What is Digg?201 Comments
- Dustyb, on 10/12/2007, -15/+108Just when you thought we couldn't bring the Zune down anymore, we found another way. The amazing powers of Digg.
- CLIFFosakaJAPAN, on 10/12/2007, -17/+95Looks like the Zune marketing team should aim quite a bit lower now. Instead of gunning for the iPod, they'll now have to come up with a new marketing campaign to break the 'Commanding hold' of the USB Power Adapters.
- RandomEngy, on 10/12/2007, -6/+79This just in: iPods are still popular. Let's frontpage yet another article about it.
- sockpuppets, on 10/12/2007, -5/+58
Buy two and you can sit home beaming songs to yourself all day. - luvkit, on 10/12/2007, -19/+62Don't count the Zune out yet. It's got the money of Microsoft behind it, and MS's propensity to include updates on software that doesn't work the first time. Plus, it's just generally a good piece of hardware... but not an iPod. Like the original Xbox, Microsoft is going to have to carve out a niche for themselves, but in the portable media player market. I think they can do it, if they don't half-ass it.
Once the Zune gets rolling, it'll easily outsell the iPod USB adapter. (Seriously, stop kicking something while it's down. It gets old.) Some things just take time, effort, and money. MS has at least one of those. - DeusMachinae, on 10/12/2007, -5/+45Or until you play them three times, anyway.
- manifestdata, on 10/12/2007, -11/+44Actually, the marketing department isn't "gunning" for the iPod, using the "amazing powers of digg" you will read an article where Gates admits that the zune will never take over the market. I guess the "amazing powers of fanboy" didn't allow you to read it though.
- spyder91, on 10/12/2007, -3/+33That and the fact it's $29.99... this about as relevant as saying Halo 2 has outsold the PS3.
- sockpuppets, on 10/12/2007, -3/+29Thanks for that insight, Doctor Wisdom.
- so1omon, on 10/12/2007, -4/+30@ tnwake
"3 times as good as an ipod.. that's what"
3 times 0 is 0. - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -5/+30considering the existing base of millions of iPods, why is this even suprising / news?
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -3/+24For some reason I see the two comments above and all I can think of the Southpark episode "Cripple Fight"...
... - willyallthewei, on 10/12/2007, -0/+20MS isn't worried, Zune is just another billion dollar experiment, you gotta wait for the Zune 360 for the real product ;).
- nandorocker, on 10/12/2007, -12/+32mrpither: the iPod doesn't have DRM, Apple store purchased files do.
What's being referred to here is Zune's DRM'ing everything that's beamed from one to the other, even if it's not copyrighted stuff. - Namtaru, on 10/12/2007, -0/+17I love Apple as much as the next guy... but come on, this is far from an accurate comparison. Its an amusing fact, but is a really lousy way of measuring the success of the Zune. Apple has a very large established base of iPods, with a lot of families owning more than one. So instead of buying the 900th version of the iPod for a gift this year, maybe more people are buying accessories this time around. In fact, this article actually makes a decent gift idea now that I mention it. Sweet, one less present to worry about, thank you digg :P
- brstilson, on 10/12/2007, -5/+22This just in: Snickers Candy Bars outsell Apple iPods.
- tnwake, on 10/12/2007, -5/+19So an accessory for an existing product that already has millions sold is outselling a brand new product? Is that the best you fanbois can come up with? Sounds like desperation to me.
- motivr, on 10/12/2007, -3/+17It's like "Blank DVDs are outselling Blu-Ray Recorders" wwwooow surprising.
- NSResponder, on 10/12/2007, -11/+24"Don't count the Zune out yet. It's got the money of Microsoft behind it,"
So did Microsoft Money, and Intuit's still around.
Zune is Microsoft's third attempt to own the music business, and this one will fail, too.
-jcr - JimV, on 10/12/2007, -1/+14Part of the problem could be that their marketing SUCKS.
