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ZUNE HD 16 and 32 GB NOW AVAILABLE? ARE YOU SERIOUS?

Started by XerxeusX at 11/1/2009 02:58:29. Topic has 173 replies.
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Join Date: 3/18/2008 16:39:57

Posts: 109
11/1/2009 02:58:29
re: ZUNE HD 16 and 32 GB NOW AVAILABLE? ARE YOU SERIOUS?

I do not want to extend this forum unnecessarily,  as it appeared that this forum has reached its end, I wanted to share  something I found very uniquely interesting as I shopped at a Super Target last week.

There were several rows with price points for the Apple 3rd generation iTouch (16/32/64 Gbs) along with its new Nanos being displayed at Super Target; the iTouch 64 Gbs were all sold out as there still remained an abundance of its 16/32 Gbs  and Nanos on display.

I recalled several of you stated on this forum that the market did not support the need for a Zune HD 64 Gb device, and others speculated  before Apple introduced its iTouch 64 Gb, that Apple would not either.  Without 20/20 hindsight, I am always very careful not to make any unfounded speculations without facts.  In any event, if this trend continues, and if the market shows similar patterns,  it would be interesting to observe what Zune intends to do.

We have not heard anything yet on the horizon from Zune, its development team, or its senior staff.  And judging from Zune’s tight lips on this issue, we are left with the assumption that a  Zune HD 64 won’t be coming out before or during Christmas;  however, judging from Microsoft’s prior history,  then we’re looking at a possible release date around  fall of next year (which seems to be a trend by Microsoft to release new products around this time).  I wonder what plans are in place for Apple next year ―perhaps an iTouch 120 Gb 3rd generation as Zune plays catch up?

One another note:

Another interesting issue I noticed  is that the Zune HD is very small compared to many pictures and videos I have seen online before the roll out.  This observation is shared by many other websites which  tested the Zune HD ―such as Engadget.  Comparing the specs between the iTouch 3rd generation and the Zune HD, there is more screen size real estate for the iTouch (3.5”) compared to the Zune HD (3.3”).  I find that while I was allowed to demo a Zune HD at Best Buys, that the .2” makes a big difference while scrolling through album art covers.  I was unable to demonstrate the accelerometer in  landscape mode  because the Zune was strapped on an anti-theft device.

Thanks!

You humans are quite a fascinating species...
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Join Date: 12/8/2007 20:43:37

Posts: 10,152

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11/1/2009 14:00:33
re: ZUNE HD 16 and 32 GB NOW AVAILABLE? ARE YOU SERIOUS?
 XerxeusX wrote:
[snipped]

I recalled several of you stated on this forum that the market did not support the need for a Zune HD 64 Gb device, and others speculated  before Apple introduced its iTouch 64 Gb, that Apple would not either.  Without 20/20 hindsight, I am always very careful not to make any unfounded speculations without facts.  In any event, if this trend continues, and if the market shows similar patterns,  it would be interesting to observe what Zune intends to do.

[snipped]

Some of the statements Apple has made in financial statements, etc. suggest that the market demand tends toward the lower capacities...so it's difficult to know why that store ran out of the 64's...did they under-order or did their shipments arrive late, or did someone in fact underestimate the demand...  And of course as flash prices drop, the capacity 'sweet spot' will naturally gravitate upward.  But much more telling statements made by several sources including Apple is the trend toward convergence.  iPhones are cannibalizing iPods in a big way-  from their press release for their 4th quarter results:

The Company sold 10.2 million iPods during the quarter, representing an eight percent unit decline from the year-ago quarter. Apple sold 7.4 million iPhones in the quarter, representing seven percent unit growth over the year-ago quarter.

http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2009/10/19results.html

So, I wouldn't be surprised at a few more capacity bumps in zunes and iPods, but the trend is moving in a different direction at the moment.  MS is currently evangelizing their 3 screens philosophy...and PMP's are not one of the three.  Zune is apparently moving beyond their own proprietary device toward a very service-centric strategy.  My impression is that means zunes continue, but the focus is less and less on their own hardware.
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Join Date: 3/18/2008 16:39:57

Posts: 109
11/1/2009 20:53:48
re: ZUNE HD 16 and 32 GB NOW AVAILABLE? ARE YOU SERIOUS?

I agree with you.  I had looked into the variable as to why the iTouch 64 Gbs were out of stock before posting my observations.  Probably, I should have probed the store manager to get more information.  Obviously, using one store is not an accurate gauge for any market research data, however, I had noticed a similar trend at a Best Buys around my area.  I can’t upload any pictures on Zune Forums as evidence.

 

Would you elaborate a bit more on what you said regarding “MS …evangelizing their 3 screen philosophy.. and PMP’s are not one of the three?”

 

Since their focus may be less on hardware, are you opining  that MS concentration is more on its Zune store for more availability of applications and programs?

