Jimmy97
12-17-2008, 01:16 PM
Right off the bat: I had no idea where to put this - I'm gonna discuss iPod classic vs Zune, iPod touch vs Zune, and iPhone vs Microsoft (i.e. what Microsoft will do as response to the iPhone). Mods, feel free to change the location.
May have been a better idea to split this into around 3 seperate posts, would probably increase my chances at a reply too, but oh well, what the heck. Maybe I'll give that a shot later (way later). Here goes.
First: I view the Zune not solely as a competitor to the iPod classic, but also somewhat to the iPod touch (in terms of features if nothing else). 3.2 inch screen, similar interfaces, (aside from the touch part), games and apps, and the wi-fi are the main ones. Now, the Zune has gotten as close as it can to the touch as it can without a touchscreen, and kudos to that.
My topic: Windows Mobile on Zune (essentially making it a tabletPC), advertising the Zune/device, and where Microsoft could go with this.
I know many of you might not want to read this, but it's an interesting read, at least in my opinion ;)
Windows Mobile: This would be unbelievably awesome, but I seriously find it unlikely, especially since there's no keyboard to the Zune. However, how cool would it be if Microsoft essentially added a stripped down version of Windows to work on the Zune, with the same interface as the desktop version (more or less, with decreased functionality of course), and using the Zune pad as a touchpad? I think it could go a long long way, maybe Microsoft could introduce like a keyboard accessory for the Zune to use it when you're using it as a Windows platform. You could have a choice between booting the normal Zune or Windows. There's no necessity for this though, as Zune is a PMP and will always be, but going by the recent "Windows Mobile with Zune functionality" I've been hearing, I thought this was an interesting idea (to add Windows to Zune as opposed to Zune to Windows Mobile, or both).
Next: Advertising. Not necessarily the Zune, but Microsoft and Apple in general.
Microsoft has yet to introduce a portable XBox system. See where I'm going with this?
Let's suppose Microsoft decides to do this: discontinue the Zune. "What?" Yep. Discontinue it. Wait - there's more. Then, introduce a brand new portable player, something of a response to the iPod touch. In an ideal world, they would do this, and include all the following: The normal Zune interface, repackaged into a Windows-like portable OS. XBox Portable system, with support for digital games, and graphics that rival the PSP. Some form of Microsoft Office, for editing documents. Nice design (probably not slim), touchscreen obviously, with a few controls for using with the XBox, but in a way they're unintrusive, maybe being on the sides of the device (top and bottom with 2 on the sides for your thumbs). Throw a camera in there too, a 5MP one even :D
You're probably thinking: Is this guy thinking in the realm of possibility or is he just listing his "ultimate portable device"? Well personally, my ideal device would be very similar to the above, but branded with PS :D Nothing against XBox though, but I just prefer PS.
They could advertise this as:
"Games. Music. Video. Internet. Windows. Camera. Still think you need a computer?"
Personally, I think the iPhone comes closest to all this. Needs some improvement to reach it fully (Office editor, better graphics, controls, camera). But I think Apple should go by the above slogan next year, seeing as they're the closest to it. Only remove Windows, and change that last line to "Chuck out your PC." Or just keep it the same. Whatever.
-ends rant- :D
Well, if you read through that, I applaud you. Few people will have (it was worth just posting it), but if you're one of the 13 who did, please reply ;)
May have been a better idea to split this into around 3 seperate posts, would probably increase my chances at a reply too, but oh well, what the heck. Maybe I'll give that a shot later (way later). Here goes.
First: I view the Zune not solely as a competitor to the iPod classic, but also somewhat to the iPod touch (in terms of features if nothing else). 3.2 inch screen, similar interfaces, (aside from the touch part), games and apps, and the wi-fi are the main ones. Now, the Zune has gotten as close as it can to the touch as it can without a touchscreen, and kudos to that.
My topic: Windows Mobile on Zune (essentially making it a tabletPC), advertising the Zune/device, and where Microsoft could go with this.
I know many of you might not want to read this, but it's an interesting read, at least in my opinion ;)
Windows Mobile: This would be unbelievably awesome, but I seriously find it unlikely, especially since there's no keyboard to the Zune. However, how cool would it be if Microsoft essentially added a stripped down version of Windows to work on the Zune, with the same interface as the desktop version (more or less, with decreased functionality of course), and using the Zune pad as a touchpad? I think it could go a long long way, maybe Microsoft could introduce like a keyboard accessory for the Zune to use it when you're using it as a Windows platform. You could have a choice between booting the normal Zune or Windows. There's no necessity for this though, as Zune is a PMP and will always be, but going by the recent "Windows Mobile with Zune functionality" I've been hearing, I thought this was an interesting idea (to add Windows to Zune as opposed to Zune to Windows Mobile, or both).
Next: Advertising. Not necessarily the Zune, but Microsoft and Apple in general.
Microsoft has yet to introduce a portable XBox system. See where I'm going with this?
Let's suppose Microsoft decides to do this: discontinue the Zune. "What?" Yep. Discontinue it. Wait - there's more. Then, introduce a brand new portable player, something of a response to the iPod touch. In an ideal world, they would do this, and include all the following: The normal Zune interface, repackaged into a Windows-like portable OS. XBox Portable system, with support for digital games, and graphics that rival the PSP. Some form of Microsoft Office, for editing documents. Nice design (probably not slim), touchscreen obviously, with a few controls for using with the XBox, but in a way they're unintrusive, maybe being on the sides of the device (top and bottom with 2 on the sides for your thumbs). Throw a camera in there too, a 5MP one even :D
You're probably thinking: Is this guy thinking in the realm of possibility or is he just listing his "ultimate portable device"? Well personally, my ideal device would be very similar to the above, but branded with PS :D Nothing against XBox though, but I just prefer PS.
They could advertise this as:
"Games. Music. Video. Internet. Windows. Camera. Still think you need a computer?"
Personally, I think the iPhone comes closest to all this. Needs some improvement to reach it fully (Office editor, better graphics, controls, camera). But I think Apple should go by the above slogan next year, seeing as they're the closest to it. Only remove Windows, and change that last line to "Chuck out your PC." Or just keep it the same. Whatever.
-ends rant- :D
Well, if you read through that, I applaud you. Few people will have (it was worth just posting it), but if you're one of the 13 who did, please reply ;)