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Zune sales are struggling
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The following comments relate to this news article:
article published on 24 January, 2009
According to Q4 2008 filings with the SEC, Microsoft Zune revenue has fallen over $100 million USD year-on-year from 2007, confirming that Zune sales continue to struggle mightily.
The rest of the division, Microsoft Entertainment and Devices, brought in $151 million USD profit, on the back of strong Xbox 360 sales.
The revenue number represents a a 54 percent drop year on year, and ... [ read the full article ]
Please read the original article before posting your comments.
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Senior Member
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12. February 2009 @ 14:55 |
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I was recently in the market for a media player and I was looking at the zune. The reason I didn't get it is because I expect to be able to use my Microsoft device how I want.
With Apple you expect to be severely limited in what you can do. No homebrew software, DRM galore... ect ect ect...
But with Microsoft you expect to be able to use the WiFi like an actuall WiFi device, not in it's severely restricted way that zune allows.
It's too much money for a severely restricted device.
Oh, Im sorry... Did the middle of my sentence interrupt the beginning of yours?
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ericg8
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12. February 2009 @ 15:49 |
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Originally posted by ThePastor:
...With Apple you expect to be severely limited in what you can do. No homebrew software, DRM galore... ect ect ect...
Huh?! Apple is very open to app development. That's why there are thousands of 3rd party applications for the iPod touch, and none for the Zune.
As for DRM, Apple now offers DRM-free music and anything you rip yourself from CD is also DRM-free.
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Senior Member
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12. February 2009 @ 16:04 |
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I'm talking about perception...
At least in my case, I wouldn't own an Ipod unless it was free. Yeah, I'm severely biased against Apple.
But, when I went looking for a player I saw that at about the same pricepoint I could get a Microsoft Zune and it had WiFi I was excited, until I found out that the WiFi is severely limited.
As for the Ipod, sure, there's lots of software, but it all has to come from the Ipod store... I can't install my own software... and don't even get me started on the Itunes stuff. I uninstalled that months ago and I'm still removing left over files and TSR crap.
Not that Microsoft is better... I'll grant you that... but if I want to use my device in my own way I would look not at Apple, but at Microsoft, and it turns out that the Zune is as badly restricted as the Ipod... So I moved on.
I'm just suggesting that this may be one aspect of the issue. People who buy Microsoft are looking for a particular usability, basically not locked down like Apple, and the Zune does NOT deliver.
Oh, Im sorry... Did the middle of my sentence interrupt the beginning of yours?
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ericg8
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12. February 2009 @ 16:31 |
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you ought to take a critical look at your biases then. I am a support professional with a 4-year degree in computer science. Apple has very nice stuff. From the perspectives of performance, ease-of-use, value, security, and resale value, they are far and away better than any significant product in the market place.
Sure, they sell apps through their store. They are cheap, certified, and virus-free. And, they are all in one place, easy to find, and convenient. But, you don't have to use them. Not sure what your alternative in the marketplace would be. No other company offers anything close in a wifi-enabled MP3 capable of running external apps.
As for iTunes, it is a terrific piece of software. The Windows version requires more "stuff" to be installed, but that's Microsoft's fault. That is the case with all applications installed on a PC versus other better-written operating systems. Perhaps the issues that you experienced were already there, but only came to light when you installed iTunes? I would suggest a complete reload and try again.
As for "locked-down", I'm not sure what you mean. Sign up and become an iPod developer if you want. Apple will provide all the tools you need to load any of your own software on there you'd like.
Finally Pastor, please do not pose as some novice user. The mere fact that you know the acronym TSR belies your computer-industry background. At least that's my perception.
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Senior Member
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12. February 2009 @ 16:55 |
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Novice... hehe, hmmmm... no, I wouldn't say novice, though I certainly do not have a 4 year computer science degree. :D
I've been around a long time. Back "in the day" everything was a TSR (Terminate and Stay Resident) Now they are called SysTray apps. Or worse, Services.
I am still finding an Ipod "Service" in my list of services. Sure, I was able to turn it off, but I uninstalled that program months ago.
Certainly, Apple is not the only company that does this type of stuff but Itunes has that reputation, and I've so-far, found it to be true.
All of what you say may be true, I'm not arguing that. But the difference in philosophy between the Ibm/Microsoft world and the Apple world is night and day. I don't think I'm going out on a limb to suggest that.
As a PC user I usually look for hardware that is going to be open to my will. For example, I own a WM6.1 phone. I like WM6.1. I don't think it's the best out there, but I can change it in any way I wish, even changing system files and all sorts of groovy things. I can download any program designed to run in this OS no matter the developer or even write my own and I can install all or part of it in any way I wish.
I am most likely not able to have that amount of freedom with an Apple device. (perception)
So, when I went looking for a device I discounted the Ipod out of the gate. There is no way I would ever be happy with that. (perception), then I discovered a Microsoft device which was very similar. My expectation was to find a device which worked like Windows. That I could use it in my way and install whatever I wanted, configure anything I wished and above all use the WiFi as I desired. I did not find this. Instead I found a device which was basically limited, just like the Ipod. There was no real difference. The WiFi was severely limited and it was not running a version of Windows. It was a proprietary device running a propriety OS, everything I HATE about Apple.
So I didn't buy one.
Oh, Im sorry... Did the middle of my sentence interrupt the beginning of yours?
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ericg8
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12. February 2009 @ 18:44 |
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so you like tinkering with your gear to get it to work, then I suppose Microsoft products are right for you. For others that just want the most utility with the least amount of pain, Microsoft is a poor choice. As for a "proprietary device running a propriety OS", I'm not sure how the iPod is any more proprietary than the zune, or any other product of this nature. Frankly, I don't even think that criticism is applicable to their computers. Sure, you are limited on the hardware side to some extent (peripherals, boards, drives, memory, accessories, etc. all tend to work with the Mac), but in return you get a well-made product with a great resale value and freedom from most driver-related headaches. but, this is a free country so suit yourself. Competition is a good thing.
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