there's no 'wow' factor here. call me a hater, but I've really just had it w/ MS except for the xbox probably 
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iPod touch Zune HD...WOW!
- Thread starter RiCEADDiCTBOY
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Because even though the Zune POS has lost money since 1996, Microsoft has a monopoly to keep it going. Who cares if its a failure since 1996, eventually they'll catch up and win the market. Thats the plan, just like their other plans.
Microsoft don't seem to understand that when people buy an iPod Touch or iPhone they are not just buying a cool gadget, but they are buying into a cool brand. Everything about buying an Apple machine is nice. Even the packaging is stunning!
Microsoft isn't a cool brand. Think MS and images of Bill Gates and spreadsheets spring to mind, no matter how many XBOX's and Windows 7 shipments they make. The image if MS is embedded, just as Apples image is embedded.
There are better specced phones out there than the iPhone, and there are better raw specced notebooks than Apples. But raw specs are only half the story (something else MS hasn't figured out yet). It is the end user experience that really nails home just what the Apple brand is about. That's why fans keep buying Apple equipment even if the devices are sometimes flawed (and what device from any company isn't in some way?)
Microsoft isn't a cool brand. Think MS and images of Bill Gates and spreadsheets spring to mind, no matter how many XBOX's and Windows 7 shipments they make. The image if MS is embedded, just as Apples image is embedded.
There are better specced phones out there than the iPhone, and there are better raw specced notebooks than Apples. But raw specs are only half the story (something else MS hasn't figured out yet). It is the end user experience that really nails home just what the Apple brand is about. That's why fans keep buying Apple equipment even if the devices are sometimes flawed (and what device from any company isn't in some way?)
I'll hold off final judgement until I have one in my hands to evaluate.
As for lists vs icons, most touchscreen players only have icons for the home menu, and then you drill down into lists. The home menu on the Zunes have simply been a column of rectangular icons that name what they're for. On a click-wheel non-touchscreen device a single column is more efficent than an array. ON a touchscreen if some items are off the screen and unchoosable until scrolled, the static array off icons wins out in the efficency race. I'm not sure the Zune HD team will be taking full advantage of the potential of a touch screen, but I hear there are alternate ways to "get around" designed to encourage discovery of media. It could be very interesting.
As for lists vs icons, most touchscreen players only have icons for the home menu, and then you drill down into lists. The home menu on the Zunes have simply been a column of rectangular icons that name what they're for. On a click-wheel non-touchscreen device a single column is more efficent than an array. ON a touchscreen if some items are off the screen and unchoosable until scrolled, the static array off icons wins out in the efficency race. I'm not sure the Zune HD team will be taking full advantage of the potential of a touch screen, but I hear there are alternate ways to "get around" designed to encourage discovery of media. It could be very interesting.
I'm impressed you know what a late 90's turd looks like. What exactly is "fair" about your comment? In other words, what precisely is it that turns you off? The shape? The color? The details? The lack of them? The UI? The music app? Quite frankly it sounds like what the Zune HD does or looks like is irrelivent, and you've dismissed it because it's not made by Apple.
http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/10/best-buy-lists-zune-hd-at-220-for-16gb-290-for-32gb-coming/
This article estimates the price for the zune hd at best buy($220 for 16 ...$290 for 32).Not bad for the hardware in it. It will be interesting if apple will cut margins to match the price come September.
This article estimates the price for the zune hd at best buy($220 for 16 ...$290 for 32).Not bad for the hardware in it. It will be interesting if apple will cut margins to match the price come September.
Just a guess but I'm thinking Apple will probably come in close at the same storage sizes.
My guess for Sept Touch 3G pricing:
8 GB - Discontinued
16 GB - $220
32 GB - $299
64 GB - $399
I'd imagine Apple's 64 GB will be at a premium price given theres no Zune HD in that storage class yet.
It's not an estimate. Amazon now has prices up, and they are the same. I have a feeling no retailer was supposed to reveal the prices yet, but since BestBuy's were leaked the prices are public knowledge now and fair game.
At $100 under today's Touch prices, it's consistent with normal pricing trends for electronics including iPods. You still won't be able to buy one until September 8th, and by then we'll probably know new Touch prices too. The only way Apple will justify keeping prices higher than these is if they add value. I'm not sure a camera will seem like "enough".
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
I would agree with you that a camera alone would not add enough value (for me, anyway). Someone who has an iPod Touch will also have their own mobile phone, which is likely to have a 3MP camera on nowadays.
I would stick with the iPod myself, unless Microsoft can come up with a decent App store. The OLED screen and IMO more aesthetically pleasing design are tipping me towards the Zune. (Provided that they FINALLY offer it in the UK, that is).
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
This is exactly what im expecting to happen, though you may even see the 8GB hang around at $129-$150, and the nano drop price and to only a 16gb model.
man microsoft, x box 360, and the zune HD can go to ________
there is no WAY i am switching to the zune HD.
i am a loyal apple consumer to the death!
btw there is a possibility the ipod touch 3G might have a camera, more memory, microphone, maybe a GPS, maybe even a laser pointer for showing the office "u like my new gadget?"
there is no WAY i am switching to the zune HD.
i am a loyal apple consumer to the death!
btw there is a possibility the ipod touch 3G might have a camera, more memory, microphone, maybe a GPS, maybe even a laser pointer for showing the office "u like my new gadget?"
I think thats exactly what Microsoft wants to do.
I understand their marketing scheme on this. The want people who don't know much about either device to walk into Best Buy and look at the PMP's and see the Touch and Zune HD side by side. They know that expensive OLED screen is going to catch a lot of peoples attention. The people who don't know much about the devices will just look at the store sale stickers and see comparible storage sizes and listed capabilities.
Overall right now I'd say the Touch is superior in terms of hardware features and capabilities. Its already got an external speaker and likely to get a camera and mic. Plus its got all the apps and games which the Zune does not have as of yet.
But many people are going to buy strictly off the 30-60 seconds they spend with the devices in the store and those are the people Microsoft is obviously targeting.
man microsoft, x box 360, and the zune HD can go to ________
there is no WAY i am switching to the zune HD.
i am a loyal apple consumer to the death!
btw there is a possibility the ipod touch 3G might have a camera, more memory, microphone, maybe a GPS, maybe even a laser pointer for showing the office "u like my new gadget?"
All I can say is Wow. I'm a pretty loyal customer to companies that treat me well as a customer and build good products but I've never had a company that I'd be willing to die for, lol.
True, you just funding a monopoly driven product whose sole purpose was to destroy their partners and hurt Apple no matter how many millions of dollars have been wasted. But nah, can't be true right?
lol, i didn't say i would take a "bullet" for apple, i said, even if i am 99 years old, i will still have an ipod!! rocking on!
by that time it will probably be the ipod touch 97 generation.
that will most likely be powered by "anti or dark matter" lol