Microsoft’s new music, picture and video player, a self-proclaimed “iPod killer,” is set for release Nov. 14, but most people in the University community haven’t heard anything about it, and those who have are skeptical of its promise.
The Zune player has the benefit of a powerful developer, Microsoft, but none of the University students approached for comment knew about it.
The device is comparable in specifications to the standard 30 gigabyte Apple iPod, and its retail price will start at $249.99 to the iPod’s $249.00. Zune offers many of the same features of the iPod, but it also features a larger screen and wireless file sharing with other Zune players.
There are limitations to the wireless feature, however. Any song shared with another Zune player can only be listened to three times or for three days, whichever comes first. After that, the Zune user can flag the song for purchase at the online Zune Marketplace.
Jason Boness, an employee at Digital Duck in the University Bookstore, said the release of a new product against the iPod might result in a competition that would be good for consumers. Without a virtual stranglehold on the MP3 player market, Apple would not be able to remain complacent in advancing its product, he said.
Before this could happen, Boness said, the poor history of Microsoft’s hardware products might cause consumers to question Zune’s reliability and make it difficult for it to compete with the iPod.
“That’s why the iPod has three quarters of the MP3 player market,” Boness said. “It just works.”
Boness said the wireless sharing feature might also create problems for Microsoft if users are able to exploit it and acquire music illegally. This, he said, is likely to happen.
“That’s like putting the matches in the hand of a pyro and letting him out in the forest,” he said. “It’s going to make it easier to rip music off.”
Marketing professor John Godek, who had not heard of the Zune until he was interviewed, said Microsoft would have to advertise its new device better to compete with the already well-established iPod.
“The iPod is kind of a cool and hip thing,” Godek said. “Microsoft doesn’t have that sort of image.”
Godek said Microsoft might be better off “rebranding” to separate the product from the corporate Microsoft name, as Chevrolet did in manufacturing cars under the Saturn name. Much of the appeal of the Apple iPod, he said, is the fact that it was from an innovative company when it was first released.
Elias Gayles, also an employee at Digital Duck, said the Zune player could be competitive further down the line, but it is unlikely to be successful with a first version.
“I think the Zune will be good a couple versions from now,” Gayles said. “The iPod has half a decade of progress already. They’ve got a jump on Microsoft.”
Gayles said people already attached to their iPods might not be willing to stray for a new product.
“Brand loyalty is a huge part of it,” he said. “How many people do you see driving around with a Microsoft sticker on their car?”
Boness said the release of Zune will likely raise the level of competition between Apple and Microsoft and force Apple to come up with something new for its iPod as a response, perhaps a wireless feature of its own.
Gayles said Digital Duck will sell the Zune when it is released next month.
“It is going to be interesting to see what happens,” Boness said.
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