I saw a Zune commercial the other day and had no idea what the hell the commercial was advertising...once I figured out it was a commercial...until I saw the Zune logo at the end. - Moscube717, on 10/12/2007, -3/+15My roommate just walked in with his new black Zune. Checking it out, it is a very sweet device. The interface is very clear and easy, and it is fast too. The software installed and synced about 3 gigs with no hitches. About 45 minutes from the opening of the box to the sync completion. (Set up software, import music, get a playlist, find some videos, sync to device.)
We also synced a few replay clips from Friday's A&M / Texas game and the video looks really great.
And then there's the DRM. Man oh man if only it wasn't for that, I would have one right now. I was so stoked when they said it wouldn't DRM music that wasn't already. But then came the letdown. That is the one hitch. See, I have spent a lot of time and effort setting up a very modest recording station in my room. I like playing music, but I know I'm not really that great. I'll never sell any records, so I just play a few songs, record them on my computer, and give to my friends. The Zune seemed like the greatest idea, meet somebody in class, send them my take on a few songs. I don't want to sell anything. I'll never buy or own anything with DRM. I've never bought anything from ITMS, Urge, Napster, and I'll never shop in the Zune Marketplace. And I dang sure aint gonna propagate this disease, this silent killer of creativity. Ugh. Maybe later iterations. - mrpither, on 10/12/2007, -26/+37yes, the DRM on the ipod is SO much less crappy than the zunes... yeah...
- estvir, on 10/12/2007, -21/+32@scratt,
> ... well apart from the ***** colour
There is white and black too, you know, the main colours of the iPod. Amazing what you find out when you aren't an ignorant lemming, eh ?
> and the size of it
It fits in pockets and isn't substantially larger than some iPods and it is 1st gen but hopefully subsequent versions will be a more reasonable size.
> and the user interface
The one everyone is saying blows the current iPod GUI away ? Yes, that's so horrible and quite a good reason for NOT buying it . .
> and the company behind it
This isn't /. nor is 1997, grow up and find a clue.
> and the pay off to the music industry
.. because the iPod doesn't pay a 'tax' in certain countries, right ? Oh, and you know everything about that little 'fee' don't you ? I thought so.
> and the installation and use problems
Yeah, basing your facts upon one sensationalised story by Engadget is quite an intelligent thing to do. Right on.
> not to mention the fact that there is no content
It comes preloaded with free content (Does the iPod do that ?) and there is the Marketplace which has how many thousands (Or was it around a million ?) songs ? So yeah, no content, you're smart.
> and it can't do podcasts, or actually wifi with anything useful
It can (Well, not really officially) and the WiFi IS useful, just because you think it isn't doesn't mean so.
I'm not saying the Zune is perfect or is far above the iPod, just your reasons are freaking stupid and ignorant. - Splitt3rxx, on 10/12/2007, -14/+23I am gonna wait for a 2nd gen zune, the first one isn't all that great, but I like the screen. I absolutely despise apple because of all the idiot fanboys on digg.
- Scatropolis, on 10/12/2007, -2/+11or 3.1
- DigitalMuse, on 10/12/2007, -4/+11Wow! That's Amazing!
Oh wait - that make perfect sense. Considering millions of people already own iPods and the Zune was just released a couple weeks ago, it makes perfect sense that more ipod usb power adapters will be sold. - Phyltre, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8Ah, after hearing life so summarily presented, I can finally end my life. Surely casemac stands upon the pinnacle of understanding, and we can only descend after his words.
I commend my soul to the infinite. - TanNg, on 10/12/2007, -8/+15What do you think will be outselling: Apple iBook, MacBook or PC power cord?
- elliam, on 10/12/2007, -2/+8Oh that's completely rational.
- Solarux, on 10/12/2007, -13/+19...but yet the Zune is outselling the white 80gig iPod. The Zune is also being outsold by the Creative Zen by a looooong shot. No mention of those...so what is your point??
Care to look at how the 1 and 2gig SanDisk players is outselling the majority of 4 and 8gig Nanos??
Selective bias.
Buried because you are an idiot. - deadbaby, on 10/12/2007, -1/+7I own an iPod and Mac but I've officially been driven to wanting the Zune to succeed by some of the idiots posting this crap on digg non-stop.
- ByteGuerilla, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6The iPod doesn't give change if you pay with a dime though.
