Zune sales plummet by 54%

[Consultant]

I have actually seen 3. One was the original, hugeass version. I saw it while I was I was in the airport. A guy was crouched on the ground using it, and I literally stopped in my track in surprise. I stood around the guy for like 5 minutes trying to not look suspicious while checking out the Zune. I was so curious because I have never seen one before in my life. The 2nd and 3rd one are the new ones (HD version, not flash). Those look much better and I was more prepared this time. Btw, I tried it out, and it just doesn't seem to be very intuitive .

He was either trying to hide it, or got dizzy from trying to make it work.

What I find funny is early last year Microsoft has said the Zune has sold over 2 million units. At CES 09 duning the keynote Steve Ballmer or someone said that Microsoft has sold over 2 million Zunes. What? Microsoft is still saying they sold 2 million units. So their saying they didn't sell any Zunes at all in 2008? I never seen anyone with a Zune how sad

They count all the ones on store shelves or in landfills as "sold".

My Dad got one before the ipod touches came out; he was a fan of the slightly larger screen at the time. But I think it has more to do with his personal vendetta against Apple (from over 20 years ago) that keeps him from buying an ipod than the fact that he actually likes the Zune. Speaking of the 'Social,' that reminds me of the wonderful picture that came with the original installer; what was going on with that one girl?

Oh the pain! I've been tricked by MS again! (passes out)

 

[gkarris]

My Dad got one before the ipod touches came out; he was a fan of the slightly larger screen at the time. But I think it has more to do with his personal vendetta against Apple (from over 20 years ago) that keeps him from buying an ipod than the fact that he actually likes the Zune. Speaking of the 'Social,' that reminds me of the wonderful picture that came with the original installer; what was going on with that one girl?

From all that "social" "squirting"...

 

[és:]

Struck me as a rabid antiAppler.

Those guys are so sad. I know being a full on Apple fanboy is sad but being an anti-apple nut is really dodgy.

They buy a load of rubbish equipment, just because it's not apple and it's 5% cheaper and then slate Apple products. They really are sad.

 

[velocityg4]

My Dad got one before the ipod touches came out; he was a fan of the slightly larger screen at the time. But I think it has more to do with his personal vendetta against Apple (from over 20 years ago) that keeps him from buying an ipod than the fact that he actually likes the Zune. Speaking of the 'Social,' that reminds me of the wonderful picture that came with the original installer; what was going on with that one girl?

She's in agony from using a Zune.

 

[pilotError]

Meh. squirting was just a fad. All 37 people jumped on the bandwagon but realized there was nobody to squirt with. (or is it squirt on?)

I heard it left a bad taste in their mouth...

 

[pagansoul]

I've seen them on display in Walmart, Bestbuy and the late Circuit City, never while walking down the street or at work or shopping in a Mall. I did see one once on a TV show but I don't remember what one. I see iphones and ipod earbuds all over the place.

 

[Melrose]

I see iphones and ipod earbuds all over the place.

Thy name is ubiquity. It's become so commonplace these days that you aren't considered 'well to do' if you have an iPod.

The thing that pushed the Zune down during it's fledgling youth is that Crash at the end of last year. Baaaaad press that made major headlines. That just voided the millions of dollars Microsoft spent on marketing, at least the eyes of people who are actually looking for a new PMP.

 

[BornAgainMac]

That photo ad from Microsoft is extremely funny. The squirting term was just as bad as the Zune name. Microsoft is rumored to be working on a new Zune this year. It might be like the iPod Touch and probably run Windows Mobile.

You know they have to be jealous of Apple with the opportunity to come out with Snow Leopard (optimized, no pressure from users), complete control of the software and hardware, iPod, and iPhone.

 

[Schtumple]

I don't I've ever seen a zune in my life, are they even on sale in the UK?

 

[ucfgrad93]

I don't I've ever seen a zune in my life, are they even on sale in the UK?

No, I think they are only sold in the U.S. and Canada, which is part of the problem.

 

[numbersyx]

I didn't think they had any sales to plummet from....

I've never seen anyone with the Zune....

 

[Abstract]

The thing that pushed the Zune down during it's fledgling youth is that Crash at the end of last year. Baaaaad press that made major headlines. That just voided the millions of dollars Microsoft spent on marketing, at least the eyes of people who are actually looking for a new PMP.

Yes, bad publicity amongst nerds......nerds who had already made up their mind on whether to give the Zune a chance or not 12 months before the crash. Personally, I don't believe that the crash affected Zune sales, although it would be a nice scapegoat for MS's next quarter financial report, when they need to report that Zune sales were lower than expected.

I don't I've ever seen a zune in my life, are they even on sale in the UK?

I've never seen one in any country, even the ones that (I think) sell them.

Maybe she got squirted on, or wants to get squirted on?

Requirements: Person must be male, own a brown zune, and squirt acid that can blind a person and cause excruciating pain.

