I am also planning on having a strong blend of podcast content from indie and major media producers. I am looking for and will feature the best content from all types of producers. I feel that some of the best podcasts are coming from indie producers.

    Robert, while it would be great to join you on your show to talk about Zune podcasting – it is just to early to do so. I have only been on the team for a week now and would be more able to discuss in mid-November. Look for more info at the Zune Insider blog at http://www.zuneinsider.com.

    Rob Greenlee

    Like

  66. George from comment #10,

    I have just joined the Zune team as Podcast Programming Lead. The Zune Marketplace will have a audio and video Podcast directory. The Zune will be a very good video podcast player with the DVD out to TV abilities in combo with a remote control that will be availabe via the AV accessory kit. I am also planning on having a strong blend of podcast content from indie and major media producers. I am looking for and will feature the best content from all types of producers. I feel that some of the best podcasts are coming from indie producers.

    Robert, while it would be great to join you on your show to talk about Zune podcasting – it is just to early to do so. I have only been on the team for a week now and would be more able to discuss in mid-November. Look for more info at the Zune Insider blog at http://www.zuneinsider.com.

    Rob Greenlee

    Like

  67. Pingback: Comment on A Challenge to the Zune Advocates by Rob Greenlee

  68. Okay, I’ll bite. My daughter just bought a Zune 30 from Woot and it will be here at the end of the week. I won’t be able to say much until it comes in, but she opted for the Zune 30 over the iPod Touch because of capactiy. To be fair, the Zune 30 from Woot is a ‘refurbished’ unit so we’d have to see what the refurb 30 GB iPod would run to get a fair price comparison, but she looked at the features list and based on that, there was no comparison why iPod would be a better device (her twin brother has an 30 GB iPod and loves it, but she opted for features and price over….what is it that the iPod have that’s better than the Zune again)?

    Like

  69. Okay, I’ll bite. My daughter just bought a Zune 30 from Woot and it will be here at the end of the week. I won’t be able to say much until it comes in, but she opted for the Zune 30 over the iPod Touch because of capactiy. To be fair, the Zune 30 from Woot is a ‘refurbished’ unit so we’d have to see what the refurb 30 GB iPod would run to get a fair price comparison, but she looked at the features list and based on that, there was no comparison why iPod would be a better device (her twin brother has an 30 GB iPod and loves it, but she opted for features and price over….what is it that the iPod have that’s better than the Zune again)?

    Like

  70. The problem is that is the “old” Zune 30. I want a look at the new units that aren’t on the market yet. Keep in mind I already have a Zune 30 from last year. I don’t need someone to show me that.

    But the iPod Touch? It’s thinner. Feels nicer in your hand. And has a touch screen which has a much more impressive UI. But if that doesn’t matter to you then, yes, definitely go for the capacity.

    Like

  71. The problem is that is the “old” Zune 30. I want a look at the new units that aren’t on the market yet. Keep in mind I already have a Zune 30 from last year. I don’t need someone to show me that.

    But the iPod Touch? It’s thinner. Feels nicer in your hand. And has a touch screen which has a much more impressive UI. But if that doesn’t matter to you then, yes, definitely go for the capacity.

    Like

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