Microsoft still clueless with Zune?

August 18, 2006 By

Paul Colligan says that Zune (Microsoft’s unreleased new portable media player to compete with Apple’s iPod) has no podcasting features and points that out to me.

Sad that Microsoft still isn’t getting that big-company power will come from letting your customers participate, not just consume. It’s funny, cause some parts of Microsoft are getting it (the Windows Live Writer editor demonstrates that).

What’s funny is that Paul says this makes Zune great for kids. Hmmm, you should have seen what Patrick listened to all week long on our off-the-grid thing last week — Podcasts.

I hope that Microsoft is holding back some podcasting stuff for announcing at launch. But, I won’t be suprised if they don’t get it, either. At least Apple got on the podcasting consumption bus more than a year ago. It’ll be interesting to see which company gets on the podcasting creation bus first.

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http://er0cking.blogspot.com/ eROCK

I really hope the Zune takes off … the iPod needs a strong competitor in the market. Probably could have an affect on mobile music player prices too.

Microsoft needs to focus on the ‘user’ and developing the ‘community’ if they want to compete with the iPod. However, just like you’ve pointed out, MS may have missed the bus on this one.
http://er0cking.blogspot.com/ eROCK

I really hope the Zune takes off … the iPod needs a strong competitor in the market. Probably could have an affect on mobile music player prices too.

Microsoft needs to focus on the ‘user’ and developing the ‘community’ if they want to compete with the iPod. However, just like you’ve pointed out, MS may have missed the bus on this one.
jonas

you could still put podcasts on it though? even if it would a bit harder than with some rss/automatic downloading combination?

i wonder, is there some sort of internal massive evangelizing going on at microsoft? ie, are there people walking around telling different divisions/teams about new/hot/upcoming/useful/etc technology?
jonas

you could still put podcasts on it though? even if it would a bit harder than with some rss/automatic downloading combination?

i wonder, is there some sort of internal massive evangelizing going on at microsoft? ie, are there people walking around telling different divisions/teams about new/hot/upcoming/useful/etc technology?
jonas

(nevermind spelling, spaces missing etc)
jonas

(nevermind spelling, spaces missing etc)
http://nerdflood.com Anonymous

I’m sorry, but if this truly is the fabled Zune, count me out. It’s the ugliest iPod clone I’ve seen to date.
http://nerdflood.com nathaniel

I’m sorry, but if this truly is the fabled Zune, count me out. It’s the ugliest iPod clone I’ve seen to date.
http://volatilechar.spaces.msn.com/ Dileepa P

Do we know anything for sure yet? I hope there is some support for podcasts! But, how can ANYONE (apart from Microsoft, i.e.) be sure that it doesn’t support podcasting?
http://volatilechar.spaces.msn.com Dileepa P

Do we know anything for sure yet? I hope there is some support for podcasts! But, how can ANYONE (apart from Microsoft, i.e.) be sure that it doesn’t support podcasting?
http://www.mikeysgblog.com/ Michael Gannotti

while I will agree that Microsoft missed the boat by not anabling Podcasts I say that from a personal viewpoint that I think is reflected here amongst your readers. However, as bloggers, podcasters, technologists, etc. we are in a reality distortion bubble not necessarily reflective of society as a whole. Whenever I talk about blogging, podcasts, videocasting, etc. to my relatives or to my 15 year old son and his friends they look at me like I am from Mars (okay my son understands but rolls his eyes). Say the words MySpace and they all get that and get excited about it. Try and equate MySpace with blogging and I have lost them. I guess my point is this if you watch an Ipod commercial they don’t point out the coolness of podcasts they talk about music and video and for mainstream America circa 2006/7 my guess is thats still all that matters to most people, especially kds at this point. Sure there is a growing population in tune and one day podcasting and such will be just matter of fact for most people but the tipping I suspect will still not be reached for another 2-3 years. So while I am personally bummed I may not be able to use a Zune (still don’t know that for sure as there is nothing official about that just another bloggers conjecture) I don’t think that in itself will be the issue that drives a version one Zune to success or failure.
http://www.mikeysgblog.com Michael Gannotti

