Microsft's iPod Killer... again!

New details of Microsoft's iPod killer is been making rounds.... again !!

It's called or codenamed Argo or Zune... offcourse when (and if) it hits market, the final product name could be different....

check here the bigger image !!

on iLounge : http://ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments...go-zune-player/

on EndGadget : http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/10/microso...le-media-player

on Seattle Times : http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/busi...50_brier10.html

on Gizmodo : http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/top/microsoft-a...zune-186359.php

also some bits here on TechTree : http://www.techtree.com/techtree/jsp/artic...4478&cat_id=505

#403385

that thing looks pretty crazy...

apple have done so well with the round click wheel noone can better it so everyone just copies it.

#403400

I think it looks pretty good, visually. Assuming they can come up with the features and software to support it, it should be pretty popular. I'm sure people here are going to jump straight on the 'they just stole from the iPod", but I'm not really sure this is a bad thing; Apple have done well with it, so incorporating many of its better features into another player is only a good thing.

I'm assuming this will integrate into WMP11 (which I really liked), so if it comes with extras like an FM radio, an Media Center-like interface, is drag-and-drop (IE not tied down to something like iTunes), and can get this in for just under £200 then I'm sold.

#403415

Another one?!? I'm getting sick of these.

$200 , it's NOT the iPod killer.

When will MS learn? Oh, wait, they don't.

#403429

I'll hold judgment until the product is released.

Don't care for the looks though. They could have done better.

#403435

Exactly my thoughts rjohnstone, The looks are nothing new or groundbreaking, it looks like "Microsoft-ified" variation of iPod. I wudn't comment on it's success, since it will heavily depend on features implemented and how well market it to huge userbase of Windows Users.

Ofcourse, it's not very easy to take away lead from iPod which have penetrated it's root among millions of users and for quite a long time.... but, I would look at this as serious issue, since Microsoft have taken long enough to come with answer for iPod so I would expect few tricks up their sleeves.

But.... and iPod killer??? nah... It would put some little wounds on iPod, but nothing more than that I'd say.

#403444

It looks nice, I like the iPod better though (happy with my 5G iPod).

Now if they really want to kill Apple's baby they'll have to do a really really nice job with their software... other than that like some folks said I'll just wait to see the final product

#403449

Big screen, but I hate the design. It will probably change though.

#403453

Bhuahua, it's ugly!

Nice try M$

#403463

The design is rather boring. It reminds me of Windows Mobile NOT an Mp3 player. It also looks pretty dull and lifeless. Does it come in any other colors, cause off-white ain't workin!

#403472

Just a quick reminder that when the iPod was launched, people were saying everything we are now, and that it would never take off. We could easily end up with a similar situation in a few years with this 'Argo'

#403473

looks like a slide phone to me...theyre all starting to look like this

#403482

The two buttons really looks like the ipod G3.

#403491

Just a quick reminder that when the iPod was launched, people were saying everything we are now, and that it would never take off. We could easily end up with a similar situation in a few years with this 'Argo'

Very good point... most of those comments sound very familiar.

Like I said... I'll hold off my judgement until the final product is released.

Remember... the iPod sucked a$$ when it was first released. it got better.

#403492

[...]or are you really aiming to become a glorified consumer gimmicks firm?

lmao! this is priceless simon! thanks for diggin' out this thread

#403521

knowing ms their product wont be as asthetically appealing as apples, but if the it has more innovative features to show us consumers then i might be interested in purchasing one.

#403522

lmao! this is priceless simon! thanks for diggin' out this thread

I try ;D

I think the best ones are probably:

The Reality Distiortion Field™ is starting to warp Steve's mind if he thinks for one second that this thing is gonna take off...

and

$400 for an Mp3 Player!

I'd call it the Cube 2.0 as it wont sell, and be killed off in a short time...and it's not really functional.

#403530

Looks too much like an iPod (the transparent layer, touch button, "click wheel")

If they want my money they have to make it different (as in different AND better)

In all, i'm not impressed so far

#403542

Looks like I've turned into some sort of Apple zealot or something like this....

But a short glimpse at my Nano, resting in dock and I can say this - the gadget shown in this post could possibly be showing satellite TV or even make coffee in the morning, but I don't have a slightest desire to change my iPod for something like this.

Oh my, looks like heavy ipodaddiction... need to visit a psychologist, I suppose

If they want my money they have to make it different (as in different AND better)

That's the iPod's phenomenon, you know - there are many gadgets that are different and better and ways better than iPods.... But iPod is an iPod, and the rest are not. I remember some journalist comparing iPods with some Gucci-Prada-etc clothes... guess, that's the point.

#403548

the ipod cannot be killed

k?

#403553

Gucci-Prada-etc worked for iPod, by making some cases.

Karl Lagerfeld said he has 70 ipods. xD

Etc, etc, etc ...

Anyway, I won't change my old G3 for this type of white/ugly case.

#403556

That's the iPod's phenomenon, you know - there are many gadgets that are different and better and ways better than iPods.... But iPod is an iPod, and the rest are not. I remember some journalist comparing iPods with some Gucci-Prada-etc clothes... guess, that's the point.

Show me a better one then...

I got mine and started an iPod when it wasn't hip or well known. It was an obscure, "expensive" mp3 player made by "that Apple company".

So saying that all people use iPods just because of the brand is flaved.

#403558

Show me a better one then...

Well, look at Creative Zens, e.g. They're as simple as iPods, they look pretty, sound ways better, have more features like radio, video without special conversion, less expensive and almost as managable with WMP.

So why's Creative incurring losses and Apple successfully continues to sell devices that are functionally simpler than 3 years-old iRivers?

imho, iPods success is based on good marketing, social 'status' placement and quite big 'forced-loyal' user base tied to iPod+iTunes platform with DRMed music they bought from ITMS

#403563

No one (well, hardly anyone) is going to switch to this if they have a working iPod. However, if you don't have one, yours is broken, or you had a bad experience, I can certainly see this being a viable alternative.

-NC

#403574

Very good point... most of those comments sound very familiar.
Like I said... I'll hold off my judgement until the final product is released.

Remember... the iPod sucked a$$ when it was first released. it got better.

The iPod sucked at one point?!?! I can't imagine it....

#403616