Gah! Why don't they make the Zune mac compatable?

[G5Unit]

The Zune looks more and more appealing everyday. I consider it the best contender to the iPod(ipod nano actually). Why can't we have alternatives?

Who is behind the decision? Apple with iTunes or Microsoft?

[mac-convert]

Who is behind the decision? Apple with iTunes or Microsoft?

That would be Steve and Bill more that likely! :D

[DoFoT9]

uuhh because M$ makes it... they dont want apple to be compatible with it.

personally i wouldnt touch a zune with a 10foot usb cable :p

[synth3tik]

Same reason a lot of crap is not Mac compatible......it's crap...

[DoFoT9]

Same reason a lot of crap is not Mac compatible......it's crap...

well said mate

[Luis]

Because we have the iPod for that. And yes, it's Microsoft's decision.

[Fearless Leader]

well you got this program, http://www.wentnet.com/projects/xnjb/ it works kinda

[Matt355]

I to am considering buying a zune, the 3.2 inch screen is much better than the classic, and 80gb hard drive compared to the iPod touch, at $399.99 vs $249.99 is incredible, I love Apple Products and have purchased, a 30g iPod, original Ipod mini, and shuffle, and a Sent numerous letters prior to the iPod touch, to request they make what is now the Zune, but until now, there was no competition, there was no reason to listen, don't get me wrong, i'm still waiting for flash memory to drop, hoping for a 30g iPod touch, but if that doesn't happen before the end of Jan 2008, or song bird updates their software to run the zune natively, then I'll be using the zune, running in vmw fusion or parallels ? and if that won't work, I'll install boot camp, its customers like me and all the readers of this forum that have made apple great, and a good number of us even helped Microsoft become great, after apple stopped listening the first time,and had to get a loan from Microsoft, years later, they could have made the new zune instead of Toshiba/microsoft, and offered it to their customers instead of the classic, or added another hundred to the touch and sold it with 30g hard drive but once again, their not listening.

[jarenado]

i think you are in the minority there. The zune is a piece of crap, thats why they aren't selling and iPod have the market. More importantly, the iPod has iTunes, I would hate to have to waste my time with that crappy digital music organizer that Microsoft has.

[748s]

It's a microsoft call. They don't want it to work.

.......I to am ............ their not listening.......

Apple have done ok so far with the iPod. They know where they are taking it.
Your plan doesn't fit their marketing strategies. They'll probably go their way with it.

[DoFoT9]

i think you are in the minority there. The zune is a piece of crap, thats why they aren't selling and iPod have the market. More importantly, the iPod has iTunes, I would hate to have to waste my time with that crappy digital music organizer that Microsoft has.

yup im afraid i have to agree.. i have not met one person that like the zune, let alone would buy one, apart from the user above....

[SamIchi]

i think you are in the minority there. The zune is a piece of crap, thats why they aren't selling and iPod have the market. More importantly, the iPod has iTunes, I would hate to have to waste my time with that crappy digital music organizer that Microsoft has.



Agreed, that's why it was on sale at every store for Black Friday, they just needed an excuse for getting rid of that thing. We have one on display in our store and I took it for a test drive, but got frustrated that I couldn't stop the FM transmitter and find a menu. I'm pretty good with electronics, but that thing just pissed me off. Maybe I'm just biased, I dunno.

[tristan]

Call up Microsoft and ask them and tell us what they say. BTW that's the company that had "ipod amnesty" bins where employees were supposed to dump their iPods and switch to the Zune.

[Sesshi]

The Zune looks more and more appealing everyday. I consider it the best contender to the iPod(ipod nano actually). Why can't we have alternatives?

Who is behind the decision? Apple with iTunes or Microsoft?

If you're going for the Zune, you might as well go for the whole hog and opt for the better home entertainment platform - Windows.

[Mr Skills]

The reason is simple: because in their dream world where the Zune sees off the iPod and becomes the dominant music player, they want the handy by-product of freezing out the Mac and making it less attractive to the consumer.

It's the same thing they are doing with DRM video downloads (e.g. BBC iPlayer) except in this case they are dominant and it is working.

