Comments on: Microsoft Seeking Zune-Exclusive Content http://www.digitaltrends.com/gadgets/microsoft-seeking-zune-exclusive-content/ Upgrade Your Lifestyle Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:30:12 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Synthmeister http://www.digitaltrends.com/gadgets/microsoft-seeking-zune-exclusive-content/#comment-57221 Synthmeister Tue, 12 Aug 2008 13:51:31 +0000 #comment-57221 MicroSoft needs to take some very basic steps here:<br /> 1. WiFi—MS was the first to make WiFi available on an MP3 player and then they found no compelling use for it except to suck the battery dry.<br /> Give the Zune e-mail, internet, AIM, ActiveSync for Outlook, etc. etc.<br /> 2. Lose the DRM and jump on the bandwagon with AOL. Loudly proclaim your ability to play any and all DRM-free music and the total absence of DRM-music on the Zune store. Loudly proclaim that people will never have to worry about losing their DRM keys.<br /> 3. Points? POINTS! This has got to be the STUPIDEST idea ever in the history of the world. Lose the points system NOW!<br /> 4. Start using AAC and loudly proclaim your allegiance to open standards, then cut a deal with some of the majors to produce 5.1 surround mixes of some of the classic albums.<br /> 5. Optical digital output on the ZuneDock or whatever it's called to play back the 5.1 surround mixes and movies.<br /> 6. Online purchase of music<br /> 7. Copy the iPhone developer program, app store, 70%/30% split.<br /> <br /> Of course these points beg two questions: Is the Zune software anywhere near up to snuff to accomplish any of this stuff? And can MS find anyone with hardware chops to make it work. Remember, the original Zune was just a warmed-over Toshiba Gigabeat. MicroSoft needs to take some very basic steps here:
1. WiFi—MS was the first to make WiFi available on an MP3 player and then they found no compelling use for it except to suck the battery dry.
Give the Zune e-mail, internet, AIM, ActiveSync for Outlook, etc. etc.
2. Lose the DRM and jump on the bandwagon with AOL. Loudly proclaim your ability to play any and all DRM-free music and the total absence of DRM-music on the Zune store. Loudly proclaim that people will never have to worry about losing their DRM keys.
3. Points? POINTS! This has got to be the STUPIDEST idea ever in the history of the world. Lose the points system NOW!
4. Start using AAC and loudly proclaim your allegiance to open standards, then cut a deal with some of the majors to produce 5.1 surround mixes of some of the classic albums.
5. Optical digital output on the ZuneDock or whatever it's called to play back the 5.1 surround mixes and movies.
6. Online purchase of music
7. Copy the iPhone developer program, app store, 70%/30% split.

Of course these points beg two questions: Is the Zune software anywhere near up to snuff to accomplish any of this stuff? And can MS find anyone with hardware chops to make it work. Remember, the original Zune was just a warmed-over Toshiba Gigabeat.

]]> By: Matt http://www.digitaltrends.com/gadgets/microsoft-seeking-zune-exclusive-content/#comment-57222 Matt Mon, 11 Aug 2008 11:17:44 +0000 #comment-57222 If Microsoft made a few tweaks to the Zune, broadened the store and made it less XBOX'ish, and lastly, changed the name they would sell more units. When I hear Zune, I'm already unsold. If Microsoft made a few tweaks to the Zune, broadened the store and made it less XBOX'ish, and lastly, changed the name they would sell more units. When I hear Zune, I'm already unsold.

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