Zune Matches iPod

[Wayde]

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, Microsoft was once a software company and only a software company. Those days have long passed, most notably in recent years as the Redmond-based company released its much-supported Xbox 360 console. Well, new hardware is coming from Microsoft in the form of the portable Zune player, a rival to the Apple iPod with a number of interesting functions. Recently, Microsoft announced the pricing for the Zune, and the costs make it pretty clear who the “Big M” is targeting.

Developed by the same team responsible for the Xbox, the Zune will add another outlet to the expanding Windows Live universe. It will play both music and games, and will be instantly connectable to Microsoft’s popular Xbox Live service. Xbox Live Anywhere is the Zune’s target network, which offers users the ability to link with both the Live service and the popular online chat community, MSN Messenger.
The Microsoft Zune has been in development for some time, but surprisingly Microsoft has been able to keep it under wraps for much of its early life cycle. Underground images of the Zune were released not long ago, and many insiders were surprised by its sudden entry into the market.
Although first announced at a higher price, Microsoft has readjusted the ultimate cost to the consumer. The Zune will now retail for $249.99 USD, the same price as Apple’s 30GB iPod player. Delay of this announcement from an expected price proclamation in September is the reason for Apple’s last-minute lowering of many of its popular hard drive players.
What does it mean for Microsoft?
Well, like the Xbox and Xbox 360, it will again be losing money on each piece of hardware it ships. The Zune features a larger screen than the iPod, along with WiFi wireless Internet support. Add games to the mix, and all of a sudden it seems impossible that such a multifunction super device could cost Microsoft the same as Apple’s not-so-well-endowed 30GB machine.

The Zune will introduce an iTunes-like network for downloading music legally. Songs will retail for 99 cents each, with subscriptions to the service costing the user $14.99 USD a month.
In this writer’s opinion, it’s a good deal for a player that should feature a number of different and interesting applications. Microsoft will surely be hoping that the interconnectivity of the device and the revolutionary introduction of wireless internet functionality will compensate for Apple’s owning of the tech universe.
If they ever get Halo running on this thing – in any form – I’ll be in line.



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