while I will agree that Microsoft missed the boat by not anabling Podcasts I say that from a personal viewpoint that I think is reflected here amongst your readers. However, as bloggers, podcasters, technologists, etc. we are in a reality distortion bubble not necessarily reflective of society as a whole. Whenever I talk about blogging, podcasts, videocasting, etc. to my relatives or to my 15 year old son and his friends they look at me like I am from Mars (okay my son understands but rolls his eyes). Say the words MySpace and they all get that and get excited about it. Try and equate MySpace with blogging and I have lost them. I guess my point is this if you watch an Ipod commercial they don’t point out the coolness of podcasts they talk about music and video and for mainstream America circa 2006/7 my guess is thats still all that matters to most people, especially kds at this point. Sure there is a growing population in tune and one day podcasting and such will be just matter of fact for most people but the tipping I suspect will still not be reached for another 2-3 years. So while I am personally bummed I may not be able to use a Zune (still don’t know that for sure as there is nothing official about that just another bloggers conjecture) I don’t think that in itself will be the issue that drives a version one Zune to success or failure.
http://www.paulcolligan.com/ Paul Colligan

Rob,

The “kids” comment was a joke. The problem with Microsoft is that they’ve built a product for nbody other than the board room that invented it.

In terms of which company gets on the Podcast creation bus first, Garageband is Apple’s and the engine behind PodcastTools.com and a few of my other casts. It ain’t pefect, but it is Apple’s – so I suggest they got there first.

I’m praying for an 11th hour announcement from Microsoft as well. That’s why I put up the ZuneLuv site. I’m hoping that Zune will luv the Podcaster, I’m just not planning on it right now.

For the Redmond types who are reading this, I’m a FrontPage MVP who has spent the last 2 years trying to get the attention from anyone in the media group to see if I can move the luv over there. You got potential – you got buzz – you got fans … Please don’t screw this up.
http://www.paulcolligan.com Paul Colligan

Rob,

The “kids” comment was a joke. The problem with Microsoft is that they’ve built a product for nbody other than the board room that invented it.

In terms of which company gets on the Podcast creation bus first, Garageband is Apple’s and the engine behind PodcastTools.com and a few of my other casts. It ain’t pefect, but it is Apple’s – so I suggest they got there first.

I’m praying for an 11th hour announcement from Microsoft as well. That’s why I put up the ZuneLuv site. I’m hoping that Zune will luv the Podcaster, I’m just not planning on it right now.

For the Redmond types who are reading this, I’m a FrontPage MVP who has spent the last 2 years trying to get the attention from anyone in the media group to see if I can move the luv over there. You got potential – you got buzz – you got fans … Please don’t screw this up.
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http://scobleizer.wordpress.com/ Robert Scoble

Michael: all things in the tech world start in the bubbles. Remember in 1977 that no one thought we’d need a personal computer, either. I can just imagine someone telling Woz “you live in a bubble, no one will want to buy these things.”

In the meantime I see people getting excited about Blip.TV and the ability to put content up that they’d never get a TV station to broadcast.
http://scobleizer.wordpress.com/ Robert Scoble

Michael: all things in the tech world start in the bubbles. Remember in 1977 that no one thought we’d need a personal computer, either. I can just imagine someone telling Woz “you live in a bubble, no one will want to buy these things.”

In the meantime I see people getting excited about Blip.TV and the ability to put content up that they’d never get a TV station to broadcast.
Paolo Marcucci

Paul, are you SURE that Zune will play music at all? I mean, it’s not like Microsoft officially announced that the device will play music.

Please, if you have solid information about the lack of certain features, feel free to provide sources or evidence. Otherwise, you’re just contributing to the annoying internet background noise of rumours and echo chambers. (Robert, you’re guilty of this too by picking up unsubstantiated stories
http://www.electronista.com/ Jonathan Fingas

The main problem as I see it is that Microsoft tends to think of content only in terms of the business deals it can make to get that content. That’s why you see Microsoft bundling music and videos from major labels and seemingly ignoring the podcasting element altogether: the concept of developing a simple portal for others’ content is still foreign to Microsoft.

Of course, it doesn’t help that the word “podcast” itself is a perpetual reminder of how Microsoft failed at digital music.
Paolo Marcucci

Paul, are you SURE that Zune will play music at all? I mean, it’s not like Microsoft officially announced that the device will play music.