- Gundam, on 10/12/2007, -7/+13http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/new-for-you/top-sellers/-/electronics/all/ref=pd_dp_ts_e_1/103-8237176-4675855
Right, because since certain colors sell better we can all lump them together, yes, the white 80 gig iPod is behind the top ranked Zune, which is #76, the black 80 gig iPod is #5. The white Zune is #811. 6 of the top 10 electronics on Amazon are iPods
Who is being selectively biased again? - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -2/+7Jesus just called. It's ok to digg this tool down. God still loves us.
- ArnoldTPants, on 10/12/2007, -8/+13nandorocker: "the iPod doesn't have DRM, Apple store purchased files do.
What's being referred to here is Zune's DRM'ing everything that's beamed from one to the other, even if it's not copyrighted stuff."
The Zune doesn't DRM anything either except what you buy from the marketplace. It's the exact same as iPod. The player that recieves the file keeps track of it so it is only played three times. The file doesn't change at all. And your complaining about something the iPod can't even do. It's actually pretty ironic. - consonance, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Because getting on the bestseller list for electronics obviously means your product is selling badly.
- Experiment626, on 10/12/2007, -4/+8All this article proves to me is how effective Apple was at screwing iPod users when they stopped bundling the power adapter for free.
- Experiment626, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5"I don't think that that's an iPod you bought...both mine came with them. I don't think you are correct."
@jaycliche,
Not a single current-model iPod is bundled with a power adapter. (Not even the top-of the line video iPods come with wall warts). Apple expects you to charge the iPod via USB from your computer. Therein lies the reason why so many people buy the USB power adapter accessory - it's directly proportional to the number of people who have bought the newere iPods and want to be able to recharge them while they are away from their computers. - DelMonte, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5"All this article proves to me is how effective Apple was at screwing iPod users when they stopped bundling the power adapter for free."
This change came with an upgrade to the iPod line and a drop in price. Apple didn't stop bundling the adapter suddenly, keeping the same price, like you're implying.
And since we're talking about the Zune... Is there a power-adapter bundled with it?
No...
I don't need a power adapter for my iPod, if anything, I'm glad Apple stopped forcing people to get one bundled and dropped the price on iPods accordingly. - Solarux, on 10/12/2007, -4/+8Word of advice....don't let this guy near any of your computers.
- jkenneth, on 10/12/2007, -5/+9Well, shallow as it might sound, can anyone honestly say the Zune doesn't have an embarrassing name? I mean, sure, when the iPod came out, it sounded odd, but it wasn't embarrassing to say. Not embarrassing like it rhymes with ***** or some other sex organ, but embarrassing as in it sounds silly. Plus the name is "soft" and indistinct in verbal communication. iPod has a solid structure, and when it is said, there is little room for misinterpretation. But the Zune... well, I can see more than one disappointed teen opening up that ***** Incredibles rip off with Tim Allen this christmas, instead of the MP3 player they'd desired.
Zune. Goddamn, it's like repeating a really dumb joke, or watching someone else do the same. - DelMonte, on 10/12/2007, -2/+5"Why is this a problem?"
Because it sets a dangerous precedent. It gives the RIAA control over a possible music distribution mechanism that could overtake them.
Independent bands and artists could distribute music (and podcasts) virally via Wi-Fi without even having to pay a dime of bandwidth, but the RIAA doesn't want that.
This is what the RIAA is really afraid of, losing control of distribution mechanisms. Piracy is really not that of a problem for them.
The big music labels controlled the music industry because they got a hold on the infrastructure to distribute music physically, because of the money required to manage huge fleets of trucks, trains, boats and planes, and the fact that there's only room for a few players in that physical space. Electronic distribution, especially P2P and wireless P2P solutions are a threat to their money making scheme.
Microsoft never should have accepted these terms, and we, as consumers shouldn't accept them either.
If people buy tons of Zunes without caring much about these restrictions, it will give unprecedented power to the RIAA over what can be done over file sharing.
If people boycott the Zune, stating these restrictions as the main problem, the RIAA will lose power over this and will be forced to loosen their grip. - tokyopimp, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4Look I got to use a Zune the other night, and I found it nice. The current player I own is a 20GB Zen Touch, and I am seriously considering the Zune.
