Microsoft Kills the Zune

[Cogwheel]

Aw. I quite liked the Zune, pity they finished it off. They're right, though - doesn't make a whole lot of sense to go on when they're so spectacularly outmatched (popularity-wise, anyway. I like the Zune better).

 

[Yopaz]

Meh, I always prefered Archos anyway. I wanted a Zune, but from what I heard (please someone correct me if I'm wrong) it requires some softeware to transfer songs to it. Then I could just as well buy an iPod, though I hate Apple for various reasons, Mcrosoft slightly less so.
Prefer my open source Archos.

 

[Redlin5_v1legacy]

Apple fans. Sheep are incapable of buying things, being sheep.

Sheep: One falls off a cliff and dies, the rest follow just because the one did. Analogy well enough appropriate for all the idiotic Apple love.

And I assume you think you're the aloof, superior wolf, right?

On a side note, sheep actually aren't that stupid, a rather hilarious misconception considering the usage of the term.

More lemmings than sheep methinks.

OT: Meh, whatever. I'm indifferent seeing as I use a terribly obsolete Mp3 player and I'm content as it is. If I wanted it to do anything more than play my tunes, I would just use my laptop instead.

[sub]Besides, I have my DS for mobile gaming.[/sub]

 

[SodaDew]

damn it! I just started to like them WTF Microsoft!

 

[robert022614]

well with phones nowadays wont pretty much all mp3 players be a waste soon?

 

[Jegsimmons]

i actually find the zune better than the ipod family over all, it just goes to show how no matter how good your technology is, if it isnt trendy it wont live.

 

[magma]

This blows, I brought my Zune HD launch day because of the two iPods that quit on me and resources hogging software we know as iTunes was really starting to piss me off. This thing has survive war with me and honestly has better sound quality than the iPods. Microsoft marketed this thing wrong and barely did anything with it in terms of games and apps. The Zune didn't fail, Microstupid did.

Never had any major problems with Zune or iTunes software. The Zune software and the interface of the device are a lot more user friendly than most music players out there (especially compared to iTunes, Zune's software is one of the few pieces of software that never initially baffled my parents and iTunes now griefs my parents since Zunes were hard to find offline since a bit before my father's died). Microsoft's marketing should have emphasized the audio/video quality (which is of a higher quality than the iPods I have tested and used) and their friendly software but instead (in Canada) we received almost no marketing. The games/apps were fine as any of these portable devices' primary uses are portable audio and video which is the strength of a Zune.

The only thing that is good about this development is it appears they will still sell them online for the time being so hopefully I can get one when the hard drive in my old 80GB one inevitably fails (I'm surprised the amount of use and abuse hasn't killed it yet). Hopefully Microsoft doesn't discontinue them before then.

 

[SageRuffin]

Well, shit. After all the lovely times I've enjoyed with my Zune and was looking forward to investing some dosh in the next size above the HD 64, Microsoft pulls this on me.

That means should my 120 ever croak, I'll be hard-pressed to find a new one. What kind of shit is this...

Addendum: Fuck me... this means that it's gonna be even more difficult to find accessories for my Zune now. D:

 

[Tim Latshaw]

I picked up a 1st gen 30GB Zune on sale a few years back. It's a brown brick of a unit, but it's served me faithfully since. I'll probably pick up an iPod after it eventually croaks, but my appreciation of the Zune will remain.

 

[Waaghpowa]

Seriously, whow the hell can Apple sustain this monopoly??

Zune was only ever available in America and Canada, iPods are available all across the world. Not hard to work out really.

Zunes available in Canada? That's a first for me seeing as I live in Canada and have NEVER seen one in any electronics store. I had to get one when I went to Blizzcon.

 

[Optimystic]

...can't believe this one hasn't come up yet:

Spoiler

Prophecy fulfilled.

Epic and very topical.
I guess in the extended reel Bill Gates showed up to put Zune out of his misery.

But honestly, I don't see the point in dedicated MP3 players anyway. My cellphone with Rhapsody and Pandora are all I need, and if I really want to, it can store and play MP3s too.

I know exactly how many electronic devices I want in my pockets; one! (not counting my car key remote.)

 

[Waaghpowa]

Apple fans. Sheep are incapable of buying things, being sheep.

Sheep: One falls off a cliff and dies, the rest follow just because the one did. Analogy well enough appropriate for all the idiotic Apple love.

And I assume you think you're the aloof, superior wolf, right?