 

Personally, I would not use an iPhone as my primary music collection.  I have already had a cell phone stolen.   Having one device for my primary listening pleasure is preferable.  I won’t go everywhere with my Zune, but I would go everywhere with my cell.  On that matter, I got my wife an iPhone, and though I have to admit that I am impress, it have not received the shock and awe effect prompting me to go out and get one.  My focus is on the HTC HD2.  I think Microsoft should consider buying HTC Corporation and slap the Zune logo on the HTC HD2 ― now, that would be nice!

 

Thanks for the link.  I have found similar information mentioning that the iTouch sales are up 100 percent, but it was not specific as to what capacities they were referring to.

You humans are quite a fascinating species...
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Join Date: 12/8/2007 20:43:37

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V
11/1/2009 21:32:03
re: ZUNE HD 16 and 32 GB NOW AVAILABLE? ARE YOU SERIOUS?
XerxeusX-
Sure-  they are repeating this mantra frequently:  3 screens (PC, TV, and cell phones) and the 'cloud'  (google it, or maybe here I should say 'Bing' it)
- On Microsoft’s “three screens and the cloud” strategy: Ballmer says it’s a“fundamental shift in the computing paradigm.” He added “We used to talk about mainframe computer, mini computer, PC computing, client server computing, graphical computing, the internet; I think this notion of three screens and a cloud, multiple devices that are all important, the cloud not just as a point of delivery of individual applications, but really as a new platform, a scale-out, very manageable platform that has services that span security contacts, I think it’s a big deal.”
In other words from this and the rest of the interview, they want (need) scale, and scale comes from providing services and software to boatloads of hardware that ships in volume.  And the three volume apps are phones, TVs, and PCs.
The stores are not zune stores per se, they're broader and even will include PCs.  I don't see an obvious connection between the stores (a revenue enhancement device...not necessarily something any more strategic than that...) and the three screens...other than they will sell one of them, maybe more.  
I'm not sure I would 'settle' on one convergent device, which would as of now be a cell phone.  My phone is supplied by my company, so my 'freedom of use' with it is not unlimited.  Plus, I want to decide how I want to consume my entertainment....  I do think both the iPod Touch (my kid has one) and the iPhone are impressive devices...mainly for the human engineering.  MS has finally learned (the HD) that this is very important...

In that same techcrunch interview, Ballmer talks about acquistions...but I doubt MS will buy a handset supplier anytime soon...I  think they're better off doing reference designs (and I think all the zune phone rumors probably reflect that MS agrees to some degree...it makes sense to build a ref design suited to WinMo, but not to sell an actual phone that competes with your customers.)
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Join Date: 9/16/2008 22:21:25

Posts: 2
11/3/2009 20:28:25
re: ZUNE HD 16 and 32 GB NOW AVAILABLE? ARE YOU SERIOUS?
The emphasis on the Zune HD isn't the storage space. It's the new features i.e. touch screen, etc...
Remember, the Zune 80 is hdd based. The Zune HD 16 and 32 are flash based. The price would be much higher for more memory for flash.
If you don't want the new features, then just keep your 80.

I got the HD 32 and am keeping my trusty 30 as a backup.
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Join Date: 3/18/2008 16:39:57

Posts: 109
11/11/2009 18:28:38
re: ZUNE HD 16 and 32 GB NOW AVAILABLE? ARE YOU SERIOUS?

Thanks for the information, NSILMIKE!

 

The information you've provided has been helpful.  My apologies for taking a while to respond.

 

It would seemed to me that Ballmer must not have been really informed.  If I'm interpreting what he's saying as far as focussing on the three volume apps (phones, TVs, and PCs), I'm curious as to why the mentioning of MP3 players, such as the Zune, was left out.  If that's the case, then it left one to opine that there may be a "Zune Phone" somewhere down the line.  And, I would speculate that since HTC and MS has a good relationship, as I mentioned before, it won't be a bad idea for MS to buy out HTC.

 

The reason why I mentioned all this in the third paragraph is that if Ballmer anticipates that the Zune HD can't maintain its footing in this market, then we could see the death of Zune and possibly migrating over to Rhapsody?  This is what I'm interpreting from Ballmer.

 

WinMo would have to be integrated with Zune software and probably it won't be a bad idea for MS to completely revamp WinMo (now Windows Phone) from ground up to mesh with the Zune software. 

 

I believe the MS saving grace will be the full integration of Zune software with the Xbox 360 (TBA) since there are millions of Xbox owners out there.  I don't know that impact this will have, but I would imagine that the subcription base will experience a spike and this will provide Zune a one-up over Apple's iTunes.  If this happens, then the sale figures for Zune hardware will be relatively mute or insignificant.

 

I think MS should be raising the bar with the Zune HD better than it has done.  But I guess its a long waiting game.

 

P.S.  Since I'll be in Seattle in a few months, I may just stop by Zune's HQ and chat face-to-face with their heads.

You humans are quite a fascinating species...
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