I never bought an iPod - not that I hate it - but I just don't feel like giving my money to Apple nor do I want Apple's sales to go up by 1. Not that I didn't observe/use the device - I played around with enough generations of iPods among work and friends to know whats good and whats bad about it - compared it with my Playsfor Sure devices for years. Today the time has come as we announce Zune, the wait will soon be over. All that speculation that Microsoft is working on an iPod rival are true - here's is a typical XBox style viral marketing site on the project - comingzune.com .
Another blog you wouldn't want to miss is http://www.zuneinsider.com/ and engadget's “know” list - http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/21/zune-what-we-know-think-we-know-and-dont-yet-know/
Don't miss reading the BillBoard article on http://www.billboard.biz/bb/biz/magazine/upfront/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002877378
Update: http://www.zunenation.com/ is a pretty cool place to know / hear all the rumours about Zune too... And the list keep growing http://search.msn.com/results.aspx?q=zune&FORM=QBHP
Here are some highlights from the article that I'm most excited about -
On Wi-Fi support for the device -
“They range from allowing users to view and sample music from other Zune devices in the same hot spot, to accessing content stored in an online digital locker, to buying and downloading music directly to the device“
“Zune users will be able to view each other's playlists, recommend music and sample tracks in what Stephenson describes as a multifaceted music discovery experience. This capability will extend to the Xbox 360 game console, PCs running Windows Media Center and mobile phones using the Windows Mobile operating system.“
“While publicly praising Apple's success in building the digital music space, music industry executives have expressed frustration at the company's my-way-or-the-highway tactics. Competition means more opportunities to sell digital music in ways Apple won't allow. For instance, Microsoft is more open to variable pricing, whereas Apple is not.“
“Microsoft will support the Zune launch with a massive advertising and marketing campaign expected to be heavily artist-centric, including several live performances nationwide. Stephenson says the total effort will be on par with that of the Xbox 360 launch, which cost a reported $500 million.”