Please, if you have solid information about the lack of certain features, feel free to provide sources or evidence. Otherwise, you’re just contributing to the annoying internet background noise of rumours and echo chambers. (Robert, you’re guilty of this too by picking up unsubstantiated stories
http://www.electronista.com Jonathan Fingas

The main problem as I see it is that Microsoft tends to think of content only in terms of the business deals it can make to get that content. That’s why you see Microsoft bundling music and videos from major labels and seemingly ignoring the podcasting element altogether: the concept of developing a simple portal for others’ content is still foreign to Microsoft.

Of course, it doesn’t help that the word “podcast” itself is a perpetual reminder of how Microsoft failed at digital music.
http://scobleizer.wordpress.com/ Robert Scoble

Paolo: I hope we’re both wrong on this one — but you forget that I read Bill Gates’ ThinkWeek papers and I didn’t see any brilliant podcasting ideas coming through that system this year. Willing to be surprised, though!
http://scobleizer.wordpress.com/ Robert Scoble

Paolo: I hope we’re both wrong on this one — but you forget that I read Bill Gates’ ThinkWeek papers and I didn’t see any brilliant podcasting ideas coming through that system this year. Willing to be surprised, though!
http://www.paulcolligan.com/ Paul Colligan

Robbo: Well that’s depressing. Bet they were fascinating reads anyway.
http://www.paulcolligan.com Paul Colligan

Robbo: Well that’s depressing. Bet they were fascinating reads anyway.
http://www.aialone.com/ jt

Nathaniel, yes that is the Zune (very reliable source informs that it is). And yes, it is the most pathetic attempt at a “me to” product I have seen in a long time. The Zune looks precisely like another Marketing Designed-by-Committee gong show that happens when those without innovation in mind want to “kill” another product.

I will say this again:

Zune is NOT an iPod killer.
http://www.aialone.com jt

Nathaniel, yes that is the Zune (very reliable source informs that it is). And yes, it is the most pathetic attempt at a “me to” product I have seen in a long time. The Zune looks precisely like another Marketing Designed-by-Committee gong show that happens when those without innovation in mind want to “kill” another product.

I will say this again:

Zune is NOT an iPod killer.
http://2006.bengeotigers.org.uk/ Gerry

Robert,

I can only comment on what I know so…

The vast majority of the worlds population do NOT listen to podcasts. I do, but that doesn’t mean that Zune should feature them in V1. Hell, the same goes for video. Who watches video when they’re jogging?!

And you’re right, some people at Microsoft DO get it! Live Writer is easy to use and works out of the box with a small footprint. How cool is that?

Do Google get it all the time? Is Calendar great? I don’t think so. You said it already.

My point is? Think outside the box, not every consumer lives the hype.
http://2006.bengeotigers.org.uk/ Gerry

Robert,

I can only comment on what I know so…

The vast majority of the worlds population do NOT listen to podcasts. I do, but that doesn’t mean that Zune should feature them in V1. Hell, the same goes for video. Who watches video when they’re jogging?!

And you’re right, some people at Microsoft DO get it! Live Writer is easy to use and works out of the box with a small footprint. How cool is that?

Do Google get it all the time? Is Calendar great? I don’t think so. You said it already.

My point is? Think outside the box, not every consumer lives the hype.
http://scobleizer.wordpress.com/ Robert Scoble

JT: I’d agree with that. I don’t think they have a team that can “get” the media world. But, that might be spilled milk talking since they didn’t take any of my advice when offered before. More on all this after it comes out, though. I really hope we’re both wrong and this thing comes out to be a huge success.
http://scobleizer.wordpress.com/ Robert Scoble

JT: I’d agree with that. I don’t think they have a team that can “get” the media world. But, that might be spilled milk talking since they didn’t take any of my advice when offered before. More on all this after it comes out, though. I really hope we’re both wrong and this thing comes out to be a huge success.
http://www.mikeysgblog.com/ Michael Gannotti

