Microsoft got it right with Zune 2.0

[Smrt]

Glass scratches too. Plus, it shatters when dropped wrong.

Well Wired did a test on how easy it scratches. They got a key and dragged it down and not a mark was on it.

 

[homeboy]

As S2_mac says, we'll see. None of this will be out for a month at least - that's when we get to evaluate the product instead of the hype. I'm optimistic, but cautiously so - it wouldn't be unlike Microsoft to tie the newest stuff to the new OS.

Like I said the Zune 1.0 works with Media Center, XP and Vista. Therefore there is no reason why MS would make Zune 2.0 Vista only, since they would end up as the loosers.

Vista is only required is you want to seamlessly send recorded TV media to the Zune.

Zune 2.0 will support XP. Period!!

 

[Surf Monkey]

Well Wired did a test on how easy it scratches. They got a key and dragged it down and not a mark was on it.

So? A key is made of metal. Metal is softer than glass. HOWEVER, lots of things in nature are harder than glass. Sand for example. Even a tiny grain of sand in a pocket or under a finger can scratch glass. We know this is the case because lots of people here on the board (myself included) have experienced scratched screens on iPod Touch and iPhone, even though we were being VERY careful with them. Don't let some test on the Web fool you. Real world evidence shows clearly that glass can and does scratch.

 

[Smrt]

So? A key is made of metal. Metal is softer than glass. HOWEVER, lots of things in nature are harder than glass. Sand for example. Even a tiny grain of sand in a pocket or under a finger can scratch glass. We know this is the case because lots of people here on the board (myself included) have experienced scratched screens on iPod Touch and iPhone, even though we were being VERY careful with them. Don't let some test on the Web fool you. Real world evidence shows clearly that glass can and does scratch.

Suppose but keys are most likely are going to be in your pocket with the Zeun.

 

[Surf Monkey]

Suppose but keys are most likely are going to be in your pocket with the Zeun.

Grit and sand are just as likely to be in your pocket as keys.

 

[homeboy]

This is my take on the glass vs. plastic matter.

Glass is obviously more scratch resistant but can without a doubt still be scratched if you have keys or grainy bits of sand in your pocket. But overall glass is much resistant especially when in contact with a rough surface like sandpaper.

Plastic on the other hand is less scratch resistant BUT it all depends on what plastic it is. All manufacturers don't use the same composition of plastic, so the quality of plastic varies a lot.

 

[Surf Monkey]

Yep. I agree with that. Glass can and does get scratched, though FAR less frequently than the plastic used on iPod, particularly iPods before the 6G. You're also correct that it depends on the kind of plastic. The soft Lucite that Apple used on most iPods until recently is HIGHLY susceptible to scratching. On the other hand, the plastic used on the screens of practically every cell phone I've ever owned is actually more scratch resistant than even my iPhone's glass screen.

 

[XVI]

I just don't see why apple does't use the same glass they use on their iPhone for their iPods, there must be something I'm missing.

 

[XVI]

Grit and sand are just as likely to be in your pocket as keys.

Surf Monkey, you'd agree it'd be easier to "ruin" an iPod classic screen though nature acts rather than an iPhone?

 

[Surf Monkey]

Well, I don't really know. My Classic has invisibleSHIELD on it. My iPhone got one gnarly scratch before I put Crystal Film on it. My feeling though is that the Classic is easier to scratch by a long shot.

 

[kylo4]

Two questions:

1. Is it coming out in Canada?
2. When can I get one?

 

[Pikemann_Urge]

It may not topple Apple, but I'd be surprised if it doesn't put them in the number two spot within a few years.

In theory any company's lead is vulnerable. MS's lead in OSes, Apple's in MP3 players and so on. Having said that I would actually be surprised if MS overtook Apple in the timeframe you suggest - if at all. MS is not the only company who wants to 'win', nor is it the only company that is able to overtake competitors.

 

[JazzyMac]

Wow, just saw this thread. I don't think Microsoft "got it right" more than any other dap companies did, but whatever floats.

 

[Derek McNelly]

*sigh*

Still no Mac support...

 

[Surf Monkey]

Wow, just saw this thread. I don't think Microsoft "got it right" more than any other dap companies did, but whatever floats.

Compared to Apple's moves over the last three months, Microsoft hit it out of the park with Zune.

 

[pohatu771]

Apple won't rule the roost forever - that's a given. Even Queens Elizabeth and Victoria, as long as their respective reigns were, had to pass the crown to somebody else eventually. But it won't be MS who is going to dislodge it.

That's not exactly the best analogy... after all. There wasn't a war that removed them from power, they died. The way a company dies is different than the way a person dies.

 

[Code Monkey]

Compared to Apple's moves over the last three months, Microsoft hit it out of the park with Zune.

That's not exactly fair: Had Apple actually delivered everything they said we'd have had some quibbles about the limited functions of the touch and the quirkiness of the new nano form factor along a side helping of, "WTH, I've got to buy the games AGAIN!", but that would have been about it. It was Apple's botched delivery that have earned them the widespread tarnish. They delivered three new products and not a one of them in a finished state followed with no evident wish to get them into a finished state, just an inane fixation with preventing custom ringtones on the iPhone.

Right now, all we've got is Microsoft's "Keynote" - need to see what winds up in people's hands next month to compare the two for the final score.

 

[Surf Monkey]

It was Apple's botched delivery that have earned them the widespread tarnish.

Yes and no. I agree that the execution of the software across the new iPod line has been incredibly problematic but there are other issues as well, not the least of which is the pathetic design effort spent on the Touch (clearly designed as an advertisement for iPhone and little more). Additionally, the fact that Zune software is compatible with the older 1.0 rev of the device is an important distinction between the two launches. While I take your overall point, I think that Apples mistakes run a lot deeper than simple software implementation and run into marketing philosophy, closed systems, lack of responsiveness to consumers and a number of other critical areas.

 

[XVI]

Well, I don't really know. My Classic has invisibleSHIELD on it. My iPhone got one gnarly scratch before I put Crystal Film on it. My feeling though is that the Classic is easier to scratch by a long shot.

So why doesn't Apple use a glass screen for the classic iPod.

 

[JazzyMac]

Compared to Apple's moves over the last three months, Microsoft hit it out of the park with Zune.

Meh, although I'm an ipod advocate, I was a dap advocate previously. There are daps out there that folks would choose over the ipod if not for the immense popularism that Apple ensures gets to the masses. But I'm sure you've been involved in that argument before.

A company that happens to be the rival of Apple releases a new product and the response is, "they hit it out of the park"?

Mmmm, not so much. Can't really admit to that...just as I can't admit to Apple hitting anything out of the park with their releases. Just cool gadgets that look pretty, new, and do what the customers when they want it. The nano was uber cool to me (a knockout, have you), but 2 weeks after release, we see what happened there.

When the companies actually "get it right"--be it Apple or Microsoft--what would we buy next?