On a side note, sheep actually aren't that stupid, a rather hilarious misconception considering the usage of the term.

See, when I hear the term "sheep" I assume more along the lines of "Following the herd". It's not that they're stupid, they just go along with everyone else because it's the collective norm.

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

well with phones nowadays wont pretty much all mp3 players be a waste soon?

Maybe the fancy, high end iPod style, but the sub-$50 basic models will be around for a while. I can go to Wal-Mart right now and pick up a basic .MP3 player and a pre-paid phone for about $50 total, and not have to worry about data plans or anything else. There may not be much room at the top of the market, but there's plenty of room both at the bottom and in the middle.

 

[AstylahAthrys]

I really like my Zune, so... this kind of sucks.

Will the Zune Marketplace on XBL still be around? Or are just the players dying?

 

[Warforger]

If I could get the Zune software to work with my iPod, instead of fussing with the hell that is iTunes, I would just be ecstatic. That being said, I am sad to see that the only large competition with the iPod is now gone.

1000x this, I will never again go with an iPod because of what I once went through with iTunes, and I am very ticked off that there is no real competition to Apple now.

Really? My dad is a Microsoft fanboy and so he always bought me Microsoft products, hence why I have an xbox and had a Zune. I went through two Zune's because the things malfunctioned and broke and not because of anything I did. I switched to the IPod and I only lost them because of personal mistakes like someone stole it etc., and I didn't find ITunes that hard to use since it was pretty straightforward.

 

[5mj7R7yf4Dwr3gdZyyu9PeGNwYjlNrjzuh3iTXQG]

I steered clear of the Zune for the same reason I steered clear of the iPod. Both are dependent on a software element support of which may be discontinued by the company. I had a 30GB Rockbox once. Now it is a very slow 30GB external hard drive, if I can get it to work as such.

My current mp3 players: a Sansa Clip and a Fuze. With these critters I just drag and drop into their directory folder system. I use other means entirely to organize my music, and am not above mixing my own.

I also don't like that Zune and iTunes are platformed to encourage the purchase of DRM laden music, exclusively on their respective stores. Microsoft has already set the stage for cancelling your license to a song whenever it damn well pleases by refusing to support retired DRM schemes (and not transferring the license). This is the bases of my wary opinions regarding permission-based DRM with games.

Regarding Mr. Zune-tat, it's regarded très retro chic to sport cool logos from extinct elements (the resurgence of Soviet Union kitch comes to mind), so even if his tat is permanent, I don't think it's going to be a cause for much embarassment.

238U.

 

[Ironic Pirate]

Apple fans. Sheep are incapable of buying things, being sheep.

Sheep: One falls off a cliff and dies, the rest follow just because the one did. Analogy well enough appropriate for all the idiotic Apple love.

And I assume you think you're the aloof, superior wolf, right?

On a side note, sheep actually aren't that stupid, a rather hilarious misconception considering the usage of the term.

See, when I hear the term "sheep" I assume more along the lines of "Following the herd". It's not that they're stupid, they just go along with everyone else because it's the collective norm.

That is how most people use it, this guy was trying to say they were dumb as well. Both usages still bother me, but at least one makes sense.

 

[Pumpkin_Eater]

Zune, your hardware and software were both marginally better than the iPod. You gave me many hours of enjoyment before falling out of my backpack never to be seen again. I salute you, friend o7

 

[Waaghpowa]

Apple fans. Sheep are incapable of buying things, being sheep.

Sheep: One falls off a cliff and dies, the rest follow just because the one did. Analogy well enough appropriate for all the idiotic Apple love.

And I assume you think you're the aloof, superior wolf, right?

On a side note, sheep actually aren't that stupid, a rather hilarious misconception considering the usage of the term.

See, when I hear the term "sheep" I assume more along the lines of "Following the herd". It's not that they're stupid, they just go along with everyone else because it's the collective norm.

That is how most people use it, this guy was trying to say they were dumb as well. Both usages still bother me, but at least one makes sense.

Personally I hate it when people follow the norm, if it's your preference and that's what you actually believe, fine. At least you're thinking for yourself rather than allowing someone else's opinions be your own. Granted that your opinions, regarding things like technology, are informed.

 

[Stryc9]

I loved my 30 GB Zune until it died last week after three years of faithful service. That thing took quite a beating in the time I had it too, surprised it lasted as long as it did. Looks like I'm gonna have to talk someone into making a new HD my combined birthday\Christmas present this year.