Robert, not disagreeing about the bubble as a birthplace. I am a big believer in the media revolution and that Podcasts and Video casts are starting to change the way we are informed/enterained and I have no doubt that they will become over the next number of years the norm in society, especially as the tools and access mediums improve. All I am saying is that I honestly don’t think that at this particular moment in time the ability to handle Podcasts or not will be the deciding factor in whether a music/video device succeeds or fails. I may be wrong but if this device fails I think it will be because of reasons other than that. What those reasons may be, who know. Heck the funny thing is we are all pontificating about a device that none of us knows anything about other than its name.
So since I am on the whole wild conjecture stage as well one thing to keep in mind is if(and that’s a pretty BIG if) the device is built on the Windows Mobile platform under the hood (again I know nothing about the thing other than the conjecture we have all read)then add on apps, upgrading, etc for things like Podcasting and more would be trivial (just take a look at Handango.com or some other site to see what I mean). Again I could be blowing smoke but I’ll reserve my judgment until I see the thing first hand.
http://www.mikeysgblog.com Michael Gannotti

Robert, not disagreeing about the bubble as a birthplace. I am a big believer in the media revolution and that Podcasts and Video casts are starting to change the way we are informed/enterained and I have no doubt that they will become over the next number of years the norm in society, especially as the tools and access mediums improve. All I am saying is that I honestly don’t think that at this particular moment in time the ability to handle Podcasts or not will be the deciding factor in whether a music/video device succeeds or fails. I may be wrong but if this device fails I think it will be because of reasons other than that. What those reasons may be, who know. Heck the funny thing is we are all pontificating about a device that none of us knows anything about other than its name.
So since I am on the whole wild conjecture stage as well one thing to keep in mind is if(and that’s a pretty BIG if) the device is built on the Windows Mobile platform under the hood (again I know nothing about the thing other than the conjecture we have all read)then add on apps, upgrading, etc for things like Podcasting and more would be trivial (just take a look at Handango.com or some other site to see what I mean). Again I could be blowing smoke but I’ll reserve my judgment until I see the thing first hand.
http://scobleizer.wordpress.com/ Robert Scoble

>All I am saying is that I honestly don’t think that at this particular moment in time the ability to handle Podcasts or not will be the deciding factor in whether a music/video device succeeds or fails.

True. I won’t argue with that.

I am saying, though, that there’s a growing group of people who are aware of it. I see the trend lines. They are doing nothing but going up.

Revolutions start small.

Microsoft still doesn’t understand that, though.
http://scobleizer.wordpress.com/ Robert Scoble

>All I am saying is that I honestly don’t think that at this particular moment in time the ability to handle Podcasts or not will be the deciding factor in whether a music/video device succeeds or fails.

True. I won’t argue with that.

I am saying, though, that there’s a growing group of people who are aware of it. I see the trend lines. They are doing nothing but going up.

Revolutions start small.

Microsoft still doesn’t understand that, though.
http://www.mikeysgblog.com/ Michael Gannotti

I think on that we can both agree
http://www.mikeysgblog.com Michael Gannotti

I think on that we can both agree
http://scobleizer.wordpress.com/ Robert Scoble

Gerry: >The vast majority of the worlds population do NOT listen to podcasts.

Who the f*** cares? If you thought this way you would have missed every new product category since the beginning of time. You sound like someone who worked at Sylvania back in the 1950s “who will buy a transistor?”

Or someone who worked at DEC or IBM or HP back in the 1970s “no one will buy a personal computer.”

Or, one of those guys who used to make fun of me cause I used a Macintosh in school “only girls need a mouse and windows and menus.”

Go ahead and keep thinking no one uses this newfangled stuff like RSS, podcasting, videoblogging.

My server logs at Microsoft were proving you wrong (and now that I get to see the ones at PodTech and other places, I can tell you you’re just as wrong as those past naysayers in my life).

There’s a growing audience looking for podcasting. I noticed at MacWorld that Apple made a big deal about it and blogging. Both are things that Microsoft has struggled to really grok.

I’m hoping that I’m wrong, though. Which is sorta why I wrote this post in the first place.
http://scobleizer.wordpress.com/ Robert Scoble

Gerry: >The vast majority of the worlds population do NOT listen to podcasts.

Who the f*** cares? If you thought this way you would have missed every new product category since the beginning of time. You sound like someone who worked at Sylvania back in the 1950s “who will buy a transistor?”

