We were gadget sharing at an industry dinner last week — pulling out Mobile TV phones and the like when I uttered the Z word. Even worse, I actually brought one out. Worse than that, I admitted to buying mine — replacing an earlier purchased one that was stolen. You can imagine the grief I took on all counts. The Zune was too big, too this, not enough that. The points system was too complex. The Zune Marketplace look too similar to MTVN’s Urge. The wireless too limited. I could feel my coolness factor plummeting. (Granted, this was a pretty jaded crew.)
Zune has all those issues and more. Yes, I like it. I like the screen, the feel, the interface (for the most part). But I’m not convinced it will take hold. I wish this week’s official intro of a pink model gave me hope but it’s not new colors that are needed or cutesy suggestions to “sync pink” by buying two for Mother’s Day. Features need to be enhanced, including unleashing the wireless. The music programming could be better; too bad they didn’t work with MTVN on that. At least the library has expanded to three million tracks. Now it needs video.
Beyond that, Microsoft needs to either convince people music devices — the Zune, in particular — can extend community or it has to take its marketing in a new direction. It could start with Microsoft employees: I’ve tried it numerous times in various locations loaded with MSFTies and have never found one — not at the Vista launch, not a Microsoft conference or other locations. Unfortunately, I didn’t have it with me for the ultimate test — the Redmond campus.
Unless Microsoft fills in the Zune gaps soon, this device runs the very real risk of winding up like Microsoft Ultimate TV. Out of production. Yes, I have one of those, too.
Update: Dave Winer’s take on his new Microsoft-supplied Zune.
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