 

[Melrose]

Yes, bad publicity amongst nerds......nerds who had already made up their mind on whether to give the Zune a chance or not 12 months before the crash. Personally, I don't believe that the crash affected Zune sales, although it would be a nice scapegoat for MS's next quarter financial report, when they need to report that Zune sales were lower than expected.

CNN isn't nerd-only.. I agree it was bad before the Great Zune Debacle of Late '08.. perhaps I misphrased my last statement... It certainly damaged their image for anyone currently looking for a PMP.

How do you say that? Pimp? P-M-P? Pump? Hmm...

 

[thomahawk]

oohh really the prices are down!??

maybe i'll buy a 120gb then

no really its cheaper and i need a bigger hard drive mp3/video player

 

[SactoGuy18]

The current Zunes are actually nice portable music players but they're still not as easy to use an iPod, especially the excellent click wheel control found on the iPod nano and classic models. And it doesn't help that the iPod ecosystem is so gigantic that Microsoft can't compete against this.

 

[dam0dred]

Has anyone actually seen someone using this Zune??? Seriously.

I work in downtown Toronto, I'm on the subway twice a day and see hundreds of people.

I have seen ONE Zune. I did a double take at the poor girl.

 

[joepunk]

I saw 2, possibly 3 zunes while working at Walt Disney World.

 

[r.j.s]

I used to work with a guy that had one, he swore it was 10x better than the iPod.

I think he was just saying that to make himself feel better.

 

[Melrose]

I used to work with a guy that had one, he swore it was 10x better than the iPod.

I think he was just saying that to make himself feel better.

That is the only reasonable, logical answer I'd say.

 

[0098386]

Apple loyalist behaviour aside- Why would someone buy a Zune over an iPod?

(an actual honest question, MS didn't release it in the UK so I've not been able to use one)

 

[ucfgrad93]

Apple loyalist behaviour aside- Why would someone buy a Zune over an iPod?

(an actual honest question, MS didn't release it in the UK so I've not been able to use one)

I have never used a Zune, but I think one reason someone would choose it over an iPod is subscription based music. You pay a monthly fee of $15 and can download all the music you want. However, if you stop paying the monthly fee, you can't listen to the music anymore.

 

[Abstract]

Well I've rarely read anything bad about Zunes, to be honest. In most ways, they were as good as iPods, while also offering more features. In fact, most mp3 players are really good, if you ever read reviews. I guess it's hard to screw up a hierarchial menu-based mp3 player.

What the iPod has going for it is a strong brand image, and wide use of iTunes. Actually, I have lots of friends who just use Windows Media Player because that's what came with their system, and it plays music just fine.

 

[Melrose]

What the iPod has going for it is a strong brand image, and wide use of iTunes.

True dat - I'd add also the IMMENSE array of gadgets, add-ons and accessories that are iPod-only, including car makers advertising that the stereo in certain models comes iPod-ready.

'iPod' has nearly become synonymous with an MP3 Player, almost (well okay not quite but getting there) like Kleenex.

 

[peapody]

Zunes and multiple iPod owner here

I haven't had the chance to read this whole thread, but I have went from Ipod 3g, 4g to zune 30 to ipod 5g to zune 80, to 5.5g, to 6g, and now I am going back to my zune 80. Sure the zune doesn't do things as well or as many things as the ipod - but the sound quality of and the UI of the zune is something that I dearly missed. If you guys haven't had the chance to listen to the zune - the headphone out is just really really good compared to the ipod headphone out. If you guys have had the chance to listen to the first gen shuffle - the sound quality of the zune is on par with that player. Sometimes I think it is a shame that people automatically go ipod...without testing and seeing what is really out there. The ipod though, is great for people who don't care.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

Apple loyalist behaviour aside- Why would someone buy a Zune over an iPod?

(an actual honest question, MS didn't release it in the UK so I've not been able to use one)

well like it or not WMP (Windows Media Player) has some features that are just really nice and in some ways a lot better than itunes. It works with Zune about as well as the iPod works with iTunes so neither has an advantage there.

I like how WMP can auto rate your songs based on how often they are played, how long they been in your library, how often they are skip and so on. This is a feature I wish iTunes would add is the option to let it auto rate your songs. For windows WMP can be put in the task bar and controls play, pause forward back are all able to be accessed. Both are advantage WMP.

As for handling the libary I personally like how iTunes work with it real time search something WMP just does not do.

For movies I sorry but iTunes sucks for playing movies and avi when compared to WMP.

Music I run iTunes and I think it handles it better I just wish it would copy some of the features. For playing movies and avi I think WMP is by far better than itunes.

Some it up taking away the iPod image factor I think it comes down to WMP vs iTunes in which people like better.

For me when I replace my iPod I will get another iPod just because I have stuff from the iTMS that I do not want to lose.