I'll have to look at all the gripes about it first, but as far as the interface and screen and sound quality, the Zune is great. Yes I've used iPods and they are also very nice.
And the funny thing is, I like that the Zune is bigger than the iPod... I've never understood the popularity of Razr cell phones, and I like having something that isn't super small in my hand. I guess I'm the minority when it comes to the size of consumer electronics.
It's probably because I am a big guy, 6'2 and have large hands. I can't stand using small cell phones and electronics. - ByteGuerilla, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2i'm glad someone realises this. The prevailing expectation of a competing product seems to be that people will drop the current market leader and buy the upstart production, and then, when that doesn't happen, it must have failed. I don't recall the iPod recording millions of sales in its first week either, you know, but look where it is now. Firefox still doesn't have the leading market share, but we all know it's better than IE, right? The similar symptom here is that when I say to John Q Casual-Computer-User "now, open your web browser", he says "you mean my Internet Explorer, right?", and the iPod has a similar name association. Those unfamiliar with the ground can wind up referring to all mp3 players as iPods.
It will take a while to chip away at the iPod, and we should expect a market realisation, not a revolution. - rtini, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4This is probably because iPods don't come with power adapters anymore. You have to plug them into a powered-on computer's USB port to charge them.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3(yawn)
- ElumEnopee, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4Not quite what your looking for this was posted on one of many other zune stories digg has seen lately.
"I'm sure I'll get dugg down but I can remember back in 2001, the 1G iPods weren't exactly flying off the shelves, either. The mechanical scroll wheel was temperamental, the battery was prone to failure (eventually resulting in lawsuits - a flaw not fixed until 3G units), no shuffle songs option, it cost $400, initial capacity was 10GB (later 20GB), no remote, only one game (breakout). Initial sales were greater in Europe than the US, which combined resulted in about 125,000 units sold that first year. Also, the ipod would not be what it is today if not for the addition of PC support (Apple realized early on that making it a mac only device was a mistake). And don't forget about the lawsuit from Apple Corps (the Beatles) which had the potential of keeping Apple Computer out of the "music" business.
It seems easy to forget those early days seeing as how the iPod is now the dominate player on the market. My 4G unit is still going strong. I kind out wish it would fail so I get get a new one. In the end though, seeing as how the Zune is several generations behind the ipod in terms of market penetration, it has got a long way to go before it can even get close to the iPods numbers. Only time will tell, i guess." - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4
Even the Dildo's on Amazon are outselling the Zune.
http://www.amazon.com/Semiconductor-Waterproof-Massager-Light-Emitting-Masseur/dp/B000I4OLBC/sr=8-1/qid=1164694133/ref=sr_1_1/002-0496939-4516037?ie=UTF8&s=hpc - jaydj, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3I wish I created an PMP that was ranked #75 on Amazon
- cthellis, on 10/12/2007, -4/+7Question: Just how did Microsoft "screw things up" with the Xbox? I mean, the original controller was laughable, but quickly corrected, and the hardware was prohibitively expensive--for Microsoft, but as a platform, where were the Zune parallels?
The machine was unquestioningly more powerful, bundled in more features right out of the box for the gamer, delivered an online experience in short order that actually counted as an "experience" rather than just being there, and brought more developers into the console arena.
Granted they were primarily PC-focused developers so the Xbox didn't feel like the most "console-y" of consoles, and didn't actually grow the industry much... The PS2 dominated at the same price points, but the Xbox shifted into 2nd place in reasonable form. The 360 in also unquestioningly a better-designed machine, but the number of factors at play against ITS' competition are much different than the Zune/iPod arena.
Earlier to market? Cheaper? Better-designed? More powerful? Just about every feature that differentiated the Xbox from its' competition are not at play with the Zune, done poorly, or are almost irrelevant in the media player market.
So, offhand, just playing the "long game" card doesn't work all by itself with the Zune until it actually DOES become a better analogy for the Xbox. How and if it can do so against the iPod...? Not sure. But the game won't start until then. -
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