Or someone who worked at DEC or IBM or HP back in the 1970s “no one will buy a personal computer.”

Or, one of those guys who used to make fun of me cause I used a Macintosh in school “only girls need a mouse and windows and menus.”

Go ahead and keep thinking no one uses this newfangled stuff like RSS, podcasting, videoblogging.

My server logs at Microsoft were proving you wrong (and now that I get to see the ones at PodTech and other places, I can tell you you’re just as wrong as those past naysayers in my life).

There’s a growing audience looking for podcasting. I noticed at MacWorld that Apple made a big deal about it and blogging. Both are things that Microsoft has struggled to really grok.

I’m hoping that I’m wrong, though. Which is sorta why I wrote this post in the first place.
http://www.mikeysgblog.com/ Michael Gannotti

Hey maybe we should all start pinging J.J Allaire to follow up his Live Writer when it’s baked to put out a Live Podcaster for Zune
He does seem like someone who gets it. I loaded up his Live Writer and love it (also sent him an email beging for a Live Writer Lite for Smart Phones)
Have a great weekend Robert
http://www.mikeysgblog.com Michael Gannotti

Hey maybe we should all start pinging J.J Allaire to follow up his Live Writer when it’s baked to put out a Live Podcaster for Zune
He does seem like someone who gets it. I loaded up his Live Writer and love it (also sent him an email beging for a Live Writer Lite for Smart Phones)
Have a great weekend Robert
http://scobleizer.wordpress.com/ Robert Scoble

Michael: I told the IE team to put LiveWriter into IE 8.
http://scobleizer.wordpress.com/ Robert Scoble

Michael: I told the IE team to put LiveWriter into IE 8.
http://www.mikeysgblog.com/ Michael Gannotti

Live Writer built in to IE makes perfect sense! Hey on a side note I just got an email from Dodge about their new Chalenger (ah childhood memories of muscle cars) and I thought now there is a sign of the tipping point approaching that you would like. Not a blog but subscription to RSS feed for the challenger. The world is a changin’
http://www.mikeysgblog.com Michael Gannotti

Live Writer built in to IE makes perfect sense! Hey on a side note I just got an email from Dodge about their new Chalenger (ah childhood memories of muscle cars) and I thought now there is a sign of the tipping point approaching that you would like. Not a blog but subscription to RSS feed for the challenger. The world is a changin’
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Lee

Why does the Zune have to ‘support’ podcasts, and what exactly is that support? Does the iPod ‘support’ podcasts on it’s own, and if so, how?

You gotta remember, MS doesn’t want you to use a Zune, they want you to use ALL of thier products. Timing wise, IE7 will be out about the same time as Zune, and IE7 will have some support for RSS (‘podcasts’ are just RSS enclosures), so a simple option in IE to auto-save the enclosure to a folder that is then added to WMP’s watch list will allow you to sync that audio file to the Zune – done! Granted, I haven’t used iTunes, but I don’t see how this is different.
Lee

Why does the Zune have to ‘support’ podcasts, and what exactly is that support? Does the iPod ‘support’ podcasts on it’s own, and if so, how?

You gotta remember, MS doesn’t want you to use a Zune, they want you to use ALL of thier products. Timing wise, IE7 will be out about the same time as Zune, and IE7 will have some support for RSS (‘podcasts’ are just RSS enclosures), so a simple option in IE to auto-save the enclosure to a folder that is then added to WMP’s watch list will allow you to sync that audio file to the Zune – done! Granted, I haven’t used iTunes, but I don’t see how this is different.
http://www.newmediasynergy.com/ Tim R,

Microsoft should have purchased the iRiver Clix design as it is the most elegant portable media player on the market. I soaked my Clix rafting and it worked after a few minutes under the blow dryer.

The current Zune media design does not look so innovative. Follow the leader…

My question is does Microsoft understand the potential of portable devices in the corporate world. People are tired of reading text and are better served with audio or video content.

Seems all of the companies are focused on the media player as a tool for the youth market for playing music. Why is it not a business tool.

Well with EVDO, Mobile RSS, SD cards and mulitimedia enabled cellphones, perhaps the portable media player will be converged out of exhistance in five years anyways…

TR

Microsoft still clueless with Zune?

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