[Cassie]

I wouldn't mind having a Zune, they're not crap, people. You're entitled to your opinion after you try it (cough*DoFoT9*cough)


But right now I have my eye on a 4G 20 GB iPod this time.

[Sun Baked]

Call up Microsoft and ask them and tell us what they say. BTW that's the company that had "ipod amnesty" bins where employees were supposed to dump their iPods and switch to the Zune.

I wonder how many people dumped their Zunes for the iPods sitting in the bins. :confused:

[DoFoT9]

I wouldn't mind having a Zune, they're not crap, people. You're entitled to your opinion after you try it (cough*DoFoT9*cough)


But right now I have my eye on a 4G 20 GB iPod this time.

lolz or from the things that you read from it :p

[raggedjimmi]

Do Microsoft wonder why the Zune is selling so bad when it's locked to Windows only and only available in the US?

That said my cousin imported a load to sell here, and yea, they're a bit naff. As I keep saying I'd love them to be good and to give Apple a run for their money. But WTF they've got to compete against the iPod Touch and Classic. And they're not as good as either.

When will the iPod get some real competition?

[wronski]

Have you guys used one of the new Zunes, specifically gotten a chance to use the interface? If you haven't then you're just naive, if you have then you should, assuming that you have a sense of objectivity, recognize that it is at the very least a reasonable competitor to the iPod. My opinion is that the interface on the Zune beats iPod nano and iPod classic, it looks and responds in a much more modern way. The new hardware designs are also 100-times more well-thought-out than the previous model they had, perhaps they had some help from the Xbox team.

[eric55lv]

microsoft is microsoft they dont want to make it compatible for Macs because they will make more money and they just plain dont like Apple (i did not capitalize microsoft because it sucks!)

[yg17]

microsoft is microsoft they dont want to make it compatible for Macs because they will make more money and they just plain dont like Apple (i did not capitalize microsoft because it sucks!)

I've met 8 year olds more mature than you.


If it wasn't for Microsoft, Apple wouldn't exist.

[mcarnes]

Considering that MS does not even allow it's employees to have iPods, I'd say Zune/Mac compatibility is a minor issue.

Ballmer even forbids his kids from having iPods, or anything Mac related.

[yg17]

Considering that MS does not even allow it's employees to have iPods, I'd say Zune/Mac compatibility is a minor issue.



Uh, proof? MS can't dictate what employees can and cannot buy and use outside of work.

[mcarnes]

They don't allow iPods at work. Google it.

[overanalyzer]

If it wasn't for Microsoft, Apple wouldn't exist.

Huh? MS was founded just under exactly one year before Apple. And Apple definitely led the technology advances early on. Did I miss something? Perhaps I'm too tired to catch sarcasm?

[yg17]

They don't allow iPods at work. Google it.



Umm....so? If I ran a business, I wouldn't allow a competing product into my workplace either. How would it look if you walked into a McDonalds and all of the employees on their lunch break were sitting down eating Burger King?

[overanalyzer]

They don't allow iPods at work. Google it.

Ok, I tried. I got this:
http://www.wired.com/gadgets/mac/commentary/cultofmac/2005/02/66460

Which says:
"About 80 percent of Microsoft employees who have a portable music player have an iPod," said one source, a high-level manager who asked to remain anonymous. "It's pretty staggering."

The source estimated 80 percent of Microsoft employees have a music player -- that translates to 16,000 iPod users among the 25,000 who work at or near Microsoft's corporate campus. "This irks the management team no end," said the source.

So popular is the iPod, executives are increasingly sending out memos frowning on its use.

Frowning on != banning. Do you know of a change in that policy since that article was published in 2/05?

[yg17]

Huh? MS was founded just under exactly one year before Apple. And Apple definitely led the technology advances early on. Did I miss something? Perhaps I'm too tired to catch sarcasm?

Back in 1997 when Apple was headed down the toilet, it was MS who bought some Apple stock and invested around $150 million, effectively saving the company.

