A few weeks back I wrote an article titles, Apple Cult: Drinking the Cool-Aid?. I got a lot of support from Zune users and a lot of negative comments from iPod users (some I could not publish!).
Today, I was surfing the net looking for some Zune news and I found this blog that confirms what I am talking about. The writer simply asked, “What would you change about the Microsoft Zune?” Instantly, the Apple Kool-Aid drinkers pounced to throw their politics into the mix. The author was sincere in his question, but got spammed with negative responses. Read the blog. Here are the first few responses, unedited:
“Discontinue it.” (first comment)
“EXACTLY discontinue it….period.”
“just get rid of it the only use for it is a paper weight!”
“exactly what I was going to say. Discontinue the thing. Bow to iPod…”
“Discontinue it, and give the money back to the shareholders.”
I would personally like to thank all the Kool-Aid drinkers that responded in this way (dozens and dozens) for proving the premise of my article. A big round of applause!
I get a lot of e-mails each week with Zune owners asking about their broken/problem Zune. Seems that a lot of people drop their Zunes!
If you are having problems with your Zune due to dropping it or it just started having problems you should refer to your Zune Product Guide. Many throw their Zune Product Guide away so I will post some useful information here.
The first thing you should do with a problem Zune is to take it back to where you bought it and see what their policy is. For instance, Walmart will take back Mp3 players within 15 days of purchase. Check with the store you bought it from (on the internet or a physical store). Each store will have their own Zune return policy.
If the store you bought your Zune from does not take it back then you will have to work through Microsoft’s Zune Warranty.
Microsoft has a 1 Year Express Warranty. The Zune Product Guide states that the original purchaser falls under this Zune Warranty program and, “that under normal use and service” and that the user must, “conform with the accompany printed user instruction materials.” I am no lawyer, but I take this to mean if the Zune just stops working or has a problem during normal use (no dropping) and you have not modified your Zune Software/hardware in any way you are covered. There is no way you can expect a company to refund/replace a product if the buyer is “hacking” the software and messes up!
If you qualify for the Zune 1 Year Express Warranty the you must call Zune direct at 877-GET-ZUNE (877-438-9863). Even if you are past a year or don’t qualify it can’t hurt to try!
In the Zune Product Kind it states that you must submit proof of purchase “in the form of bona fide, dated bill of sale, receipt, or invoice.” This is to prove you fall within 1 year. Also, you must follow Microsoft’s shipping instructions and delete/remove any files or data you consider private or confidential.
The next Zune is rumored to have WiFi capability. This could mean syncing your Zune up with the Microsoft Marketplace wirelessly removing the need to download songs to your computer, then to your Zune. This will remove the middleman (your computer). I could see myself sitting in a Starbucks watching YouTube videos and sending e-mails to my friends in around Chrismas time. Discuss this topic in the forum here.
Microsoft reported that they have shipped 1.2 million Zunes since entering the market last November. That is 200,000 more than expected since initial release of their Zune player and an average of 150,000 a month. Microsoft is still way behind Apple’s iPod sales of 100 million shipped. Considering the iPod has been around 5 years, that is an average of 20 million units shipped a year. Obviously Microsoft has a lot of catching up to do. Maybe they should have featured it in the latest Transformer movie!
Microsoft plans on releasing the next generation Zune called Draco that features 4 and 8 GB Flash memory. The next generation Zune is expected to be released by Christmas of 2007.
What do you do with your iPod when you work on the Zune team? Simple! put it into the specially designated “iPod Amnesty Bin†Which is found in the entrance to the Zune HQ
Its been confirmed that the “baby pink” colored Zune will be coming out come May 1st but there are also rumors around on what is the other color Microsoft’s Zune team plan on releasing. It seems logical that it will be the orange colored Zune that was given to Zune team members and the 100 special editions Zuns that were sold on the Zune launch.
How ever there have been speculations that they will be releasing a “Watermelon (redish) colored Zune. I personally think should stick to the 3 main ones and concentrate on improvements on the Zune its self, be it firmware updates or the next gen of Zune. Although a pink colored one is not the worst idea, as it was taking in pretty well by others and seemed to be a hot item to get, specially on eBay, but it should stop there. There really isn’t any need for a Black, Brown, White, Orange, Pink, Red. Then again I might be wrong and there are people out there that would love an orange colored Zune, who knows, let us know what you think.
Also, do you see something missing with these new colors?
Update:Here is a new pic with all the new colors so far together. Looking pretty cool!
Update 2: Ok I have left them there for now, but will take down soon. Those other pictures up the top are from ZuneScene and according to Zune-Online guys, ZuneScene photoshoped those pics and developed the fake images of pink and orange Zunes.
It actually is quite clear if you look at the pictures there compared to the “Baby Pink” colored Zune in the official picture from the Zune team.