[overanalyzer]

Back in 1997 when Apple was headed down the toilet, it was MS who bought some Apple stock and invested around $150 million, effectively saving the company.

Ah I totally forgot about that. Thanks to Google I found a random transcript of PBS NewsHour talking about it (http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/cyberspace/july-dec97/apple_8-6.html). Thanks for the explanation.

[Cassie]

I've met 8 year olds more mature than you.


If it wasn't for Microsoft, Apple wouldn't exist.

Agree on both points.:D

Some MS bashing is tolerable, but when it gets like this, it's too much.

Microsoft's products are usually of fairly good quality, especially their mouses and keyboards.

[richkent72]

When Apple made the iPod Windows compatible people who had never used a Mac were now using Apple hardware (the iPod) and software (iTunes). Many of them found these to be superior to other hardware and software and subsequently switched to Macs.

If Microsoft make the Zune Mac compatible there will not be a corresponding shift to Windows. The software would be the usual MS bloatware and the Zune is at best no better than anything Apple makes (or by the look of thing, worse).

[Cromulent]

Back in 1997 when Apple was headed down the toilet, it was MS who bought some Apple stock and invested around $150 million, effectively saving the company.

I think it was actually the promise to keep developing software for the Mac for the next five years that saved them. The $150 million was a help to be sure, but having Microsoft Office was a big help.

[gkarris]

Considering that MS does not even allow it's employees to have iPods, I'd say Zune/Mac compatibility is a minor issue.

Ballmer even forbids his kids from having iPods, or anything Mac related.

So, what do the Mac Developers for MS Office Mac allowed to use?

[raggedjimmi]

Microsoft's products are usually of fairly good quality, especially their mouses and keyboards.

I used to think that till my Habu mouse broke. Neither MS or Razer want anything to do with it.

[GSMiller]

Microsoft making the Zune work with OS X would be about as pointless as developing Internet Explorer for Linux.

[hulugu]

I think it was actually the promise to keep developing software for the Mac for the next five years that saved them. The $150 million was a help to be sure, but having Microsoft Office was a big help.

Yep, the $150 million was just a guarantee signature, the promise to keep developing Office for the Mac kept Apple alive long enough to develop the iMac and OS X.

Microsoft making the Zune work with OS X would be about as pointless as developing Internet Explorer for Linux.

Like Safari for Windows?

[Luis]

Like Safari for Windows?

haha good point.

[DoFoT9]

Like Safari for Windows?

except safari somewhat works and is actually handy.

[Cassie]

except safari somewhat works and is actually handy.
Not in Windows it doesn't/isn't.

[DoFoT9]

Not in Windows it doesn't/isn't.

now thats a matter of opnion

[Cassie]

now thats a matter of opnion

Yep, but it sounds like you're criticizing me for stating my opinion, even though you stated your own.

...safari somewhat works and is actually handy.

[yg17]

Safari is a piece of crap in OSX, I can't imagine how bad it is on Windows.


Firefox > * :D

[DoFoT9]

Yep, but it sounds like you're criticizing me for stating my opinion, even though you stated your own.




no sorry, i wasnt critisizing you. i just think that safari in winblows is quite exceptional for a bunch for mac coders who were asked to write the program in windows code.

Safari is a piece of crap in OSX, I can't imagine how bad it is on Windows.


Firefox > * :D

u really think so?? wow ok.. what kind of experience is that from? a bad one lol?

[yg17]

no sorry, i wasnt critisizing you. i just think that safari in winblows is quite exceptional for a bunch for mac coders who were asked to write the program in windows code.



u really think so?? wow ok.. what kind of experience is that from? a bad one lol?


Yes, I've found it to be slow and clunky and doesn't have nearly the amount of customization abilities as Firefox does. Maybe Safari's improved since the last time I've used it, but I don't plan on using it ever again.

[DoFoT9]

Yes, I've found it to be slow and clunky and doesn't have nearly the amount of customization abilities as Firefox does. Maybe Safari's improved since the last time I've used it, but I don't plan on using it ever again.

oh ok tahts fair enuf. i find safari to be really resposive, albeit running flash on it will slow down a tad...but never drop frames or anything.

i used FF for a while on my mbp, found it to be quite lousy and slow.

but yea personal opinion.

[klymr]

http://www.hideapod.com

[Love]

I wouldn't mind having a Zune, they're not crap, people. You're entitled to your opinion after you try it (cough*DoFoT9*cough)


But right now I have my eye on a 4G 20 GB iPod this time.


Exactly! I don't feel they're crappy. They don't suit me, and that's why I have my iPhone.

[xodonniedarko]

Seriously.


Since when does Microsoft make anything Mac compatible?


That's what I thought. :)

[yg17]

Seriously.


Since when does Microsoft make anything Mac compatible?


That's what I thought. :)

Ummm....Office, all their keyboards and mice, Virtual PC, Internet Explorer (last 2 are discontinued, but still...), their Sidewinder gamepads (do they still make those?) and probably more stuff

[xUKHCx]

Seriously.


Since when does Microsoft make anything Mac compatible?


That's what I thought. :)

There are actually quite a few MS products that are Mac compatible keyboards, mice, office etc.

[Sesshi]

except safari somewhat works and is actually handy.

Ahahahahahahahahaha...

*rubs tears from eyes*

Quite possible the most useless current browser in existence.

[xodonniedarko]

OH I KNOW, GOSH. It was just a scoff towards M.

I actually have a Microsoft mouse... or I thought.
I really don't know what brand it is. But I hate it.

[2nyRiggz]

The Zune looks more and more appealing everyday. I consider it the best contender to the iPod(ipod nano actually). Why can't we have alternatives?


I know how you feel...I'm very interested in those new zunes but it being incompatible with macs messed it up for me. If they decide to make them work on a mac then I'll be getting one.


Bless

[Rodimus Prime]

some times I wonder if apple has something to do with it being incompatible. Also wonder if apple is part of the reason we do not see WMP on the mac.

That or M$ is just worry if they made it Mac compatible Apple would do something to break it.

Who knows. Some how I do not see it being just m$ for the reason the Zune does not work on the mac.

[DoFoT9]

Ahahahahahahahahaha...

*rubs tears from eyes*

Quite possible the most useless current browser in existence.

lolz. it does what i need and want. works perfect for me, stable, everything i need. IMHO >then FF>Camino>IE>all

[xodonniedarko]

lolz. it does what i need and want. works perfect for me, stable, everything i need. IMHO >then FF>Camino>IE>all

dude camino sucked for me
and my safari crashes all the freaking time
but i think its faster than FF

and opera screwed my computer up
and um, i had something... i forgot what it was, they had a fish as their logo, and that sucked too.

[DoFoT9]

dude camino sucked for me
and my safari crashes all the freaking time
but i think its faster than FF

and opera screwed my computer up
and um, i had something... i forgot what it was, they had a fish as their logo, and that sucked too.

hahahahahahaha yup camino did suck for me aswell, 2nd that call lol.

hhmm my safari is so stable tho. but yea.

if FF works for you thats sweet as aye

[Sesshi]

dude camino sucked for me
and my safari crashes all the freaking time
but i think its faster than FF

and opera screwed my computer up
and um, i had something... i forgot what it was, they had a fish as their logo, and that sucked too.

The fish (Shiira) is based on webkit, the same rather hopeless rendering engine as Safari. I like the way it looks though.

[Cassie]

Yes, I've found it to be slow and clunky and doesn't have nearly the amount of customization abilities as Firefox does. Maybe Safari's improved since the last time I've used it, but I don't plan on using it ever again.

I used Safari In Windows once. It was slow, buggy and it crashed a lot. It's a novel idea, but they really should have done more testing before releasing it..

[overanalyzer]

I used Safari In Windows once. It was slow, buggy and it crashed a lot. It's a novel idea, but they really should have done more testing before releasing it..

Well, to be fair, the Windows version is still in beta. So technically they *are* still testing it, they're just allowing anyone who's interested to try it out too. We'll have to see what the actual release is like. That said, the Safari beta actually runs quite well on my Windows XP box at work.